#also there is a tiny bit of a buried connection between them

[gouinisme]

didn't jacob gillespie sleepwalk? maybe celia is also compelled towards some supernatural object or location in her sleep

[primofate]

3 am brainrot

Soulmate, but Genshin Impact Style

Warning: angst (lots of potential to be fluff and comfort ending tho)

Vision "resonates" with each other and a thin red line connects your vision to their vision

Thin red line disappears, frays, or splits off when something is wrong with the connection or the other person

You can use their element and they can use yours. If you are the same element it provides an elemental increase.

Element exchange also stops or weakens when there's something wrong with the connection or the other person

There's a kind of "sixth sense" activated wherein you can kind of feel each other's psyche

Imagining what it would be like for power hungry Scaramouche to find out he has access to another element. Meets a complete stranger and suddenly he's stronger. Starts to keep you close only for that reason, doesn't care much about your well being in general. Then finding out that he can STILL use your element even if the two of you are far apart. You part ways rather abruptly, and he's not sure how long it had been when the red line starts to fray and his access to your element starts to dwindle. He doesn't think much of it, but day by day it gets weaker and day by day the red line disappears a little more. A sudden sense of "If that line disappears I won't ever be able to follow it back to y/n" so he starts following it. He doesn't really notice there's a sense of urgency in him, he tells himself its only because he wants the power back, but when he rouses from a short rest to find that the red line is gone... why does it suddenly feel like he's all alone again?

Imagining characters like Xiao, Cyno and Alhaitham who completely rejects using your element. They don't need yours. They are just fine and all is well using only their own. In a sense they take pride in what they have, and doesn't really care for what power you can give. They aren't interested in maintaining a relationship with a stranger either, because, what for? However, you're slightly persistent in at least getting to know a little about them. Just a tiny bit. But that tiny bit is enough to push them to tell you he's not interested in any kind of chit chat, that he's busy and needs to focus on other things. So you turn away. Out of curiosity one day he tries to use your element. It strangely gives him the feeling of warmth. Like someone's protecting and watching over them (and for someone who always does the protecting, this is a big deal). One day, the line breaks off, there's a clear split and he wonders if all is well. He follows the line back to you, and finds out that you've been spending a good amount of time with someone else. Someone who you smile at very brightly, and someone who is interested in getting to know you. What's he to do? This was his doing. So why does he feel like coming over and snatching you away?

Imagining characters like Diluc, Neuvillette and Wriothesley, astounded but somewhat pleasantly surprised by the discovery. He neither rejects you nor accepts you, but feels a sense of responsibility over you just because of the connection made. But because they have their own things to be busy with, they don't exactly actively seek you out or have the time to check in frequently. Perhaps it's a monthly thing, following the line and looking for you. There's a relationship that looks like the beginnings of friendship. A little awkward, asking questions and fumbling for more questions to ask. Still, something builds, and just when the ice is about to break between the two of you, he follows the line...and somehow ends up out in the wild. Your vision is buried next to a tree, for a moment he's struck with panic that he would find your body buried, but judging from how the red line was still intact, you were most likely safe somewhere... however, he would never see you anymore, nor know the reason why you decided to hide. All of a sudden he wished that he had more time. He doesn't know whether this situation was comforting or concerning. He has you in the palm of his hand, but never close enough to fill the empty gap.

Imagining characters like Zhongli, Dainsleif and Tartaglia, who, despite their appearances is instantly intrigued by the connection. They don't need the additional power, but they keep the connection anyway because they partly feel that destiny is something you can't change. The closeness between you two easily grows and here is when you first approach him with a favor.

"Can you help me with something?"

"Of course. Would tomorrow be a good time?"

There's a bit of a pause on your side. "Tomorrow..." and its as if you look up at him with more sparkle in your eyes than usual. "...Yeah. That'll work. Thank you," the way you say thank you is so sincere and loving it almost brings him to a joy he hadn't felt in a long time.

He woke the next day. The connecting red line was nowhere to be found.

[itsnathateasy]

aot characters reacting to you asking them “what are we?” (part 2)

warnings: just fluff word count: 1,4k author's note: i’m sorry if your fave isn’t here, even tho it’s a part 2! i focused on the characters i connect with the most, also, why did i go so overboard with zeke lol

read part 1

⭑🌻 ⭒🤎 . ✦ 🙈 . ⁺ . ✦ 🙈 . ⁺ . ✦ 🙈 . 🤎⭒🌻 ⭑

reiner simply goes “what do YOU think we are hehe…” you could tell he was being more awkward than before you popped the question, because he kept rubbing his palm on the nape of his neck, as he was getting more and more red by the second. “i guess i need some reassurance reiner. we’ve been dating for a while and i’d like to know what lies ahead, are we an item or are we casual?” “damn y/n, do you really wanna be in a relationship with me?” at this he plopped himself down on the chair, burying his head in his hands. “ugh… you do remember i’m in love with you, right? and you wanted to talk about moving in together soon, but we need to check another box first” you didn’t think you were being too mean, but reiner was silently sobbing?? (poor baby!) “hey… reiner… you don’t have to respond right now, i’m sorry to upset you… but we need to talk about this soon, yeah?”, you ran your hand from his shoulder, down to his arm. “nothing to talk about y/n… i’m in love with you too, i just… i can’t believe you see a future with me, you know?” you moved closer to him and he parted his knees a bit to rest your head between his legs as he kissed you on the forehead. “we’re an item, y/n, and we’re more than good… we’re more than good”

bertholdt didn’t understand the question at first, and asked you to “complete your sentence, y/n! what are we doing? what are we up to? what do you mean?” but the look on your face was enough for him to register the information and simply go “oh”. he sighed as he moved closer to you, clapping his hands together once (and quite awkwardly) before he spoke. “i know that i’m having the time of my life with you, everyday spent with you is wonderful and i love you so much. if the same applies to you, i’m confident we can make this official. what do you say, y/n?” your response being burying yourself in his arms and squeezing him as tightly as possible.

annie would probably give you a good glare when you ask her this, examining you with her gaze, not sure if you’re playing tricks on her or if you’re being serious. eventually, she’d drop the “playing it tough” facade and talk things through with you. “we probably should’ve talked about this way sooner, don’t you think y/n?” she questioned as she leaned her head closer to yours, your heads accidentally banging on each other, resulting in the both of you bursting into laughter. “well, you know what they say annie, friends who headbang together, stay together, i’m sure we can apply it to lovers too”, she smiled at you contently, one of the few times when her smile reached her eyes, her pupils dilating as she stared into your orbs. “you know what y/n, i’m certain we can apply it to lovers” she said as she sloppily banged her head on yours again.

historia gets so nervous she ends up crying, you have to console her back to calmness. it’s not that she’s bothered by your question, but it was too soon for her. “just let me explain myself, y/n”. she told you all about why she reacted like this, the main reason being she’s lost all of her family and many friends and is afraid to properly commit to anyone for fear that they might be gone as well. “are you willing to stick by my side y/n?” she asked you with pleading eyes. when you reassured her that you have all the time in the world, she finally relaxed into your embrace.

pieck was working on your car, half of her body presently concealed by the machine. however, she responds at once, not a tiny bit phased by your inquiry. “we’ve been dating for a while now, i think it’s high time we made our relationship official. plus, with zeke and porco being in town these days, it’s easier to plan our formal dinner, don’t you think? of course you should contact your friends too and make sure at least some of them are able to attend on such short notice. how about two sundays from now? we should get some decor too, right? and a banner that says “just married”, as a joke of course. we can discuss marriage after the party. y/n, are you still there?” she questioned when you didn’t respond. “just wasn’t expecting you to be so eager about this, but yes, it all sounds amazing pieck! can you come up from the car now so i can kiss you?”

you caught zeke in the midst of him completing some paper work, he was so focused, he paid you little mind. “what was that, y/n?” he asked. you didn’t respond, your arms folded on your chest. you weren’t dropping this AGAIN. you’d tried to discuss this matter with him before, but he’d asked you to put it off. this time, you were determined to get a proper answer, even if it meant waiting for him to acknowledge your question. “are you for real now?” he looked up at you, pen falling on the side by the way he was relaxing his grip on it. “i’m for real zeke. i can’t go on like this. i see so many of our colleagues flirting with you at the office and you do nothing. how am i supposed to feel? if i’m your sneaky link, i’d much rather know about it”. zeke pushed his papers aside and patted on his legs, motioning you to sit in his lap. “i never realised this was so important to you, i’m sorry. in my head, we’re very much together, but i see why you want to let the world know. also, i’m not addressing my colleagues’ flirting, as i never addressed yours…” at this point he pinched your cheek playfully “because we work together and i’m trying to keep things drama free, so i’m being friendly and declining their offers. but it’s just you and me babe, don’t worry your mind too much” he put his fingers on your chin, softly pulling your face upwards so that you’d face him. “do you want us to drive together at work tomorrow and walk in holding hands? hm? would that be okay with you?” “yes, zeke, but can we also do that everyday after tomorrow too?” “if that’s what you wish for, love” he said as he kissed you softly.

petra blushes all over and avoids your gaze. as the seconds pass and you get no response out of her, you realise she’s spiralling, you have to pull her out of her thoughts, which you do with a gentle squeeze on the arm. “no need to worry about it, petra. i’d just feel so much safer about us if i knew where we’re standing”. she put her own hand on yours, touching it softly before moving it away from her arm, so that she could hold your it in both of hers. “it’s understandable, y/n, this… conversation’s been long due… but we’re in a relationship, i think. i mean, we’re officially in a relationship. this is what you want too, right?” “yes, petra, of course it’s what i want!” you hugged her and kissed her all over her face, and, as if it was possible, she kept blushing more with each peck. “do you think we should tell captain levi, y/n?” you held back a laughter, before admitting that it was captain levi, who, in fact, encouraged you to talk things through with petra. “so… you mean that captain has known this entire time?” poor baby almost fainted out of embarassment.

yelena isn’t amused, and i mean, not at all amused, she thinks you’re pulling her leg. “seriously, y/n, you ask me this after you’ve met my family, been sneaking away with me during your patrols for months on end and basically everyone knowing we’re together??” she was glaring at you, her gaze filled with anger. “shit yelena, just making sure… we’ve never really discussed our relationship status before, that’s all… please don’t look at me like you’re about to kill me”. at this statement, yelena calmed down a bit, she hadn’t realised you were unsure of where you two stood. “i can forgive you neglecting your duties, but not you not thinking you’re mine”

[ssa-dado]

7 - Cogito, ergo Sum

Aaron Hotchner x bau!fem!reader

Genre: slow burn, sad just sad stuff, angst

Summary: On a train to Riverhead, you confront buried memories of your father’s death and the complex emotions stirred by Peter’s welcome back party, where Hotch’s past with Haley left you feeling like an outsider. Hotch, haunted by memories of his abusive father and first love with Haley, grapples with his choices and regrets. Meanwhile, Hotch and Peter clash over your safety and personal boundaries on the job, discovering the next target of a series of poisonings. Warnings: Grief, domestic violence, emotional abuse, anxiety, CM case. This is quite sad

Word Count: 4.5k

Dado's Corner: Not me sobbing like a kid while writing this haha. Poor Aaron you deserve a hug. That said, I experimented a bit with the style of this chapter - it's quite cinematic. I drew inspiration from Suits' 2×08 where Harvey goes to visit his father's grave and the narrative interlaces flashbacks, present and the characters' point of view so beautifully. Also - this has a sister chapter coming up next so don't worry.

previous chapter ; masterlist

The train rattled gently as it made its way toward your hometown, Riverhead, each passing mile pulling you deeper into a past you had long avoided. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks was a steady, relentless metronome, marking each second that brought you closer to face your father’s grave.

You glanced up to see a little girl holding her father’s hand, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around his as they made their way to a seat just past yours. The sight was simple, ordinary - something that happened every day - but today, it felt like a punch to the chest.

Watching them, you felt the train become a catalyst for everything you’d been trying to bury; the pain surged, raw and unfiltered, hitting you all at once. The easy affection between them, was a reminder of what you could never have again. Your throat tightened, and tears pricked at your eyes, threatening to spill as you stared at the floor, trying to swallow the ache of everything you’d lost. In that fleeting moment, the emptiness of your own hands felt unbearable, as if the absence of your father’s presence echoed a thousand times harder in the quiet hum of the train.

You stared out of the window, but the passing trees and fading buildings blurred into the background, their muted colors mingling with the fog of your thoughts. You’d taken the rare step of taking a day off to make this journey, a day that was supposed to be about finding some semblance of closure, or at least confronting the loss you’d tucked away behind your work.

But you hadn’t been able to think only of your father. Your mind kept drifting back to Peter’s welcome back party the previous week. Where you sat at the table, Gideon’s words lingering in the air, the concept of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis feeling painfully apt in that moment.

“Everyone, this is Haley,” Hotch said, his voice carefully controlled. “We… we go way back.”

Only now you could clearly see at how Haley smiled, but her eyes were constantly on Hotch, her presence radiating a sense of ease that only came from years of knowing someone deeply. “It’s been a long time, Aaron,” she said, her tone gentle but layered with unspoken memories. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

You watched the interaction with a heavy heart, feeling like an outsider in your own team. The connection between them was undeniable, and for a moment, you felt a pang of jealousy, a sharp twist in your chest that you hadn’t prepared for.

You had just started to let your guard down with Hotch, to allow yourself to see him not just as your stoic coworker who would crack a joke every once in a while - but as someone you could trust, someone who understood you. And now, here was a piece of his past that you hadn’t been privy to, thrown in your face without warning.

As the evening wore on, you tried to engage, to laugh at Rossi’s jokes and nod along with Gideon’s stories, but your mind kept drifting back to Hotch and Haley. You couldn’t help but feel the sting of not knowing this part of him, of realizing that no matter how close you’d gotten, there were still walls between you.

At one point, Hotch caught your eye from across the table. His expression softened, a silent question in his gaze, as if he could sense your discomfort. But before he could say anything, Haley leaned in, pulling his attention back to her, and the moment passed.

Gideon, ever observant, leaned closer to you, breaking the awkward silence that had settled over you.

“You know, Y/N,” he said thoughtfully, tapping the cover of the book you’d bought for Hotch, “Hegel’s all about finding balance. Sometimes, the only way forward is to let go of what you thought you knew and embrace the contradictions.”

You nodded, but the words felt too close to home. You weren’t sure how to find balance in this moment, how to reconcile the sudden wave of emotions crashing over you. All you could do was hold on and hope that, somehow, things would make sense again.

Now your mind was buzzing with a mix of emotions: shock, confusion, and a sinking feeling of being completely blindsided. It was in the way Hotch and Haley exchanged glances, the comfortable proximity, the shared history etched in every small gesture. It hurt more than you’d ever thought it would, making everything sounded distant, muffled, like you were underwater.

The gathering had been a lively affair, full of laughter and shared stories, but a specific moment kept replaying in your mind: Haley’s warm smile as she said goodbye to Hotch, “It was really good to see you, Aaron, I’m glad you’re doing well. Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”

Hotch nodded, his expression warm yet tinged with a hint of sadness. “Yeah, Haley. Take care of yourself. See you around.”

With that, she gave a small wave to the table and headed back to her group of friends, leaving Hotch standing there, momentarily lost in the past. As he returned to his seat, you could see the way he was grappling with the emotions stirred up by the unexpected reunion. He caught your gaze briefly, offering a small, almost apologetic smile that only deepened your sense of uncertainty.

As she walked away, Rossi had thrown a smirk Hotch’s way, raising an eyebrow as he quipped, “So, old flames burning bright again?”

Hotch rolled his eyes, though there was a faint, embarrassed flush to his cheeks. “Rossi, don’t start,” he warned, though his tone was more amused than annoyed.

“Oh, come on, Aaron,” Rossi continued, clearly enjoying himself. “Haley’s quite a catch. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a little lovestruck.”

Hotch sighed, but there was a softness to his demeanor that hadn’t been there before. “It’s not like that, Dave. We… had our time. It just didn’t work out. She wanted a family, a stable life. I was too caught up in my career, trying to make it into the Bureau. We were just… heading in different directions.”

There was a pause as the table absorbed his words, the rare glimpse into Hotch’s personal life catching everyone a little off guard. You could see the flicker of understanding in his eyes, the acknowledgment of choices made and paths taken, and it resonated deeply with you. It wasn’t just about Haley; it was about the sacrifices, the regrets, and the constant pull between duty and desire.

You had stood on the sidelines, listening, and telling yourself it wasn’t jealousy you felt, but something else entirely. Hotch and Haley’s history was full of things you couldn’t touch, memories you couldn’t rewrite.

The ease between them that felt unreachable, at least for you. It highlighted your own struggles, the way you and Hotch danced around each other’s guarded edges, each too closed off and too stubborn for way too much to admit the walls you’d built were anything but necessary. You had worked hard to break through those barriers, inching closer to something that resembled real friendship with Hotch, but seeing him with Haley made it clear how far you still had to go.

One of your coworkers, ever the instigator, smirked and raised their glass, turning the conversation light again. “Ah, first loves. We’ve all been there, right? High school sweethearts, college crushes, and then… life happens.”

They nudged Peter playfully, their grin widening. “I bet you’ve got some stories, too. You and Y/N? Seems like you two have your own history.”

The comment, though playful, struck a chord. You could feel all eyes momentarily on you and Peter, the unspoken insinuations hanging in the air. Peter chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a casual ease that belied the tension simmering beneath the surface. “Oh, come on, let’s not dig up the past. Y/N and I? We were just kids. We studied, we got into trouble, and then we grew up.”

Rossi, always enjoying a chance to stir the pot, raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? ‘Just kids,’ huh? I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. Seems like more than just studying to me.”

Peter shot you a sideways glance, his smile both teasing and sincere. “Well, you know me, Dave. Always mixing business with pleasure.”

You forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow even to your ears. “Please, don’t encourage him. Peter was more like the annoying older brother I never asked for.”

The table erupted in laughter, and for a moment, the awkwardness eased. But underneath it all, there was a thread of unspoken tension, a reminder that you and Peter’s relationship, much like Hotch and Haley’s, was layered with complexities that no amount of jokes could untangle.

Hotch watched the exchange quietly, his gaze lingering on you longer than necessary. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—was it understanding? Regret? You couldn’t quite tell, but it was clear he was processing his own thoughts amidst the lighthearted teasing. The parallels between his past and what was unfolding now weren’t lost on him.

Then memories shifted, drawing you deeper into the party’s ambiance: the clinking of glasses, the chatter of old friends reuniting, and Peter’s infectious laugh as he moved through the crowd.

You remembered the moment he found you in the corner of the room, handing you a glass of wine with a casual, “So, are you ever going to let me take you out on that date?”

You had laughed it off, deflecting with a joke. “You’d have to catch me when I’m not buried in case files.”

Peter’s smile had softened, and he leaned against the wall beside you, his eyes searching yours in that disarming way he had. “I’m patient. You know that.”

There it was, an offer that seemed perfect on paper. Peter was kind, funny, and someone you could talk to for hours without feeling the need to perform or pretend. He had always been a constant, someone who understood your messy family dynamics and never judged you for them. Yet, for reasons you couldn’t quite name, you had hesitated.

It wasn’t just fear that a relationship might ruin your friendship, though that was part of it. No, this hesitation was something deeper, something that had started to shift within you over the months you’d been at the BAU.

The job had changed you, had made you see the world differently, and maybe that change had rippled into the way you saw Peter, too. He was familiar, a comfort you could rely on, but when he looked at you with that earnestness, you felt a strange dissonance, like you were two notes that no longer harmonized as they once did.

You shook off the thought and turned back to the scenery, trying to refocus. The landscape outside shifted, becoming a blur of rolling hills and scattered houses, but all you could see were memories of the afternoons you’d spent with Peter.

He was a piece of your past that felt safe, steady, and uncomplicated. You remembered the day he’d chosen your mother as his thesis supervisor, the excitement in his eyes as he explained why.

“She’s brilliant,” he had told you, sitting at your kitchen table, his hands animated as he spoke. “I mean, I’ve read everything she’s published. Working with her is like… I don’t know, getting to play with a master.”

Your mother had smirked from the kitchen, where she was brewing tea. “I’m not sure if ‘play’ is the word I’d use,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “But I’m glad you’re eager. I could use someone with your enthusiasm.”

Those afternoons felt like moments frozen in time, filled with academic debates that stretched into the evening. You would sit with Peter, surrounded by books and papers, discussing everything from human behavior to obscure psychological theories. Your mother would occasionally join in, her sharp insights cutting through Peter’s eager optimism, and you would feel an odd sense of belonging, of being seen and understood in a way that was rare. You and Peter fit so easily then, like two pieces of a puzzle that made sense together.

So why now, when Peter had finally asked, did you feel that familiar comfort turn into something that almost felt suffocating? It wasn’t fear, not exactly. It was something more complex, more tangled.

You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but whatever it was, it had kept you from saying yes. Part of you wondered if it had to do with the person you’d become at the BAU, the person who had learned to live in the shadows, to thrive on the unspoken and the unsolved. There was a distance between the you that Peter knew and the you that existed now, and you weren’t sure how to bridge that gap.

As the train chugged closer to Riverhead, you let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of your own thoughts settle in your chest. This trip was supposed to be about your father, about facing the memories you’d buried along with him. But as the scenery continued to blur outside your window, you realized it wasn’t just him you were here to confront. It was yourself, and all the tangled, unresolved things you’d left behind.

.

Back in his apartment, Hotch stood motionless in front of his closet, the faint hum of the city outside barely reaching his ears. It was supposed to be a simple, mindless task: changing out of his work clothes, slipping into something comfortable to signal the end of another long case. But that morning, the weight of the past lingered in the air, heavy and suffocating, refusing to be ignored. Seeing Haley again had shaken something loose inside him, memories that he had tried to bury beneath layers of duty, responsibility, and the unyielding armor of his carefully crafted stoicism.

He stared at the closet door as if it were a portal to another time, a past version of himself that he had spent years trying to forget. His hand hovered over a hanger, hesitating before he finally pulled the door open. He reached for a pair of sweatpants, the movement automatic, but his fingers brushed against something unexpected, something soft and familiar. He pulled it out, holding it up to the dim light of the room. It was an old pirate hat, worn and faded, buried at the back of the closet like a forgotten relic.

The sight of it was enough to send a rush of emotion coursing through him, his heart tightening with the weight of memories long left untouched. It was a small, silly thing - a costume piece from a high school play - but it held the echoes of a time when life had felt simpler, when love had been a lifeline rather than a distant, unattainable dream.

Hotch turned the hat over in his hands, his thumb tracing the worn edges. It felt lighter than he remembered, the fabric frayed but still holding the shape that had once made him feel like someone else - someone braver, someone who didn’t wake up every day terrified of what the morning might bring.

Holding it now, he was transported back to those days in high school, when he had first met Haley during their school’s production of The Pirates of Penzance. He could still remember the nerves that twisted his stomach into knots as he stepped onto the stage, feeling every bit the awkward, shy boy who never quite knew how to fit in.

His father’s presence loomed over every aspect of his life, a dark, volatile force that made every day feel like a minefield. Mornings were the worst; he’d wake up before dawn, his heart pounding with the dread that his father would already be up, the stale stench of whiskey on his breath and anger simmering just below the surface.

Every morning, Hotch would lie still in his bed, his ears straining to hear the slightest sound - a creaking floorboard, the clink of a bottle, the unmistakable thud of something heavy being thrown against the wall. He’d close his eyes tightly, his breath catching in his throat as he braced himself for the inevitable: the harsh sound of his father’s voice, slurred and laced with venom, cutting through the stillness of the house like a knife.

“You worthless piece of shit,” his father would sneer, eyes bloodshot, fists clenched. The insults were always the same, a relentless barrage of contempt that felt like punches to the gut. And sometimes, they were. The bruises left behind were easy to hide, but the fear lingered, seeping into every corner of his mind.

But then there was Haley.

Haley, with her bright smile and infectious laugh, had entered his life like a beam of light piercing through the darkness. She was everything his world was not: warm, kind, and unafraid to be herself. He could still see her as she had been that first day, standing backstage with an easy confidence that seemed to light up the entire room. He had been fumbling through his lines, tripping over words as he tried to keep his hands from shaking, feeling the familiar grip of anxiety clawing at his throat. But then she had turned to him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Not bad, Hotchner,” she teased, her voice light and teasing, breaking through the wall of his self-doubt.

She nudged him playfully with her shoulder, her touch gentle but grounding. “But if you’re going to be a pirate, you’ve got to look the part.” She reached up and tilted the hat on his head, adjusting it with a flourish. “There. Much better.”

He had laughed then, a rare, unguarded sound that felt almost foreign to his own ears. It was a laugh born of something deeper than humor - it was relief, joy, and a sense of being seen in a way he never had been before. That moment had been the start of everything: the stolen glances, the whispered secrets shared between classes, the way she’d lean in close, her eyes bright with something that made the whole world seem less terrifying.

Haley became his first thought in the morning, replacing the dread that had once greeted him when he opened his eyes. Instead of the anxiety that his father would be there, ready to strike, his mind was filled with thoughts of her: the way she smiled, the sound of her voice, the softness of her lips whenever they kissed, the easy way she’d tease him about his nervousness on stage. She was his anchor, the one person who made him feel like he wasn’t drowning in his own fears.

Every morning, instead of waking up with his heart racing at the thought of his father’s rage, he’d wake up thinking of Haley. He’d think of their rehearsals, of the way she’d roll her eyes when he messed up a line but would always follow it with a grin that told him she was proud of him anyway. She had made him feel safe, like maybe, there was more to life than the fear that had defined his every waking moment.

Hotch hadn’t just fallen in love with Haley; he had clung to her like a lifeline. She was the first person who had shown him what it felt like to be cared for, to be valued for who he was, not for what he could endure. She was his sanctuary from the storm that raged inside his home, and for a while, she had made him believe that he could have something good, something real.

But as he stood there now, holding the hat, those memories were tinged with the bittersweet realization of what he had lost. The love that had once saved him had crumbled under the relentless weight of his ambition and the demands of his career.

He had chosen the Bureau, chosen to bury himself in the pursuit of justice, thinking that if he worked hard enough, if he dedicated himself to the job, he could finally be free of the shadows that haunted him.

But in the process, he had lost Haley. He had lost the last piece of innocence that had made him believe he could balance it all: love, career, and a future untangled from the pain of his past. Now, the hat felt like a symbol of everything he had tried to bury, a reminder of the boy he used to be and the love that had once made him feel whole.

Hotch closed his eyes, a wave of grief and regret washing over him as he placed the hat gently back in the closet. The memories of Haley, of the warmth she had brought into his life, were still there, but they were shrouded in the painful truth that he had let her slip away. He had spent so long running from the fear of his father, trying to replace it with something brighter, but in the end, he had pushed away the very thing that had saved him

The shrill ring of his phone cut through his thoughts, jolting him back to the present. “Hotchner,” he said, masking the turmoil beneath his usual calm.

Gideon’s voice came through the line, urgent and clipped. “We’ve got a situation. A series of poisonings in Long Island, targeting public spaces. Libraries, parks, shopping centers. It’s escalating, and the unsub’s leaving messages. We need you here, now.”

Hotch glanced back at the pirate hat before slamming the closet shut. “I’ll be there in twenty,” he replied, shoving the memories aside as he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. There was no time to dwell on the past; the present demanded his full attention.

At the BAU, the team gathered around the conference table as Gideon outlined the details of the case. The poisonings were strategic, each attack aimed at places where people gathered, spreading panic through the community. The unsub’s taunts came in the form of cryptic messages, each one hinting at the next target.

Hotch’s jaw tightened as he scanned the crime scene photos, feeling the familiar pull of duty override everything else.

“We’re splitting up,” Gideon said, his gaze sweeping across the room. “Hotch, you and Peter will head to the latest crime scene. Rossi and I will cover the first.”

Hotch nodded, his face impassive as he gathered his things. He was already mentally mapping out the approach, compartmentalizing the emotional weight of the morning. But as they drove, Peter, clearly uncomfortable with the silence, tried to break the tension.

“You know, about that bet I won,” Peter began, glancing over at Hotch with a hint of a smile. “The date… with her. I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it special.”

Hotch’s eyes stayed fixed on the road, his expression tightening at Peter’s words. The mention of you - the team member who had started to break through the cracks in his own carefully guarded exterior - sent a surge of conflicting emotions through him. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“Have you really thought this through?” Hotch asked, his voice low, almost a growl. “You and her, both in the field, both seeing the worst of what people are capable of… it’s not as easy as you think.”

Peter shrugged, trying to maintain his casual demeanor, but there was a defensive edge creeping in. “We’ve always been good at separating things. She gets it - she’s smart, one of the smartest people I know. We can handle it.”

Hotch’s frustration boiled over, his tone sharpening. “It’s not about being smart, Peter. This job… it changes you. It gets into your head, your heart. And you’re fooling yourself if you think it won’t affect you both. What happens when you’re forced to make a choice - her safety or the job? How do you keep that from clouding your judgment?”

Peter’s smile faltered, and his eyes flicked toward Hotch, the beginnings of anger flashing across his face. “You don’t think I know that? You think I haven’t thought about it every damn day since I realized I wanted more with her? At least I’m honest about where I stand. I’m not hiding behind this job like it’s the only thing that matters.”

The tension between them was palpable, the car’s interior charged with unspoken words and unresolved conflicts. Hotch’s gaze remained fixed on the road, but his mind was racing. Peter’s words hit closer to home than he cared to admit, scraping against wounds that had never fully healed. Peter’s willingness to embrace his feelings, to take the leap Hotch had always hesitated to make, stung in a way that was hard to articulate.

“You don’t get it, Peter,” Hotch said finally, his voice quieter, more resigned. “You have no idea what it’s like to live with the consequences of those choices. I’ve seen what it does to people, how it tears them apart. This job… it doesn’t let you have a normal life, no matter how hard you try.”

Peter stared at him, searching for something in Hotch’s expression that he couldn’t quite find. “Maybe not. But I’d rather take the risk than spend my life wondering what could have been.”

They lapsed into silence, the argument left hanging between them, unresolved. Hotch felt the weight of Peter’s words settle heavily on his shoulders, mingling with the guilt and regret that had been simmering beneath the surface since seeing Haley again.

He didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know if he even had the right to. Peter’s defiance, his willingness to fight for what he wanted, was a painful reminder of the choices Hotch had made and the things he had lost in the process.

When they arrived at the crime scene, Hotch pushed all of it down, shoving the emotions into that familiar place he rarely let himself go. The crime scene was chaotic, with officers milling about, evidence markers scattered across the library floor.

Hotch’s keen eyes scanned the room, piecing together the unsub’s method, the subtle clues left behind. But something caught his attention: a bulletin board crowded with flyers and notes, too chaotic at first glance, but hiding something.

He moved closer, pulling back layers of paper until he found it: a cryptic message, written in neat, deliberate script. As he read the words, his blood ran cold, the implications settling like lead in his stomach.

The riddle painted a clear picture of the next target. Hotch’s hands trembled slightly as he stepped back, the reality sinking in.

Riverhead.

The place you were right now.

Without a word, Hotch turned and sprinted out of the building, his heart pounding with a fear that went far beyond the professional. This wasn’t just another case. It was personal, and every second mattered.

[wcbblife]

Paige as a girl/boy mom HCs! (pt 2)

a/n: hope you enjoy bc this has taken over my mind completely.

Boy mom:

If he ever goes into basketball, she'll coach his little league team and the resemblance between them is uncanny. They're both competitive and when he makes a shot, she'll do those small celebrations (y'know what I mean. Like those she does in games when she's at the bench).

She's a sucker for his toothy grin. Especially if he has some missing teeth when he's a toddler. I think they would remind her of her brother when he was little so much.

In the mornings she has to wake up at the crack of dawn for practices or games, you swear he has a superpower because he always wakes up early too. Those are some of your favorite times because those slow mornings are unusual with such an energetic toddler. He’ll just follow her around and once she’s done with the basics, she’ll pick him up and do the rest of her things with him sleeping on her shoulder.

They would 100% plan one of those cheesy birthday surprises for you. Like they’ll turn on the lights and scream with matching grins while breaking into a birthday song simultaneously.

Your favorite sight is them both waking up with equally tousled hair and matching sleepy faces. I mean he may be your kid, but Paige is literally in every single crevice of his face.

He constantly challenges her by telling her that he’ll finally beat her in video games, but he never can. She does share with you that she’s worried he finally will one day because he’s a fast learner. But it's almost a tradition for them to sit down at least once a week and battle it out.

He also always challenges her to do different celebrations whenever she scores. And he’s always glued to the screen to see her pull it off. It’s a way for them to stay connected while she has games far away. They ask her about it, but she always stays quiet, wanting the tradition to be a secret of theirs.

She looooves to see him wear her jersey. It gives her the motivation to absolutely destroy whoever she’s going against.

You find it funny that he always copies her face whenever she has a tough finish in a game. Like they both have the exact same celebration face (that face scrunch she does as well as screaming towards the air while flexing). Again. Literal twins.

I get the feeling she will just… hold him up by his leg while they’re playing. Then just show him to you like he's a trophy while he dies of laughter.

Both have the same sleeping stance and sleeping face. Mouth opened with an arm and leg slung haphazardly around. She never believes you until you take a pic of them both sleeping one afternoon.

She calls you guys when she’s away and he’ll just snatch the phone to talk to her. They’re usually late after a game.

“Hey… Isn’t it your bedtime?” Paige's voice comes through the phone, tired. “But mom, I just missed you so much! The game was so close I just couldn't go to sleep” You see her smile through the call, “Alright bud, I'll give you this one.” After you three talk some more, they both fall asleep mid conversation, and you could only smile.

Girl mom:

Talking about games, her favorite thing to do after her games is bury her daughter in kisses and watch the way she shies away because they tickle. She’ll be locked in at the end just looking at her and you and she’ll break into the widest smile once you two come walking towards her.

She would 100% be one of those players that does her press conferences with her kid in her lap. Sometimes she’ll be too distracted by her, and her coach will silently ask you to take her for a bit but there's no separating those two. You also would never think of taking her away because Paige literally lives for you and her baby girl.

I think Paige loved to give her baby those early stages baths. She would be so gentle and lowkey scared as she cradles her and passes moist wipes all over her tiny body. It lowkey calmed her down after a hard day to see her girl so calm and peaceful.

Would tease her baby girl by acting like she’s not going to pick her up cuz she gets super fussy about it. She folds way too quickly though.

Has her camera FULL to the brim with pictures of her sleeping and looking adorable. Definitely has 0.5s of her too. Makes her laugh wayyyy too much.

Does that thing where she taps her daughter's mouth really fast while she shouts so that it sounds really funny. If you get what I mean?? It makes them both laugh way too much.

Omg she definitely dances with her by making her step on the top of her shoes. After so many of her birthday parties with music it's basically a tradition for them to do now. It is your absolute favorite thing in the world because Paige is just so tall.

Paige never failed to give you a heart attack when she was still a baby. I feel like she would make a makeshift baby carrier with her morning robe and just walk around with her while the baby snoozed.

At the beginning, Paige used to wear bright blue or pink or just neon colors so that her daughter was able to recognize her in court.

Tea parties happen a lot with those two. You’ll open the door to find them sipping on the non-existent liquid while faking some funny accents. They’ll just turn to you with a look of “Can we help you?”

[tempobaekh]

Between Realms

Pairings: Ga Motak x Scarlet Witch!reader

Warnings: angst, tiny bit fluff maybe?? idk? I think my shitty story writing should be a warning as well

A/N: I’m having a Motak brainstorm right now. Like the amount of ideas I have to merge marvel and tuc bc why tf not? So this is fic number one of my idea and I have another one in the works. I kind of hate this one but also like it idk this gotta be my worst work. Also an idea from my babe @slytherinshua made me come up with this<3

The Counters' new place buzzed with activity as they analyzed, in their eyes, a new threat that had emerged.

Y/N, considered an evil spirit, had become an enigma even they couldn't comprehend.

Possessing abilities beyond their comprehension of just how strong she was, she was a force to be reckoned with.

But she wasn't using her immense abilities to harm others; she had become an anti-hero, despite having powers that can cause utter destruction, she chose to use them to  protect those around her.

You see she was an innocent victim that was unfortunate enough to be targeted as the host to the evil spirit.

When Y/N was conducting study in a lonely library that not many people visited, that is how she got into this strange situation.

This library contained a strange collection of mystical artifacts, scrolls, and books, many of which had been untouched buried deep inside the library.

In her quest for knowledge and understanding of the mystical arts, Y/N stumbled upon a seemingly harmless amulet. This amulet was decorated in complex runes and symbols from several spiritual traditions, exquisitely covered. Unknown to Y/N, the amulet was more than just an artifact; it was a prison.

The amulet had been crafted centuries ago by a powerful sorcerer who sought to imprison an evil spirit of chaos and destruction, a spirit even Yung wasn’t aware of.

The evil spirit was known for its ability to corrupt and consume the souls of those it possessed, granting them immense power in exchange for their humanity.

Y/N, driven by her insatiable curiosity and the desire to harness the amulet's hidden potential, decided to wear it. In doing so, she unknowingly triggered the amulet's ancient enchantment. The evil spirit, dormant for ages, sensed a new host and seized the opportunity, merging its essence with Y/N's consciousness.

The fusion was not without its struggles. Y/N fought to maintain control over her own mind and body, while the evil spirit sought to dominate her.

It was during this internal struggle that Y/N's powers began to manifest, Y/N's powers allowed her to manipulate and harness a mysterious energy source that appeared as scarlet-colored manifestations when she wielded her abilities.

This scarlet energy was a visual representation of her power and became closely associated with her. 

Which earned her the name Scarlet Witch.

The Scarlet Witch attire is a manifestation of her powers and her connection to the evil spirit within the amulet. It's a distinctive outfit that combines elements of traditional mysticism with a touch of modernity. 

Her attire doesn't materialize automatically. She can summon it at will when she chooses to engage in combat or tap into her Scarlet Witch powers.

This allows her to blend in with regular clothing when she doesn't want to draw attention to her abilities.

The attire consists of a flowing crimson robe adorned with arcane symbols, it also includes a headpiece with a red gem that helps channel and focus her powers.

While wearing the Scarlet Witch attire, Y/N's powers are enhanced and more focused. It allows her to harness the full extent of her reality-warping abilities, manipulating the environment and creating illusions or defensive barriers as needed.

Y/N can control when the attire appears and disappears, giving her flexibility in choosing when to use her powers discreetly or to engage in battles against the Counters or other threats.

The attire serves as a symbol of her unique situation, a reminder of the evil spirit within her, and her ongoing struggle to keep it in check. It's a visual representation of the duality within her, embodying both her heroic and potentially destructive capabilities.

As she grappled with this newfound power, Y/N realized that she could control the evil spirit within her to some extent.

She used her abilities to keep it in check, preventing it from causing harm to others, or taking control over her and using her as an extension to do its evil deeds.

However, she also understood the danger she posed, should the malevolent spirit gain the upper hand.

So she started to distance herself from everything, from the world.

Y/N's life took an unexpected turn from that moment onward. She became a reluctant anti-hero, determined to protect both herself and those around her from the evil spirit's influence, even though her using the powers was seen as evil.

This intricate dance between good and evil formed the foundation of her struggle in keeping everything at bay, despite being physically and mentally tormented by the evil spirit within her.

Y/N's first encounter with the Counters was entirely unexpected. She had been living a relatively solitary life after merging with the evil spirit and gaining her Scarlet Witch powers.

Her primary focus was on controlling the evil entity within her and using her abilities for personal defense rather than offense.

One fateful evening, as she was attempting to contain the evil spirit's influence in a deserted part of the city, her powers inadvertently drew the attention of the Counters, as she unknowingly stepped in their territory.

The Counters, always vigilant for signs of supernatural disturbances, sensed a powerful and unusual energy source in the vicinity.

They were going in this mission blind, not knowing the full extent of powers Y/N had as she was so powerful that Hana couldn’t even tell which level evil spirit this was.

As Y/N struggled to maintain control over the malevolent spirit, her powers caused a rift in the fabric of reality, which the Counters detected. They rushed to the scene, expecting to confront a malevolent spirit wreaking havoc.

Hana, being the vigilant and pragmatic member of the Counters, initially believed that Y/N was just another evil spirit posing a potential threat to innocent people.

She saw Y/N's powers as a potential risk to the balance between the realms, and her skepticism made her determined to follow the standard protocol.

During the initial confrontation with the Counters, Y/N found herself overwhelmed and facing a team of skilled individuals who were determined to subdue what they believed to be a evil spirit.

She had the power to defend herself, but her moral compass guided her to avoid causing harm.

As the Counters closed in on her, their combined abilities proved too much for her to handle without revealing her full potential.

She decided to surrender peacefully, knowing that it would be the quickest way to show them that she wasn't a threat, and that she just craved help, she wanted to separate herself from the torture that was the evil spirit.

Once captured, Y/N was taken to a specially prepared containment chamber within the Counters' headquarters. The chamber was designed to neutralize supernatural entities and prevent them from using their powers to escape or cause harm.

The chamber was a dimly lit, translucent enclosure with intricate protective runes etched into the walls and floor, personally made by the people in Yung. The runes acted as a barrier, preventing Y/N from using her powers to manipulate the environment or escape.

The room had a cold, sterile feel to it, amplifying her sense of isolation and confinement.

When the Counters confronted Y/N during that initial encounter, she was faced with a difficult decision. Her life since merging with the evil spirit, against her will, had been one of isolation and struggle.

Controlling the evil entity within her had taken a toll on her both physically and mentally. She had experienced moments of chaos and danger as she tried to grapple with her newfound powers.

Before merging with the evil spirit, Y/N had led a relatively normal life. However, the traumatic experience of the evil spirit's possession had left her scarred. She had seen the damage it could do, not only to others but also to her own sense of self. The spirit's relentless attempts to take control had caused her unimaginable pain and suffering.

Y/N had made a vow never to harm innocent people, driven by a deep-seated fear of becoming the monster she had seen within the evil spirit. Her powers were both a blessing and a curse, and she carried the weight of that burden every day.

Y/N's emotions during her containment were complex and conflicted. She felt a mix of fear, frustration, and a deep sense of injustice. She knew that her intentions were not malicious, and she had hoped to live a quiet life, free from the evil spirit's influence.

However, being confined and treated as a threat by the Counters stirred feelings of anger and helplessness. She also felt a sense of isolation, as she couldn't fully explain her situation to anyone without risking further misunderstanding.

It was during her capture by the Counters that Y/N's connection with Motak began to form. Motak, who often kind of acted like the leader of the Counters, was known for his calm and compassionate demeanor, even in the face of supernatural threats.

He was the first among the Counters to sense that Y/N was not the typical evil spirit they had encountered.

As Y/N was contained within the Counters' headquarters, Motak spent time observing her.

He sensed her inner turmoil, her struggle to control the evil spirit, and her genuine desire not to harm others. Something about her vulnerability and the conflict within her resonated with him on a profound level.

Over time, Y/N began to open up to Motak. She shared the story of how she had come into contact with the evil spirit and the traumatic experiences she had endured since. Motak, in turn, shared stories of the Counters' mission and the moral dilemmas they faced.

Their conversations deepened their understanding of each other, and an unspoken connection formed between them.

Motak was drawn to Y/N's strength and resilience in the face of adversity, as well as her determination to use her powers for good, and he could not deny that Y/N was utterly beautiful, a sight for sore eyes.

Y/N, on the other hand, found in Motak a kindred spirit, someone who saw the potential for good within her despite the darkness that loomed.

His unwavering belief in her goodness and his compassion touched her heart in a way she had not expected.

Ga Motak was conflicted. He stood by the glass doors, peering into the room where Y/N was contained. Her powers radiated like a cosmic storm, but she held them in check.

She was not the menace they had expected.

In the midst of the chaos, Hana, the fierce and determined member of the team, was resolute about their mission. She argued vehemently, "We can't let this continue, Motak! Y/N is dangerous, just like any other evil spirit. We must summon it and put an end to this!"

Motak remained silent, his eyes fixed on Y/N. He couldn't bring himself to treat her like a typical evil spirit. Something about her drew him in, an unexplainable connection that transcended their roles.

Y/N, once she had established a degree of trust with the Counters, thanks to Motak being a big help, attempted to explain her unique predicament.

She told them about how she had unwittingly merged with the evil spirit through the ancient amulet. She described the trauma and pain she had endured in controlling the spirit's influence and how she had developed her powers as a result.

However, even with her heartfelt explanations, there remained a degree of skepticism among some of the Counters, particularly Hana.

She was still wary of Y/N's powers and the potential threat they posed.

The Counters knew that to fully address the situation, they needed to deal with the evil spirit trapped within Y/N.

So they formed a plan.

Their plan involved summoning the spirit and finding a way to separate it from her without causing harm.

Y/N, having a deeper understanding of the evil spirit's nature, offered her assistance in this process.

She believed that she could use her powers to create a controlled environment, a kind of pocket dimension where the spirit could be safely contained during the separation and summoned back to Yung.

Y/N's powers were intertwined with the evil spirit due to the amulet's fusion. The Counters recognized that her abilities could be a valuable asset in their mission to protect the balance between realms.

Therefore, the plan was not to completely strip her of these powers but to separate them from the malevolent spirit.

To achieve this separation, the Counters devised a plan to use a combination of their supernatural abilities and Y/N's powers.

They would create a ritual that temporarily weakened the connection between the amulet and the evil spirit, allowing Y/N to use her reality-warping abilities to draw the spirit out.

Once the evil spirit was drawn out and contained in the pocket dimension Y/N had prepared, the Counters would focus on separating it from the amulet. This was a delicate and dangerous process, but Y/N's control over the spirit gave them the best chance of success.

The ultimate goal was to leave Y/N with her powers intact but free from the evil spirit's influence.

It was a complex and risky plan, but Y/N and the Counters believed it was the only way to ensure that she could use her unique abilities for good without harming anyone or being consumed by darkness.

Later, the night before the dangerous ritual, as the headquarters grew quiet, Motak found himself alone with Y/N.

She was still in the translucent barrier, her eyes reflecting both power, and vulnerability but also showing fear for what was about to happen.

"Y/N," Motak spoke softly, "You are going to be okay, we can do this" he tried reassuring her in his deep voice, almost sounding like he was telling himself that.

She met his gaze with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. "Motak, there's a reason I control the spirit within me. I don't want to hurt anyone. I've seen what absolute power can do, and I refuse to become a monster. I want to be free.”

He stepped closer to the barrier, his hand reaching out, longing to touch her. "We can do this, I will free you from this shitty spirit.” he paused letting out a small chuckle as Y/N also let out a watery laugh. “This plan must work, we can do it together."

Y/N's eyes softened, and she nodded. "We can rewrite our own destinies, Motak, but we must be careful. The line between good and evil is thin, and we walk it every day."

As the ritual to separate the evil spirit from Y/N's amulet reached its climax, the room filled with an otherworldly energy. Y/N's Scarlet Witch attire shimmered, and her powers surged to their peak.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she concentrated, aided by the collective strength of the Counters.

In the center of the room, a swirling vortex of crimson energy emerged, drawing the evil spirit out of Y/N's body.

The spirit fought and resisted, but Y/N's unyielding determination, combined with the Counters' supernatural prowess, proved stronger. With a final surge of power, the spirit was captured within the pocket dimension Y/N had created.

A collective sigh of relief filled the room as the evil spirit was successfully separated from Y/N.

She collapsed to her knees, drained from the intense effort, but her powers remained intact, her amulet now free of the evil influence.

“Y/N!” Motak rushed to her side, offering his support as she regained her strength, cradling her delicately to his chest.

He pressed light kisses to her forehead, whispering praises with his lips pressed to her skin.

The other Counters observed in awe, realizing that Y/N's abilities could be a valuable asset in their mission to protect the balance between realms.

Hana, who had been the most skeptical of Y/N, watched the proceedings with a newfound respect. She understood that Y/N's intentions were pure, and her powers could be a force for good.

With the evil spirit contained and neutralized in the pocket dimension, the Counters turned their attention to sending the evil spirit back to the darkest depths of Yung where it belonged.

While Y/N, for the first time in what felt like a long time, felt free, relaxed, and safe in the arms of the man she fell deeply for.

The man that vows to protect her and love her no matter what.

In the days that followed, Y/N and Motak's connection deepened further.

They had faced the darkness within and emerged stronger together. Their forbidden love had defied all odds, just as Y/N had defied the evil spirit's attempts to consume her.

As they looked toward an uncertain future, Y/N, Motak, and the Counters had rewritten their destinies.

They were no longer just hunters of evil spirits; they were protectors of the balance between worlds, guided by the belief that even in the darkest of circumstances, love and understanding could prevail.

And so, in the quiet moments between battling supernatural threats, Y/N and Motak found solace in each other's arms, knowing that their love was as powerful as the abilities that had brought them together—a love that could conquer any challenge that lay ahead.

Note: gifs, pictures, and header DOES NOT belong to me. CREDITS TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS!! Feedback is appreciated.

[creedslove]

WE CAN'T 💔 - PART TWO

Javier Peña x f!reader

Summary: things aren't great between you and Javier after you refused going out with him, but you two are just too stubborn to admit your feelings

(This is the second part of the WE CAN'T 💔 drabble)

• PART ONE

Warnings: angst, a tiny bit of fluff, Javier is a dick

A/N: guess what, I rewatched the McPickle scene and got jealous again 😀🤌

1.3k

Waking up the next morning to a cold empty bed, knowing that if you hadn't refused Javier's invitation, you would probably be waking up in his bed, or having his weight and warmth next to you; if maybe you hadn't felt so disgusted by Javier's clear acquaintance of those hookers, you would be lying next to him. It was a bittersweet feeling, on one hand, that was definitely a deal breaker for you, it made you uncomfortable to know he was just so regular for those girls he had certain intimacies such as knowing their real name, and not only that, they liked him, they giggled and blushed when he was around, whenever some of them were arrested for whatever reason, they'd always ask for Javi and of course, he would be nothing but sweet to them.

You could handle it if it was in the past, if you knew you could overlook that behavior, ignore the jokes around the office and give him a new chance, but the problem was mainly because Javier didn't simply want that; he was more comfortable in his evils ways, shielding himself from any commitments, running away from relationships and feelings, never wanting to settle down and allow himself to feel things, to him, the deepest connection he engaged was one where he didn't have to face any rejections nor personal attachments; he paid, he fucked, he came and he sent home. When he dared break the cycle he found himself so comfortable in it, he got rejected by you, so he vowed himself he wouldn't give you or anyone another try. He was fine just the way he was, not even knowing what came to him in order to make him have that awful idea of asking you out. He just didn't have the patience to go through it all over again, first dates, getting to know each other, flirting, and all of the ritual before he could actually sleep with the person, so he would stick to Helena, Gabriella, Vanessa and all the girls who loved pleasing him.

He wasn't sure how he would act once he faced you at work, he decided not to worry about that, burying his face into Vanessa's neck while she moved her hips against his, his cock throbbing at the feel of her tight pussy. He closed his eyes and fought hard the urge of pretending you were in his lap, he didn't want to, you'd refused him, he didn't want to even think of you, all it mattered at that moment was his pleasure and his pleasure alone.

•••

However, facing Javier in the office wasn't as bad as you thought it could be, just as you would never know he was also anxious about it. You were worried Javier would treat you like shit, would be rude or mean, and he worried you would spread what happened through the office, telling everyone you refused him, because of his ways. And yet, neither of you did what the other feared. Things were a little tense, Javi kept a lot to himself, not talking to you unless it was necessary, but when he did, he was soft and polite. The flirting and compliments were missing, but you would survive that. You liked Javier, a lot. But you two were incompatible and nothing could change that.

So days turned into weeks that passed by really fast and before you could even realize things, your birthday was right around the corner; in the meantime a lot had happened: you and Javi drifted away from each other, Connie had left Steve and the chaos in Colombia continued draining the three of you in a spiral of violence and depression, but once in a while, you felt the need of shaking things up and having fun, and because of that, you decided to throw yourself a small birthday party. There would be a cake, booze and some friends from work. Steve had already confirmed, being totally lost without his wife, not knowing if she'd broken things up with him or not; some other friends from work also said yes, but there was one missing: Javier Peña.

When you walked to his desk, he was on the phone, mumbling and chuckling, you could hear the name Gabi. You fought all the desire you had of rolling your eyes and walking away from him, but the moment he noticed your presence, he ended the call and turned his attention to you.

"Hey, Javi… my birthday is coming up next week, I'll have a small gathering at my place and I'd like you to come.. you don't have to bring me any presents, though"

He was quite surprised at the invitation, nodding and telling you he'd be there.

You were so excited about your party, getting ready and dressing up so nicely for it. People didn't take long to arrive, Steve was the first, of course, being the upstairs neighbor, he got to your apartment to help you up with everything. You chatted about many things, Connie, Peña, and work, and you realized Steve was actually pretty nice. Not that you didn't know that, but you often only paid attention to Javier, he was the only one you wanted to see.

As the party went on, you couldn't help but stare at the door every now and then, wondering what time Javi would be there. You were kind of excited to see him, perhaps you missed him, or perhaps you wanted him to see you, desire you and realize what he'd been missing because of his inability to seek cheap comfort.

But just as you waited through the whole party, Javier never came. As people began saying their goodbyes and leaving, you realized he probably didn't even have any intentions of showing up in the first place. He was such a dick, you couldn't even believe you even thought you could be friends with him.

Steve could tell you were disappointed and he knew exactly the reason why, better saying the reason who, you were disappointed in the first place, so he decided to stick around some more, helping you clean up and gather the empty liquor bottles.

As you were dragging one garbage bag full of them through the hallway, Javier walked in. His arms were locked tight around Gabriella's waist and you stopped dead in your tracks as you stared at them. The hooker swallowed looking at the two of you and feeling the tension in the air. Javier licked his lips and remained silent. He didn't know what to do, should he wish you a happy birthday or should he pretend he'd forgotten about it. Your heart was shattered, even if you didn't know if he did that to get back at you for declining his date or if he just did it out of cruelty, but it didn't really matter, at the end of the day, it just showed you you mattered less than a hooker to a man who claimed to have feelings for you, a man who claimed to at least care about you as a friend.

Steve walked towards you and held your face between his hands, learning forward and kissing your lips. His hand stroked your cheek, at the same time his warm lips were against yours, you didn't expect that kiss to feel so good, just as you didn't expect him kissing you at all.

As he broke the kiss, he smiled at you softly

"Good night, Y/N" he said gently and turned to Javier "night Javi" he said as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn't just kissed the woman Javier had feelings for but was too much of a coward to stop hurting her. Steve went home feeling glad; Javier deserved to see you with another man after breaking your heart just as you deserved some affection, even if Steve didn't love you, he cares about you enough to try and give you a special moment in your birthday, something Javier didn't even try doing it.

____

[ikkiokuma]

just finished mgs2 and i have nowhere else to take my thoughts so i’ll just dump them hear for my little internet vacuum:

> the AI/simulation plot twist is really interesting but at the same time doesn’t feel like it was resolved in the best way? outside of the patriots being a typical shady organization controlling literally everything, the explanation the AI colonel gives about human mind control feels at least a tiny bit more unique that your typical 1984 premise and excuse…i only have to wonder the aftermath of raiden and rose’s relationship with such a huge rift torn between them through the course of this game (which feels like it goes largely unaddressed considering raiden basically proposes to her after their reunion?) i think his character has a lot of good potential and their connection could have undergone some kind slow burn rebuild to make it more satisfying (it’s not like i didn’t root for them sometimes! tho im aware they are actually quite toxic tho)

> i’m also thinking of the people on twitter engaging in discourse about whether mgs2 is anti-AI to which i think it’s pretty clear that kojima encourages us to exercise our free will and critical thinking in this digital age…though raiden doesn’t outright say “fuck the patriots”—who are ostensibly using such a program to try and keep the masses ignorant, complacent, and dependent—in this game, his decision to pick his future for himself entirely goes against the AI colonel’s impression that everything in the simulation could decide the kind of person raiden becomes. to me mgs2 (along with being more explicitly about life in the digital age) takes the idea of free will or destiny from the first game up a notch with the question of: hey, what if it your future wasn’t just programmed for you by birth but by a simulation which you regard as the truth? it’s interesting to see this blend of themes (that the persona franchise decided to create two separate games based on, funny enough) work together in a new context

> sitting with the full weight of otacon’s backstory is kind of crushing. i know it’s not the worst thing ever but something about his tragedy feels all the more pointed when you think about how vulnerable he was…how he was basically abused and groomed and still blames himself to this day because he doesn’t know any better at all? it’s just such a heavy burden for someone so young to bear—an illicit affair and the death of your father because of your actions would mess anyone up in the head (im genuinely surprised he’s not worse than he is right now). his loneliness is so interesting because to a certain extent it’s self imposed by his own inaction (waiting to be loved instead of seeking it out for himself—some kind of self-esteem problem, maybe?) and for the first time in years solid snake manages to break down his walls and they form this beautiful mutual connection that i think holds so much more weight than any potential female relationship the games try to force him into (also with the fact that he seems into women that would only be somewhat unhealthy/toxic for him something something childhood trauma something something twisted conception of romance tragic doomed heterosexuality but he could find everything he looked for and more in the man who’s stayed beside him this whole time but i digress) otasune is so beautiful to me and i’ve been thinking more about how it really is only them against the world and burying my head in my hands i think im going to develop heartburn because of these fools and if anyone has good fic recs i would love for them to be sent my way im going to start writing essays about them again ffs. also something something otacon really is at his best self when he’s around snake—confident, in control, and a little sassy when he wants to be—which honestly makes him that more attractive … snake truly brought the best out of this nerd god bless

> pliskin is sooooooo gorgeous in this game i wish snake wore his hair down more i genuinely think i grinned like a maniac every time i saw his beautiful face on my screen 🤤🤤

> gameplay wise the game honestly doesn’t feel as bad as the first one (i was fucking struggling in the original)…fingers crossed the rest of the games will be somewhat similar difficulty to get through

now on to mgs3!! i’m so excited for snake eater yayyyyy

[nyoxt]

8, 13, 50 for Mutt and 9, 16, 36 for Belrod :D 💛

Mutt: [8] How open they are about their true feelings, both positive and negative?  She's more open with negative ones- if she's annoyed or angry-you will know about it, if not verbally than with body language/expressions. With positive feelings she's pretty much very closed. You'll need to pull those out of her with the tongs. While trying to not get shot or kicked.

[13] What kind of sense of humor do they have, if any? Mutt has little sense of humor and it's mostly dark/sarcastic. If she jokes she does it with the straightest face and blunt/dry delivery. Surprisingly her most usual “jokes” are pranks- and those used to be quite sadistic/bullying in her younger years- like shooting someone in the foot and laughing at the resulted suffering, but later became less violent. I mean, it's still got a violent flail to it, but it's more of a force of a habit than realized intention. But when her pranks are actually funny- Coyote might bestow upon her some small boons, like a good luck for a short time or a magic buff. [50] What are they really good and really bad at? Mutt is very good with guns, inflicting violence, following orders, decent at planning combat encounters. Can be a pretty good leader, but not enthusiastically. She’s rather bad with magic. She’s been awakened since her teen age, but never seriously worked on her abilities or connected with it much, thinking that guns/rifles are a more reliable way to fight. Aaaand she's especially bad at forming healthy connections with other people- because for the majority of her life she used to stick to the meanest strongest groups she could get into, with strongly reinforced hierarchies on top of that - so forming new relationships which are not grounded within strength or combat experience- is h a r d. And it’s also made harder because Mutt can’t exactly realize the roots of this problem, doesn’t know what help to ask for, and doesn’t want to ask for help because it is something awkward and being awkward is a sign of weakness and being weak will get you to the bottom of the food chain-> the cycle continues Belrod: [9] What is their love language?  Gifts- he looooves to bring people his favorite ppl things they want/like; actions of service; words of affection. Many many words of affection. Screams of affections even- if he befriends you he might scream from the rooftops how awesome and cool you are and how much he loves you. Literally, like, climbing on some roof and screaming. [16] Do they easily rely on others to help them out, or prefer doing everything themselves? Bel was always a perfect team player, he’s very good at finding his place and use in a team. And growing up with a rather big family+a huge extended family and in a tightly knit community- he knows when and how and who to ask for help and how to rely on others! His challenge during Origins+Awakening was actually in learning to do things alone sometimes and make important decisions by himself. [36] Do they own items that have sentimental value? -The boots his mother made him. He couldn't walk in them for the long travels because they were a bit too tight, but they were always in his backpack. Bel gifted them to Morrigan when she said she likes the embroidery on the boots. Because he thinks that things are the happiest when used for their purpose, and will bring more luck this way than when buried in the bag.

-his mother's tiny knife. It's not very useful in serious combat, but it's easy to conceal and is great for surprise stabbings. He hates when people insult its size/usefulness, and threatens to “put it in your eye and see how funny this “toothpick” will look up close”.

-Alistair's rose. Bel keeps it dried between the pages of his journal.

-"Fang" dagger. Bel finds blade's shape hard to get used to, but it belonged to his mother, so he loves and cherishes it. 

As you can see- he loves his mom a lot.

[drtyelvisfantasy]

Puppy Love🐶🩷

Parings: Austin Butler x reader

Summary: Austin surprises you with small little puppy for birthday and also decorates your house with balloons of your favourite colour and surprises you with flowers🩷💐

Song for the fic: Puppy Love- Paul Anka

🩷🐶🩷🐶

The sun was already beginning its ascent into the sky as the reader stirred awake, feeling the warmth of the morning light filtering through the curtains. It was your birthday, and you couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation in you chest. As you stretched, you noticed a little note on the bedside table, written in Austin's familiar handwriting.

"Good morning, beautiful! Get dressed and meet me downstairs. I have a surprise waiting for you. Love, Austin🩷."

A beaming smile spread across your face as you quickly got ready, curiosity dancing in your head. With your heart pounding, you ran downstairs, your steps light and filled with excitement.

As you stepped into the living room, you froze, your eyes widening in awe. Pink balloons floated in the air saying happy birthday, streamers adorned the walls, and twinkling fairy lights cast a soft, ethereal glow. The room was transformed into a dreamlike wonderland, and at the center of it all stood Austin, a grin playing on his lips.

"Austin, what's all this?" You asked, your voice filled with wonder.

Austin's eyes sparkled with mischief as he gestured toward a small box on the coffee table. "Happy birthday, my love. Open it."

Your hands trembled ever so slightly as she approached the box. She carefully lifted the lid, and her heart skipped a beat. Nestled inside, a tiny puppy with soft, fluffy fur and curious eyes stared up at her. It was love at first sight.

"Austin, you... you got me a puppy?" the reader whispered, tears of joy glistening in her eyes.

Austin nodded, his voice filled with love. "I know how much you've always wanted one, and I thought it was the perfect time to bring this little bundle of joy into our lives. Happy birthday, my love."

Overwhelmed with emotions, you scooped up the puppy into your arms, feeling its warmth against your chest. You showered the pup with gentle kisses, your heart swelling with love and gratitude for Austin's thoughtful surprise.

As you played with the puppy, Austin reached behind his back, revealing a bouquet of pink roses. Their delicate petals bloomed in an array of shades, releasing a sweet, captivating fragrance. He extended them towards you, his eyes filled with adoration.

"Because pink roses represent love and affection," Austin explained, his voice soft. "And I wanted to remind you of the love I feel for you every single day."

Tears streamed down your cheeks as you accepted the bouquet, feeling overwhelmed by the depth of Austin's love. You buried your face in the roses, inhaling their intoxicating scent, and turned to Austin, your voice filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Austin. This is the most incredible birthday surprise I could have ever imagined. I'm so grateful for you."

Austin wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a warm embrace. "You deserve every bit of love and happiness, my dear. I couldn't imagine my life without you, and I promise to cherish and love you, always."

They sat on the couch, the puppy nestled between the two of you, as you both spent the day reveling in each other's presence. Laughter filled the room, mingling with the sweet scent of roses, as you both created memories that would forever be etched inside your hearts forever.

As the day drew close to an end, you leaned your head against Austin's shoulder, with your fingers entwined with his. The puppy curled up your lap, finding comfort in your love. In that moment, the two of you realized the beauty of your connection, the immense joy you both found in each other's presence.

🩷🐶🩷🐶

[dino-boyo-agere]

This amazing art piece of my human OCs was made by @littledinosaursposts!!

It's the first ever art piece of these OC's, that are incredibly important to me & I'm absolutely in love with it!! <3

So, thank you again for bringing them to life!

I've been planning on telling y'all about them for a while, but it's so much lore and some of it is a little dark.. uh.. so anyways, here is a "tiny" summary..

Who is who on the picture:

Frank is the tall black man sitting on the floor, he is Chrisses best friend and future husband. In his lab is sitting Nate (yes, I choose the same name for me lols) . On the couch are sitting Nate's big Brother, Chris and Riv, who is Frank's child and Nate's best friend.

About the characters:

Frank - A 25 yo black man and single father of River (Riv). He became a dad at the age of 16, took full custody and raised his kid with the help of his mum. Rivs mother always wanted to be a career woman and Frank always wanted to have children. Frank is now a preschool teacher and LOVES children so much. He's autistic and likes how honest and direct they are, he is very good with children. He calls his kid "Muffin", Nate "pipsqueak" / "Pip" and Chris "Chrissy"/ "Love". He's an absolute rock for Chris and never fails to support him. He knows exactly how to handle a traumatized kid like Nate, since he was a child psychiatrist for a while.

Riv - is 8, goes by they/ them pronouns. Riv loves heavy metal and spending time with their dad. Together they often play video games, DnD or make music (Riv plays the drums and Frank the guitar, bass or piano.) Riv has a hard time connecting with their peers, they are also autistic. Frank did a really good job raising a very intelligent kid, emotionally and generally. Riv knows exactly what they want and are really good at communicating their needs. They share a lot of interests with Chris and the both of them often enjoy horror media or metal music, while Nate and Frank partake in calmer activities, like crafting. Nate is Rivs best friend and "sibby". Even though Riv is bodily younger, they feel like a big sibling, since Nate is permanently regressed and mostly stuck at ca. age 5.

Chris is the big (half) brother of Nate, he took his sibling in after the police removed him from the house of their father. He didn't know the kid existed, no one did (more of that later). He's 26 and trying his best to take care of this deeply traumatized kid. Frank is his neighbor and best friend.. and even though he thought he was straight, he's beginning to realize that he has a huge crush on him. Chris is very loving but a bit overbearing and overly cautious & overprotective with Nate. But Frank is pretty good at grounding him. Chris is trying his best at raising his traumatized sibling.

Nate - ❗Tw - mention of abüse & deäth❗ The police found him chained up in the basement when looking for drugs at the father's house. Any type of abuse one can imagine, he had to go through. His mother was found after he told the police "she sleep in roses." Her body was buried under a rose bush.❗Tw over❗

His left arm is amputated under the elbow and he has many scars. He's still a little underweight, but he's getting better. Nate is intersex and his gender is ambiguous. He has no construct of gender, so he doesn't care what pronouns ppl use for him. The kid has heterochromia, with his right eye the same shade of blue like his brothers eyes, and the left one a turquoise. He also got the same blue streak his Chris has, bc he wants to be like him. He is permaregressed, with his age moving between 3 and 13, depending on the day and possible triggers, tough he's mostly stuck at about 5. He's semi verbal and has selective mutism. His bio age is unknown, since there is no birth certificate. He loves his brother, he calls him "Kiss" because he has trouble pronouncing the name Chris and he calls Frank "Dad" because he keeps hearing his bestie Riv call him that. Nate is obsessed with dinosaurs and the kid would drop everything and anything for an apple.. he loves apples so much. That's because when he was found by the police, one of them gave him some apple slices, that was the first time Nate ever tasted anything sweet.

[fanficfish]

a couple of persona 4 headcanons

Just a list of my Persona 4/affiliated media headcanons (I really hope this doesn’t get buried lmfao…also before you ask no I don’t normally post persona I kinda got hooked through the Honkai SR fandom. What can I say, Yu’s very relatable about not wanting to upset and needing to protect the cute kid calling you “big bro”)

I have no idea what’s going on with the whole “Teddie lives with Yosuke” thing because I have literally searched up everything (don’t ask about my youtube watch history please) and here’s my take on it: Yosuke basically came home with a Teddie in tow, presented him as a guy with nowhere to go who was willing to work for his keep, stuffed him in his closet because the “spare bedroom” is his dad’s home office or something, and at some point the Hanamuras just accepted they have two sons now because how can you not like sweet, innocent, naive-but helpful Teddie? Also Yosuke played Teddie’s disappearance off as him being at Yu’s or something. I have no idea how that man pulled this off but it worked. (yes I”m a sucker for hanabros)

I still can’t decide which i prefer: Yu x Yosuke or Yu x Rise (I do like the idea that RIse grabbed Yu, flung him over her shoulder, and marched off into the sunset, though like…have you seen the Persona 4 partner dances???)

I’m actually kinda surprised Yu just goes back to wherever he came from for his third year, like just stay in Inaba for your last year of highschool? You already stayed a whole year. And he canonically has parents who are away a lot on business. But to make sense of this, I propose: He goes back only because the school he’s going to gives him a leg up into the uni he wants to go to (which is understandable. Inaba is a tiny rural town in the middle of nowhere, he’ll probably get some better connections in a city school or something). He definitely comes back on every holidays possible, and messages his friends so often that his new friends at his other school are just like “bro….please at least wear the right uniform….”

RIse’s idol group starts flinging around wild theories on what she did during her year-long break. It ranges from everything from hooking up with three different guys (they spied on her while she was doing a video call with the others (FaceTime apparently existed in 2012, which I kinda forgot about. I think the flip phones kinda just threw me off.)

Yukiko and Chie definitely get together. Have you seen those two? They’re definitely roommates, at the last.

At some point someone asks about Teddie’s bear costume, and Yosuke covers up by saying Kanji made some alterations to it. Kanji does not approve, and Yosuke is seen later running through Inaba with an angry Kanji on his heels.

Also that new outfit Teddie wears in the epilogue of Golden? That’s just Yosuke’s old stuff - Teddie still wears the first human clothes he ever got for fancy occasions, but between Yosuke and Chie they manage to talk him into regular stuff. 

And they definitely have a running joke where they introduce Teddie as an exchange student from France (with that bright blond hair and Ouran Host Club-esque style choices, it was bound to happen) whenever they meet someone new. Yosuke knows Teddie will play along anyways, but buys him sweet treats as a bribe anyways. They usually drop the act pretty quite, but it’s really funny for the Hanabros. Especially if Teddie is crossdressing, because that man totally kept his Alice outfit. 

Kanji, unfortunately for Yosuke, uses Teddie as a model whenever he decides to get creative. Yosuke is considering getting a second closet because Teddie shares most of Yosuke’s old stuff. Like clothes (Yosuke is the only one who has stuff in Teddie’s size, and Teddie’s growing a bit anyways), In the winter, Teddie regularly shows up to places wearing Yosuke’s sweaters and jackets, and Yosuke is just thankful that Kanji makes Teddie stuff like that in Yosuke’s size so both of them can wear it. 

TImeskip: Nanako moves to the city with Yu for highschool, so she can attend a more liberal-arts focussed school. Yu doesn’t mind (he’s like, 26 at this point, and probably works some kind of office job (he likes a bit of quiet in his life, after the chaos called his teenage years and having famous idol Rise Kujikawa as a mate) (and also he gets free Nanako time) and Dojima, finally taking more breaks from work, sometimes drops in to say hi and maybe buy dinner.

Yu also gets to shovel talk Nanko’s first boyfriend. Nanko has to spend half an hour reassuring him that Yu is actually in fact a really nice guy….and then turns around to see Yosuke and Rise waiting for their turn to shoveltalk. And while Yu is scary, having your girlfriend’s older brother’s brofriend and Risette staring you down was not a good follow up. Nanako is rightfully mortified, Yu does in fact bake apology cookies, and Yosuke and Risette manage to drag the couple into an impromptu dance session to ease the tension just a little after nearly scaring the poor kid half to death. (The poor kid is someone in the Phantom Theives, because I saw a really cool AU on AO3 and it lives rent-free in my head. And I like the idea of Nanako becoming a Phantom Thief because “it runs in the family, thanks a lot Yu >:l “

Naoto ends up taking Aketchi under her wing. Does she mind? I mean, to her he’s not entirely horrible. Is she pleased with his actions? …that’s debatable

Inaba becomes known for having great weather. Except for the one time Marie catches a bug going around the town, that ends up behind a horrible mid-January snowstorm. .

Those are the ones I have right now. I’m still working my way through everything (HSR is taking over my brain, I love the Astral Express crew dynamic-)

(also I'm really disappointed we didn't get human Teddie dancing with the others. I need that boost of serotine of watching Yosuke and human Teddie try to dance together.)

[doorrobloxstuff]

Gay Lizard Acupuncture.

Bury me low and bury me with Ambush pictures

The formatting is super fucked up I am so sorry

Also Seek is trying SO BAD NOT TO SHOW..ANYTHING.. The strength not to kiss Lizard is immense. The strength author trying not make them kiss is also required immense willpower.

Figure also can’t really talk “normally” due to the sheer volume of shit that’s slowly making its way into its mouth.

That weird mind connection thing between Seek and Figgy they also had due to Seek constantly chilling in/on its body is also severed due to how long they were apart.

It can however do a bit of Morse which Seek understands well enough.

—-

In a large cave, a small waterfall cascaded and flowed into a tiny stream that split the cavern in two. Crystals glowed and vines that just as luminously shined a gorgeous blue all across the cave.

It was also infested with thousands of eyes. Blinking. Staring. Watching. All of them belonged to a dark humanoid creature with four arms. Eyes dotted themselves all over its arms and all across its collar. It held small needles in three of its hands, they seemed locked in concentration.

Beneath it lay a large being still small compared to the vast ocean of inky blackness it’s companion was made up of. It’s skin agonizingly jutted outwards in rocky pieces. It’s ribs too, had small spiny rocks jutting out of them.

It lay flat on its hard stomach. Completely still. The only sign of life being the labored rasps it made.

Seek once more pushed another pin into Figure’s tail. Carefully examining the many, many..thousands perhaps of cracks within the structure of its hardened skin.

Seek would be more fascinated..if it wasn’t actively turning Figure into a living statue.

Seek traced a finger from its tail to the back of its head.

All along its lower back..all the way down to its legs..completely impenetrable..

“Pure stone.” It murmured. “If you can even call it that..” Was it stone?

Perhaps it was some sort of keratin armor skin..gone horribly awry.. maybe it was skin that simply never shed..?

Perhaps it could be removed..? Able to be shaved off even?

Seek twirled the needle in its bottom left hand.

It also began to consider..other possibilities..more unpleasant ones..

It traced a finger slightly downwards before putting in another needle. This one near the base of its tail.

What if this was some form of malignant cancer..? Or perhaps even something somehow more horrible then that..? Seek silently cursed itself for lack of familiarity or progress on what could be killing Figure.

A city’s worth of knowledge it had at its disposal… it had wasted countless decades reading utterly useless romance novels and human mythology when it could’ve prepared itself for a situation like this!

It moved its hand back towards the nape of Figure’s head.

For now.. it was just going to play it safe..treat it like the chronic illness it is..mitigate the pain..maintain some sense of normalcy..with what medical knowledge it did have..

It carefully pushed two small cracks apart and managed to carefully guide another pin into it’s dusty flesh.

It backed away, giving the needles time to settle in Figure’s muscles.

It settled on a nearby mossy slab of cave rock.

Taking its time to relax and unwind a little into its thoughts as it watched Figure’s pained rasps begin to subside little by little.

Human mythology..

it remembered a story from one of the countless books it read in its city.

Between tales of silly giant wooden creatures used to deceive people to long epics of adventures long ago..one story stood out to it in its memories.

The tale of a human man who found the women of his kind too flawed for himself so as a result.. he sculpted a bride from ivory and fell in love with his creation. Loving no other thing but her.

The cave’s temperature seemed a bit more humid.

Then..during the holiday of one of his gods. He prayed that he may find a woman as beautiful as the ivory statue he had made.

And in doing so.. a goddess answered his prayers.

Once the sculptor returned home to his studio and kissed his ivory statue..he found her lips warm and his ivory lover alive.

Seek found the story amusing at the time.

Silly human.

Imagine being so egotistical that you reject your own kind and fall In love with a stupid statue! How preposterous! How pathetic! How amusing! How..below it..

It watched Figure stir. It was silent now. The rasping and cries had long since vanished.

Had it fallen asleep..?

More importantly, why did it care? Figure was certainly no Galatea and certainly not…after..everything..after.. Seek Felt a small wave of emotion coming. Something it couldn’t describe.

A mixture of anger and frustration tainted with..that made seek deeply uncomfortable.

It crawled into Seek’s chest and choked its way into its throat.

Silly Seek. Foolish Seek even.

It gripped the moss it sat upon.

Don’t be feeling that now. Now. Now. Just NOT now. Not here, not with it. NOT NOW!

Emotion clouds your judgement! You make stupid, rash decisions! That’s not very godlike of it! Anger, resentment, Grief..perhaps something else even..whatever it felt!

NOT HERE. NOT NOW.

The cave got more humid. Some of its eyes were reddened. Just until it can back to the city.. just not now.. please..Don’t let it feel anything now.. It tucked its face into its hands.

Figure whimpered softly before it opened its jaw a tad and let out a sharp sigh that made its companion a bit startled.

It formed a hand from a nearby wall and carefully lifted its head to address the other exhausted entity.

“You’re awake early…another nightmare I presume..?” It said cooly, its voice echoed across the cavernous room and cascading back with the intent to soothe.

Figure could really only nod before releasing a distorted trill that made Seek snort.

“No Figure, your in a cave, remember..? The needles?”

Figure trilled again. Seek looked almost insulted.

“I am not using you as a ‘pincushion!’ These needles SERVE a purpose and humans traditionally use them to minimize pain and discomfort-“

Seek carefully lifted Figure’s head to get a better look beneath its neckline.

Figure suddenly hissed and jerked its head to snap at Seek before it heard an audible snap and let out a groan of pain.

“… Something of which.. you have plenty of…”

Seek carefully began to pull pins out. Starting with the back of Figure’s head and going downwards.

Figure after awhile hesitantly trilled again. This trill was low and long.

“..Ah, no. It’s fine. Very little can hurt me physically..” Seek grumbled.

Figure released another trill. This one still morose but a tad softer.

“..Ah, Screech and…our…eldest..? They live outside my city, in fact..I saw them just last week. They’re completely fine and Snare still lives with me.”

’Our’ eldest..it felt foreign in the air as it lingered.

Figure lowered its head. Getting comfortable before letting out a more a..teasing trill.

“Yes Figure, MY city.” Seek announced proudly and gesturing to its chest while it plucked out another needle and twirling said needle with a bit of gusto.

Figure another long skeptical trill that made Seek go silent. Figure continued to trill as it went further into explaining its point.

“That’s..not how it works. It’s not Snare’s city too. Just mine. I literally live in every inch of it..”

Figure trilled again, this time it was a bit more throaty and louder.

“N-NINETY NINE PERCENT!??!” Seek screeched much to Figure’s delight.

The blind entity laughed with its stomach before letting out a soft wheeze of pain coupled with a weaker trill.

It stayed silent for a few seconds as Seek murmured something obscene under its breath..then after a moment, Seek began to slowly slide the needles out of Figure.

Figure made a curious trill..

“..Yes, there is books. There’s many..many books. Probably more then you’ve ever seen in your lifetime..even more then the ones you’ve seen at the hotel..”

Figure trilled again in obvious interest.

“..I suppose I could bring you some in braille or maybe I could..give you directions there..” Seek’s voice edged with uncertainty.

The room grew a tad humid once more as Figure tilted its head slightly as though trying to decipher Seek’s intention, whatever that may be.

Seek tentatively pulled out a few more needles in silence.

Figure slowly tested its mouth, before hissing in pain and and closing its scarred muzzle. A soft whimper of pain filled the air.

Seek’s eye narrowed and it slowly strode over to the front of Figure’s mouth.

“Open, please.”

Figure growled and turned its head away.

Seek crossed its arms and muttered something under its breath. “Really now..? I’m just trying to help you, it’s the least you can do..”

Figure whined softly and made a weak trill that made Seek roll its eye.

“..I’m just looking. Now open it up.”

Slowly, Figure peeled its mouth open, congealed blood, saliva and pieces of rock slowly tumbled downwards from its gaping maw. Pus dripped at the sides of Figure’s gums and pieces of rock cut into its tongue.

Seek only needed a glance at the repulsive mess of blood and rocks that permeated Figure’s mouth in stern, sterile silence. “..Alright, you can close it now.”

It said while forcing its eyes away. Figure quickly shut its mouth and laid its head back down.

As Seek pulled out three more needles. It wordlessly did so with precision and much more accuracy then the last whilst observing the silent Figure on the ground.

After awhile, Figure slowly raised its snout to the air. Feeling the changes in the air. Listening to the sound of the waterfall rippling. The tiny snaps of its flytraps. The soft sound of worms digging in nearby dirt. The gentle tinkling of crystals. The puissant buzzing of Seek’s ever-expanding energy field and the blinking of its many eyes.

It made a distorted trill.

A short question that made Seek shiver.

It took out two more pins silently.

The final pin being the first one it placed within the base of Figure’s tail.

It turned away.

“I won’t let that come even close to fruition. If necessary..I’ll..give you some of my mass.”

It pulled out the final pin and set it aside with the rest.

Pulling itself away to observe Figure. Of whom, shuffled a little before slowly getting up and stretched its legs.

Feeling significantly in less pain then before turning its head towards Seek and trilled softly.

“That means nothing. I’ll be returning tomorrow with something to remedy-“ Seek shivered in revulsion.

“…whatever happened to the festering wound that is the interior of your mouth.”

Figure made a trill of frustration, but Seek was already making its departure. Its eyes locked towards the exit.

“..Enough. Goodnight Figure.”

And soon, Figure was alone again.

It shambled over to its nest, pressing it’s muzzle into its soft mossy surface and quietly wept.

——————————————————————————-

I attempted to stay subtle.

[kendsleyauthor]

oki doki, after a bunch of breaks but still an obsessed spree, I'm done binging the Shot in the Dark Masterpost!!!!

Ofc I have a million things to say but let me just tell you I was so hooked and mad abt the fact that there were so many prompts and stories that I never stumbled upon cos they were buried under all your other posts, and MAN, I am severely addicted. To Cliff especially he's the loml I would literally die for him.

Crazy in Love had a GRIP on me. The romance was amazing, the angst, AND UGH JON LOSING HIMSELF MADE ME LOSE MYSELF LIKE UGH READING THAT CAUSED ME SO MUCH PAIN AND TENSION AND I WAS LIKE YES SYLVIA YOU GOTTA TELL CLIFF and I was genuinely so scared for her at the same time, like once again, y'all do emotion, so, damn, well.

Lost and Found was also really really good and it gave me much better context about the world and backstory considering I haven't read the books yet, but if I had to introduce a friend to the universe it would probably be through this. It really highlighted the platonic relationship with Cliff and Sylv and the angst at the end is still fresh in my mind even though I read it like two weeks ago and a million other stuff?? And duh, Jon and Sylv being literally the most delicious romance I've ever read. MAN. THEY CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER SO MUCH THAT IT HURTTTTSSSS WHYYYY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME AJHBSJHBJVBHDV

Out of the prompts I think the ones that really stuck with me are probably any of the ones that had to do with the siren fairy- like man. Any time Sylv has to against one or BOTH of her boys just kills me. I cannot. I am addicted LOL

also Cliff constantly rejecting Sylvia when she wants to heal him is so like. I love how it's clearly something that happens a LOT and it just connects them better. Like. Cmon buddy. Ik. But let her heal you like come onnnnnn. but then at the same time im like SYLV IT'S FINE JUST LEAVE HIM BE. BUt no. SHe can't. and i'm so happy that she doesn't.

Pocket Nap! IS ALSO AN ADDICTION, I AM ADDICTED TO IT THE WAY I'M ADDICTED TO TEDDY BEAR WITH XANDER AND GRAYSON. Something about sleepy prompts just gets me, you know?

overall that was amazing and I love them more then I ever have before and yeah!! Ik i haven't rlly been active but TRUST me I still come to you and Mary's pages almost every single day and yes!!!!!! so so sorry this ask got way longer then I thought it would !!! love ya!!!

AWWWW omg this made me night!! I am so happy I put together that masterlist of Shot stories, since it made it easier for you to look through them all!

Sylv's relationship with the boys fuels my happiness so much! Jon and Sylv are SUCH a comfort couple, and the sibling vibes between Cliff and Sylv make my heart GLOW ✨ Her demand for pocket naps is so valid. And the healing argument literally kicks off in the rewrite of the first book--just finished editing a bit of that 😭

Gosh I would love to revisit the siren fairy idea at some point. I'm a sucker for making tinies terrified of giants they trust wholeheartedly LOL. Sylv having to use magic against Jon and Cliff is so heart-wrenching and I need moreee 😩

Thank you so much for this sweet feedback!!

@marydublinauthor 🌸

[antirepurp]

The apparent reason why the name Sinnoh stuck over Hisui is actually sad. There's hints that in the 200 hundred years between PLA and D/P/Pl, a massive region changing catastrophe happen changed the way the way the region was shaped, made all the region exclusive Pokémon go extinct and buried alot of the one text with it all. And most of the stuff known about Hisui comes from what Galaxy wrote down since they wrote home about it.

Hisui had a massive clan war that wiped out most of the people living there, had colonisers invade them and started putting their own spin on Hisui culture AND THEN was nearly wiped off of the planet with the tiny amount of their culture remained either buried over time or warped.

Game freak reeeally likes to dunk on Hisui.

wild if true, tho im not sure where that information is sourced from bc i couldn't find really anything related to this from my skim of bulbapedia's hisui/sinnoh articles. i did find a mention of the celestica people who supposedly were the original inhabitants of the region with diamond and pearl clan also being settlers from elsewhere, which is also wild bc the game barely mentions celestica people until i guess maybe the post-game (idk i just started it and my reading comprehension wasn't up to par tonight), and also that puts both clans in another strange position where i have to question how they started worshipping dialga and palkia in the first place. were they involved in the celestica people vanishing or whatever and only got some rudimentary info of their beliefs before this happened, or did they scramble together an equally rudimentary understanding of the region's deities based on ruins and other scraps of information that survived? how long have they lived in hisui by legends, are we talking about a few generations at best or have they been around for centuries to the point they might as well be considered hisuian natives? i think this is a bit off topic tho

i suppose a natural disaster of sorts would reasonably explain how entire species of pokemon would not exist in the present day, and would be significantly easier of a topic to tackle than something like colonizers hunting shit to extinction or the like. and people like the galaxy team would likely have connections to other regions, which in turn would help with the preservation of information, and should the diamond and pearl clans get nuked by some flavor of disaster the last resemblances of hisuian culture and scraps of information about ancient deities would be gone with them

somehow im getting like. immense minions movie vibes from the entire existence of legends arceus in the sense that they set out to tell a story that has historical tones but then had to awkwardly skip around the stuff that would've brought down the lighthearted intentions, it's just that pokemon got their hands dirty with colonizers and the erasure of a region's culture instead of war crimes and the holocaust

[stoopid-noah]

This amazing art piece of my human OCs was made by @/littledinosaursposts

It's the first ever art piece of these OC's, that are incredibly important to me & I'm absolutely in love with it!! <3

So, thank you again for bringing them to life!

I've been planning on telling y'all about them for a while, but it's so much lore and some of it is a little dark.. uh.. so anyways, here is a "tiny" summary..

Who is who on the picture:

Frank is the tall black man sitting on the floor, he is Chrisses best friend and future husband. In his lab is sitting Nate (yes, I choose the same name for me lols) . On the couch are sitting Nate's big Brother, Chris and Riv, who is Frank's child and Nate's best friend.

About the characters:

Frank - A 25 yo black man and single father of River (Riv). He became a dad at the age of 16, took full custody and raised his kid with the help of his mum. Rivs mother always wanted to be a career woman and Frank always wanted to have children. Frank is now a preschool teacher and LOVES children so much. He's autistic and likes how honest and direct they are, he is very good with children. He calls his kid "Muffin", Nate "pipsqueak" / "Pip" and Chris "Chrissy"/ "Love". He's an absolute rock for Chris and never fails to support him. He knows exactly how to handle a traumatized kid like Nate, since he was a child psychiatrist for a while.

Riv - is 8, goes by they/ them pronouns. Riv loves heavy metal and spending time with their dad. Together they often play video games, DnD or make music (Riv plays the drums and Frank the guitar, bass or piano.) Riv has a hard time connecting with their peers, they are also autistic. Frank did a really good job raising a very intelligent kid, emotionally and generally. Riv knows exactly what they want and are really good at communicating their needs. They share a lot of interests with Chris and the both of them often enjoy horror media or metal music, while Nate and Frank partake in calmer activities, like crafting. Nate is Rivs best friend and "sibby". Even though Riv is bodily younger, they feel like a big sibling, since Nate is permanently regressed and mostly stuck at ca. age 5.

Chris is the big (half) brother of Nate, he took his sibling in after the police removed him from the house of their father. He didn't know the kid existed, no one did (more of that later). He's 26 and trying his best to take care of this deeply traumatized kid. Frank is his neighbor and best friend.. and even though he thought he was straight, he's beginning to realize that he has a huge crush on him. Chris is very loving but a bit overbearing and overly cautious & overprotective with Nate. But Frank is pretty good at grounding him. Chris is trying his best at raising his traumatized sibling.

Nate - ❗Tw - mention of abuse & death❗ The police found him chained up in the basement when looking for drugs at the father's house. Any type of abuse one can imagine, he had to go through. His mother was found after he told the police "she sleep in roses." Her body was buried under a rose bush.❗Tw over❗

His left arm is amputated under the elbow and he has many scars. He's still a little underweight, but he's getting better. Nate is intersex and his gender is ambiguous. He has no construct of gender, so he doesn't care what pronouns people use for him. The kid has heterochromia, with his right eye the same shade of blue like his brothers eyes, and the left one a turquoise. He also got the same blue streak his Chris has, bc he wants to be like him. He is perma-regressed, with his age moving between 3 and 13, depending on the day and possible triggers, tough he's mostly stuck at about 5. He's semi verbal and has selective mutism. His bio age is unknown, since there is no birth certificate. He loves his brother, he calls him "Kiss" because he has trouble pronouncing the name Chris and he calls Frank "Dad" because he keeps hearing his bestie Riv call him that. Nate is obsessed with dinosaurs and the kid would drop everything and anything for an apple.. he loves apples so much. That's because when he was found by the police, one of them gave him some apple slices, that was the first time Nate ever tasted anything sweet.

some more pictures:

I drew Nate and an Instagram friends (@/baby.anels.space) OC called Noah. Yes, I may have picked my name partially bc of my OC, leave me be.. Also their OC has my other first name, so it was destiny!

This was an ych from @/baby.anels.space on Instagram!!