#also busy being offended by the fucking potatoes

[stylishanachronism]

Making tahdig making tahdig ~!

[starlightxsvt]

Cohabitation with the Devil | Chapter 4

pairing ➳ devil!jihoon x female!reader

genre ➳ little bit of horror, crack, enemies to lovers, fluff, eventual smut.

word count ➳ 2.2k

warnings ➳ cursing, blood, stabbing, (nothing too gore), some stalking ig, a little bit of violence, religious talks which are completely inaccurate (i made it up, don't read if you are offended), hoshi being offended cuz he has been called a hamster!!!, they finally smooch in this episode yisss 😳

summary ➳ somehow an entity ends up in your house and it isn't planning on leaving anytime soon. you know trouble comes in many forms but you never thought it would come to you in the form of a rather short but devilishly handsome, extremely annoying demon.

║ series masterlist ║

"So have you thought of a plan to get rid of him?" Hoshi asks as he pops a fry into his mouth. Sighing you follow in suit before shaking your head no.

"I don't think it's possible to get rid of him without banging him." You murmur chewing on the cold slice of potato.

"Maybe a priest could help," Seokmin pipes up from beside you.

"I doubt it," you murmur. "That thing fears nothing.

"Gosh, I can't believe he called me a hamster. The more I think about it the angrier I get," Hoshi murmurs to himself as he wipes his fingers using a napkin. You roll your eyes. Your friend will never be ready to hear it but he indeed, represents a hamster but you're not mean enough to burst his tiger obsession bubble.

"Maybe you should move out," Seokmin makes a suggestion. You let out a puff of air, "It's not gonna work. He said we are like...attached. Where I go, he goes."

"Damn."

"I can't believe we have a fucking demon stuck up our asses," Hoshi murmurs. You jab him playfully, "You mean my ass."

"Maybe you should just have sex with him. I mean...it's the only solution no?" Seokmin says innocently. You glare at him.

"I won't be having sex with a demon!" You hiss.

"Oh come on, ___. How bad can it be? I mean he's a nasty creature so I'm sure you're gonna have a good time-" before he can finish you grab your bag and get up from the seat, taking quick steps away from the canteen.

"Bye idiots."

-

When you come home, Jihoon isn't there, much to your surprise and relief. You wait a few minutes for him to pop out of nowhere and when he doesn't a small smile spreads onto your face.

Maybe he got tired of you and left.

Happily you get on with your chores and after a very productive day, when it's late into the night, you sit down in front of the TV with your favourite snacks, ready to catch up on your shows.

A sudden sound from your kitchen puts you alert mode as you jump from the couch and peer towards the source.

Your face falls in disappointment.

Jihoon has appeared out of thin air and is taking out a packet of snack from your cabinet, happily munching on the crispy treat while strolling towards the living room, like what he just did was completely normal.

"Hey 'sup? Miss me baby?" He throws a cheeky grin at you before taking the seat next to you.

"You're back?" You whisper in dismay.

"I'm back? You didn't think I left for good, did you?" He chuckles.

"Why the hell are you back! Go back to wherever you have been all day!"

"Hell? Aw, no that's not fun. Also, I live here, darling.

"Excuse me?" You seethe. "You live here? Let's see, you don't pay a fucking penny for the rent, you don't help me with any chores, you don't clean the house instead only trash it and you- you've the audacity to say you live here?!"

"Damn, you're stressed. You must have really missed me," He muses to himself, busy stuffing his mouth with food and watching the TV.

The anger you feel is beyond anything. So strong that it drains you and you fall back on the sofa, groaning loudly while pulling at your hair. "Is there really no way to get rid of you without sex?!"

"Mhmm, no other way. I'm gonna be with you even after death."

"What! That means I'm going to hell?!" You sit upright, eyeing him with blown out pupils.

"Or heaven. We'll know when you actually die," he says nonchalantly. "What do you mean? How can you visit me in heaven?" You frown only to see a salacious smirk grace the demon's lips. "Well, you see, I have a free pass there."

"What!"

He laughs at your reaction. "Yeah, the higher ranking demons are graced with the power to enter heaven. Just to visit though, we cannot use our powers there."

"Why...why would you visit heaven?" You whisper warily. He gives you a teasing smile, "To make deals or discuss anything important or related to the orders of heaven and hell with Him."

"Him? You make deals with God?!" You yell.

"Yeah. Something like that." He replies calmly. You sit in silence, somewhat shocked. You don't ask for any more information despite your curiosity because you aren't sure how much you are allowed to know.

"Well," you clear your throat. "I'm gonna prepare for bed, I had a long day."

"Aw, want me to sing you a lullaby? Or even better we can just have s-"

"Good fucking night." You glare at him, flustered, before marching away from the room.

-

Next morning when you wake up Jihoon has once again disappeared but to your utter surprise, you find your living room clean when you expected it to be a complete mess because of Jihoon's snacking last night and since you had left your dinner leftovers on the table. Instead you find the dishes done, table wiped and even a cup of coffee prepared for you with a note that says-

Since you were complaining I did nothing around the house, I took pity on you. I'll be late today. Don't miss me too much baby ;)

Also, don't worry, I didn't poison your coffee. Can't have you getting hurt, sweetheart.

A scoff escapes your lips as you read the note before a grin appears on your face which you can't help. Tentatively you sip on your coffee and when you deem that it tastes usual, you start preparing for class, a happy smile etched to your face.

For the first time, you don't find Jihoon so annoying. If he helps you with chores and everything, it wouldn't be too bad to have him as a roommate.

-

After finishing your classes and having lunch with Hoshi and Seokmin, you visit the library with all your study materials, ready to catch up on the pending classworks and assignments. You get so immersed into your work that you don't even realize hours have passed and night has fallen, until a library employee taps on your table to let you know that they are closing.

Surprised, you look at your watch and realize it's eight in the evening. Embarrassed, you scurry out of the place with your belongings and wonder how you couldn't keep track of your time.

Nevertheless, you let out a satisfied sigh as you have managed to finish all of your tasks so you happily walk towards your home, humming a tune while following the shortcut of a back alley.

You're too lost in your thoughts that at first, you don't realize someone is following you. Your suspicions grow when you realize there is a man behind you who has been following you for some time and he seems to be getting closer each minute. You don't have the guts to turn around and take a look at him so you increase your pace, hyperaware of his presence as he increases his pace too.

Fuck.

He's definitely following you.

Swallowing, you try your best to keep walking, determined to get to a crowded road or a supershop. You take a quick turn and keep walking but after a few moments you realize that nobody is behind you now so you stop and let out a huge breath.

Shit, was he not a creep then?

Or did you imagine that whole thing?

No that is not possible. Chewing on your lip you frown wondering what just happened and just as you are about to turn around and keep walking, you come face to face with the man.

A scream of surprise escapes your mouth as you stumble and land on your ass, watching as the man, dressed in black takes slow steps towards you while you keep crawling backwards.

He raises his head and with the help of the light from the street lamp, you make out his face, a scar on his cheek and an evil grin on his face. From his pocket he produces a small knife and a choked breath leaves your face as your back meets a wall.

Fuck.

You're done for.

"Stop running, little lady. Let's have some fun," the man drawls, his voice scratchy and a whisper of plea falls from your lips as you raise your arms instinctively while the man takes large steps towards you.

You were expecting to be grabbed by your hair or maybe stabbed but nothing of that sort happens as a cry pierces through the air. You open your eyes to see Jihoon choking the man, one hand wrapped around his throat as he raises him in the air before turning to look at you, "You alright?" He asks.

"Y-yeah." Your voice comes out as a whisper.

Jihoon drops the man on the ground suddenly before kicking his stomach a few times. He then takes the knife from his hand and in the blink of an eye, stabs it straight into the man's right hand.

His agonized cry echoes throughout the alley.

"Jihoon! Oh my god! Stop!" You manage to stand up and run towards him, trying to pull him away from the now groaning and bleeding man.

Jihoon looks at you boredly, "What? He deserved it. Do you know how many people he hurt?" You let out a shaky breath while dragging him away, "Okay, that's enough, let's go. Please."

Giving one last kick on the man's face, Jihoon follows you as he wraps a protective arm around your shoulder and silently you walk back to your apartment.

-

"How did you know I was in danger?" You ask quietly as you take a seat next to Jihoon on the sofa after you have showered and dried your hair. "Let's just say I know things. I felt that you were in danger," he replies, serving you some ramen from the pot that he so graciously has cooked. You accept the bowl from him and take a bite. He watches you for a while before asking, "Did you get hurt anywhere?"

"I have some scratches on my palms. It nothing serious."

Nodding, he serves himself some ramen too.

"Thank you," you whisper.

"It's alright. I like my stuffs untouched." He throws you a teasing smile and despite the situation you snort. "So, I'm your stuff, now? Shouldn't it be the other way around? I summoned you so you are my stuff."

"I guess that works too," he smiles while stuffing the noodles into his mouth. You finish your portion and set the bowl down, murmuring, "And thanks for what you did earlier in the morning...you know, the dishes, making me coffee. And thanks for the ramen too."

Jihoon turns his head towards you, a brow raised as he silently gawks at you. "You know this the first time you're being nice to me." He says.

You roll your eyes, "Do you not like it? Okay, I'll be mean from now-"

"No, I like it very much." Jihoon licks his lips. For a brief moment his eyes travel towards your lips but you aren't sure if it really happened or was it just your imagination. "You know we could get along very well." He comments softly.

"Yeah," you reply. "If you were cooperative. Like today, you know."

Jihoon laughs softly before a comfortable silence overtakes you two. He finishes his ramen while you sit next to him, fiddling with the shirt of your pajama set and observing the little scratches on your palms.

It doesn't hurt anymore but it is sensitive to touch.

Busy in your thoughts, you don't realize Jihoon is looking at you when suddenly he reaches for your hands to observe the little marks.

Your heart beat skyrockets and your face heats up.

What is wrong with you? Why are you feeling like this? Or is he doing something to you?

Holding your breath you watch as he runs his fingers over your palm softly. You hear him murmur, "I should have come sooner."

His words make you swoon. Before you can stop yourself you whisper, "It's okay. I'm all right. You saved me."

His eyes meet yours, his expression calm yet somewhat stressed. As if it's a staring competition, you two hold each others gaze breathlessly. With the softest movements which you don't register at first, he leans towards your face, eyes on your lips before cupping your cheek with one hand and tilting your face.

Like a programmed robot you close your eyes and anticipate for his lips and when they finally press against yours, you almost feel like exploding.

Gently, at first, he kisses you before you let out a moan which eggs him further and his grip becomes stronger on your cheek. His tongue enters your mouth and he takes his time ravishing you completely before pulling back with a soft sigh.

He watches you with a heated look for a while before leaning away and grabbing the bowls from the center table and standing up.

"That's enough for one night. Don't wanna push you too hard, sweetheart." He smirks at you.

He leaves you on your own, frozen in shock, some excitement perhaps and the thoughts of the fact that he just kissed you.

Jihoon, the demon, kissed you. And you enjoyed it.

Enjoyed reading? Please let me know your thoughts as they really encourage me! Ask box is always open!

Taglist: @amymoonl @deardiarylovegale @cheoriemoawa @laconic-abditory

© All rights reserved under starlightxsvt 2021. Do not copy, repost, modify, edit, or translate any my work without my direct consent. This tumblr is the ONLY place where my fics are posted.

[its-deputy-caleb]

If you're feeling up to writing a bit of Mikey, could I please request him being an asshat to everyone and being told off by his S/O after he asks Jack if he wants to earn a dollar?

(You know the part where he says to ask Arthur about the stick up his butt?)

He's such a dickhead and I find myself telling the screen off when he does it! 😂

OR

His S/O giving him a slap and a bollocking after he kicks Cain, then they fuss over Cain and force Micah to make friends with him.

I dunno, it's up to you 😂 You could write any scenario you want, I'll still love it 😘😘

i am always up to writing for a bit of mikey (that nickname is so cute) but ngl i had no idea how to write this or put this together. I watched the clips again so i could get it accurate but i changed it bc i didn't know if u wanted a happy ending or not but i hope i delivered <33 also u asked for either and i gave u both :)

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

Clemens Point was a strange place with even stranger people. After leaving valentine in a hurry it seems the entire gang was on edge and ready to blow like a stick of dynamite. It seems having to act like upstanding heartfelt citizens to the Grays and the Braithwaites has meant everyone is that aggravated and pent up.

On more than one occasion you’d seen Sadie lose it when Pearson got to pushy with chores and it seems Abigail and John couldn’t stand to have a normal conversation for five minutes before one of them broke. It wasn’t much better with Dutch and Hosea who were constantly disagreeing on the right moves for the gang, although they were much more civil about it.

You did your best to keep out of everyone’s way, to avoid the confrontation but knowing your luck you’d end up getting involved one way or another.

You were returning to camp one sweltering hot afternoon with Sadie after you finished collecting the gang’s weekly stock from the general store. You were only half listening to the hustle around the camp as you were too busy listening to Sadie tell you all about Pearson’s dear aunt Cathy. You stepped off the wagon and headed to the back to start unloading some of the supplies when the sound of Micah’s voice could be heard talking to Jack.

“How’d ya like to earn a dollar?”

His voice with thick with malice as he hunched over the wooden table. In Micah’s hands was a silver nickel that he fiddled with between his fingers, much like you’d seen of him do with his knife. Your eyes found Jack who was almost reluctant to get anywhere near the man who you knew scared him. However, being the innocent child that he was his eyes lit up at the sight of something shiny.

“A dollar? Sure.”

You carried the heavy bag of potatoes over to Pearson’s wagon as you went back for another round of supplies but you kept the boy in the corner of your eye.

“Well…go on up to old Arthur Morgan, ask him about the pole he’s got stuck up his ass and I’ll give ya a dollar.”

Micah’s face lit up in a smirk, his accent thick and his typical evil giggle falling from his mouth. He sat back on the chair, satisfied at the mischief he’s caused.

Before you could get anywhere Jack had run off to where Arthur was sitting in his tent, reading over a letter. You placed another round of ammunition into Strauss’ wagon, dropping it hastily and running as you saw Arthur walk right up to Micah with a murderous look in his eye.

“I’ll give you a dollar if you shut your—“

Arthur didn’t get to finish his insult before you stepped in front of him with a soft hand on his shoulder. You gave him a soft smile and a nod, quietly saying to your dear friend that you’d handle this.

With that you turned with your own look of anger directed to Micah. Everyone knew you loved him but they also knew you didn’t hesitate to call him out and get him to behave when you had to.

“Micah leave the damn boy alone!”

He scoffed like he wasn’t offended you didn’t defend him and instead chose to call him out. Micah’s hands came up in his signal of fake defeat as he slowly backed away from his place at the table, acting as if he was nothing more than the innocent bystander and not the one who nearly ended up on the ground with a broken nose for starting it.

You watched as Micah lingered around the edge of the camp, his eyes trained to yours as he lit a cigarette but you ignored him. Instead you walked over to Jack, smiling softly and taking his hand to lead him to the river’s edge.

“Common, why don’t we go see if we can find any beautiful rock on the sand, hmm? I’m sure your mother would love such a beautiful gift.”

-

Of course, it wasn’t more than a few days later when you ran into trouble again with Micah. You’d spent your time ignoring him mostly, instead choosing to go hunting with Charles and Arthur, practice your throwing knives with Javier and help teach Jack to read. You knew how badly it pissed Micah off to do things without him but he needed to understand that there was a way to treat people, especially with people you considered family.

You rolled up your sleeves, using your forearm to wipe the sweat from your forehead as you picked up the knife and started cutting carrots and potatoes for tonights stew.

“Are you a good boy? Yes you are! The best boy”

Your head came up to notice bill sitting against the log by the campfire, scratching under Cain’s chin and giving the energetic dog pats along the back. You couldn’t help but smile at the new addition to the gang and how happy it made you to see Bill less stressed. It seemed that having Cain made everyone feel more caring and loving.

All except Micah.

“You’re the fool that feed’s him Marion. He ain’t nothing more than a filthy mongrel and an extra mouth to feed.”

Micah had stood from his place on the opposite side of the campfire to antagonise Bill. A frustrated noise leaves you as you slam the knife down on the wooden bench, ready to storm over there and chew Micah’s ear off. You take a step forward only for Miss Grimshaw, who was working next to you, to grab your arm and stop you before you get any further.

“There is a time and a place dear, don’t make it worse.”

Of course you knew Susan was just trying to keep another argument from happening but you push past her when you see Micah inching towards Cain who had left his spot at Bill’s feet to hide by a wagon. In a split second decision you pick the knife you’re cooking with and use it like a throwing knife to get his attention. The knife swings through the air, not getting near anyone, it wasn’t like you actually wanted to stab Micah no matter how badly he could get on your nerves and watched as it got wedged into the tree behind him.

Micah’s head shot up, his foot moving away from Cain and stared dumbfounded and shocked, unused to seeing you so skilfully throw a knife but your practices paid off. You walked right into his personal space, taping your finger against his chest.

“Don’t. You. Dare”

Micah’s first response was to try and sweet-talk his way out of it like he always does but you were in no mood to deal with his slyness.

“Dare to do what sweetheart? Common now… weren’t gonna do nothin—“

Your hand came to give Micah a crisp slap across the cheek, apart of you was shocked that you’d even do such a thing but the other half of you was furious.

“Don’t underestimate for a minute that I won’t dump you right now and throw you out of camp Micah. I’m not some stranger you can sweet-talk when you get in trouble. I swear, if I see you go anywhere near Cain the knife isn’t going to hit the tree next time.”

Micah’s eyebrows shoot up in shock as you lecture him in front of almost the entire gang. Even Dutch put his book down when he heard your slap. He was lost for words, truely, having now other thought as he watched you walk away back to preparing tonights stew. He didn’t move from his place until he heard you whistle for Cain to sit by your feet, where he went and meandered off into the forest to give you space. All he knew was that he must have fucked up bad if you threatened to leave him.

-

A few hours later you’d managed to calm down, watching the sunset after Ms Grimshaw gave you the rest of the night off to relax at how pent up you were. Now sitting here you couldn’t help but feel like you may have over reacted but Micah had pushed your buttons one too many times and if Micah was going to listen to anyone it would be you. You let out a soft but hearty sigh as the tension and stress from your shoulders left with your breath. Your body relaxed against the tree and you watched the sun gently dip below the horizon.

It was well and truely dark before you heard the rustling of grass and the thud of someone sitting next to you. You thought it may have been Arthur coming to check on you but that thought died when arms wrapped around your waist and you felt Micah rest his chin on your shoulder, his stringy hair tickling your face at the gentle breeze.

“…M’ sorry…”

A very quiet and forced apology was pulled from Micah as he cuddled into you, mumbling it into your shoulder at the pain of actually having to apologise.

“Sorry won’t cut it Micah. You have to stop treating people that I care about— people that are family better.”

Micah sighs, the defeated, tired one that shows he’s willing to listen because no matter how badly he stirs up trouble, the thought of losing you is enough to have him turn his mind around.

“I know…gonna make it up to ya I promise.”

A soft and very cautious kiss is placed on your shoulder with Micah knowing he’s still not forgiven by you yet.

“You’re damn well gonna make it up to me. Firstly you’re apologising to Jack first thing tomorrow and secondly you need to pull your weight for this gang— and no I’m not talking about robbing another coach. To start you can sit on guard duty with me and you can wash my clothes.”

“I’ll just buy you new clothes”

You give Micah a death glare as you tilt your head to look at him. Instantly his teasing smirk leaves and his arms come to wrap tighter around your body, resting his hands on your stomach and intertwining your fingers.

“Alright, alright… guard duty ain’t so bad.”

You sit together for a while in a comfortable silence. All the energy from today had left you and you no longer had it in you to keep arguing. You’d hold Micah to his promise to do better but for now you leant back into his embrace and rested your head against his.

“Can I at least sleep in the tent tonight?”

You smiled softly as you hummed in contemplation just to tease him. Micah hadn’t come to sleep in your shared tent since the day he messed with Jack and both of you had missed each other despite the frustration and anger you had.

“Hmm, we’ll see.”

Micah thinks you’ve said no, panicking internally but is stopped when you turn your head and place a soft kiss to his cheek over the mark from where you’d slapped him not so long ago. It wasn’t the kiss that he wanted but he still needed to make it up to you before you gave him what he wanted.

You reached a soft hand up behind you, cradling his head and rubbing your thumb over his sore cheek.

“Is your cheek okay?”

Micah let out a gravelly noise, deep from his chest as he leaned into your hand.

“Ain’t gotta worry sweetheart, I’ve survived much worse”

You don’t get to reply when a tentative and cautious Cain makes his way over to the two of you. You pat your leg and he curls up beside you with his head resting on your leg and his tail thumbing, relaxed and happy.

Micah on the other hand was not relaxed or happy as he tensed up and moved away from the dog and you. If it wasn’t for your hand holding the back of his head he probably would’ve jumped away.

“Micah Cain isn’t going to hurt you, he just wants attention like you. See? No need to be afraid.”

To prove your point you reach a hand out and gently brush over his short, grey fur, watching as he perks up.

“I ain’t afraid!”

You would’ve believed him if you didn’t catch the waver in his voice but you knew. You knew after seeing him be spooked by the animal more than once around camp.

The hand that was still intertwined with his gently guided his hand pat Cain, letting him slowly get comfortable to him.

It took some time but finally Micah had gotten used to Cain enough to realise he was clearly not a threat. At some point Cain had moved over to Micah’s side, resting beside him as the night became later.

A yawn left you and you slowly sank into Micah’s embrace, your eyelids falling shut as you dozed, clearly exhausted.

Holding Micah to his promise was a job for tomorrow, but for now you let yourself fall asleep in his arms, the tent be damned.

[fific7]

Cold Day in Hell - Part 1

Logan Delos x Reader

A/N: This does not completely follow canon, it’s mainly lemon zest 🍋 because the world needs more Logan Delos.

Warnings: 18+ NSFW due to sexual content, including oral, between consenting adults* in future chapters. Drinking and swearing.

*Irl, please don’t go wild in the country without protection.

(My GIF)

Logan Delos was bored. Mind-numbingly, screamingly, terminally bored. He was rapping out an irritated drum solo on the arm of his chair with his long fingers. He was shifting in his seat, constantly crossing and un-crossing his long legs. He was moving the papers on the conference table in front of him from side to side, then backwards and forwards.

The businessman who was talking through the main presentation had a voice that was flatter than roadkill and had only one tone... monotone.

Logan leant forward and propped his elbows on the conference table in front of him, using his fingers to physically hold open his eyelids as they kept closing of their own accord. He felt a yawn coming on and fought to stop his mouth opening to accommodate it... but failed.

He was aware of the door to the conference room opening behind him but didn’t even have the energy to turn and see who it was. This asshole is draining the fucking will to live out of me, he thought. He vaguely heard said asshole saying something about his colleague talking through the next section of the presentation.

Logan sat right up in his seat as he spotted a beautiful - no, stunning - woman making her way to the front of the room. She was dressed in ‘business smart’ but even those sensible items couldn’t hide her curves. Her hair was pinned up, and he had already started fantasising about loosening it and running his hands through it. He wished he’d paid attention when Asshole had said her name. Or had he said her name? Logan had no idea.

He heard her starting to speak, a melodic voice... he had to know her name! Logan tutted and picked up the meeting agenda, riffling back and forth through the pages to get to the correct one, but wasn’t even sure what page he should be on. Suddenly the folder tumbled from his hands and clattered onto the floor. The talking stopped and he became aware of everyone’s eyes on him, including hers. In fact, she was kind of glaring at him.

He gave an apologetic wave to the room in general as he retrieved the folder from the floor. She began speaking again, and he resumed his page-riffling. Finally he found the current one, and there was her name in black and white. A melodic name to match her voice, he thought.

He started paying attention to what she was actually saying.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You’d just started your part of the presentation when some asshole dropped his agenda folder, the sharp noise bringing you to a screeching halt. When you saw a hand waving around in the air, your eye followed the arm down to its owner and noted that he was in fact a very good-looking asshole. But he was still an asshole.

You cleared your throat, trying to collect your thoughts and then launched back into your presentation. The asshole was now staring at you relentlessly; every single time your eyes swept the room, his dark eyes were on you. Like... always on you. Not like the others, who were at least glancing down at the handouts occasionally.

The section you were presenting drew to a close, and you now took an empty seat at the table. It was diagonally opposite the handsome asshole. Who was still staring at you.

Now that you were much closer, you could see that his eyes were a dark chocolate brown, with a wicked gleam in them. They matched his shining dark hair, which was immaculately swept back from his forehead. You boldly met his stare for a while, before breaking eye contact to listen to your colleague Craig deliver the final part.

At the end of the presentation there were a few questions which were duly answered, and then everyone was gathering up their paperwork and milling around prior to leaving the conference room. As you tucked your folders away in your document bag, in your peripheral vision you became aware of a pair of long legs making their way to you. You knew who it was bound to be so you didn’t bother looking up. A throat cleared next to you but you continued packing away your items, and then you heard your first name being spoken in a low, husky voice. This time you did look up - it would be rude not to - and yup, it was Handsome Asshole. A hand was proffered to you and by reflex you took it, your hand being crushed in a strong grip. “Logan Delos,” said that suave voice, “...it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart?” you scoffed, “...how original!” while thinking, oh... so this is the infamous Logan Delos, whose name you’d heard all the time in connection with the projects but never actually met before. He had a reputation of being a bit of a diva. You heard him give a deep chuckle. “Yeah, that’s me - an original. Unique, in fact I’d say.” “Well, you’re super confident, that’s for sure!” You picked up your document bag and headed for the door, saying “Nice to meet you, Mr Delos,” as you started to leave. His tall frame scooted round in front of you before you could reach it, “Oh, not so fast.... I can’t let you leave before you agree to have dinner with me.” You tried to sidestep him but he blocked your way, and then a little ‘step to the right, step to the left’ dance ensued. Finally, exasperated, you stood still and put your hands on your hips. “Mister Delos! Will you please let me past!” He copied your stance, “Not until you say you’ll have dinner with me. Or lunch. Or.... breakfast, if you prefer?!” wiggling his eyebrows at you. You huffed, “I don’t date business partners!” He still stood in front of you, seemingly immovable, “We’re not business partners - technically speaking. Boring Asshole is my business partner, not you.” Your mouth dropped open but before you could stop it, laughter bubbled out.

You hastily silenced it, saying, “I admit, Craig may not be the most inspiring public speaker, but he really knows his stuff,” trying to cover your somewhat indiscreet reaction and save your colleague’s honour at the same time. “But that’s beside the point, Mr Delos, because we are business partners despite what you’re trying to say.” Logan had moved slightly aside while you were speaking and you took this opportunity to brush past him, calling out, “Goodbye, Mr Delos,” with the emphasis on the goodbye as you went.

If you’d bothered to look back, you would’ve seen Logan Delos watching you go, a very determined expression on his face.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Juliet looked up from her laptop as Logan breezed into her lounge, tossing his car keys onto the coffee table and throwing himself onto the sofa, long legs spreading out in front of him as he did so.

“Good meeting?” she asked, seeing that his head had gone back onto the cushions and he was staring up at the ceiling. He hummed, “Good and bad. The presentation was the single most boring thing I’ve ever heard in my life, but on the other hand one of their staffers.... wow! It was like an angel came down from heaven and found her way into that conference room.” She sighed, “Logan... by all that’s holy... do not try to screw one of our business partners for god’s sake! Dad will go ballistic if you mess up our working relationship with them.” Logan looked offended, “Who says I’d mess it up?” Jules gave a big sigh and shrugged, “Me, for one. Dear brother, I love you with all my heart but you’re fucking awful at relationships. You’d just fuck her and drop her like a hot potato. Who is it that caught your roving eye this time anyway?” Logan said her name in a dreamy tone and Jules rolled her eyes heavenwards, “Oh, no, no, no!... no way, Logan. I know her, she’s a lovely person and also does a fantastic job - she’s one of their top software engineers, specialising in middleware.”

Logan smirked, “She can engineer my middleware anytime she likes.” “Oh, shut up and get your mind out of your pants, Logan. Stay away, okay?!!” He huffed, “Hey! You can’t tell me who to pursue or otherwise, Jules!” “But that’s it, right there - you’ll chase her, catch her, bang her and drop her! I really like her as well as respecting her work, so you better just be damn careful!”

Logan sighed. He loved his sister but god, she was a king-size pain in the ass sometimes.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

A week or so later, and you’d almost forgotten about that handsome asshole at the presentation. You couldn’t deny that he’d popped in and out of your thoughts since, but you’d googled him the day after you’d met him and had also made some discreet enquiries amongst those colleagues who’d worked with him before on projects. What you’d discovered had not endeared him to you.

He was a world-class player, that was obvious - and not fussy about which gender he played around with either. Not that that put you off, it was just the sheer volume of men and women he was pictured out on the town with. And alcohol and substance abuse had been there in the mix too, with some stays in rehab mentioned although the last one had been over a year ago. So no... you’d decided you wouldn’t be entertaining any further thoughts of the undeniably attractive Mr Delos.

You turned your thoughts back to the current middleware solution you were constructing, in fact it was for Delos Corporation, involving various scenarios for their Westworld hosts. You were immersed in code and structure when your phone rang, and you saw your boss’s extension number on the caller ID. Hmmm... what could she want? She usually gave you free reign when you working on a project, catching up with you every couple of days at team meetings. Answering it, you heard her assertive voice asking you to pop along to her office and so you set off on the short walk there. You knocked on her door and heard her say ‘come in’, so in you sailed and then came to an abrupt halt. Logan Delos was sitting opposite your boss; he was half-turned towards you with a somewhat triumphant smirk on his face. Your boss indicated the chair next to Logan and you quickly sat down, wondering what this was about and why Logan looked so smug.

Your boss launched into a mini-summary of what you were currently working on, and all you could do was nod. Eventually she finished up with, “So all your current projects are for Delos.” It was a statement not a question, so you just nodded. “Mr Delos here...” she levelled a hand towards Logan, “....has come up with a suggestion, and I happen to think it’s a good one.” She smiled at Logan, before looking back at you and continuing, “He thought it would be beneficial to have the person working on most of his projects - that’s you, just to clarify - to be based at Delos Destinations for the next three months, to facilitate progress.” You knew you were looking completely dumbfounded as she hurried on, “Obviously I’d like your input on this, but I’m sure you can see that it’d be very helpful for you to be on-site with our partners while you’re working through the projects?” Meanwhile you were desperately trying to come up with reasons to remain in your own office, but truthfully you couldn’t. It would be helpful to have instant access to their engineers when you needed an answer on something, you couldn’t deny that. Reluctantly you nodded, “Yes...I can appreciate that. But couldn’t we just have me spend maybe one or two days a week over there rather than be actually based in their offices?”

Logan spoke for the first time, his expression business-like now, “That wouldn’t really fulfill the brief though, would it? Because we’d be back to having a slight delay in receiving and giving responses for the time you weren’t at our offices. And I’d ... we’d... make you very welcome. There’s an office waiting for you... right next to mine.” He couldn’t stop that smirk reappearing as he finished speaking. You forced a smile, “Well, I can’t really refuse an offer like that, can I Mr Delos?” You looked back to your boss, “I guess that’s agreed then. When does this take effect?” Your boss beamed at you, “Excellent! I don’t see any reason for it not to commence immediately, do you? How about as of tomorrow?”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Logan walked onto his office the next morning, whistling a happy little tune. He’d had a small glass of wine the night before at Juliet’s place when he’d dropped in on his way home, knowing he had to break the news to her that evening about the cunning plan he’d come up with. He was happy for two reasons; firstly, visiting Jules and his niece Emily and not having to see William’s stupid damn face any longer would never get old, and secondly, his little scheme to get closer to that gorgeous woman was coming together. As Jules worked partly from home and partly at the office, he had to let her know that a new face would be around for at least the next three months. It would give him a much better chance to persuade her to go out with him - she wouldn’t really be able to escape him given that she’d be right next door to him every day. Predictably, Juliet had issued a stern warning about what would happen to certain parts of his anatomy should he overstep, but had reluctantly accepted that it was a fait accompli. (Privately, she was looking forward to working more closely with her and also warning her about the usual antics of her beloved brother, that’s if she wasn’t already well aware of them).

He’d been racking his brains for ideas on how best to pursue her ever since she’d turned him down flat at that conference. Logan wasn’t used to being turned down. He’d had a brainwave a couple of days later and had checked into who was handling the Delos projects at her company - after all, surely she wouldn’t be at the conference in the first place if she wasn’t involved somehow? He’d been overjoyed to find out that she was handling just about all of the current open projects (so why on earth had they allowed Boring Asshole to give the majority of the presentation?! he’d thought incredulously) and had then begun to put together a plan to somehow get her into his close orbit. He was really quite proud of what he’d come up with.

His secretary knocked on his doorframe and announced that his visitor had arrived. A big smile appeared on Logan’s face.

Here I go! he thought, the thrill of the chase coursing through his veins.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

The secretary smiled at you over her shoulder as she leaned against Logan’s office doorframe, “Please, go right in,” before stepping aside so you could enter.

The man himself was lounging back in his fancy office chair, which to you looked more like the type of padded seat you’d get on a private jet, waving you into the office before getting up and striding over to you. He held out his hand which you took but instead of shaking it as you expected, he pulled you towards him and kissed your cheek very softly. A waft of delicious and no doubt expensive cologne reached your nostrils before he stepped back, “Welcome on board!” he said, “...I’m so glad you’re joining us here at Delos Destinations.” You smiled, “Thank you, Mr Delos.” “Logan!” he said immediately, waving his hand and saying your first name. “Logan,” you said dutifully, “yes, thank you for the welcome ....of course I do still work for my own company.” He smiled at you, still holding onto your hand and beginning to lead you to the door, “Well, for now you do. I’ve a mind to steal you away for myself, you know. Or, sorry... for Delos Destinations, I should of course say.”

OK... seems like he’s still interested, even if that wouldn’t last longer than a heartbeat once you’d gone out (and especially if you slept) with him. You knew this secondment was going to be trouble, you thought. Three whole months of trying to resist Mr Player of the Decade. But you were convinced that you could do it.

As he lead you from his office to what was going to be yours, you were suddenly very aware of his tall figure beside you, your hand in his (he still hadn’t let go of it) and a hint of that beautiful cologne of his again. He looked across at you, dark eyes gazing into yours and gave you a mischievous grin. Annoyingly, your stomach did a little flip.

Yeah, really convinced.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

(Not my GIF - credit to owner)

[ithebookhoarder]

Could I get something for valentines day to do with the Shelby gang? I really don't mind what or who. I just feel like I need a little love for the day...

Valentines Day Head-Canons for the Shelby Family

A/N: Of course you can, anon! Hope you have a great day, whether you’re celebrating or not. It’s just a day, really, so I hope this cheers you up ;) Sending so much love x 

Masterlist:

Arthur: 

This man would be nervous as hell that he’d mess up valentines day with you. He’s not exactly known for being the romantic of the family, nor does he have the sophistication of his younger siblings. In fact, he’s sometimes surprised you’re even with him at all. 

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t try, though. Oh no, this man is going all out for the day and nothing is too much for you. He’ll have asked everyone, and I mean everyone, for advice about what to do to make the day special. 

He’s not a many of many words so he lets his actions do the talking for him, giving you a massive bouquet of flowers as he comes to collect you for the evening. 

“Arthur, they’re beautiful. You really shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble for me. I mean, you even got orchids - my favourites. How did you know?”

“I remember you told me before, eh? When we were at that place down in London. The one with the fancy window displays.”

“I can’t believe you remembered.”

But that’s Arthur. He’s utterly head over heels for you, which is probably why he turns bright red as you kiss him on the doorstep before hurrying back inside to put them in some water. 

He’d also make sure to open every door for you the entire night, refusing to let you even lift so much as a finger. 

In fact, he even pulls your chair out for you in the restaurant he’s taking you to, glaring at the waiter who was going to do it, in a clear sign to back away if he wants to escape with his life. 

“Arthur. I saw that. Behave.”

“I’m on my best behaviour, love. Promise.” 

“Oh really? What a shame, as I had kind of hoped you wouldn’t be, considering that I’m wearing your present underneath this dress.”

Arthur almost combusts there and then. 

Screw dinner - he wants to devour you and only you. Maybe that’s why he practically drags you out of the door at the end of the night, making you laugh as you hurry after him, the two of you fumbling with each other like horny teenagers.  

Needless to say, you spend the rest of the night wrapped in a tangle of limbs, lost in an haze of pleasure as you gift one another with your bodies. 

John:

Now, considering his kids and the fact they are more than a handful, he knows just how important time spent with just the two of you is. That would be his first and biggest gift, getting one of the family to agree to watch the hell spawn long enough for you two to spend some time alone together. 

It’s just you and him for 24 hours of uninterrupted bliss, with no crying children or screaming babies to think about. 

True, it would be weird at first to have the house so quiet, but that’s exactly what you need for you and John to just talk to one another about anything and everything you’ve missed over the past few weeks. After all, he’d probably have been so busy with work he feels like he’s hardly seen you recently. 

He’s also remarkably in-tune with you and knows exactly how to spoil you rotten. 

“You do so much for me and the kids, it’s the least I can do, right? You deserve the world, but I guess I’ll have to do, eh?”

Who knew John Shelby was such a softie?

He’d have the day mapped out down to the finest detail: Breakfast in bed? check. A hot bath with wine and candles? Check. That new dress you had your eye on when you last went into town? Check. Making love for hours on every surface of the house? Triple check. 

He knows how lucky he is to have you and would spend all day making sure you knew. 

“At this rate, we’ll be having another little one to be bribe Polly to watch next year.”

“John Shelby! I swear to god I am not having another baby-“

“So you want me to put my clothes back on and not fuck you again?”

You wisely say nothing and kiss him instead. 

“As I thought.”

Tommy: 

Considering how busy he normally is, the only gift you could ever want from him was that of time. Time away from the stresses of the company or his family and their never ending messes. 

It’s why you’re eager to subtly remind him about the date every chance you get in the weeks preceding it. 

Little do you know, he’s perfectly aware of the day. In fact, he has plans of his own cooked up for the both of you… you just didn’t need to know that yet. 

It makes the surprise all the more satisfying as he wakes you early the morning of, peppering you with kisses and encouraging you to get dressed. 

“I thought people usually tried to get people undressed on Valentines day?”

“Patience, love. It’s worth it, I promise.”

You laugh and trust him, unable to deny him anything when he looks genuinely happy for once. That in itself is a gift, as is the chance to spend the day riding with him around the estate you called home. 

Tommy is happiest on horse back, and you grin as you eye him clambering on his horse out front. 

You’re quick to follow, not surprised to see he’d had your horse readied too. He really had thought this out, down to the route you take. 

“This way, there are no phone calls or fucking distractions,” he explains, relieved at the utter delight in your eyes. “Not unless one of the staff want to grab a horse and come find us. Good luck to them.”

“They’d need it, especially if they’re stupid enough to risk me shooting them for disturbing us. They’d be idiots.”

Tommy laughs. 

Eventually, he’d stop you both, just on the edge of the woods, revealing the next surprise as he pulls out a blanket and basket (prepared with Frances’s help, of course). 

“A picnic, Tommy?” 

“I told you it was a surprise.” 

It’s the best surprise as you both sit there, drinking and laughing as the sky turns dark. 

That’s when he lights a fire for you both, letting you huddle close by the flames, eyes gazing at the stars above you. 

You listen to him telling you all about the constellations and the stories he learned as a child. The sound of his voice is heavenly and you could easily listen to him all night. 

So much so, you’re quick to wish the night would never end, letting you two stay like this, wrapped peacefully in each other’s arms forever. 

Finn:

This literal angel is sweet as hell. Like, you better be prepared for the hand made card he’ll have made you… with Polly’s help, of course. He isn’t a hundred percent sure his spelling would have been right otherwise, but for you he’s willing to make the effort to try and write it for you. After all, you’ve more than likely been trying to help him learn to read and write since you started seeing one another. 

“Aunt Pol… is heart spelt with two t’s or one?”

“One, Finn.” 

“And does angel have a j in it?”

“No, Finn.”

Everyone else thought it was adorable and proof that he truly does love you. They’ve never seen him work so hard on anything in his life. 

Your own card is much simpler, because you wanted to make sure he could read it without too much difficulty. You also may or may not have got a bit carried away with drawing hearts and other sketches to fill it instead of trying to use long and complicated words about how much you loved him. 

However, neither one of you seem to care. You’re too happy with the cards you receive to care about your own possible mistakes. 

You’re also too busy admiring how much of an effort each of you made with your outfits for your date. Sure, it was just drinks and dancing with some of the other teenagers in Small Heath (basically Isiah and his girl) but you’d both gone full out for the occasion. 

“Is that suit new?”

“Maybe… John helped me pick it out. Why? Does it look stupid?”

“No, Finn Shelby. You look incredibly handsome,” you beam, toying with his lapels before linking his hand with yours. “I’ll be the luckiest girl there tonight.”

“And I’ll be the luckiest man.”

Oh yeah, you two are reals saps, just as most young lovers are. You’re all nervous glances, laughs and touches as you two dance the night away. 

It would also be the night Finn kisses you for the first night, summoning the courage to do it as he drops you off back at your house, just a little after curfew. 

It’s worth the risk and as you kiss him back he swears he’s flying the rest of the way home. 

Micheal: 

Micheal has had his plans in place for weeks, making sure every little detail would be perfect for the two of you. He’s honestly looking forward to it, enough to welcome his mother’s advice as she throws suggestions and tips at him the week before. 

“Women like to feel special, Micheal. What about getting her a necklace? Or some chocolates? Fancy ones from France or something.” 

“Mum, thanks, but I’ve got it covered. Promise.”

“Are you sure?”

Micheal laughs and tries not to be offended at her obvious doubt. Then again, he’s not always had a track record of being the most romantic or thoughtful with women. Still, he really cares about you and he’s determined not to mess this up. 

It’s why he’s chosen the perfect place for you two to spend the evening together: your place. 

He’s determined to spend the time just the two of you, and what better way to impress you than cooking dinner for you? 

With the bottle of champagne he brought and your favourite records playing in the background, you’re quickly at ease, grinning as you watch him effortlessly chop, dice and season the dish he’s chosen. 

How is peeling a potato so sexy when he does it? 

It’s honestly impressive, but also because he’s putting so much effort into it which is a nice surprise. As is the way he dances around the kitchen with you whenever there’s a pause in the recipe or a particularly good song comes on. 

You’re surprised at his soft singing voice as he holds you, humming along. It’s rare he allows himself to be seen in such a way, relaxed with no one to judge him for being soft or a little off key.   In front of the other Shelbys he’s normally desperate to impress them, trying to be tough and nonchalant.

However, you know deep down he’s still the country boy you fell in love with when he first arrived in the city.  

By the time you’ve finished dinner, the candles have almost burned out and you know where the evening is headed as you both start to scurry off to your bedroom. 

Ada:

Ada is probably the most relaxed of all the Shelby bunch when it comes to special occasions. This is Ada we’re talking about. She’s also probably the most sane of the bunch, so she knows how to act like a normal person. 

She doesn’t need anything big or fancy as a gift or some elaborate plan to make her fall head over heels. 

A day in the park, with Karl holding both your hands as you walk to the duck pond, is enough to make her look at you with utter adoration in her eyes. She loves how well you both get on, becoming a little family of you own. 

It’s why it’s no surprise you all have dinner together, with Karl helping to serve you as your two favourite people spoil you rotten. You normally eat together most days, even if Karl doesn’t normally wear a suit or call you ‘madame’ every time he passes you something like a mini waiter. 

Ada smirks at the sight, informing you it’s all Karl’s idea - as is the card he thrusts upon you.

“I made the card myself!”

“You did? Wow, Karl. Look how amazing it is. I love the glitter on the heart.” 

“I knew you would. Mum didn’t think so but I won.”

The look Ada gives you makes you want to laugh until you cry as you clearly sense the frustration she must have suffered in the pursuit of Karl’s artistry. It also explains why you’ve been finding glitter everywhere all week. 

“Well, I love it. Thank you - both.”

You press kisses to both of their cheeks, grinning as Ada purred something about giving you her card later once Karl’s in bed. You’re eager to return the favour, impatient to give her your own card and gift. 

It’s a framed photo of you all, taken one day when you’d all been at the local fair. 

The sight of it is enough to make Ada watery eyed as she gives you yours, watching as you unwrap it and gasp in delight. 

The book is the next in a series you’d recently started and fallen in love with. However, you were pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be released yet. 

“What can I say? Perks of having a librarian girlfriend with exclusive access to advanced copies we’re supposed to be holding on to until next month. I borrowed one and I’m sure they won’t notice.” 

“Ada Shelby. You stole a book for me?”

“Borrowed. Not stole.” 

You don’t care, too overwhelmed to do anything other than kiss her passionately. 

[heliosthegriffin]

Jaune “Mean Bastard” Arc AU.

The Arc family is a family stapled into history with their deeds of heroism, their immense physical strength, willingness to accept others into their clan at the drop of a hat, fighting against insurmountable odds for no apparent reason other than it being the right thing to do.

...That was only half the story however.

Ozpin thought to himself as he watched a tall, very lean blonde strut off the airship.

“Please, please don’t make scene today, Mr. Arc.” Ozpin said to himself, but the tone lacked hope, and most of all was riddled with fear. “Your not even a student here! You didn’t even send in transcript! How’d you even get onto the airship!”

But, deep down Ozpin knew, he always knew, he was an Arc, and Arc’s found a way, one that most people wouldn’t call ethical, sane or even reasonable.

Ozpin shivered, the Arc clan had been much too quiet in recent years. Was he the reason?

What terrible reason could this new Arc have to come to his school.

“Gods help us all, gods help every one of us.”

-

“So, much for a warm welcome to Beacon.” Ruby muttered to herself in her crater.

“Need a hand?” A warm voice asked her.

Ruby looked up into the two bluest eyes she’d ever seen, and blushed deeply.

“You ok? Looking a little hot under the collar.” The man before her asked with concern.

Ruby could hardly speak, he looked like a modern day fairly tail knight. WIth long blonde bangs, sapphire eyes, handsome face, dressed in all white, blue, and gold.

“I..I”..I”m fine!” Ruby squeaked out.

The blonde boy reached out to grab a flailing hand and pull her to her feet. Ruby wasn’t ready for that however and ended up face to abs with him.

‘So warm, so firm, I could stay here forever.’ Ruby thought to herself. Before going atomic on her blushing, and Rose Warping ten feet behind herself.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, just thought you could use a hand getting up.” The man said with remourse. “I’ll let you go about your buisness now.

“RUBY ROSE!”

“Hmm?” “MY NAME IS RUBY ROSE! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING ME!”

The blonde man reeled back from her sudden outburst of thanks.

A smile graced his face.

“Jaune Arc.”

-

“So I got this.”

*Unfurls Crescent Rose*

“Neat.”

“So, you got anything?”

“Hmm. not here.” “Oh, did you send it ahead?” “Nope just didn’t feel like bringing it from home. Didn’t think I need a weapon for this.”

“What! How are you going to fight any Grimm if you don’t have a weapon!? Even my sister needs Ember Celica before she goes punching Grimm out!” Ruby said doing so painfully bad shadow boxing.

“Oh, I didn’t come here to fight Grimm.” “What? Why are you here then, if you’re going to be a hunts-man in training you need to fight Grimm.” “Bold assumption, I’m not already a huntsman.” “Oh, yeah right, you look pretty strong and stuff...” “But, a correct one.” Ruby could only pout at being played like she had. Eye little eyes then spyed two blocky pouchs on his waist.

“What are those?”

“Oh those, one is my journal that take notes in, and the other, well, hehehe, I guess you could say it’s ledger.” “A ledger for what?” “Oh, for keeping track of debts and stuff.”

SIlence filled the space between the two.

“Are you a kneecapper?”

“Of sorts.” “I don’t think we can be friends.” “That is fair.”

“Do you work for the mob, or like, Torchwick.” “Nope, I work for me.”

“Freelance?” “All of my debts relates not to money, but personal experiences.”

“Oh, kinda like when you help some move, and they drive you across town?”

“Close enough, and looks like we’re at the auditorium, I’d say see you around, but since we can’t be friends, bye forever.”

“Wait, wait, I take it back!” But Jaune was gone into the crowd.

“Ahh, fiddle sticks.”

-

Ozpin looked calm and composed on the outside, but he was freaking the hell out on the inside. He lost track of the Arc, he fucking lost him! He could be anywhere doing anything!

He hasn’t even told Glynda, or anybody else, oh, gods this is going to be a blood bath.

He gave a inperceptible sigh, and decided to give his speech. “Hello, children-”

Warm breath behind him caused him to freeze.

‘When did he get behind me!?’

He could see the children murmuring at the unexpected guest.

“Hi, you must be Ozpin!” The warm voice said behind him. “I’m Jaune Arc lord patriarch of the Arc Clan, and you have been at the top of our shit list for five decades, you have a one day to prepare your last will and rights. Tah-Tah see you in twenty four hours.”

“What are you doing here young man! Get off the stage!” He heard Glynda yell at the Arc behind him.

He would stop her, but he needed to right his will again tonight.

Jaune Arc seemingly did nothing to react to Goodwitch but stare at her.

“Are you obstructing me?”

“Why yes I am, you are interrupting the initiation!”

“I see then.” Jaune brought out his note book.

“What are you doing!?” “Adding you to my shit-list ma’am, and if you don’t stop talking I’m going to just put you further up there.” Jaune said as if it was the most casual thing in the world.

“What I, I never, you, you miscreant!”

“Just keeping talking sugar tits, just keep going up my to-do list.” He shot a Glynda a smirk. “I changed my mind I want to break you into the Arc clan, we like ‘em feisty.”

She went Nuclear with rage and leveled her wand at him and fired a telekinetic wave at him.

“Oops,” Jaune said as the wave hit him, sending him out of the room and into the courtyard.

“That’ll teach him, the arrogant miscreant, should have been smarter to pick a fight here.” Glynda said proudly, “Someone get him off this campus and into a hospital.” “Ah, so kind. You do care, too bad you hit like a child.” Jaune said from behind Glynda picking her up in his arms like a princess “Well, fix that later.” Shooting her a wink in his arms.

‘So strong, and comfy.’ Glynda thought gobsmacked in his arms.

He then looked at Ozpin. “Remember old man, a day and no more.”

It was then that Jaune remembered a legion of students looking at him. “The fuck you all looking at, never seen a man take care of business before?”

The student shuffled around awkwardly.

“Yeah, I damn well thought so. Why are you all dressed so damn weird? Am I at a Anime con or a huntsman academy, Ozpin your standards suck.”

‘I like him more already.” Glynda thought. ‘Standards have been dropping for years.’

“Alright, I know whats happening next.” Jaune said proudly. “I am going to walk my happy ass out of here, and if anyone of you can so much as inconvience me, I will personally train or find someone to train you at the Arc compound.”

The student started looking very nervous, the man took down Glynda Goodwitch with no effort. What chance did they have?

Yang thought differently and launched a flying punch at him, Jaune bent his waist and launched a brutal kick straight into Yang's midsection and sending her through the ceiling.

Ruby came next like a rose petal reaper for his bent over next. Jaune grabbed it with his teeth and threw her aside like a puppy with just neck power.

Weiss not to miss a opportunity, speeds forward on glyphs to skewer him also while shoot a wave of ice at his feet, and a stream of fire at his face.

Casually he flexed his legs and shattered the ice, and kicked his leg out hard enough to send a shock-wave that knocked over idle students and killed Weiss flames.

Weiss however sped through the shock wave, and went to stab Jaune. The blade mere inches from his heart, Jaune leaned down to head butt Weiss while dodging the blade. Weiss went down like a sack of potatos.

Nora went down with hammer at Jaune, but he moved and let her fall on his knee, then grab her by the neck with his teeth throwing her through a wall. Jauen followed up with a kick behind him hitting Ren rag dolling him.

Pyrrha appeared last, an launched a series of precise shots and then strikes at Jaune, only for him to dodge each one, and knee her when she over extended by the millimeter.

WIth that the last of the challengers fell unconscious. All within twenty second, All with Goodwitch in his arms.

“Nice try, I’ll come collect the one’s who tried tomorrow, but first.” Jaune grabbed a handful of Goodwitch’s ass, causing her to gasp out. “I got break in the new Arc.”

“It’s Goodwitch..” She muttered weakly.

“Not anymore.” “...Ok.”

“Ozpin, anyone else that wants to try can do so tomorrow when I merc’ you ass.”

And with that the Arc left, taking Ozpins secretary with him.

-

That was the other side of the Arc clan, one of maruding madmen who recorded their grudges and never let them go, holding onto any slight for centuries, training their young to perfecting and taking fresh blood to increase their grudge spilling power.

Destroying Grimm Hordes because they killed a family pet.

Killing Tyrants for increasing taxes.

Cucking buisness men, because they heard they them demean their name.

The list goes on. But the fact is the Arc Clan is petty beyond reason, and always looking for more members... If you meet their interest that is.

AN: Added a drop of smut in there, don’t know how I feel about it. Hope it turned out ok. Then again it’s crack.

[faerielleart]

✨I feel you! I can already smell the angst from way over here. Fluff for the soul it is! I’ll throw in some comfort (maybe!) for good measure!

Are you leaning towards modern AU or Canon universe?

Also you have any little HCs or tropes you like🥚?

🤍, 🐇

me already feeling my heart burst from joy [virtually pets the bunny emoji]

aaa i’ll leave you to make that choice bb 🥺

let me rant about a few headcanons let’s GO

for canon era, i like to think that hanji probably skipped a ton of meals (not on purpose, they were just SO engrossed in paperwork and research and whatnot), so levi took a trip into the kitchens every single night and cooked a nice meal for his commander, even super late at night, entered hanji’s room without knocking, tool all the papers and sat his ass on them, refusing to move until hanji finishes all the food lol i like to imagine he’d cook hanji’s fav dish a lot, something with potatoes maybe? like baked potato cakes with cheese and greens on the side with a warm cup of tea, or a warm soup for cold nights. according to chuugakkou levi’s a great cook so i feel like he’d be good in canon too :’D

also i like to think that they probably slept together (i mean literally, like in the same bed, not having sex) A LOT due to night terrors, just hearing each other’s breathing and feeling the other’s body warmth close to them is enough to calm them down so i feel like it became a habit for them to just sleep in the same bed, not necessarily cuddling; at least, not voluntarily lmao they’re far too awkward 😩 but in the morning they ALWAYS wake up holding esch other, cue them being awkward as fuck i might be tearing up a little at the thought of levi being a lil spoon and being half awake half asleep cuddling closer to hanji bc “oh who cares it’s a dream” AND THEN NOTICING THAT HE’S AWAKE LMAOOO HIS SOUL WOULD LEAVE HIS BODY especially bc hanji wakes up in that precise moment and is literally holding him super tight around the waist, legs thrown over his, my god they would both DIE from embarrassment they’d jump away from each other so fast- bye this is too adorable for me i’m going to have a heart attack

hanji probably cries every now and then at night and tries to be as quiet as possible, levi sneakily grabs their hand just to let them know he’s there, no words exchanged between them bc they don’t need it. just falling asleep holding hands. maybe when levi’s brave enough, maybe after emptying a bottle of whiskey in his evening tea, he’d even rub his thumb a lil over hanji’s palm just because it’s ticklish and he wants to hear hanji laugh. also if he’s asleep and having a nightmare, tossing and turning, hanji would stroke his hair and maybe hum a melody because levi once told them his mother used to do that. LITERALLY THE THOUGHT OF THESE FOOLS BEING ABLE TO DO BOLD FLUFFY SHIT ONLY WHEN THE OTHER’S ASLEEP MAKES ME SCREAM I HATE THEM SO MUCH god i hate them

onto the angstier shit bc a sprinkle of angst is always good, they definitely cuddled in the forest. hear me out, it’s absolutely realistic to assume that their clothes were soaking wet and being in a forest at night is cold as fuck, realistically they would’ve had to strip and make skin-to-skin contact or they would have died of hypothermia. it’s what happens in real life, it’s safe to assume it happened off screen. just like the cpr come on? you don’t get water out of your lungs without cpr

oh i might have said this already once, but i think they were mistaken for a married couple all the time tbh? like onyankopon in the first months of knowing them would suddenly say shit like “hanji-san your husband is a bit scary i hope you’re not offended” and hanji would get the blue screen of death in their brain “??£]£>${£>£{£{$> HUSBAND????? HUSBAND, LIKE MARRIED HUSBAND? HUSBAND THAT I MARRIED IN A MARRIAGE??????” levi too probably would get teased by yelena “i don’t understand how hanji-san married a short fucker like you you’re as ugly as a butthole and unpleasant in every single way” levi would not answer bc his brain is too busy processing the word “married”

ONTO MUSHIER STUFF let’s say they overcome the awkwardness and a kiss or two happen,,,, i feel like there’d be a lot of casual pecks??? like waking up in the morning KISS or “i’m going to take a shit wait for me” kiss, distracted kiss when hanji’s doing paperwork and levi needs to leave the room, just them being so comfortable around each other that physical contact happens without them even thinking about it

for modern era, hear me out, they’re totally childhood friends. probably neighbors. levi’s maybe 2 years older, but hanji gets a growth sprout in middle school and now you’ve got levi, a highschooler, shorter than a middle schooler difjsmek

in elementary school hanji gets picked on a lot, levi is their personal bodyguard and scares away all the bullies, but pretends he only did it to build a scary reputation, tsundere child blushing and stuttering “I-IT’S NOT LIKE I DID IT FOR YOU OR ANYTHING,,,,, DUMBASS,,,,,,,,,” but hanji knows lmao and calls him “my knight” and levi Dies every single time. kuchel teases the fuck out of him

hanji gifts levi the most random things and levi keeps EVERYTHING he has a secret special box under his bed and he has kept everything hanji’s ever given him since the day they met. even candy wrappers. everything. hanji finds it one day and levi Dies inside but it’s the cutest most endearing thing in the world and holy fuck they’re so in love literally soulmates

hanji probably has a family cat who is really really ugly and old and grumpy and absolutely HUGE who hates everyone but for some reason he got super attached to levi and always sits on his head. levi pretends to hate it more than Anything but hanji’s seen him tons of times giving him treats despite how much he says “get this fat sack of fleas off of me it’s UNSANITARY”

they probably start to date out of high school bc they were too awkward to do so earlier, even if they probably kissed quite a few times “just to see what the fuss is all about”. their parents probably knew they’d be married one day as early as elementary school ☠️ they’re too obvious

i feel like they’d definitely have children tbh 100% as an accident tho, just to make this completely self indulgent imma say they have triplets, weird uncommon pregnancy for the weirdest most uncommon of couples LEVI BEST DAD he’d be a stay at home dad while hanji works as a scientist in a lab and please. please just imagine three tiny daughters who look just like him but have hanji’s nose and attitude who have him wrapped around their little fingers i’m going to lkterally combust

yeah parents lh having cute tea parties with their bbs??? sign me the FUCK up

my fav tropes are hurt/comfort literally anything that involves character A being sad and character B doing the most to cheer them up [chef’s kiss] plus disgustingly mushy mutual pining and slow burn that makes me tear my hair out waiting for the fucking tension to be resolved i love torturing myself,,,,, i really fucking love forehead kisses okay i feel like levi has a permanent indent in his forehead due to the gargantuan amount of fat smooches hanji has given him in his life

thank your for visiting my askbox again dear bunny 🐰 i hope to hear from you again soon hehe ✨

[thorne93]

History Repeats (Part 6)

Prompt: Life’s hard, right? Well throw in a not so great job, a broken heart, and chasing a pipe dream in LA. But could someone come along to make all the bad shit disappear? Or is he just another heartbreak waiting around the bend?

Warnings: language, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, angst/heartbreak, adult themes (??)

Word Count: 2551

Note: Aesthetic made by @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo because she’s absolutely amazing Beta’d by @like-a-bag-of-potatoes and @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo​ . Brainstorming from @carryonmyswansong

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upon waking, you were highly confused. This wasn’t your bedroom. Where were--Oh god. Oh god. You fell asleep here. Shit. 

You slowly raised your head, hoping the headache was gone, and thankfully it was. With one eye open, you peeked around the room, looking for any sign of Hayden. At first, you found none, until your eyes spotted a note scribbled on the nightstand between the two beds. 

“Hope you slept well. I tried not to wake you as a I got ready. Hope you’re feeling better. I had to go to work, sorry for leaving. I’ll see you tonight, I hope. Have a good day.”

You instantly smiled at the note. Hayden was a really sweet friend. But you were sad he was working now. It would’ve been nice to apologize for last night and for crashing there. You didn’t have his number, but you did have a pen and pad. You quickly grabbed it and scratched out a response to his note, and left it on the nightstand. With that, you grabbed your purse, jacket, and escaped out of the room, to head home and shower.

Thankfully, you had enough time to shower, get a little bit done around the house, and then get ready for work. 

The shift was ten times easier than it was the day before and Hayden had stopped at your station around dinner time.

“Hey, you want me to order room service for when you get off?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes, please, I’m starving. I need food and to apologize for last night, I am so sorry I just imposed myself on you. I just showed up with no warning, crying and carrying on, and then I fall asleep in your room and--”

Hayden had started to laugh, making you stop. He held up a hand.

“What’s so funny?” you demanded, sounding upset. Here you were apologizing for being a jackass and he was laughing.

“I think you’re new to this whole friends business, Y/N. We don’t apologize when we need each other. We don’t say sorry for drunk three am phone calls, we don't say sorry for turning into a sobbing mess because our exes are asses--”

“Thanks,” you snorted.

His face softened as he looked at you. “Hey, I’m not saying you were a problem. Quite the opposite. Y/N, you’re always welcome there, okay? Always. The company is nice and I’ll always be here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Hayden, I appreciate that,” you said. “My other friends…” you said, letting the idea trail off there.

“I know,” he assured with a nod, closing his eyes. “I know you’re not used to someone being a decent friend, but that’s all changed now that you have me.” He beamed a grin at you and you couldn’t help the one that lit up your face. 

 “I’m glad to hear that,” you said.

“Well I’ll see you when you get off, hmm?” he asked and you nodded. 

“Yep, I’ll be up there as soon as I’m off.”

“Cool. See you soon.” He smiled and waved as he walked away, as he always did, going to the elevator. You couldn’t help the giant grin on your face as you watched him walk away, so thrilled to have him in your life. He really made all of your days so much better.

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

After work, you practically raced up to his room, ready to eat and watch TV with him. The two of you caught up a little bit, asking about work, you asked about Briar Rose. You’d come to learn you could ask how Briar was or what she was up to, but Rachel and the whole separation was still a sore subject, so you kept it Briar-centric. 

Once you were done eating, you played some video games to blow off some more steam. But you two had gotten so caught up in laughing, playing, and egging each other on, you didn’t realize how late it had gotten until you glanced at your phone. 

“Oh my god! You need to go to bed! It’s 3:08! I need to go home.” 

“It’s okay, I don’t shoot tomorrow, I can stay up later.”

“Hey, I’m off too,” you informed with a smile as you nudged his shoulder with yours. 

“Which means...rematch!” he said, hitting the button to start another match on the game you were playing.

“You’re just asking to get your ass whooped,” you teased. 

You ended up playing another hour, then the two of you crawled onto each bed, and started to watch TV, neither of you noticing how heavy your eyelids were getting until you were a few episodes into a show on Netflix. The two of you ended up slipping into a nice sleep.

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

The next day, when you woke up, you realized you’d done it again, but this time, Hayden was still asleep on his bed. You figured you’d get out of his hair so you got up, and as you were about to get out of the bed, Hayden woke up.

“Where’re you going?” he asked groggily, his head still in the pillow.

“Well...I should go home,” you answered, even though you really didn’t want to leave but you wanted to be polite and let him have his space. 

“Oh,” he said as he rolled over and rubbed his face and ruffled his blonde locks, making you feel things no one should feel for a best friend. “I thought we could hang out, maybe go out and get lunch but…” 

“That sounds nice,” you said. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get out of your hair?”

“I’m sure,” he said, looking up at the ceiling. “Don’t make me beg,” he followed up.

You laughed before plopping back down on the bed. “Alright, fine.”

“No, no, you clearly want to leave. I don’t wanna twist your arm and--”

You picked up a pillow and smacked him with it on the stomach, causing him to laugh.

“Shut up, you drama queen,” you teased.

“Alright, alright. So where do you wanna go?”

“Well actually, I need to run errands if that’s cool. Groceries and some other stuff. Would you wanna come with me?”

“Sure. I’d love to.”

“You’re not worried about…” you started to ask, not wanting to offend him.

“You mean the media? Yeah, I try to stay out of their way, but I’m not going to hole up forever, I do have to go out and do things, eventually,” he reminded with a snort. 

“I just don’t...I don’t want them to print anything bad about you or whatever,” you said. “You’re a good man.”

“If it’s one thing I’ve learned,” he said, sitting up, “it’s that they’re gonna print whatever the hell I want. I could never leave my home or be out everyday, and I’m sure a story would crop up at some point that’s entirely false,” he assured, talking with his hands. 

“Sounds like a fun life,” you muttered, putting your shoes on.

“And you’re gonna have it too when you become a singer.”

You laughed. “Hardly. I doubt anyone is going to care if what my super secret lyrics mean, or where I’m vacationing to, or what gym I went to,” you noted. 

“Maybe not right now, but that first album drops, and you’d be surprised how fast they’ll pick you up,” he noted now that he was completely sat up.

“I’m not so sure I’d want that,” you noted, starting to think.

Hayden was swinging his legs out from under the covers now, getting to his feet, stretching with a yawn. “Well, you may want to figure that out before you get into the music industry.” 

You nodded. “Yeah,” you murmured. 

“I’m gonna jump in the shower, and we’ll head out, okay?”

“Alright.” 

At that, you checked your phone to make sure it was fully charged, checked for calls or texts while he grabbed clothing for the shower. Nothing from Jason, which made you feel relieved and upset. Clearly he didn’t care about the exchange that had happened, and you were just fine with that. You were ready to forget him and just move on. 

As you were still going through your phone, your eyes wandered from the screen to Hayden in the bathroom, where he pulled off his t-shirt, standing in nothing but his pajama pants, making him look...well..he looked downright irresistible. He had a great physique with muscles that were defined as he tossed his shirt on the sink counter, making your mouth go dry as you inadvertently stared at him.

His eyes came up to you in that moment, and your cheeks drained of color before they flashed bright red as your heart hammered in your chest. He gave you a fond smile before closing the door and you tore your eyes away from the door.

Jesus christ, he just caught you staring at him getting undressed. Way to go, Y/N, couldn’t be much more obvious, could you?

You tried busying yourself while he showered, hoping the feeling of being mortified would ebb away. It had completely melted away, until Hayden opened the door, looking hotter than ever in dark-ish blue jeans, and a gray sweater, the color complimenting his tone nicely. 

“Hey,” he greeted. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” you murmured as you got up, grabbed your purse, and the two of you made your way downstairs to your car. As soon as you started it, the radio came on to a song you hated. 

“Ugh, I can’t stand this song,” you scoffed as you changed it. 

“You don’t like that song either?” he asked.

“No, the chorus is annoying as fuck, and the beat is weird.”

“I thought it was just me,” he noted before looking out the window, and for some reason, a warm feeling washed over you. “So what’s the plan for today?”

“We need to go to Lowes, I have to get a new doorknob for the bathroom. I also need some stain, so I can redo my dining room table. Then I need some paint to touch up the baseboards.”

“Lots of housework,” he commented.

You shrugged. 

“It just needs upkeep, you know. All houses do. I just need to get it all done before it gets too far in disrepair.”

“I could help, if you needed it. I’m sure you’re more than capable, but it might be faster with two instead of one.”

“Yeah? You know how to do that?” you inquired.

“I built the house on my farm,” he informed. 

“No way,” you said, glancing at him as you smiled. “That’s really cool. I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah. I really enjoyed it. I love working with my hands,” he said and images flickered in your head that you tried to stop. 

“Awesome. Well, yeah, I mean, if you have time, that would be cool if you came over and helped. I’m sure I could use it.”

“Cool. Just let me know when,” he said. 

“Sure thing.”

The two of you got to the hardware store and you started grabbing what you needed, with Hayden happily by your side, pointing out things.

“I’d love to have this tool set one day,” he said.

“Oh yeah?” you asked as you pushed the cart.

He went on to explain why it had so many tools he enjoyed and would need, what he would use each one for. You revered his passion for tools and work. Jason wouldn’t be caught dead with a hammer in his hand, and that had always bothered you deep down. To you, a man was handy, able to fix at least tiny things around his own home.

Hayden would also stop and say which colors he loved at the paint section, telling you exactly which colors he would put where on his house. 

“But you built your house,” you commented. “Didn’t you pick out the paint?” 

He shrugged. “Some. Others I just want to see a change in. The deck could be a nice brown, instead of the dark gray it is now. It’s too dreary.”

“I could see that.”

“And a fresh coat in the kitchen wouldn’t hurt,” he noted. “What about you? If you could recolor your entire house, what would you do?”

“Mmm...Blue for the bedroom, light gray for the bathrooms, creme for the kitchen with royal blue accents, and then...Maybe something warmer for the living room.”

“I like it. It sounds nice,” he commented, nodding his approval of your choices.

After that, the two of you needed to go to the grocery store to restock your fridge and pantry goods.

“Ah, a home cooked meal,” he hummed. “I haven’t had one in forever,” he noted as you put two steaks in the cart.

“You want me to make us lunch instead of going out?”

He frowned and smiled at the same time. “No, that's okay. I’m not going to make you slave over a stove on your day off.”

“Who said I’d be slaving? Maybe I like cooking,” you said, giving him a playful glare.

“Okay, fair enough. I’ll leave it up to you. I’m fine either way. At your house or at a restaurant, whatever you’re good with,” he said. 

“We’ll do at home,” you noted. And with that, your grocery list went from single servings to a party of two. You went back and got more of some things or opted for a bit more hardy food since it would be two adults eating, instead of just your little personal servings. 

Meanwhile, he picked up things and made jokes, like a child. But it was utterly adorable and the two of you were laughing all over the store, being complete fools. 

By the end of the errand running, you were now home, the first time Hayden had ever been there. 

“Wow, it’s so...you,” he noted, looking all around.

You laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That your house...it reflects a lot of you, and I like that.”

A blush heated your cheeks as you finished putting things away then started on the potatoes and steaks, with Hayden jumping in immediately to help you. He made the marinade while you worked on getting the potatoes cut and seasoned, ready for the oven. 

You put on music and he immediately started humming along, making you smile at him as the two of you continued your work. Without realizing it, you started to sing along and he stopped working altogether. 

“You sound amazing,” he breathed as he watched you dance and work around the kitchen.

Freezing in place, you hadn’t realized you were singing. “Oh...well thank you,” you said. “I should hope I sound good, if I’m going to try this professionally.”

“I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll go far,” he said.

“Thanks,” you beamed.

The two of you ended up with a wonderful meal which you ate in front of the TV, binging a season of a show you both wanted to catch up on, until you needed to take him back to the hotel for him to go to bed. He thanked you for the food and a fun day before hugging you tight.

But this time, you didn’t want to let go…

~~~~~~~~~~

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History Repeats:

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[wandaluvstacos]

Chapter 21 of Book 3 is up!

Reflections is available at the $1 tier. You can read the first chapter of Book 1: Reflections of the Desperate and Dumb for free here. Here is the summary of the 3rd Book:

Justin never wanted a long-distance relationship, but when his boyfriend Thad has to return to Alabama to care for his sick grandmother, Justin gets a crash course in negotiating their intimacy from afar. No matter the hiccups, Justin is determined to make this work, even when he finds out that his best friend has been sleeping with Justin’s ex-fling and the biological father Justin hasn’t seen or heard from since he was a toddler is suddenly interested in getting to know him. Justin finds himself needing Thad more than ever during a time when Thad seems increasingly distant, making an already fragile bond even more uncertain. But when the worst happens and Thad’s life is thrown into chaos, it’s up to Justin to decide if he’s ready—and willing—to step up to the challenge.

For more info, artwork, and chapter archive, go here.

Excerpt:

“Your mother tells me you’re in the film industry now,” my grandmother suddenly said, and then I felt everyone’s eyes on me.

“Me? Uh, yeah, kinda.”

“What’s the company?”

“You probably haven’t heard of it,” I muttered, then took another swig of the wine I’d recently attained.

“I’ve heard of most film companies in this town.”

“Okay, but not all of them.”

“What do you do? Run craft services?”

This fucking bitch. “I’m an assistant.”

“To who? A director?”

“The owner of the company.”

My grandmother blinked with mild surprise. “Who is he?”

“It’s a she, actually. Women can run companies now.”

I felt Zoe pinch my leg under the table, which I ignored.

“Do you know the name of the company?” my grandmother asked my mother.

“No.”

“Hmm.” My grandmother sipped her wine as if she’d decided upon a conclusion. I didn’t give a fuck if she thought I was lying. Thankfully she started asking Gerald some questions, and I was free to drink more and demolish what was left of my crostini.

Soon the main meal was served, which was quite sumptuous for a woman who ingested mostly kale juice and weighed about a hundred pounds. Everyone oohed and aahed over the honeyed ham and buttery mashed potatoes, and for the first time I didn’t regret coming. Of course, being mildly drunk also increased my enjoyment of the spread. Everything was going quite well until my grandmother turned her attention to what my mother was eating.

“Are you going to eat all that?” she asked with a hint of derision. My mother had loaded her plate just like everyone else; it was impossible not to. My grandmother was the only one whose plate was still visible beneath the food. “At your age, dear, you’re going to get fat.”

“She can eat whatever she damn well wants,” I snapped back, words slightly slurred. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”

My grandmother looked as if she’d been slapped, which she was lucky was not the case. She had no right to look so fucking offended, considering how rude she was. My mother had told me all about the years she spent in and out of eating disorder clinics, and while she hadn’t said as much, I figured my grandmother was at least partially to blame, considering all the offhand comments she liked to make about my mother’s weight.

“Justin,” my mother said in a warning tone, throwing me a stop it look across the table.

“I’m only saying,” my grandmother continued, “that when you’re married, you can let things go a little. But when you’re not, you have to be more careful. As you get older, it gets harder to look good. I’m sure Gerald knows all about it.”

“She looks fucking fantastic,” I shot back even as Gerald opened his mouth to comment, then closed it.

[littlesliceofmarvel]

Um, I Don’t Think So

Request/Synopsis: Reader is Tony Stark’s daughter and secretly dating Peter. One day, they accidentally let it slip that they’re together.

Warnings: Swearing

Pairings: Stark!Reader x Peter Parker

A/N: I love this, that’s all I gotta say. In this, Pepper is the reader’s mother! Also, Peter’s such a lovable dork, he deserves the world. Anywho, as always, gif isn’t mine and my inbox is always open! xx Enjoy!

You found yourself launched into a complicated situation once again. Your boyfriend, Peter, had now officially-unofficially joined the Avengers and was being mentored by your dad in jus about every possible way. You loved their closeness, really, you did. You know your dad was extremely important to Peter in so many ways, having lost his father figure a while ago. So, your dad took him under his wing, making him a new suit and helping him buckle in for life as a superhero. 

Of course, there was one thing that tainted this perfect image. Your dad didn’t exactly know about your relationship. No one did, really. It was a huge secret that would definitely end in a long talk with your father about boys and your mom would probably pester you into telling her everything. You loved your parents dearly, but you weren’t sure you were ready to introduce Peter as your boyfriend to your family and the team just yet. 

“You seem lost in thought,” Natasha grinned, her face mask cracking as she did so, “Definitely about a boy.”

“Oooh, do tell,” Wanda sat upright, dropping the magazine she was reading. 

You scoffed, turning away, thankful that the charcoal face mask you had on covered your blushing, “I’m not thinking about a boy.” You loved your girls nights with Wanda and Natasha dearly, but damn, these girls were observant.

“Oh, come on, Y/N, you know you can’t lie to us,” Wanda said with a knowing look, raising her eyebrow. One thing you hated about her observance was that she had a habit of looking inside your head to see what was up. You had told her off countless times, but you’re almost certain she still did it from time to time. One of the reasons she was impossible to lie to. You were surprised she didn’t let slip you and Peter were dating, you were almost certain she knew.

“I’m not!” You defended, “Why would I even be thinking about a guy anyways, I’m too busy watching Judge Judy.” You played it off, shrugging your shoulders and turning back to the TV as Nat chuckled.

“I’m practically the definition of liar, honey,” she remarked, “I know when I see one.”

You rolled your eyes, turning back to face her, “C’mon, don’t you think that if there was a guy you two would be the first people to know?” Nat and Wanda exchanged a glance, shrugging slightly, “Besides, you know my dad doesn’t let me go 20 feet near a guy who isn’t an Avenger anyways.”

“It’s Steve!” Wanda pointed a finger at you, and you choked back a laugh.

“Steve?! What? He’s like, a hundred years old,” you laughed at her accusation, and Nat rolled her eyes, realizing that that was absurd. 

Wanda realized it too and shrugged, leaning back down on the bed and picking up the magazine she was reading previously, scanning through the pages once again. Nat got up and walked to the bathroom, taking the towel out of her hair, so you turned your attention back to the television, watching Judge Judy roast some stupid people arguing about a car. You felt a buzz in your back pocket and pulled your phone out, fighting a blush when you read the message. 

Spider Boy - Hey, babe, your dad invited me for dinner at the compound tonight so I’ll see you then, love you. xo

You grinned to yourself, already excited to see him, and quickly sent a reply.

Can’t wait, love you. x

You rushed to the bathroom and took off your face mask, feeling incredibly satisfied when you could move your face easily once again. 

“Sorry, guys, dad texted me, gotta go see him, bye!” You rushed out the door, waving to the two girls who looked puzzled but didn’t get a chance to say anything before you were rushing down the hall to your room. The drive for Peter was about an hour and a half, and you wanted to get ready right away. 

“Hey, kiddo,” You nearly ran straight into your dad while turning the corner as he stood in front of your door, “Dinner tonight, everyone’s coming, just letting you know. We need a good... bonding experience after what’s happened recently.”

You nodded quickly, excitement running through your veins, “Of course, I understand totally!” You turned the doorknob to open it, stepping inside your gorgeous room. The large queen sized bed sat next to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water, the Manhattan skyline in the distance. You rushed to your closet, throwing off your baggy sweatshirt (that was actually Peter’s but no one had to know) and shorts, scanning through your closet to find something to wear. 

You pulled out a pair of jeans and a lace tank top, not wanting to seem too over the top or else people would get suspicious. As soon as you got dressed and started analyzing yourself in the mirror, your phone buzzed from the bed. You rushed over as saw you had a new text.

Natasha - You took off quickly, girlie, you know we weren’t done with questions!

You rolled your eyes, smiling slightly before answering the nosy redhead.

Dad needed me! Dinner with the whole squad tonight, gotta prepare. No more questions! 

You threw your phone back down on the bed, rushing to the bathroom to put on some makeup. Once you were done, you took your hair down from the bun it was in and grabbed your phone, rushing out to the living room. It had only taken you half an hour to get ready, so you still had to wait at least another half. You walked over to the couch and noticed Bucky and Sam arguing over what to watch as your mom, dad, and Bruce were cooking up a storm in the kitchen. 

“Sam, I swear to god, I am going to knock your teeth out,” Bucky let out a frustrated groan as Sam changed the channel once again.

“I am sick of watching freakin’ National Geographic documentaries, man!” Sam reached for the remote as Bucky changed it once again. You let out a small laugh, thoroughly entertained by these two. They acted like brothers, and to you, they felt like brothers. You were forever blessed to have these people surrounding you.

“Y/N, come on, would you rather watch a show about bugs or ESPN?” Sam looked over to you, causing you to raise your hands in surrender. 

“Not my argument, boys,” you shook your head, causing Sam to groan and Bucky to defend himself.

“It wasn’t a show about bugs, you dipshit!” 

You were about to reply that you’d rather watch bugs than sports, but your dad announcing Peter’s arrival made all of your attention turn to the front door, where Peter stood with flowers in his hand. He was wearing a button up shirt and dress pants, a little bowtie around his neck. He looked absolutely adorable, and if this relationship wasn’t a secret, you’d run up and plant little kisses all over his face. Your dad greeted him with a firm pat on the back and welcomed him in, but his eyes were fixed on you. You hated this secret thing, wanting nothing more than to greet him properly, but you knew it was for the best.

“Who are the flowers for, kid? Me?” Sam asked, making Peter blush slightly as he shook his head, laughing awkwardly.

“You wish,” he responded, making Sam act offended, “They’re for you, Mrs Stark, thank you for the dinner invitation,” Peter walked over to your mother, handing her a gorgeous bouquet of roses and sunflowers, which to you was the most beautiful combination of flowers you could get. Your mother awed at the gesture, pulling Peter in for a hug. You felt your heart melt, loving how your parents got along with your boyfriend. Your dad nodded in approval, helping your mom find a vase for the flowers as Peter walked up to you, taking a seat next to you on the couch.

“Hey, Y/N,” he smiled at you, taking your breath away at how gorgeous this little dork was. 

“Hey, Peter,” you replied, looking away when you realized Sam and Bucky were watching your interaction, not wanting to be suspicious or obvious.

“Parker, would you rather watch a show on bugs or sports?” Sam asked, leaning forward as if he were interrogating Peter, making you roll your eyes, looking over to Peter who seemed a little confused, “Actually, forget it, you’re a bug, of course you’re biased.” You felt yourself laughing, looking over to Peter who didn’t know what to say, nodding awkwardly. Sam let out a groan of defeat and turned the channel back to Nat Geo, making Bucky let out a ‘humph’ of triumph.

As the two continued bickering, Peter leaned over to you, whispering in your ear, “You look beautiful, babe.” You felt your cheeks heat up and you looked over to him, smiling shyly.

“You look pretty damn good yourself, Parker,” you whispered back with a little wink, making him grin.

Within the next hour, all of the Avengers had piled into the dining room and you were all seated around the long glass table, the food making your stomach grumble louder than you had expected. You didn’t eat lunch, so that explains it. You sat between your dad and Wanda, who was being embarrassingly flirty with Vision sitting next to her. Peter sat across from her and your mother across from you. 

Everyone dug in immediately, the smell and look of the layout being too tempting to hold off on. You could hear Bucky and Sam arguing over potatoes at the end of the table, resulting in Steve scolding them like children, making you giggle.

“Um, anyone want a drink? I’m getting up,” Peter announced, standing up and looking around the table, waiting for a reply. Everyone mumbled a ‘thanks, I’m good.’

“I’ll actually have glass of water, thanks, if you don’t mind,” you smiled up at Peter and he nodded.

“Sure thing, babe.” 

Oh, no. Fuck. Shit. 

Please, please, can no one have heard that?

You felt your heart completely stop as your eyes widened, looking at Peter who went completely white. It was as if time had slowed, everyone stopping what they were doing to see if they had heard correctly, and based on both your reactions, they did.

“Babe?” Your dad questioned, placing his knife down as he looked between the two of you, “Uh, I don’t think so. Please tell me he didn’t say babe.” Your mom’s mouth dropped, looking over at you with a confused expression. Oh, God. This was not how you wanted them to find out.

“O-Of course not, M-Mr Stark,” Peter laughed awkwardly, waving his hands, “Why - Why would I call her babe?”

You dropped your head, Peter’s nervous stuttering being a dead giveaway of the fact that you two were in fact a thing. You lifted your head once again when you heard your dad’s chair pull away from the table, standing up. You rushed to your feet as well, eyes wide.

“Dad, calm down,” you pleaded quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Your heart went from being dead still to racing out of your chest. Peter looked absolutely terrified. 

“Calm down? How do you expect me to-” he took a deep breath, “What’s going on between you two?”

You wanted to answer, you really did, but as soon as he asked the question, your voice left you, and you looked to Peter.

“U-Um, we’re, uh, dating, Mr. Stark,” he mumbled quietly, looking down to his feet before looking back up. From where your hand was placed on your dad’s shoulder, you could feel him tense up. You knew he was mad, his breaths coming out slightly shaky as your mom placed a hand on his from where she was sitting, looking down at her plate.

You heard Nat mumble an ‘I told you so’ to Wanda, realizing that telling them today would have probably helped how bad you felt right now.

Your dad turned to face you, and you felt awful, “Dad, I’m so sorry for keeping this from you, I-”

“How long has this been going on?”

You were surprised by how intensely he cut you off, but you swallowed your nerves, “Around six months.”

“Six - Wow, six months, nice,” he laughed sarcastically, “You’re my daughter, you’re not supposed to lie to me.”

You suddenly felt very aware that the entire team was watching and listening to you guys, but you didn’t really care, your dad’s anger being the only thing you wanted to deal with, “I know, dad, I’m so, so sorry, believe me, I am. I wanted to tell you as soon as it happened, believe me, but this is going so well and I was terrified of telling you and mom, I’ve never really done this dating thing before, you guys know that, and I really, really care about Peter and I didn’t want you guys to flip out, I was waiting for the right moment.”

You dad chuckled, “The right moment? It’s been six fucking months, you’ve had loads of right moments.” You felt your heart break, and as you opened your mouth to respond, Peter’s voice beat yours.

“If I may, Mr. Stark, she’s telling the truth, she was always talking about how awful she felt hiding this from you, she refers to the two of you as her best friends,” you heard Natasha mumble an ‘ouch’ before Peter continued, “But believe me, I love your daughter, more than I could ever tell her, and I would die trying to protect her, you need to know that this isn’t just a teenager fling, or whatever, I’m in love with her.”

You felt all the air leave your lungs as he said that last sentence, looking right into your eyes, letting you feel all of the emotions he could possibly express towards you in that moment. It was almost as if everyone else in the room had faded away, the two of you sharing this extremely intimate moment. But then you remembered that everyone was sharing this moment with you.

“Aw, shit, you can’t be mad at him after that, Tony,” Sam exclaimed from the other end of the table, cutting the sweet moment short as your dad turned to him with a death glare, his expression softening as he looked to you once again.

“I’m mad, yes, I can’t believe you totally disobeyed my orders about not dating anyone on the team,” he said softly, coming to his senses.

You gave him a mischievous smile, “I’m a Stark, we don’t listen to what people want us to do.” You were immediately engulfed in a hug, your mother rushing around the table to join in as you laughed, the rest of the team letting out an ‘awe.’

You pulled away from them and smiled at Peter, who stood there awkwardly, but you could tell he was extremely relieved, the colour returning to his face and his shoulders much more relaxed. He looked over at your dad, nodding.

“Well, Peter, I guess if I had to pick anyone for my daughter to date, I’m glad it’s you,” your dad smiled at him as your mom rushed to the other side of the table to hug Peter, mumbling something about ‘love birds.’ 

Everything seemed to fall right into place, you could be open about your relationship with the boy you loved, and everyone on the team seemed overjoyed. Steve grinned proudly, Natasha shot you a wink and a thumbs up, sending you a text saying ‘We need to talk!’, Sam and Bucky smirked at Peter, who rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, Clint placed a hand over his heart, muttering about young love, and your dad sat next to you, smiling proudly as he realized that you were with someone good, someone that he knew would take care of you. 

You sat back down, a sigh leaving your body as the cat was finally out of the bag, “Anyways, Parker, I’ll have that water now, thanks.”

[alatismeni-theitsa]

Any just random day to day quirks about greek culture? Like sayings, activities, mannerisms etc

Spitting lightly three times (or a big one xD) towards another person, to bring them good luck.

Crossing random stuff in order for them to work.

Saying secret prayers to ward off the evil eye. 

Ordering potatos with EVERYTHING in restaurants

Drinking alcohol in the club at16

“Wanker“ (Malakas) is a pet name for someone close to you.

Hearing nationalists say how we are going to take back Constantinopole.

We have lots of weird phrases to say someone is gay, like “He is whipping the dolphin”, “He shakes the pear tree”, “He trows honey on the doughnut”, “Ηe polishes the doorknob”... You get the idea. More funny expressions in here , here and here. 

Our priests and metalheads don’t really differ from each other in appearance.

Clanking our glasses before we drink (NOT when they contain coffee or water)

When something breaks or spills we say “It’s for luck!”

If you eat the last bite off your food “your mother in law will love you”

Eating feta with everything, even watermelon

Talking for HOURS when people are ready to leave our homes. We just stand in the door and discuss!

Complete strangers working for the government will be extremely friendly to you, in a not so delicate way. They may ask unrelated questions, just to pass the time. 

All our modern houses and most of our uni classes have airconditioning 

Picking fights for who will pay the bill

Wathing elderly men drinking coffee in old traditional coffeshops (not the modern coffee chains coming from the US)

Almost everyone who now lives in towns “comes” from a village so we say “this weekend I went to my village”. Or “my village is X” when we want to say where we come from.

SPEAKING LOUDLY ON THE PHONE

Drinking one glass of frappé FOR HOURS. When it’s almost done we throw more water and TSOUP, WE HAVE MORE FRAPPE!

Drinking frappé as a breakfast and then wondering why we want to go to the toilet. 

Our traditional game is tavli (link). We play it when we have free time (usually in summer, on the beach or the porch), older men play it when they are in coffeeshops and uni students play it in their breaks. Now Tichu is more popular for students. though.

Half of us being dissapointed because we didn’t tan at all this summer. We also compare our tans. 

Greek men are crazy about football. Many of them gamble in football as soon as they hit 18.

Crossing ourselves when we pass by a church. Once I saw a guy with a frappe on his one hand and the other on the wheel of his motorcycle. As soon as he approached the church he left his ONE hand from the wheel and crossed himself. On a turn.

Going out at midnight to party, getting back in the morning.

If you go out until noon, it is “for coffee”. After 20:00 you go out “for drinks”.

Gyros and Pizza are our fast food top choices.

In our swear words EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is fuckable. Even Zeus.

Men and women alike use “to my balls” to say they don’t care about something

We all know about fierce, black clad Yayas at this point!

By law there are “quiet hours”. I don’t know if that’s a thing in other countries.

You don’t have to face the door when you are in an elevator. Actually, I find facing the door of the elevator kinda weird.

We can be very jealous of each other and antagonistic. But we excel when we go against unknown forces. A Jewish saying goes: “If a Greek opens a shop next to yours, be worried for your business. If two Greeks open a shop, don’t worry at all.”

Random semedakia in your parents house that your aunt/grandma gave 

Exclamations: “eeeh” (to ask, to hesitate, to fill the gaps in speech), “aaah” (understanding something), “popo!” (a way to say “wow” even from the ancient years), “poooo” (frustration), “opa” (when dancing folk songs and when you are doing something accidentally, when picking up babies)

To mock someone or to show we are angry with them, we take the last syllabes of his words and make a new word. [ Child: Mama! Mother: Mamounia! (Bugs!)] [Person: Kyria! (Lady!) The Lady: Keria ke livania! (Candles and frankincense!)]

Macho guys with a golden cross shining on their hairy chest (a shirt is optional for this guy). If this guy is also a conservative and ignorant, we call him “Big Greek” (Ellinara) to mock him.

Mountains are fucking everywhere. Even our islands are just really tall mountains.

Google “moutza”

Buying good luck charms with pomegranates for the new year (this year they went to waste)

When someone is getting married or gives birth or talks about their children we wish “may you live!” (I know, we have pretty low standards)

“Cunt“ is actually a positive term to describe a beautiful woman (not very accepted from the ladies, though)

Greeks drive BADLY, especially when they are in an area they know

Being able to read and mostly understand Homeric Era texts and random ancient Greek inscriptions in your town. It’s chilling!

A child’s name is not revealed until the moment the prists shouts it in their baptism in church (only the parents know it). Yes we are that dramatic.

We take our names from our grandparents, just like in ancient years, so grandparents may be offended if none of their grandchildren doesn’t take their name. (And they may react weirdly when they hear another name in church)

I don’t know if lots of Greeks do that but some members of my family and some friends start singing nonsense or folk songs when we believe something bad will happen in the future. My friend: Our deadline was moved 10 days earlier! Me: *sings traditional Greek suicide song*

In happy occassions like Xmas or New Years Eve we gather in restaurants where old folk music about death and hardship plays. Most of the folk songs we dance have such themes. I will never forget the time I realized how normal it was for me to hear “Life ends here” in New Year’s Eve. If we decide not to celebrate outside, we put shows with songs and celebrations on TV.

Calling modern trashy folk songs “dog songs”. If you like those songs you describe yourself as “I am of the dog”

Smoking tobacco is still a big thing. Many young people vape, though.

Generally living close to ancient stuff and having interesting archeological museums. We also have castles, forts and byzantine ruins. (They belong to the cats now)

I have witnessed a Big Greek claiming he would turn gay, after seeing the sublime asses of Kouroi up close (Kouroi are turning your children gay!!1!!1!)

Knowing more about the Greek gods than the Christian Saints

Aunties sending these types of pictures for every new week/month/year/celebration (I appreciate the sentiment behind them but they make me cringe): 

[ghostmartyr]

SnK 125 Thoughts

Things Eren’s Plan Has Made Better:

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Open, infuriated communication between people living under fear of imminent death! :) :) :)

This chapter makes me laugh. Almost nothing good happens within its pages, and it’s delightful. Eren’s stated intention of killing off the outside world is actively disrupting even the imitation of peace every society in this universe has.

He’s fighting for the protection of Paradis? See all these dead Paradis people who were just minding their own business. See also all these living Paradis people who are minding their own business into a civil war.

He’s ending the Eldian cycle of titanization? Nope, still got the inheritance problem to work out, and if the rest of the world dies, that just means nine people are forever going to be killing each other over it.

There is nothing in this chapter that is worth any of the carnage Eren has inflicted.

So I can’t wait to find out what it’s really about.

There’s a bad plan, and then there’s this.

No part of the world is untouched by Eren’s decisions, and even the people he’s claimed to be interested in protecting are actively suffering from what he’s done. Unless Eren’s sanity is such that he is pursuing a future where there is no one but him and a pile of bodies, there is no outcome here that he’s said he wants.

Which is good, because it means that we’re not done.

If this were a video game, and Eren was a character inside it with an open strategy guide, his choices would be the mark of a player looking to pick the worst possible ending.

[Eren] enters a farmhouse for the night, looking for shelter. [Eren] is discovered, and met with a warm meal.

[A] Say thank you for your meal.

[B] Throw the potatoes in the kind, elderly housewife’s face.

[C] Kick the table over and murder her young children.

[D] Commit omnicide.

Eren wants the D, so any other possibilities are out.

Paradis isn’t safe. Eren and Zeke invited global scorn at an international event.

Paradis isn’t safe. Eren woke up thousands of titans who remake the landscape by going out for a stroll.

Paradis isn’t safe. Every citizen living on the island has their own thoughts an opinions on what this is, and if they vocalize them the wrong way in front of the wrong person, they’re being subdued with violence.

Plus, at this point, the rest of the world doesn’t even know the titans are coming. The only people who are going to spend their last time on this planet in hours (days?) of petrified fear are interned Eldians, who are screaming warnings at everyone and getting beatings back. At best.

Eren announced his plans to every Eldian. They, unlike their non-Eldian counterparts, are privileged with knowing exactly how they’re going to die, and how little everyone is working to prevent this outcome.

If killing the entire rest of the world does work out, Eren’s actions have made it so that the people who have grown up in internment camps spend their last days even more miserable than they were to begin with.

Naisu.

As Pieck and Magath discuss, there is no way to stop this. Everyone on Paradis is in shock, starting fights, or pulling dying people from rubble. Staring out at the horizon in horror. There is nothing anyone alive can do about this.

Submit, and be free. It’s over.

Or fight and die.

That’s always the case in this world, isn’t it? Fight against insurmountable odds, and fall with your pride intact, or decide that this burning world is a good place to rest.

The remains of Marley’s military giving voice to that offends my sensibilities, somewhat. Magath actively pursued lighting this fire. Without his assistance, this never could have happened. The fact that he thought he was only scapegoating Paradis and eliminating his country’s military hierarchy so he could take control does not particularly make it better.

But the will to fight doesn’t belong to only people with squeaky clean morals. This, unfortunately, is not a story where only the protagonist side gets to have good philosophical views.

Landing Magath on yet more pages of this manga. Cheers.

And of course, we have the turnaround where Floch, a member of the Survey Corps, is now arguing that the fighting is done now. While there’s still titans roaming the world, causing death.

He’s never been a very good Scout.

“What’s so bad about submission...?”

Submission, Floch, is bad because it leaves fucks like you having the last word. It leaves people who smile about genocide because of how it improves their lives free to spread that poison and think that this kind of atrocious violence is a good thing.

The man Floch claims to speak for has never known how to submit to anything.

Eren’s love of the world, and of freedom, is not isolated. He doesn’t want his freedom. He wants freedom as a concept to reign. Humans are born free, and anyone who tries to disagree with that doesn’t matter. That’s been his view from the start. That’s the startlingly intense perspective that has him killing people when he’s nine.

The Paradis Eren’s current choices are making is not a Paradis worth fighting for.

So what do we get? Paradis finally, truly being the last bastion of humanity on the face of the planet? A rebellion of thought rising to object to the ideals that led to this tragedy? A final chapter where our heroes have the chance to save one island from itself while the rest of the world burns?

That’s awfully limited.

Not to mention that there are always survivors. People on the outside would always live, and they would always remember what’s been done to them.

Really, nothing done here has changed anything.

“In the worst case... we’d have to repeat the last two thousand years of conflict surrounding their power. All on this tiny island.”

Humans in this world are not particularly good at avoiding the worst case scenario.

One particular human appears to be actively pursuing it.

None of his supplied reasons currently support this being a good plan.

The only thing Eren will get out of this is death, and his public statement is against that--for Paradis.

Paradis has not been excluded. It’s just going through a more specialized kind of death than the rest of the world is getting.

So in conclusion for this part of the post, everything Eren has done has made the world worse, done nothing to progress his stated goals, and is just such a collection of bad ideas that a valid explanation is that Eren has completely lost his mind and there is no logic moving this train.

That being a boring story, we’re looking down the barrel of some hardcore Reveals to liven things up.

Bon excite.

I’m not going to bother with chronological order this month because why, but also because I think there’s a good chance I’d forget to mention Hange and Levi if I waited until the end.

So. How ‘bout that Hange and Levi. Both being alive.

Genuinely, the most surprising thing to me about this is that Hange not only located a horse, but somehow found Levi some quality bandages before he started bleeding out. How that has turned into finding it in their best interests to approach Magath and Pieck remains to be seen, but I guess the Marley-Paradis dream team is not as dead as it should be.

Like. I don’t disagree that stopping Eren is a priority.

I just really have no interest in forgetting that Marley is The Worst. On the whole, I think the manga’s been rather good about balancing the humanity of the characters with their vile chosen actions, but. I like having a clear focus of hate, and don’t feel a need for them to be further humanized?

Especially when, as Bad as all Eren’s actions are, MARLEY THREW THE FIRST DOMINO AT THE HOUSE OF CARDS, SPARE A SECOND TO THINK ABOUT HOW THAT FUCKED UP PEOPLE BESIDES YOURSELVES YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES.

They can share The Worst crown when Eren steals it. That works.

Anyway, yay Hange and Levi. They join the realm of the officially not dead.

Like Falco!

Hell. Talk about awkward. Connie and Falco are both easily identifiable through their hearts. Connie’s has just been through a few more brutalities than Falco’s. He’s worn down and bitter, whereas Falco still as his eternal fount of optimism going for him.

Sasha’s dad is right; Connie will hesitate. It’s in his nature. He’s found the one thing in the world he can bring back from this war, and he’s desperate for it, but Falco is a little boy, awake and thanking him.

Connie joins the Survey Corps back when it’s a death sentence. He doesn’t run away from the hard things. He fights and protects his friends, and that’s done nothing except break him down into someone who’s considering killing a child to save his mother.

I don’t think there’s much suspense in Connie’s eventual choice. That’s not to say that Falco’s free from danger (even if Connie decides against it, deciding against something after you’ve put too many of the steps in motion... yeah), but it isn’t even a full chapter before Connie’s being confronted with the nature of his work (protecting people) and the nature of this choice (killing person).

However, there are a bunch of people wandering around on horseback in the middle of nowhere. We’ve got Connie and Falco, soon to be joined by Armin and Gabi, as well as Hange, Levi, Pieck, and Magath.

None of them are going to wind up near the walls. All the tension will have to be derived from their interactions, but what’s there? Hange, Levi, Pieck, and Magath have the most reasons to throw down, but also the most experience to know that maybe it’s time to talk. Connie’s future decision is practically written in stone, so why bother taking Falco out into the boonies? A dramatic reunion between him and Gabi isn’t going to do much we haven’t seen already. Quality bro moments for Connie and Armin? We could have done that back anywhere.

We have a cast divided in terms of geography, but not much else. Only Floch’s gang is perfectly fine with what’s going on here. Everyone else is in favor of figuring out a way to fight it. Throwing a bunch of pairs out in the woodlands when none of them are going to be fighting seems like wasted panel space.

tfw massively secret reveal in the woods like whoa and it’s a race to bring it back to the rest of the cast and explain that not all hope is lost and things are magically better

I sense a plot.

Hopefully this part of it involves less dead children.

Also, it’s impossible to tell because non-populated Paradis always looks the damn same, but there’s a chance that any number of the horse groups could be near Historia.

She gets a whole mention this chapter.

Almost like someone cares about her.

That’s two separate people in two chapters.

Whoa.

But also there’s the whole setting sun thing, and sitting outside doing nothing but glaring at the sun is a patented timeskip Historia activity. So maybe now she’ll finally have something to do.

No one else really has that, admittedly. It’s all a lot of watching Eren’s plan, thinking, “gee that’s bad,” and dealing with the fallout of who is already dying thanks to Eren’s plan. Everyone is very busy, but not providing constructive solutions to anything except pulling people out of buildings.

Based on the world as it is explained to us, there is nothing anyone can do against Eren.

Manga please. Please give me the explanation that changes this. We know it’s there.

But yeah, that creates a very anticlimactic dead space where everyone’s solving the problems in front of them, and shrugging at everything else. What else is there, really?

I think I’ll be in the minority when I make the comment that this chapter brought back more of my pity than disdain for Floch.

He’s a crappy person doing crappy things, and someone should probably shoot him in the head sooner as opposed to later. That would not be a bad thing to have happen. He’s invested in raising an empire that no one in the world needs.

He’s also alive through freak chance that left him the sole survivor of a suicide charge, and when he managed to bring his commanding officer to the people who could save him, and bring some sense to the chaos, his actions are invalidated.

Many things could be solved with Floch if he ever was implied to feel a fraction of empathy for people not himself.

That said, it’s... very glaringly obvious that this is his radicalized response to trauma.

The volunteer he kills is left with a mangled hole in his face.

That’s how many of Floch’s comrades die in Erwin’s last charge.

For their pride and obligation as Scouts, and their belief in Erwin’s strategy, they charge. And they all die.

Except for Floch.

Floch’s turned into many things over these four years. A liar is high on the list.

But this moment, and when he talks to Jean, strike true.

Jean’s in shock. Too much has happened, and he understands far too much of it. He’s completely blank, and that is a surface Floch can speak to. Floch knows, and has never forgotten, the shock and trauma the fight can cause. He knows how to put comfort, when he talks to someone like that.

“It’s over.”

He can talk about the rise of a grand new Eldian Empire all he wants, but he’s only smiling when he’s talking to Jean. He isn’t smiling over the new beginning. He’s smiling when he tells a quiet, horrified audience that the fight is done.

Floch’s not a good person. He’s lost in a variety of ways. The war of thought between Eldians and the rest of the world stripped him bare after the battle in Shiganshina flayed him, and he let all of the rot consume him.

All because he happened to live through one of the bloodiest fights in their island’s history.

He should probably be punched in the face and killed. Whichever order.

It’s still a sad fucking story.

-glances at Armin and Mikasa-

HEY SPEAKING OF

This chapter is just the rest of the 104th who haven’t officially experienced it going through their complete mental collapse.

Armin’s in hysterics while trying to hold himself together. The fact that he can still do that second part puts him at the top of the tier list. Mikasa’s lost, with her only avenue left being explaining to Armin why him running off isn’t actually going to fix anything. Connie’s out on his own, contemplating child murder. Reiner’s unconscious and better off for it. Jean’s a wreck. Annie’s spent four years in a dark hole and can’t even win a fight with Hitch. Historia’s main contribution to this arc is being sad. Eren directly caused more than half of all this.

Our Heroes.

Armin has always been the idea guy. He’s the person you ask when you don’t know what to do next. Mikasa doesn’t know what to do about Eren. Eren is literally the most important problem to solve in this world, even outside their emotional complications, so Mikasa asks Armin, her smartest friend, what to do.

Cue the waterworks. Armin goes ballistic, and just like everyone always has, yells at Mikasa for caring about the only family she has left.

She’s taken aback when Armin says he doesn’t know what to do. For the rest, there’s only sadness. She can’t even offer comfort or a denial when Armin takes in everything he’s just said and says he isn’t the one who should have survived Serum Bowl.

Mikasa and Armin have always chased after Eren. Together. They’re the most stable part of the trio. Now Eren’s destroying the world, and the first thing Armin does is lose it with his other best friend for looking to him to be her stabilizing force like he always has.

In Trost, Armin comes to realize that his friends have never looked down at him for the reasons he looks down on himself. Mikasa and Eren love him for his own good qualities. More people start to realize how smart he is, and as the plot progresses, more and more pressure piles on, with people coming to depend on his brilliant mind.

It fails him here. The one thing he’s always been able to offer simply isn’t there. Just like against Bertolt, where all he could come up with was sacrificing himself.

If that had worked the way he thought it would, Erwin would still be here. Solving all the problems Armin can’t.

Mikasa and Armin lose their best friend, and Armin flips out on the one he has left, when what they both really need is those few days of sleep and some damn hugs. Leaving both of them rather ashamed of themselves and isolated.

They’re soldiers. Their job is to keep going.

Also Mikasa’s scarf is gone, and I’d assume Louise has it, but I’m unsure of what the Drama value of that will turn into. Put a pin in it and wait.

Probably the most ominous content goes to Shadis.

The idea that the Yeagerists have the island, so blend in until it’s time to rise up... that is a horrifying potentiality. The time it will take for the Yeagerists to have control of the island is probably slightly more than it will take for Eren to destroy his first city (assuming that’s what he’s up to). If our next climax is going to be a rebellion taking the island away from the Yeagerists... we’ll see a hell of a lot of damage first.

I guess that’s a given, with where the plot is headed, but it’s still appalling to think that Paradis has come so far only to be thrown back into cages when their walls walk away.

I really hope that Shadis isn’t pulling a foreshadowing card. I’d feel more comfortable if his scene came before the scene in Marley, so it could more cleanly be marked as a link to them, instead of a link of what might come to pass in Paradis.

Though the link still stands.

Mr. Leonhart wants his damn daughter back, you fascist jackasses. Staying in line for a decade hasn’t made him forget that.

Anything I could say about Annie and Hitch would diminish my love of their time together. Hitch joins the MPs as a selfish brat, and she lives her truest self that way, but she also saves lives. When duty comes knocking, she sighs and opens the door.

Annie’s a selfish brat too. She’s not as immune to seeing other people as human as she wants to be. She would still kill everyone all over again to make it back to her dad.

Who was a right bastard until he realized he’d done fucked up.

After the long series of poor parenting we’ve gotten, it’s painfully refreshing for Annie’s dad to apologize to express how much he cares for her to her face. He might have fucked up everything else, but he was sorry and he said it. He actually took the first step in doing better, and a decade later, he’s still waiting to complete that journey with his daughter.

Yes, okay, the bar is so fucking low, but he still jumped it. The existence of genuine love at all is a long stretch better than certain other characters get.

Lots of waiting yet to come. Nothing can be done, and Colossal Titans take a long time to travel. If there isn’t a prompt list about what x character does waiting for the apocalypse yet, there should be.

Everyone in this chapter is really just waiting for everything to die. The extinction of the rest of the world is taken as an inevitability, with the only question being how you want to go down.

The world ends with a slow scream that keeps growing louder.

Someone needs to tell Eren to stop doing that.

[artificialqueens]

Undone, Chapter 28 (Bitney) - Stephanie/Veronica

A/N: Hey guys. To anyone who’s still reading this story, thank you for your patience between chapters, I know it’s been slow! Here’s a link to the previous chapters. Thank you so much to some very patient and helpful betas: @opalescent-cheetah, @artificialpuddle, @blackhighheels 

Chapter Summary: Bianca faces the dreaded lawyer meeting. 

NOTE: The role of Bianca’s divorce attorney has been recast as Asia O’Hara. 

TW: Emotional abuse, physical intimidation, gaslighting, PTSD 

***

“B...don’t you want to take a break?” Courtney tries to speak casually, but she can feel the edge of frustration creeping in. Bianca has spent all weekend at the sewing machine, creating garments at a manic pace. She’s barely slept since her call with Asia on Thursday, and only eats or sleeps when Courtney forces the issue. What began as concern is now full-on anxiety over her health. “Come on...we could go for a walk. Or take a nap. And I made that pesto thing you like, so-”

“I just need fifteen minutes,” Bianca mumbles. If she can keep her hands busy, she doesn’t have to think about Asia’s words turning over and over in her mind.

Don’t expect any resolutions right away.

Be sure to send me the sonogram pictures and a blood test. They’re going to want immediate proof.

No one can predict how he’s going to react.

She doesn’t have time to stop and even acknowledge Courtney; she has no desire to bring Courtney into the firestorm of bullshit racing through her mind right now.

“You said that an hour ago.” Courtney sighs and walks closer, sitting on the edge of the table right beside her sewing machine.

“I have to finish these pants.” Bianca grits her teeth and presses the pedal harder, shoving the tweed fabric through the surger.

Courtney puts a hand on top of the machine and states matter-of-factly, “B, you’re working too hard.”

“Maybe you don’t work hard enough,” Bianca snaps back.

The second the words leave her mouth, dreads surges through her veins, making her heart race and her skin heat up. A terrible feeling creeps into her stomach. This is how it starts. A snide comment here, a sarcastic insult there. Why does she always alienate people? What’s wrong with her?

Her eyes are misty when she finally dares to raise them, to look at Courtney and assess the damage. Only when she does, it’s not an angry face glaring down at her. Courtney’s expression is a bit surprised, but mostly...amused?

“Perhaps,” Courtney says with a giggle. “But my point still stands. You need to take a break.”

Bianca nods, trying to get a grip on her emotions, which at the moment feel all over the map. She’s relieved, mostly, that Courtney isn’t angry or offended, but also drowning in guilt, and her heart still races with leftover panic.

Courtney tilts her head, noticing the color in her cheeks, the glassy-eyed stare, the way her shoulders stiffen.

“Are you okay?”

Bianca nods, afraid that if she speaks, it’ll all come spilling out. All the darkness that she’s been desperately trying to hold back. The fear, the anger, the exhaustion. Courtney runs a hand through her hair, a motion that would normally be welcome and soothing. But right now, it feels almost oppressive, making Bianca’s muscles tense even more.

When she still doesn’t speak, Courtney drags a chair over and sits down right beside her. She takes both of Bianca’s hands in hers.

“Please tell me what’s wrong, Bianca.”

“I…” She doesn’t even know how to begin. The whole time she’s been living here, she’s been trying to force herself to listen to what everyone says about Jared. That what happened between them wasn’t her fault. And she does believe it, to a degree. But sometimes in her darkest hours, there’s still a sliver of doubt that creeps in.

What if it was my fault?

Because she remembers how sweet and loving and generous he was when they first met. How he showered her with love and affection. Went out of his way to make her feel special and loved and desired.

Just like Courtney does.

He wasn’t angry or cruel when they first got together. He became that way over months and years, and Bianca sometimes can’t shake the feeling that she made him that way. And even worse...her deepest fear, one she has barely even acknowledged to herself, is that not only did she make him like that. But that something inside her is so broken that she actually needs that destructive energy. That she can’t be in a normal relationship, or accept normal love.  

That no matter what she does, she will end up destroying the goodness in Courtney with her anger, her bitterness.

She’s not trying to hide these thoughts from Courtney, not exactly. She’s just so deeply ashamed, so terrified of being exposed as a monster.  

Courtney hasn’t gone anywhere. She’s still stroking the back of Bianca’s hands, waiting patiently for an explanation that Bianca knows isn’t coming. Because now, even if she wanted to, she can’t get any words out.

As hard as she tried to keep everything in, Bianca can’t stop the hot, bitter tears from streaming down her cheeks. She takes a few gasping breaths, but it’s not enough, not enough air. When she begins to hyperventilate, Courtney goes from gentle, supportive concern to overt worry, cupping her cheeks.

“Hey...look at me. We’re gonna breathe. In….out…” She nods as Bianca copies her breathing, desperately trying to pull herself together.

“Court, I’m sorry, I just don’t know how to explain,” she chokes out.  

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. Keep breathing...” She takes an exaggerated breath in.  

“No, I want to tell you...but I just…” Bianca’s breath hitches again.

“I know. I know you do.” Courtney gently brushes the tears from her cheeks. “But it can wait-”

“But you deserve an explanation.”

“It can wait,” Courtney repeats. “Just breathe.”

Bianca nods, finally releasing some of the tension in her shoulders. She sits silently, tears still trickling down her face, until her breathing is back to normal. She lets Courtney help her to her feet, pulling her into an embrace.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I’m just...sometimes I get so scared that you’re gonna end up hating me.”

Courtney pulls back, looking into her eyes.

“I could never hate you. Ever,” she says.

“You say that now, but-” a sob escapes from Bianca’s chest, but she tries to push through. “But I say stupid shit, and I don’t mean it, but I-”

Courtney’s gently kissing away her tears. Her unending patience suddenly feels stifling, like Bianca will never be worth it.

“I know this is gonna end. I know I’ll fuck it up, I always do.”

Bianca watches Courtney take a deep breath, terrified that she’s already begun to destroy what they’ve worked so hard to build. Heart in her throat, stomach in knots, as she waits for the inevitable rejection.

“Look at me,” she says, waiting for Bianca’s eyes to meet hers before continuing. Saying adamantly, “I’m not him.”

Unable to respond with anything more than a slight nod, Bianca bites her lip.

“Do you hear me? I’m not him.” Courtney pulls her close again, holding her tight, lips grazing her ear. Bianca feels weak and dizzy from crying, finally allowing herself to lean on Courtney for support.

She’s not sure how long they stand there, but it’s long enough for the body heat to make her comfortably sweaty, for her lips to find Courtney’s, brushing against her in a light kiss.

“How are you doing?” Courtney murmurs. “Wanna lie down?”

“No.” Bianca tucks her face against Courtney’s neck.

“Wanna dance it out?”

“Definitely not.”

“Why not?!” Courtney asks, giggling. “Endorphins will make you feel better.”

“Good idea. Let’s have sex,” Bianca says against her skin, teeth grazing her jaw.

“Mmm, no. If we have sex when you’re upset, you’re gonna associate sex with trauma, which will take a lot of the fun out of it. No sex,” Courtney finishes decisively.  

“Ugh, you’re so bossy.”

“I’m bossy?” Courtney pulls back, one eyebrow so high it’s nearly to her hairline.

Bianca laughs, finally breaking the tension in the air. She reaches up to cup Courtney’s cheek, tired and grateful and relieved all at the same time.

“Can I make you a cup of tea?” Courtney asks.

“Yeah, alright,” she agrees, settling back into her chair with a sigh.

***

Courtney would never admit it out loud, but the truth is, she’s nervous. She’s seen these ultrasound pictures before--mostly in movies and TV shows--and she’s never seen anything but a floating amorphous blob. Is she gonna have to lie and tell Bianca that a blurry mass is beautiful? What’s she going to say when it comes up on the screen?

It turns out, her worrying is all for naught. Because when she finally does look at the screen, Bianca’s hand clasped in both of hers, what she sees is the shifting image of a baby.

“Oh my god!” she can’t help exclaiming. “It looks like a person!”

“What were you expecting?” Bianca laughs.

“Um...more like...somewhere between a potato and a spaceship.”

“Ahh.” Bianca nods, then deadpans, “So are you disappointed?”

“Yeah, I was really excited about that spaceship,” Courtney giggles, nuzzling against her and squeezing her hands.

The warm, affectionate mood is killed a little by how somber Bianca seems once they’re in the car. Courtney looks over at her, reaching over to touch her cheek.

“You alright, babe?”

“Yeah. I’m just sending some shit to Asia.” Bianca looks up from her phone, biting her lip.

“Right.” Courtney’s hit by a wave of sadness, mostly for Bianca. As excited as she knows Bianca is for the baby, as much as she’s dreamed about motherhood, she knows that the bittersweet reality must never fully leave her mind. The dark cloud of her divorce hangs over her all the time, even when she’s not talking about it--even when she seems fine.

Courtney leans over the center console to brush her lips against Bianca’s temple.

After letting out a deep sigh, Bianca throws her arms around Courtney’s shoulders and buries her face into her neck.

***

Courtney stands outside the bathroom door, contemplating how best to approach Bianca this morning. She’s getting ready for what’s likely going to be a long, terrible day. Her first meeting with Jared and the lawyers, where they are supposed to (hopefully) hash out the main points of their divorce settlement. She knows that Bianca has been anxious and worried all week, even though she’s been putting on a brave face.

But last night, it seemed like it all really hit her hard. She laid awake for hours, letting Courtney hold her and talk to her about everything and nothing, just to remind her that she wasn’t alone. Courtney hadn’t drifted off until the first rays of dawn began to slant through the window, and she’s not positive whether Bianca slept at all.

Knowing that this was coming, Courtney’s been planning a surprise weekend getaway for them. Now, though, Courtney wonders if this kind of surprise after a long day with the lawyers will be too much. Maybe she didn’t think the plan through very well. She bites her lip and pushes the door open.

The counter is littered with hair appliances and makeup and assorted beauty products, what looks like everything Bianca owns spread out and opened. There’s not a hair out of place, and her face is fully beat. Compared to the relaxed, softer look she’s been moving towards since she moved in with Courtney, it’s almost jarring to see her this glammed up again.

“Hey,” Courtney says, moving toward her slowly, careful not to disturb any of the open powders and pots and bottles. She offers a smile, adding, “You look beautiful.”

Bianca can’t help but feel defensive. Of course, Courtney is giving her a simple compliment. The kind she gives her all the time, every day. But her insecurity immediately turns it into a judgement.

“I’m not trying to impress him,” she says. Her feelings for Jared, at this point, are crystal clear--she has no interest in getting back together with him, is sure she never will. But for some stupid reason, she can’t bear walking into that office looking different than she had when they were married. It feels, in an unjustifiable way, like that would be admitting something to him; it feels like that would make her even more vulnerable than she already is. “I know it’s silly.”

“It’s not silly,” Courtney replies. She can see the anxiety on Bianca’s face, her tense muscles, the little line where her brow furrows. Her heart aches for how scared Bianca must be feeling. She reaches out and gently touches Bianca’s sleeve. “And you don’t have to justify anything to me. Do whatever you need to prepare.”

Bianca puts down her mascara and sighs, closes her eyes. She feels anything but prepared. What in the world made her think that a little makeup and a curling iron would fix that? Courtney takes her hands.

“Hey...you can do this.”

Bianca looks up, her blue eyes cloudy with pain. She hopes it’s true, but a nagging voice in the back of her head is saying the opposite.

“I just...wish it was over.”

“I know.” Courtney tucks a lock of hair back, gently running a thumb against the shell of Bianca’s ear as she does so. “But hey...later today, it will be. And as soon as you’re done, you’re gonna come back home, and then I can tell you about your surprise.”

“Did I ever tell you that I hate surprises?” Bianca says, biting back a smile.

“You have. But you’re gonna like this one.” Courtney winds her arms tighter around Bianca’s neck. “I promise. And if you don’t...then, we can do it another time.”

“Yeah? So it’s something to do?” Bianca chases Courtney’s lips with her own, pressing her against the counter.

“You’re gonna ruin your lipstick…” Courtney slyly evades both the question and the kiss, teasing her.

“Worth it,” Bianca murmurs, finally capturing Courtney’s lips in a sweet, soft kiss.

***

Asia is true to her word. When Bianca arrives, they spend the morning together, going over the game plan and wish list. After a short lunch, most of which remains untouched, Asia escorts her into a conference room and waits with her, by her side, until Jared and his attorney show up.  

Bianca keeps her eyes down, trained on the blank legal pad in front of her. She can’t look at him. Even knowing he’s there turns her stomach. She does glance at his lawyer a few times. A petite Asian woman with dark eyes and glossy hair. He’s smart to have hired a woman. She’s not sure why it surprises her.

When the arbitrator arrives, she immediately gets down to business. The attorneys spend a few minutes discussing the big ticket items - their condo, the joint retirement account. Bianca is actually relieved that there’s a pre-nup, because it seems like it’s going to make everything go faster. She allows herself, for the briefest moment, to imagine that this might happen quickly.

Before they drill down into the details, Asia hands a paper across the table. It’s a disclosure statement, short and to the point, along with a copy of her last blood test. The most recent sonogram. The arbitrator looks it over, nods, and hands a copy to Jared’s attorney.

Bianca can sense Jared’s energy when his lawyer shows him. She hears his hands slam against the table, hears his lawyer do her best to quickly calm him down, get him to hush.

Her eyes are downcast, blurry with tears that begin to drip slowly down her nose, splashing on the legal pad. Asia puts a hand on her back.

“Do you need a break?” Asia whispers, and Bianca nods vigorously.

***

The meeting seems to disintegrate quickly once Bianca leaves the room, which doesn’t surprise her at all. She knew full well that this news was going to be a wrench in the plan. That Jared’s limited time of playing nice would be over.

Asia’s assistant brings her a glass of water, which she attempts to drink slowly, reminding herself to breathe every few seconds. She flexes her fingers and toes whenever they start to tingle, brings her focus back to the physical.

When Asia enters her office to give the update, she’s prepared. Jared is unwilling to negotiate any further. His lawyer quarantined him alone in another room to have his tantrum and requested to schedule a follow-up meeting in a few weeks. No financial agreements will happen until custody is worked out. They knew this would most likely be the case, so now it’s a waiting game until they see what Jared asks for.

Bianca nods.

“Are they still here?”

“They’re packing up now,” Asia tells her. “You’re welcome to stay here until you feel ready.”

��Thanks.”

Though all Bianca really wants is to go home, she takes her time, texting Courtney for a bit while she calms down. She doesn’t want to risk running into him in the lobby or at valet parking. She has a sick feeling when it’s time to go down to her car, and though she feels a bit silly, asks Asia if someone can walk her down.

Once she’s safely in her car, she breathes a sigh of relief. Soon she’ll be home; it’ll be over for the day. She’s even finding herself improbably excited for whatever surprise Courtney’s been planning all week. She takes a deep breath and pulls out.

Her relief is short-lived. At the parking gate, she rolls down her window to slide in her ticket, when Jared races up to the car like a bat out of hell, before she even knows what’s happening. He somehow manages to reach in, yanking the door open before she has a chance to react.

She has no idea what he’s screaming. All her brain can comprehend is the rage, the fury in his eyes as he rants at her, accuses her of all kinds of things. She knows she’s yelling back, telling him to stop, trying to pull her door closed, but he’s overpowering her, forcing her to listen to his tirade. It’s a complete out of body experience.

It must have been a hell of a commotion. Because the next thing Bianca knows, she’s somehow sitting on a bench by the elevators, head between her legs, as Asia’s heels come clicking towards her in a hurry.

“Bianca! Shit…” Asia sits beside her, places a hand on her back. “I’m so sorry. You’re supposed to be safe here.”

Bianca lifts her head. Her cheeks are wet with tears she doesn’t remember, and she scrubs at them with the sleeve of her jacket.  

“We’re gonna get statements from the guys down here, okay? I should be able to fast-track a restraining order.”

“Alright,” Bianca says, mind starting to spin. How are they supposed to negotiate a divorce under these conditions? What’s gonna happen to her baby?

“I don’t want you to drive right now. Is there someone we can call to pick you up?”

Bianca nods. Courtney’s waiting for her - probably expecting her to walk in the door at any moment. She pulls out her phone and goes to her recent calls with shaky fingers, then turns to Asia, grasping her sleeve.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Okay.” Asia takes the phone from her, glancing down at the screen. “I can handle it. Courtney? Is that your girlfriend?”

“Yeah.” Bianca closes her eyes, feeling useless and dumb, the way she always does when words fail her.

“I’ll fill her in, and then we can go upstairs to wait,” Asia tells her.

“Thanks,” is all Bianca can manage. She lowers her head again, praying for it all to be over quickly.

***

Last week, while filming a very awkward sex scene, Courtney let it slip to one of her favorite costars how stressed Bianca has been, and how she wished she could give her a break. He generously offered his house in Santa Barbara for the weekend, and Courtney figured that it would be the perfect way for Bianca to decompress after her meeting with the lawyers.

But all day, she’s been anxious. She was anxious while she packed their bags and loaded up the car, waiting to hear from Bianca. And she was anxious when Sasha arrived to pick up the puppies. So much that her friend immediately saw it and suggested that they have a cup of herbal tea while they wait for Bianca to finish.

Even after she gets the text that Bianca is on her way home, something gnaws at her stomach. She supposes that until she sees Bianca in person and knows that she’s truly okay, she won’t be able to feel better.

“Do you want me to wait with you until she gets home?” Sasha asks, a hand covering hers.

“Do you mind?” Courtney says, chewing on her bottom lip.

“Not at all.”

Courtney feels a little stupid and overly dramatic, but she’s grateful that Sasha is so perceptive. They chat about her students this term, and an art show she’s putting together, and when Courtney’s phone rings, she’s able to answer cheerfully.

“Hey baby, what’s up?”

“Hi, Courtney? This is Asia. Bianca’s attorney.”

Courtney feels her blood turning to ice, fear rushing through her.

“What’s wrong? Is she okay?!”

“She’ll be fine, but--Jared accosted her in the parking lot. She’s a bit shaken and I don’t think she should drive.”

“Oh, god.”

“Do you think you can come, and-”

“Of course!” Courtney exclaims. “Of course, I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Can you text me the address? I’m sorry, I just don’t have-”

“Absolutely, I’ll do that right now.”

“Thank you.” Courtney looks up at Sasha, panicked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll drive you.” Sasha’s already on her feet, placing the mugs into the sink and rinsing them. She grabs her keys and ushers the dogs into the carrier.

***

All Bianca feels is numb as she waits, fingers digging into the throw pillow in her lap. She has no idea how much time has passed when Courtney appears in the doorway, then flies straight to her.

Feeling Courtney’s arms around her, finally, unleashes something. She begins to cry, an unwelcome avalanche of tears that makes her hate herself even more.

“Baby…” Courtney crawls into her lap, stroking her hair and rocking her.

It feels like ages until she finds her voice again, choking out, “I’m sorry.”

“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong!” Courtney holds her tighter, cheek pressed to the top of her head. Her heart hammers in her chest, terrified of what Jared might do next, but knowing that her fears are nothing compared to what Bianca must be feeling.

“I’m just...sorry. I know you’ve been planning something, and I-”

“Oh jesus, Bianca, that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re okay.” Courtney cradles her face and looks at her, eyes bright, brow furrowed in concern. “It was just a little weekend getaway thing, you know? We can do it another time.”

“Actually,” Asia interrupts, then looks a little chagrined when they turn to her. “Sorry for eavesdropping, I just wanted to tell you that it might be a good idea. For you to go out of town for a couple of days. I don’t want to freak you out, but...at least until the protective order is in place.”

“When will that be?” Bianca asks tiredly.

“Monday morning,” Asia says. “I promise. We have everything we need.”

Bianca nods.

“Well...if that’s what you want, we could go,” Courtney says, smoothing down her hair. “I have all our bags packed and in the car downstairs.

“What about the dogs?”

“They’re downstairs too. With Sasha. She drove me here because she was gonna watch them this weekend. Is that okay?”

Bianca nods, then asks quietly, “Can I see them first?”

“Of course!” Courtney leans forward to kiss the tears slipping down her cheeks. “Whatever you need.”

They sit together for a few more minutes, until Bianca feels composed again--as much as she can, considering the circumstances. Courtney slides off her lap and offers a hand, helping her to her feet.

The leave hand in hand, fingers laced together, Bianca gripping Courtney tightly to keep herself grounded. As they wait for the elevators, she manages to give Courtney a small, grateful smile.

[monsteronfire]

Dragon Hart | Pt 11

Hybrid!JM x Reader/OC x Hybrid!JK

Dragons are the most rare, sought after hybrids in the business. Considered the most dangerous of the hybrid class, they are categorized by very specific personality traits and are owned only by the highest standing of society. When Hart finds a pair that are considered “defective” because of their personalities, she knows they could be killed and feels obligated to take them in despite never having owned any before. Still a dragon is a dragon, can she really survive owning two at once?

———

“Hey, sorry!”

Tae pouts dramatically at you, shoving a bottle of wine into your hands without replying. Hobi’s carrying a cheese tray with crackers, fruit and various meats that he hands off to you before they both start removing their winter gear. Jimin and Jungkook stand silently behind you, a little on guard, though you’re sure not nearly as much since they actually know your two guests.

“Fuck I hate the snow,” Hobi finally says, ruffling his hair as if to get said snow out of it.

“Yeah, it really rolled around all of a sudden,” you mumble back, turning to carry the gifts into the kitchen. Jungkook follows diligently, his hands held out to catch anything you might drop. The others follow you as well, Jimin greeting them both with a soft smile.

“How’ve you been, Chimmy,” Taehyung questions and Jimin softens at the affectionate nickname, giggling a little.

“Good. Miss Hart treats us very well. She’s very kind to us.”

His cheeks are pink as he speaks and you can’t seem to look at him out of embarrassment when he praises you like that. Jungkook only greets Hobi once you’ve set everything down and he does it quietly, as if he’s afraid to even speak. You’re not sure if it’s because your friends are coming or because you being mad at him really fucks him up, but your mind is racing too much to go in depth about it.

“You’re sure you even want us here, Hart?”

“Yeah... yeah, of course,” you say, finally letting Jungkook do something and take the tray of food into the living room for you. You hand some glasses to Jimin who’s smiling sheepishly at you, though he’s trying to look sweet for you. He knows you’re still upset and it’s made even worse by your anxiety. You hand a few more glasses to Taehyung, grab what’s left and the bottle of wine, and urge everyone to follow Jungkook.

“You guys know way more about dragons than I do, so if they have questions I figure you’ll do better at answering them. Plus having other people here... helps me.”

A knock at your door makes you shoot up from placing glasses down and you feel yourself go slightly dizzy from the anxiety. Jungkook calls out to you softly, his hand warm on your lower back. They’re here already? You didn’t even need to buzz them in! Your head is a mess of racing thoughts, but still you move to open the door and greet them.

“You guys didn’t even buzz,” you say as you open the door. All three of them stand there in winter coats. Jin grins when he sees you, Namjoon grins when he sees Hobi and Yoongi doesn’t grin at all, but frowns even more when he spots Jungkook and Jimin behind you.

“Yeah, that hot girl that lives on the floor below you let us in.”

“Yeah after about five minutes of Jin flirting with her,” Joon adds. He slips past you and makes his way to Hobi, the two of them smiling before sharing a quick kiss.

“So what, you two dating now or something?” Tae asks, looking skeptical. Or rather more like he thinks they’re dumb and/or is teasing them. Hobi turns a glare on him, rolling his eyes.

“Maybe. So what if we are?”

“You guys have only met a few times and literally just drunkenly slept together like four nights ago.”

“I wasn’t drunk, were you drunk Hoseok?”

“Hoseok? Disgusting.” Tae’s smirking as he says it though, more jabbing fun at his friend than actually offended by their union. Hobi sticks his tongue out at the kid, shoving him lightly when Tae retaliates with his own childish gesture.

You let the other two in and finally notice that Jin is holding tubs of potato, and macaroni salad while Yoongi holds two boxes of crackers. You snort at the sight, remembering the cheese and meats tray on your coffee table. As if this were some kind of small party or something. Maybe it was their way of easing the tension and seriousness of the meeting. When your trio of friends finally cast their attention on your hybrids the room falls silent, reminding you why you’re doing this. You close the door and usher everyone into the living room.

“Well, let’s get this started.”

They all file in; Jin, Yoongi, Joon and Hobi taking the couch; Tae taking your armchair and the dragons standing opposite the sofa back by the TV. You stand in front of Jimin and Jungkook, each on either side of you, and thank whatever gods when Jin takes the time to crack open the food before you start. It gives you time to think and lets you know he’s not upset enough to let it affect his appetite.

“I’d like to start of by apologizing; not only because I didn’t say anything, but also because I put Yoongi in danger. You three are my oldest and closest friends, and I betrayed your trust by keeping quiet. I had my reasons, mainly your safety.”

Yoongi snorts derisively and it feels like a jab to your stomach. Still, you continue.

“This,” you motion from one side of you to the other, bringing their focus to first Jimin, then Jungkook,” ... is Jimin and Jungkook, the two dragon hybrids that went missing from my work.”

Jin immediately freezes, his hand poised halfway between the food and his mouth, and his eyes are wide. Yoongi looks a mix of shocked, pissed and a bit worried, and Joon is just pissed. He sighs heavily, his head falling into his hands when he sits forward.

“For fuck sake, Hart. Are you serious?”

You can’t tell if he’s pissed because you’re causing trouble, or because he’s worried for you. Jin puts down the cracker full of cheese and potato salad, still trying to process what you just said.

“I’m confused,” he suddenly says, “... are you telling me that the two hybrids that the police have been investigating about at your work- the ones that were stolen- are the two hybrids in front of me right now?”

“Yes...”

“You,” he pauses a moment to collect himself, his rage beginning to match Namjoon’s.

“You fucking stole two of the rarest and most expensive hybrids in the world, and are now keeping them in your home?!”

“Y-yes.”

“Jesus-fucking-Christ, Hart. What the fuck were you thinking?!”

Yoongi is joining in now and- as you’d suspected- all three of your friends are furious with you. You feel Jungkook nearly pressing himself into your back, probably feeling the tension in the room and wanting to protect you. Or maybe he was just anxious himself and wanted your comfort. Jimin remains where he is, though his hand is now clasping your forearm just below the elbow, as if to comfort himself.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner, but I was trying to keep it from you in case something happened. If I’d been found out I didn’t want you guys to get in trouble because you knew anything about it.”

“You fucking stole from your job! Why?! You’ve never even ran a red light before! What the fuck made you suddenly want to break the law?! Are you insane?!”

You wince at Jin’s shouting and now Jimin is crowding you just as Jungkook is, but you can feel his fingernails growing and sharpening. He’s starting to lose control. You turn and whisper to him, needing to put your hand on his cheek to bring his attention back to you.

“Jimin, calm down. They’re worried, that’s all. They don’t know else to express it.”

He looks at you, but you can still feel his claws poking your arm.

“Damn straight we’re worried,” Namjoon cuts in.

“Hart...”

Jin doesn’t even know what to say anymore, instead standing and beginning to pace the room. Yoongi remains silent on the sofa, just glaring at a spot just behind you. You call Jin’s name and urge him to sit down, but all he does is move back to his spot and stand there.

“Do have any idea what you’ve done? What could happen to you,” Joon questions, seeming more calm.

“Yes, of course. You really think I just did this on a whim? I had a reason.”

“A good one?” Yoongi gripes and you glare at him.

“Yes. Look, each species of hybrid has a main personality archetype. If their personality is outside this norm, they’re considered defective and a lot of them are usually euthanized for it. The less market there is for that species the more likely it is they’ll be killed. Dragons are the rarest breed out there and these two are labeled as defective. If they’d stayed at the center they probably would’ve been killed.”

“So you took them?!” Jin asks loudly.

“Well I can’t exactly afford them, Jin!”

“And I suppose you two helped her?”

He motions to Tae and Hobi, and both immediately shrink away from him.

“Well I don’t work with larger species of hybrid and I needed inside men. Plus I needed help with how to care for them.”

“This could get so bad, so fast, Hart.” Namjoon says.

“I know. I didn’t do this lightly, you guys. I thought it over for almost a month before I decided. Something like defective hybrids is rare at our facility. I couldn’t just let them die.”

“What if you get caught?” Yoongi finally asks.

“I mean do you have a game plan? What if they do what they did the other night only you can’t stop them?”

“I know the dangers. I know what’s at stake. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to force you into those dangers as well. Tae and Hobi agreed to help me. We all know what we’ve done. Yoongi I’m so sorry about the other night, that was my fault. I knew the risks of going out like that and leaving them alone. I was stupid and you all suffered for it. But I did this, it’s done. I can’t go back now. I illegally own two dragon hybrids for their safety. I can’t undo this. And I don’t regret it.”

The room is silent, Jimin has calmed down and Jungkook is now holding your hand. Hobi and Taehyung look somber, but determined as if they too were denouncing their regret for it. Jin, Yoongi and Namjoon look like they’ve all just received terrible news. Joon puts his head back in his hands, Yoongi is chewing on his bottom lip and looking off to one side, and Jin finally falls back into the sofa. You don’t know what else to say, so you simply stand there waiting.

“I’ll understand if you guys want to distance yourself from me for a while. Until we’re sure things have cooled down. I can’t hang out much until these guys imprint anyway.” You finally say sheepishly, smiling weakly and holding up the hand Jungkook is holding. Jimin is pushing against your side possessively.

“Imprint,” Joon asks.

“Yeah, that’s sort of why they flew off the handle the other night. Dragons are pretty protective and possessive to begin with, but their emotions are unstable until they imprint on their new owners.”

Still they’re silent after that and when Taehyung stands-heading for the kitchen- he pats your shoulder on the way.

“Give them some time to process. Hobi’ll stay and talk it out with them,” he mumbles quietly to you. You nod and motion for the two dragons to follow him. They do albeit hesitantly.

“I’ll leave you guys alone to... process.”

And you leave them. You enter the kitchen where Jimin is moping at the island, Jungkook is fidgeting on the other side and Taehyung is busy rummaging around in your cupboards. You let out a puff of laughter and make your way to the island. No one says anything for a long time while you all sit in there, but you hear mumbling and talking out in your living room. Taehyung snacks on random things and while you give him looks, you don’t really have the heart to tell him to stop every time he pulls out something new. You’re in there for nearly an hour Hobi finally enters and sends you in to talk to them.

“Yoongi...”

He’s up and making his way to the kitchen, hands stuffed in his pockets though he looks much calmer. He shakes his head and shrugs, looking off to one side.

“It wasn’t something you could control. And I guess I get why you kept it from us. Just be careful, okay Hart? It’s water under the bridge for us, but Jin’s really worried, so.”

He thumbs behind him and you nod, wanting to hug him to solidify his forgiveness, but thinking better if it. Jimin can still see you from the kitchen. You thank him quietly before making your way to the sofa to speak to Jin and Namjoon.

Yoongi continues on into the kitchen, accepting the offer of a bag of nuts Taehyung is holding. He watches the hybrids out of the corner of his eye and while the taller one- Jungkook- seems to not be paying him much attention, the smaller one is watching him. Jimin’s eyes are so sharp and clear that it makes Yoongi’s skin crawl, and when Taehyung finall leaves the kitchen to use the bathroom, the dragon moves closer to him. The hairs on Yoongi’s arms and neck stand on end. There’s tension in the air and he gets the feeling this Jimin kid isn’t planning to apologize.

“She’s ours, you know,” he finally says, his voice low and even- breathy and calm.

“Eh?”

“Miss Hart... She’s ours now. She brought us home and took us in to be her hybrids. One big difference between dragons and your run of the mill mammal hybrids is that we claim our owners as much as they claim us. You may be her long time friend and she may care about you, but she belongs to me.”

Jimin turns to fix Yoongi with a heavy, unblinking stare. Not a glare, not full of anger or hate. There was no desperation or anxiety in his eyes. They were simply calm, steady and dangerous, and Yoongi can’t look away. They promise harm should he ever cross the line again.

“She’s mine. You won’t touch her ever again.”

Feeling idiotically bold, Yoongi decides to test him.

“And if I do?”

I rumble comes from both dragons, though Jimin’s mixes in with his words. He speaks in a growl.

“We’ll have a similar encounter as last time, only she won’t stop me from killing you.”

The day ends with the boys forgiving you for the most part, though Yoongi seems to be keeping himself more distant than before. Still, Jimin and Jungkook seem calmer around Jin and the others, and when they finally leave early in the evening you have to say you feel much better. The boys are even being more affectionate and comfortable around you than before. You end the evening with Jimin snuggling into your side and Jungkook falling asleep on your shoulder while you all watch a movie.

———

Previous :: Next

a/n; So the first part of the texts between Hobi, Tae and Hart are to be read to the tune of Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. 😂 I just wanted some comic relief. This is so long and I’ve had a fuckin day y’all. Anyway enjoy!

@mygukandonly, @j-i-m-i-n-e, @spongebobgotstruckbylightning, @hannahdinse8, @morgsstudies-blog, @asifetch7, @flowerbin131

[noncommited-writer]

hot chocolate and cookie dough ice-cream

A/N: Here’s my next work on Starker Bingo 2019! It’s for the ‘Soulmate AU’ one. (which I actually asked for). This isn’t your typical Soulmate AU but I did have a lot of fun. It’s an AU where whatever you eat or drink something your soulmate will start craving it too. Hope you enjoy! I tried to be original with the Soulmate AU so I did this😅

Here it is on ao3!

Word count: 4725

**

Soulmates are a fickle thing. Years of research, millions of dollars of funding have been put into figuring out the intricacies of soulmates. To hopefully make it easier for people to find each other. Centuries ago, when it was easier to meet your soulmate—especially when you live in a small town with a population of only a hundred—they figured out that when you eat or drink something, the person on the other end of the bond starts craving the same thing as well.

People get to meet their soulmates through having very personalised tastes and preferences so that one day, they can stumble upon someone who is eating the exact thing or at least trying to curb the urge to eat frog legs topped with caviar.

But in this day and age, where the population is growing in size each and every moment, more and more people start to care less about soulmates. Not that the interest about them disappear completely; they still teach the idea of soulmates in world history. But because of the rarity of successful pairings—usually in the one out of a million chances—and the fact more people are rebelling against the idea of being tethered to one person for the entirety of your life, people tend to not think largely on soulmates.

Not that it doesn’t happen. Fate did decide to pair two souls, and so fate would bring them together. Scientists—as logical as they are—do think there’s always something bigger at play here, because it’s still shockingly more common for soulmates to meet than for it to make sense.

Which is why when Tony Stark—small, young, full of hopes and dreams and knowing everything there is about soulmates—was absolutely devastated when he starts to realise how he never really craved anything. Even as a small child, he never once had the urge to eat something new or interesting or even anything at all.

At seven, his smile breaks when Jarvis asks him what’s his soulmate’s favourite food. He comes up with ‘Waffles! Like my favourite!’ knowing there’s something wrong with him if he doesn’t even know what’s his soulmate’s favourite food.

At eleven, he shrugs when his classmate asks him what’s the weirdest craving he’s ever gotten. He says his soulmate has basic tastes, not having the guts to say they don’t have a taste at all.

At fifteen, when he’s fresh out of MIT and tied at the hip with his best friend—whose favourite food is beef taquitos with chipotle hot sauce—he says with a wink and a smile that his soulmate loves taquitos with hot sauce. Rhodey always has this dull look of sadness in the depths of his eyes, but he doesn’t say a thing—especially after he had to see Tony screaming through tears that his soulmate is dead, that he’s a loner who deserves nobody in this world.

At twenty-one, when he’s drunk and counting down the days to his parents’ funeral, downing so many shots he wonders if he’ll have alcohol poisoning, the girl who’s straddling his lap furrows her brows and asks if his soulmate likes alcohol as much as he does. He can only give a dry laugh, before tossing back another shot.

At thirty one, he wakes up on the eleventh of August and he has an overwhelming urge to drink milk. He easily shrugs it off, makes his coffee with an absurdly amount of creamer that would usually offend his love for the bitter taste of black.

It’s only when a few weeks pass by that he realises something is very off. He craves milk at random times of the day, in the morning, in the evening and even in the middle of the night.

It’s when he’s having his third cup of milk of the day, sitting in his kitchen in the dark, when he bolts upright and spits out the milk, eyes wide with horror.

No fucking way.

Tony nearly has a breakdown right there and then, his hands shaky as he thinks back to all the times he’s drank milk and nothing else. He thinks there’s no way. There’s no way in hell he’s older than his soulmate by thirty one years.

He tells JARVIS to lock down his house and he throws the two jugs of milk he has in his fridge into the trash, one of which is already half empty. He sits in his basement, eyes glassy and hand wound tightly around his wrench as he tries to tinker with his car. All he thinks about is how fucked up this is, how fucked up fate made his life to be this way, how he knows he’ll spend the rest of his life avoiding this poor baby—fuck, they’re not even two months old yet—just so he would still have his dignity intact and give his soulmate a semblance of a normal life.

Eventually, he does go back to drinking milk a couple of hours later, unable to ignore the craving.

If Pepper and Rhodey notice how he starts drinking less, they don’t comment. 

**

Months later, he’s craving mashed potato and puree carrots, blends of avocado and banana. To satisfy the craving, he eats dinners of mashed potato with gravy and raw carrots with a banana avocado shake.

Turns out he has a preference for shakes.

He stops drinking alcohol altogether and replaces his morning coffee with bright pink smoothies, strawberries and bananas with apple juice that bursts with flavour in his mouth. He feels healthy and for one small moment, he’s glad his soulmate is an incentive to become less of the human mess that he is. 

**

Once in a while, he indulges in a glass of alcohol, but almost every time, he ends up not finishing it, the guilt eating at him from inside. On those nights where he drinks, the next day will start with him throwing more strawberries and honey into his smoothies to help ease his conscience.

**

On business trips, he goes to exotic places to eat all types of dishes, as if giving a small sampling to his young soulmate of what the world has to offer. He eats, and dines and tastes things he’s never tasted before. The cravings he gets are the usual waffles and ice cream, spaghetti and meatballs his soulmate seem to have an appetite for, and the hot chocolate during late nights.

Tony makes his mind wander at this times when he makes his own hot chocolate—not quite tasting like the stuff his five year old soulmate drinks but close enough; he needs the recipe because it’s that good—at the same time his soulmate drinks it. He makes his own world where his soulmate is happily sipping down their warm drink, burrowing into a couch with a blanket safely enveloping them. He never gets cravings for odd or disgusting food, which is a relief for Tony because it means his soulmate is well off, or at least enough for them to indulge in sweet treats and nice dinners.

Tony knows the more you indulge your soulmate cravings, the stronger your bond is. Which is starting to show in how much Tony eats desserts, simple dinners and drink fruit juices. The stronger bond also allows the other person to have a partial taste of what they’re eating, like a ghost of a taste on their tongue. Which is one of the many reasons he stopped drinking alcohol at this point. He knows that if he were to drink it now, the craving would be insatiable for his soulmate—who is already five years old—and he can’t do that to them. Ever.

**

Tony gets another Apogee Award. He’s in a casino when he receives it. He’s late for his flight. He asks for one hot sake and ignores how Rhodey gives him a knowing look without stopping his chiding.

An hour later, Rhodey is drunk, rambling about his army men, while Tony is sucking down on a tall glass of apple juice. The kid’s been drinking that a lot lately. Maybe it’s a school lunch beverage?

He’s Tony Stark, weapons designer, and he presents the Jericho. He pretends to sip the scotch he takes for himself, the crate of dry ice and alcohol just for show.

He takes the fun-vee and it doesn’t seem as much fun once he sees young men killed right in front of his eyes by his own weapons. Doesn’t become any more fun when he sees his name on a missile that sends him flying.

He damns the name ‘fun-vee’ when he’s staring at the growing patch of red on his blue shirt, feeling excruciating pain in his chest. He hates how he wishes he actually met his soulmate, he hates how he regrets not eating more different foods for them to enjoy, hates how they’ll grow up never feeling those cravings again, he hates how he knows they’ll come to realise their soulmate is dead—just like he did when he was younger. Darkness envelopes him.

**

When he’s eating nothing but ground meat and brown sauce, lungs compressed and eyes so well adjusted to the dark, his tummy rumbles with hot chocolate and sweet cookie dough ice cream. Tony thinks his soulmate knows something is wrong (or he’s just stupidly hoping) because the three months he’s there, the kid eats all kinds of foods. Ranging to their usual meals, to new dishes he knows his soulmate has never tried. It’s… heartening to know that there is someone out there, caring in their own way. When he craves barbeque mixed with that special sauce at that restaurant he loves, and the flavour spreads with a dull tingle across Tony’s tongue, Tony lets a tear roll down his cheek. His soulmate knows his favourite food and they’re trying to cheer him up.

**

The first thing he eats when he gets back is a cheeseburger. He knows it’s the kid’s third favourite food, next to tacos and the smoothies Tony makes. He gets a craving of his favourite ice cream later that night, and he imagines eating the ice cream with the kid.

**

He learns how to cook for himself, especially the foods the kid likes. It becomes Tony’s other favourite hobby, next to his tinkering and building of suits.

**

When Tony is dying, he tries his best to eat exotic foods more often, getting out of his comfort zone to order when he’s at restaurants. He hopes the kid can taste the oysters on their tongue.

**

He throws in a spoonful of honey, strawberries and even a dash of cinnamon to his chlorophyll shakes. Just because Tony is dying, doesn’t mean he’ll make his soulmate want a disgusting mixture of plain greens and bitter vegetables. In return, he gets cravings of a green salad which—Tony can’t even begin to unpack—nearly makes Tony cry.

The kid is only seven years old and they can already pink up cues of Tony’s tastes. The kid would usually buy heaps of sweet treats but for him—for Tony—they’d eat a green salad so that Tony would continue his healthy diet. It only lasts a week before it’s back to the bowls of cookie dough ice cream at night, but Tony never forgets that moment of sweetness and care between the bond.

**

Tony fucked up. He let his lack of self-preservation skills take over and he drowns himself in alcohol on his last birthday. One sickening thought enters his thought, that his soulmate deserves to have this bitter liquid run down the back of their throat for having Tony as their soulmate.

**

He buys a box of donuts, along with a cup of coffee that’s on the sweeter side, as an apology for making his soulmate—they’re seven years old, Tony notes, and wow does time fly—want alcohol for hours last night.

**

He tastes coconut in his mouth when he has the new element running through his veins, and he knows his soulmate tasted it too. Because minutes later, there’s coconut ice cream on his empty tongue.

**

It’s years later, and every year on the week he knows is around his soulmate’s birthday, he travels to a country to try all sorts of food. He hopes his soulmate enjoys their gift.

**

One night, Tony is tinkering on a red and blue suit—a week after finding out about this new web-slinger vigilante with a terrible excuse of a costume and who goes head first into bad situations—when his mouth is enveloped with the taste of copper. Blood.

The tangy, metallic taste freaks Tony out, and rightfully so. His soulmate is out there, with their blood pooling in their mouth, and it seems to be a lot. Because the taste doesn’t go away until half an hour later. By that time, Tony is stirring a pot of hot chocolate and taking a small bowl of cookie dough ice cream—which became Tony’s comfort foods—to make himself feel better. He takes scalding sips of the drink, the mug shaking in his hand.

A few minutes into his ice cream and breakdown, he has a strong craving for Thai food and he nearly crumples into himself, relief flooding his body.

**

Peter opens the door and greets his aunt, an odd craving for May’s walnut date loaf. But he shakes it off. He’d rather have those awful craving of bitter green smoothies than eat May’s date loaf.

He’s a stuttering mess when he meets Tony Stark, who is in his living room. His living room! He barely spares a thought at how he pays a compliment to May’s horrendous walnut date loaf. Next thing he knows, the man is in his bedroom and telling him he knows he’s Spider-Man and he can join his mission in Germany, which Peter of course has to go to. It’s the Avengers!

**

Tony is in India when he tastes a mouthful of disgusting beer. He does the math quickly in his head and he rolls his eyes. Only fifteen and probably at a high school party with bitter beer and bad music. He relaxes a little bit, though, because the alcohol taste goes away fairly fast. He supposes his soulmate isn’t one for much beer.

Not even half an hour later, his mouth is full of the taste of bland water, but it tastes dirty.

He gets a notification that Peter’s suit just activated his parachute, and he watches his Iron Man suit fish Peter out of the lake he fell from a hundred feet into.

He’s able to slow down his heart rate a little bit when the scans show the teenager is uninjured. Only for his blood pressure to rise when he hears that Peter has to take him down now, huh? Steady crockett, there are people who handle this sort of thing.

He ends the call, but not without a niggling feeling at the back of his head.

**

His mouth is filled with blood again and again, Tony has a panic attack. This time, it’s on the floor of his lab in the Avengers compound, in the middle of adding more tracking devices to Peter’s suit. He blinks, tears blurring his vision as he’s hit with the thought his soulmate is in pain again. They’re only fifteen.

He gets a call twenty minutes from Happy later, who tells him that Peter took down the ‘flying vulture guy’ and saved crates of weaponry that was being sent over from the tower.

Despite the fear of his soulmate being dead, he drinks hot chocolate again, with the hope he’ll get a craving in return. He doesn’t.

At least until breakfast, which makes Tony slump against the tinkering table, shaken to his core. A buttered croissant and orange juice tingling his taste buds.

**

He gets it. Why Peter turned down the offer. But there’s a twisting feeling in his stomach, right where he usually gets his cravings. He gulps down his smoothie, grimacing. He doesn’t know what that feeling means but he doesn’t unpack it yet. There’s so much going on and Peter really isn’t the highest thing on his agenda. Not even close.

**

That statement turns to dust when Peter starts texting him, updating him on patrols and his school projects. Tony starts replying instead of turning him away, and he finds himself enjoying their little midnight chats; Peter talking about his school and his Spider-Manning while Tony drops a comment or two about being on a business trip.

Tony knows Peter is higher on his agenda when he races towards the signal of the Spider-Man suit tracker, when he blasts the guy who stabbed Peter into the brick wall. The man gains seven fractures.

He knows it’s become a problem when he stops and stares when Peter strips out of his suit, all sturdy curves and thick cords of muscle.

He knows it’s fucked up when he doesn’t immediately turn off the Baby Monitor footage of Peter whimpering in the dark and whispering ‘Mr. Stark’—the reason why there was an alert in the first place—as he chases his orgasm.

**

Tony reasons it’s fine just as long as he keeps his hands off his underaged protégé—Jesus, he’s as old as his soulmate which doesn’t comfort Tony at all—when he invites him over for their usual tinkering in the Stark Tower lab. (He curses fate because—is this all he’s supposed to be? Be tethered to an underage teenager while simultaneously lusting after another one?)

**

They have dinners together; pizza, Thai take-outs and sometimes even Tony’s cooking. He can’t help the part of himself that purrs in satisfaction when Peter praises his cooking. He makes an off-comment he cooks for his soulmate, because he knows all of their favourite foods. Peter grins and says, “Hey, one of my favourites is also spicy chicken tacos! I can basically devour them. They’re amazing.”

**

They have quiet moments in the dark lab, amused smiles when Peter makes bad science jokes, fond eye rolls when Peter asks if Tony is playing Led Zeppelin, soft sounds of triumph and victory when they figure out a problem together, one person carrying the other to the couch when they pass out. It’s private moments, shared over their love of science and technology, and their bond between them.

**

Peter and Tony walk into the frozen section of the grocery store, both of them reaching for the same ice cream. Cookie dough. Peter is beaming, “Your favourite is cookie dough ice cream too?”

Tony snorts but nods, taking two cartons of it for safekeeping. He also takes a bag of cocoa powder to make his favourite drink.

When he’s poured a mug for Peter and himself, he awaits Peter’s reaction as he takes a sip. His brown eyes go wide, looking down at the mug. “Holy crap, this tastes nearly identical to my mom’s old recipe.”

Tony pauses, lips close to his mug as he stares at Peter. He’s spent years perfecting his soulmate’s hot chocolate recipe. The same creeping feeling comes back into his head, which he waves off. Tony shrugs. “Good? Or bad?”

“Good. Definitely good.” Peter is nearly nuzzling up to the mug, hands wrapped around the warm ceramic. They share a secretive smile over their mugs, Tony taking in the sweetness of Peter’s raised cheeks and bright doe eyes. They take their cartons of ice cream to the couch and watch some movie classic that Peter calls ‘old’.

  **

Peter comes over to the tower dressed in a pink knitted sweater that brings out the pretty cherry red gloss on his lips, and dark blue jeans that seem skin tight. He’s there for advice; not for a Spider-Man thing, but rather for help on a date with a boy he finds interesting.

Tony finds it particularly difficult to spout out dating advice when he’s distracted by how kissable his mentee’s lips are—bright and red and so sinful—so he sends Peter off with a tight-lipped smile and a grandfathterly pat on the shoulder.

The sweetness of a strawberry milkshake floods his mouth but he shoves it down along with the hazy lust. For the first time in years, he takes three fingers of scotch down in quick succession, going down his throat with a burn that faintly reminds him of the shame he feels when he looks at Peter in a way that’s not fatherly.

It burns more when he thinks of his soulmate who ate cookie dough ice cream last night.

**

“How was the date?” Tony can’t bring himself to put much enthusiasm into his tired voice, but Peter doesn’t even seem to notice, because his eyes are downcast and he’s dragging his feet across the floor like he’s heaving a heavy bag behind him—and he seems so upset that Tony—god, Tony knows he’s not a good person, no matter how much he tries to convince himself by drowning in smoothies but—he can’t help himself from opening his arms like he has the right. Not that it matters because Peter rushes into his arms, slumping against the warmth Tony gives off who rubs his back in an awkward attempt to comfort him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Lucas is a dick. He only asked me out so he can fulfil some dumb dare his friends made.” Tony sighs, and gently pushes Peter onto the stool next to him.

“You know that doesn’t mean you’re not worth the effort, right? That guy’s an asshole for treating you like this. It’s not your fault.” Peter quickly wipes away the stray tear, red-rimmed eyes tugging at Tony’s heartstrings. “Sure feels like it.”

“And why is that?”

“Because… if I was more attractive or more funny then maybe he would ask me out for real.” Tony stares at him. “Are you serious? Kid, he wouldn’t have asked you out for real because he never saw you for what you truly are.”

Tony leans in to rest his hand on Peter’s arm and they lock eyes. “He doesn’t deserve you, Pete. You should know that.”

Peter looks lost for a moment, contemplative as he looks at Tony. An irking feeling nips at Tony’s brain, and he pulls away, breaking the thin walls of their moment. He’s too close.

Tony gives him a smile, genuine but a little guarded. Peter just furrows his brows, tilting backwards in his stool. The light hits just right where Tony can see the shimmer of pink in Peter’s lip gloss, the deep brown in his irises that turn to honey and Tony—Tony loses his breath. Because he knows he’s so fucked. And he can’t do anything about it.

“Did you know my favourite dessert is cookie dough ice cream?” Peter asks, looking at the table as he avoids Tony’s confused gaze.

“Yeah, you told me.”

“My other favourites are hot chocolate, chicken tacos, and strawberry smoothies.” Peter looks up and gets off from his stool. He moves to Tony and places his hands on his thighs, staring at Tony’s face.

“Kid, what’re you—”

“I just—I just need to know, Mr. Stark.”

Peter kisses him.

The first thing that Tony notices is the cherry-flavoured lip-gloss. Then Peter licks the seam of Tony’s lips, and the man lets him slide in.

The second thing that Tony notices is the strawberry milkshake flavour he was craving just an hour ago.

He freezes.

Peter can taste the scotch on Tony’s tongue, the same alcohol that warmed up his belly when he was sipping down his strawberry milkshake.

Tony doesn’t pull away. He doesn’t. Because he knows—he knows what this means.

He can feel the probing feeling again, stronger than ever—telling him to touch Peter—touch Peter, he has to.

His hand slowly inches forward, grazing Peter’s wrist. The second he touches Peter’s soft, creamy skin and something—something breaks.

A flood of feelings erupt within them, like a huge dam that was built in the corner of their mind—holding everything back, colours and memories flitting before of their eyes. Cacophony of deafening sounds, unforgettable tastes, overflowing sensations and buried hurt.

“Mommy, can I have some hot chocolate? My soulmate is having some!”

“Peter—don’t touch that bottle!”

“But I want it!”

“Richard, should we be worried? Peter has been wanting that bottle of scotch for hours now. I don’t know what to do.”

“Oh my gosh! This tastes almost exact like the smoothies my soulmates likes to make!”

“Oh!—They like cookie dough ice cream too!”

“Mommy, there’s something wrong. I can taste blood.”

“May! I want salad for dinner. I think my soulmate changed his taste!”

“Ned! My soulmate is drinking apple juice too! Isn’t that cool? I wonder if they’re in this school.”

“I don’t know whether to love or hate my soulmate. I think they go around tasting all sorts of exotic stuff around my birthday because now all I want is chilli crab wrapped in squid tentacles. And I’ve never even liked squid!”

“May… my soulmate is drinking too much. I’m scared. They never drink this much, ever.”

“God, I didn’t know I can bleed in the mouth so much from a punch… Shit.”

“It’s so hard for me to believe she’s someone’s aunt. This walnut date loaf is exceptional.”

“Mr. Stark, the only time I’ve ever tasted caviar is on my birthday and I don’t think I’ve never hated my soulmate more for that.”

“The only time I’ve ever been scared for my soulmate, was when I was six or seven. All I craved for three months was beans and pork. Nothing else. I didn’t know why, but it had me so worried.”

Tony pulls away, his eyes wide. Peter is crying, Tony’s memories playing in his head. And Tony… Tony feels nothing but the need to protect and to keep his soulmate, nothing but the need to shower Peter in affection that buries deep into his soul.

A shaky hand reaches up, calloused thumb light tracing Peter’s supple skin as he tries his best to hold everything together. It’s been so long.

Tony’s wanted this for so long. He promised himself he’d never want to meet them, but along the way, between the sweet hot chocolate and cookie dough ice cream, he’s grown affection and love in his heart, tender to the touch but blooming. And all for the one true person he’s made for. All for Peter.

“I found you.” Tony can barely speak, his throat closing up as his mouth tastes even more of the strawberry milkshake.

“And I found you,” Peter mumbles, his hand coming to rest on Tony’s forearm. They lean into each others touch, feeling their heart, soul and mind intertwine as memories of the other play before their eyes. Tony can feel Peter. Peter is all over him. He wants—he wants him, he wants… more.

His hand swoops down to cover the back of Peter’s thigh while the other slides down to his waist. Tony, barely sparing a moment, pulls the small doe eyed sweetheart into his lap, the scent of Peter’s strawberry shampoo and cheap deodorant enveloping his senses.

They stare at each other and slowly, Peter’s hands entangle into Tony’s soft hair, not losing sight of the other for a second, afraid the other would disappear if they do.

And they kiss.

And kiss again.

Peter is whimpering, making soft noises against Tony’s lips. Tony is practically breathless, unable to get enough of Peter as he nip and licks his way into Peter’s sweet mouth; the mouth that’s nothing less of a sweet tooth—something that Tony has come to learn over years of late night cravings.

It feels like every unsatisfied craving he’s had over the years are met, like a hole inside getting filled up the longer his hands are on Peter. It’s like… getting your other half, not knowing you were there was a piece missing all along.

Peter pulls away, a thin string of saliva connecting their red lips. The lithe boy on his lap looks like an angel.

“Can we get hot chocolate and cookie dough ice cream?” Tony moves in, licking a warm stripe on Peter’s neck, revelling in the deliciously drawn out sound from him.

“Sure, kid, whatever you want.”

[fire-emblem-drabbles]

For the monster requests, what about vampire timeskip Dimitri who's been starving himself of blood or something like that?

Pairing: Vampire! Dimitri x Reader

Prompt: Vamp Dimi but is idiot and won’t drink blood

Description: Friday, September 13th, 2019. The moon is full and the evening is full of magic. And yet, you’re stuck in a basement masquerading as an Italian restaurant. As if sensing your boredom (or perhaps the lack of customers) your manager sets you free. So, in the cool air of the upcoming fall, you walk home, deciding that the gross bandage covering your unfortunate cooking cut had to go, not realizing, in the dark of night alone, you would begin to bleed. Profusely. Still at least a half-mile from home and all alone in the dim light of a street post all you can do is attempt to stop the bleeding lest if get all over you and your uniform…

Content Warning: Vampires, blood drinking, mentions of stalking/attacking, dubious consent (I swear this is cute though)

Rating: sfw

Word Count: 2090

Notes: Me, walking home from work today: Damn how tragic that a mysterious, attractive vampire isn’t here to help me deal with my bleeding thumb. also me, now galaxy brained: Hey wait a fucking minute

Oh before I forget if anyone cares for it I might make a part two bc ya girl is always touch starved!!!

Edited: 6/7/21; holy shit I’m so glad I don’t work there any more lmao

_______________________________________________________________

“Just when I thought this night couldn’t get slower,” You sighed, looking down at the tablet before you. It was hardly even 9 pm yet you barely had any reservations left at the restaurant despite it being a Friday. At this rate, your manager was going to cut someone loose soon; either you, or your co-worker.

“Oh, hey John” You looked up as your co-worker greeted your manager.

“Hey you two,” He grinned weirdly wide for the situation. “It’s pretty slow right now, so it looks like one of you is free to go,” He smiled and watched as the two of you looked at one another.

“Ahh well, I don’t have many hours this week…” She frowned. You nodded, remembering earlier in the evening she had explained needing to pay for court fees.

“Ah damn, guess its me then.” You frowned but weren’t all that upset. You would have loved more hours but if someone had to leave you would take it.

“Cool, cool!” Your manager grinned. “You’re free to go then, _____, enjoy your evening.”

“I’ll try” You smiled but it didn’t reach your eyes. It was a nice evening out but you would have to walk a little over a mile home by yourself. You hummed softly to the cheesy old pop music, going about clocking out and gathering your things to leave. Your roommates were busy tonight and the bus would be at least another half hour, so it looked like you were walking home this evening.

Finally out the door after giving your goodbyes, you supposed it could be worse; autumn was coming, offering its cool evening wind to the word and you could feel the magic in the air. The moon was full and bright as you stepped up and out of the basement the restaurant you worked at up to the busy plaza around it. It was a Friday night after all, a special one though, since it was Friday the 13th! People seemed cheerful to be out on such a pleasant evening and you decided if you had to walk any day, you were glad it was this one.

The walk went about as it usually did for the first half, you keeping to yourself as you walked out of of the busy plaza towards the apartments outside of it. Your left thumb pulsed, sending you an unfortunate reminder of the cooking accident you had yesterday; while cutting potatoes for homemade chicken noodle soup you were careless and sliced right into your thumb. Luckily, none of it got on the food and you ended up being fine but it was deep enough and on a weird part of your thumb that band-aids usually couldn’t stop the bleeding alone and felt weird on it. Not only that, it made I hard to text or play games. With much joy, you realized now that you were off work, you could rip the weird blue bandage that covered it off. So you did just that, ripping it off and throwing it in the nearest trash can. You walked a bit longer, where the streetlights got further between one another and the roads a little quieter. It was then, you realized, your thumb had decided to bleed; profusely at that. With a sigh, you held the offending digit in your mouth as you dug through your purse, stopping under a street light to find the tissues you kept in there. With one hand it was hard to look and even harder to dig it out but eventually you did, wrapping the tip of your thumb and around with the tissue and applying pressure with your pointer, hoping to stop the bleeding. While you did get it squared away eventually it refused to stop bleeding; you weren’t too worried about it, it would have to soon enough but it was sure annoying to keep the pressure on it. Bleeding while walking alone on a Friday evening wasn’t your idea of fun. Still, you marched on in hopes of reaching your apartment to properly take care of this stupid cut.

Unbeknownst to you, you weren’t quite alone this evening. Ever since you had begun bleeding he had been following you. Stalking you. He knew better than to attack some poor defenseless human; he had sworn to himself never to do it again. But dark forces were at work tonight; the pull of the full moon, the magic of Friday the 13th and you, stumbling down the street bleeding and none the wiser. It all worked against him and Dimitri couldn’t help himself as he slinked ever closer towards you looking for the opportune moment to strike.

You were in that little gap of darkness between streetlights, where anything could happen. No cars lit you up and no sound broke the slight tapping of your shoes against the concrete. You lifted your hand and paused a moment, hoping that your thumb had stopped bleeding. To your great chagrin, it had not and was, in fact, bleed more than it usually did when you upset it. With a sigh, you lifted your hand preparing to press your thumb your lips, preparing to keep your thumb in your mouth while you once again dug for your tissues. But you never got that far because your wrist was caught in someone’s hand. Your breath hitched as you were pulled against something solid, yet cold. A chest, you could infer, because soon after a sultry voice was whispering in your ear.

“Forgive me for what I’m about to do,” You were left unable to reply as you were spun to face your assailant; the light from the streetlamp behind you did little to show his features, merely crown his tall figure in a glow of old yellow light. He was blonde you could see, his hair up in some sort of half ponytail. Unable to fight his strength and finding yourself unable to scream you could only gape in shock as he lifted your hand, now dripping with your blood as you left your cut uncovered, and licked the blood freely flowing down your palm and the side of your thumb. He licked the cut and an involuntary shiver went through you as your eyes met; strangely, you noted he wore an eye patch. After that unprompted lick, he spoke once more, keeping your gaze as he spoke again. “May I… continue?” There was a hunger in his gaze, a look in that one baby blue eye you couldn’t say no too. Not trusting your voice to stay steady in this situation, you merely nodded dumbly watching in amazement as he held your hand to delicately and brought your thumb to his lips. His gentle touch was in stark contrast to the grip he had on your hip, holding you snug against him as he did… whatever it was he was doing. The situation was beyond strange, you had to admit but a strange sense of euphoria washed over you as this even stranger man drank your blood. Soon, the long moment passed and with a small hiss as his lips rose, you realized that where your cut was was clean. The only thing that remained was a strange, warm feeling and a little pink scar where it once was.

“Uhh,” The words lamely left your mouth as you looked from your hand back to the man, who was licking his lips and trying his best to look like he wasn’t blushing. Vaguely, you got the sense you knew what was happening here but not wanting to seem or sound as crazy as you felt you stayed silent, hoping your assailant, err companion? Whoever he was, you hoped he would have some sort of explanation. Things were too crazy for you right now and rather than dig yourself deeper into the pit you were in you stood silent, watching the many emotions pass through his face.

“I…” His voice was so soft, so low, it was hard to catch even in the still of the night. “I apologize, I was so rash and I-I…” The blush on his face seemed to deepen, for reasons unfathomable to you but you dared not question them. Despite not trying to be intimidating, due to his sheer size and power you were effectively intimidated and let him continue. “I shouldn’t have done that and yet… I find I cannot stop.” He brought your hand he still held to his cheek, pressing it against his cold skin. It was funny how the most intimate you had been with someone was a mere stranger but you supposed nothing bonded two people together like bloodletting in the city suburbs.

“I’m sorry but… I’m so lost…” You hadn’t even noticed your free hand was trapped between the two of you until now, curling loosely against his nice dress shirt.

“I… am Dimitri,” Lovely, if you ever got out of this situation you could tell the police the name of the attractive man who drank your blood and stole your heart. “And I… normally don’t do this but tonight just made the perfect storm for me to come and…” He shivered at the thought of his own actions  “…attack you.” He shook his head, looking distraught. “Even now, the taste of your blood stains my tongue, the smell of you burns my nose…” Dimitri leaned in as if to confirm this, his lips hovering just above the junction of your neck and shoulder “Please, stop me.” His words were so low. You held your breath, unsure what to do, what to say.

“V-vampire?” The word tumbles out of your mouth, uneven and rough. He sharply pulled back and you gasp, looking at his face once more.

“Are you that surprised?” His smile was wry, his chuckle dry.

“Right, right,” You didn’t know what you were doing or why but you laughed awkwardly, using your free hand to brush back some of your bangs in any attempt to find some control in this situation. “I’m uh, _____.” You added, suddenly unable to look his way. He still held you close, as if he didn’t know any better or any other way. “So um… I’m guessing you err, didn’t get your fill?” You smiled but Dimitri was quick to notice it was forced.

“Don’t feel obligated to me out of fear.” He frowned and made move to let you go but decided against it and decided to instead give you a small squeeze. “What I did was wrong and should be treated as such…” You cut him off.

“No I… don’t think its that.” You frowned, a blush covering your face as you come to terms with the real reason you wanted this to continue. “It’s just um… well, it feels nice. You feel nice holding me.” The both of you stared at one another wide-eyed, shocked at the words that left your mouth. “And um well, you know… it’s dangerous for a girl to be walking alone at this time of night.” You giggled a bit. “So… maybe you could help me home and in return, we could do this in a more comfortable setting?” Once more shocked, it took Dimitri a moment to process the words you said and even longer to find a proper reply to them.

“You… want me to walk you home?” He said softly.

“And come in, if you’d like.” You smiled.

“After what I did…” he began but you stopped him.

“Well, you actually helped me.” You laughed. “That cut was super annoying at best and now that it’s gone I feel a lot better.” You smiled warmed him possibly more than the first taste of your blood did. “So, help me again… and maybe I can help you in return?” You said. Dimitri wasn’t one to simply let a woman go when she asked for his help but he still felt wrong you were so freely offering him what he had long since denied himself. “Please?” The hand you had pressed against his chest fell as he went to move away but he paused at your mumbled please, giving you the chance to catch his hand in your own.

“I… suppose that would be alright.” Dimitri had blushed countless times this evening but not so much as he was now as you lead him down the darkened street towards your apartment. The night was still young and he didn’t know what it would hold but he found that for once, he was looking forward to this.