#and so the error will persist until the end of time

[daily-roland]

also i apparently forgot how to count and titled day 4 as day 5. wonderful

[jo-com]

₊˚.🎧 ✩｡☕ ➛ So this is love?

Max Verstappen x Fem!Sainz reader

Summary: The man who always put racing above anything else; not even caring or investing about others because he thinks it’s a waste of time—What did you do to him to make him change his mind?

Genre: Cold!Max x Persistent!reader

Note: Grammatical errors and this is not proofread!! Enjoy thoo

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ➛ My Masterlist

─────── ─ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱₊˚💕 ─ ───────

Max stared blankly at his mates as he tuned out the noises that they spoke. His eyes narrowed and brows knitted in a frown— obviously not invested in their conversation.

“Yeah, she’ll be coming here, so be nice guys” Carlos spoke,his tone laced with a warning, glaring back at other drivers who he thinks will scare you off.

And of course he was staring directly at max.

Max cocked a brow,“What?”,he was clearly not listening to them, so why the hell are they looking at him?

The other driver rolled his eyes, “i said don’t be batshit crazy and be nice to my sister”.

“Crazy?” Max scoffed, “i don't even give a damn about her, so why do i have to be nice?.”

The room then fell quiet at his words; no one even muttered a single sound as the heavy atmosphere intoxicated them—awkwardness spreading across the drivers as they stare back and forth at each other.

For a whole five minutes, none of them had the courage to speak up and end the insufferable silence.

Not until Charles let out a scrappy cough, making the others sigh in relief from his boldness.

“Carlos didn’t mean it like that, he meant that you should just be a little nice, his sister's pretty sensitive, you see” Charles exclaimed, his voice shaking from the previous tension.

Max tutted in response, mumbling a low ‘whatever’ before standing up and leaving the Ferrari garage.

…

It was finally the day of your arrival, everybody were excited to meet the you… well almost everybody.

Max just slumped in the corner, his body leaning against the wall with his usual scowling face— avoiding others that tries to converse with him.

He was minding his own business and letting his mind wander off.

What’s so special about her that people kept fussing over her.

His train of thought quickly got interrupted as people swarmed the front door, their voices echoing and colliding with one another making a god awful sound.

He rolled his eyes with judgement as he stared abruptly at the doorframe— not even bothering to check or give the slightest interest on you.

But as you walked closer to his eye range, his breath seemed to hitch and his jaw slowly hung opened.

He doesn’t know how or why, but as soon as his eyes met yours it felt like his world suddenly turned in slowmo and all the others that surrounded you, now disappeared— it was like there were only the two of you.

Max never felt something like this before, it’s a weird and uncomfortable feeling. How the hell do you make it stop?

His once cold and composed look now turned into a love sick fool expression.

“Hey man you okay?” Logan asked, his tone dripped with pure concern over his fellow driver.

Max suddenly jumped from Logan’s presence. He never even saw that he came and leaned besides him. It was so unusual for him to be that unattentive.

Max lets out an awkward cough, “yeah, i am good, just looking like everyone else.”

“Looking? Dude you look like you want to get down on your knees for her” the other joked, easing up to max.

But to him it wasn’t a joke, he was conflicted on why he looked like that and was it obvious to everyone?. What the actual fuck is happening to him.

He then raised his hand and gently lay it to his forehead to check whether or not he has a fever. Damn no fever.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Logan responded, his eyes curled into a soft concern gaze.

Max didn’t answer and flickered his eyes back to yours. His face suddenly heats up as you stare back and smile at him. Your smile that was radiant like the sun and eyes soft like sky.

After that short and subtle interaction, he can’t seem to keep his focus and just let his thoughts wander off that lead to that moment.

…

“You’re max right?” You greeted, tugging the excess hair to your side and smiling softly at him. Having him a clear view of your angelic appearance.

Max could feel his whole face being flushed, god he wishes you don’t notice, “uhm yeah” he spoke, his tone that was always high and mighty now turned into a low and shy ones.

You hummed in response and puckered your lips with a pop, “well I’ve been seeing you all day and you’re always avoiding me, is there something wrong?”

Max’s eyes widened, “no..i-uhm there’s-“ he stuttered; trying to find the right words but nothing came out right.

You examined his actions and then let out a few giggles at his antics. You didn’t understand why they call him mean, to you he was just adorable.

…

After that day, the two of you often hang out with each other and would hear whispers and murmurs about you guys, but always brushed it off and ignore people.

“Here try this max” you beamed, handing him the mango that you were holding— smiling from ear to ear as you share your favorite fruit to someone speacial. You loved mango, i mean how could you not? It’s tasty and delicious.

He gave you a look of uncertainty, he never liked mango, it’s weird looking and nothing will ever change his mind about it, even you.

But maybe one bite won’t hurt.

“Haha sure” he replied, taking the fruit from your hand and gently taking a bite out of it. He then gulped it down his throat and stared back at you— your eyes sparkled with joy and excitement, as you await for his response.

“It’s alright” he answered, giving you a thumbs up to which you retorted with a happy clap.

“Thank god you like it, I wasn’t sure whether or not you’d like one of my favorite fruits”

Hmm maybe mangoes aren’t that bad.

…

It didn’t take long before max realized how inlove he was with you and as soon as he did, he asked to court you.

Of course you agreed to it, you as well fell for him but you also wanted to get the approval of both your parents and brother.

That’s why Max took it upon himself to make your parents like him, though he knew that the real obstacle was Carlos.

“So, you’re telling me that you want to date my sister?” Carlos asked, his voice dripped with sarcasm and anger.

Max smiled nonchalantly, “yes”

“You want to date her with that attitude?” Carlos spat, his teeth gritted with each word.

“Yes” he answered again bluntly.

He was getting on Carlos nerves and you could tell.

“Haha uhm Max can you come here for a sec?” You laughed dryly, grabbing Max’s sleeves and dragging him to the side.

“What did we talk about? I told you to be nice” you scolded, rubbing the bridge of your nose to ease your stress.

“I was being nice” max grumbled, his brows knitted in a frown out of habit.

Unbeknownst to them, Carlos was in the sidelines listening, laughing silently at his fellow driver, ‘hehe he’s done for, he never admits his mistake and apologize’ he thought.

“Sorry, I’ll try okay?” Max mumbled, making you smile and kiss his cheeks in response.

Carlo’s jaw dropped, What the fuck, why was THE max verstappen apologizing, is this real??

The two of them came back hand in hand and faced Carlos once again.

“I am sorry for being rude, and yes i am dating her so please approve”.

Carlos was still in shock, never in his life had he seen Max act like a puppy and apologize to anyone.

“No uhm it’s okay we’re good” he replied, his voice shaky from disbelief.

So that’s what max is like when inlove. Damn he’s like a lost puppy.

…

Sorry for not uploading too much🥹🥹 I’ve been busy but i hope you enjoyed this!!💋

[stardust-kenobi]

The Wrong Ingredient

Severus Snape x Fem!Reader

Summary: As a teaching assistant at Hogwarts, working on creating a new calming draught seemed to be a straightforward task. However, when you accidentally use the wrong ingredient, Professor Snape is more than willing to help alleviate the effects.

Word count: 4k

Warning: smut, fingering, piv, sex pollen (my fav), sort-of teacher/student relationship (reader is 2 years post graduation), mild DUB CON

A/N: Apologies to my followers who are not interested in Harry Potter content. This is my first (and potentially only) fic I am writing for Harry Potter, I just have had an insane infatuation with Severus Snape this week and I just had to write this to get it off my mind lol. Feel free to disregard :)

Read on AO3

The roaring of the snowstorm grew louder by the moment as you tried so desperately to focus on perfecting the potions assignment for the Professor. You were distracted by the storm, entranced by the blanket of white that coated the roof and distant hills. With the halls of Hogwarts empty for the Holiday break, you felt an even deeper appreciation for the warmth and coziness inside the castle.

As a recent graduate of Hogwarts who was now assigned to be a teaching assistant in your second year after graduation, part of your job was helping the professors with their lesson plans. Even if that meant sacrificing part of your holiday break spending the day alone…with Professor Snape. Persistent footsteps approached you, entering the classroom, followed by the sound of a slamming door. You jolted in your seat. 

“Any progress?” Professor Snape asked blankly.

During your studies at Hogwarts, you were always fond of Professor Snape. He was cold and stern, something that usually would have made you weary of a person, but there was something about his demeanor and the way he cared for you that created a soft spot for him in your heart. You had to admit, though, he was hard to talk to at times. He was not a man for many words, so even though you enjoyed him as a professor, there was a bit of unexpected tension being alone with him. You could not deny, though, that you found him to be extremely attractive. 

You sighed and hesitated to look back at him. Snape will be disappointed in your response. 

“Unfortunately, no” you breathed. 

“Pity” He scoffed, but ended with the faintest smirk. He was hard on you the same as he was when he was your professor, but he made some fun of it every now and then.

“Sorry, Professor Snape. I just don’t think these ingredients will work” 

“It’s experimental, Y/N, we won’t know until it is done” He shrugged. 

You were working on a high-intensity calming draught. A harmless potion that many wizards and witches could find great use in, especially during high-stress situations. The ingredients were simple, but they just didn’t make sense to you. 

Lavender, crocodile heart, rose petals, and peppermint. 

You read the list back to yourself several times. You weren’t getting the reaction you’d hoped for inside the simmering pot, and the ingredients weren’t behaving as you’d expected as you followed the procedure you were familiar with.

“Sometimes the best way to test potions is to try them yourself” Snape spoke with a condescending tone as he noticed your hesitation. 

“Are you suggesting I just drink this myself and see if it works?” You reiterated and trailed with a light chuckle.

“If you won’t, I will” He shrugged and smirked back at you from across the room. Professor Snape was professional, of course, but he was right. Sometimes trial and error is the quickest way to test potions. The ingredients were simple, so the chance of them causing any harm was…potentially slim. 

The day was long and you had grown tired of staring into the stirring liquid.

Fine, you thought, what is the worst that could happen?

You poured the purple-hued brew into the glass in front of you. Without thinking too much more about it, you threw back the potion, letting it trickle down your throat. It was potent, minty, and slightly earthy. Not the worst potion you’d tasted…but not the best either.

Your face twisted in uncertainty for the flavor.

Snape held his eyes to the book in front of him as he sat at his desk across the room. He was wildly uninterested in the reaction or the success of the potion you’d brewed. He had more important things to handle, and an experimental calming draught for a future lesson plan was low on his priority list, so of course, that means you were the one to take on the task.

You waited for a reaction.

And waited.

Nothing. You felt nothing. 

Just before you were going to give up and accept the defeat, you actually began to feel something. It was warm and fuzzy, laced in your veins and flowed slowly up your arms. 

Perhaps this is the beginning of the calming effects, you thought. 

The warmth felt funny as it seeped deeper into your bloodstream. Before you knew it, each of your extremities flowed hot with its calming effects. But there was something else. Something you’d never felt from a potion before. A tingling and most desperate sensation found its way between your legs. 

“P-Professor?” You struggled to call out to him, suddenly weary of how you were beginning to feel. You swallowed hard. 

“Yes, Y/N?” He called back, his eyes still glued to the book.

“Are there any…similar potions that I could have accidentally created instead of the calming draught?”

He looked up suddenly. 

“No, there is-....” Snape stopped mid-sentence, setting the book down gently, “Well perhaps, but you would know the difference between peppermint and spearmint”

You looked down at the extra green leaves that remained unused near the pot. You had collected this from a different area of the field than normal, but it smelled and looked like peppermint, so you did not think twice about it. However, now that he questions it, you worry it was, indeed, something else. 

“Let's just say maybe I didn’t, though. If I accidentally used spearmint, what would that mean?” You countered nervously.

His eyes grew wide for a moment. 

“Show me the plant” He insisted. Snape quickly rose from his seat and walked over to your desk. 

You showed him the green leaves you believed to be peppermint. He towered over you.

“It's peppermint, right?” You asked wearily, looking up to him. His furrowed brows revealed his concern.

“No. This is certainly spearmint” He pressed his lips tightly together and twisted the stem between his fingers. 

Your heart sank. What had you done?

“What… what did I brew, then?” You asked cautiously. 

Snape appeared more worrisome and now even a bit uncomfortable. 

“What do you feel?” He asked slowly and cautiously rather than answering your question.

You were hesitant to tell the truth and he could sense it. 

“I feel very warm… and quite…um” You trailed off as you felt your heart beating a hundred miles an hour. Suddenly you felt a raging sense of attraction to his natural musk and cologne. God, was he always so breathtaking?

“Aroused?” He questioned. 

“Yes”. You squeezed your eyes shut. Your cheeks rushed with blood as your response was trailed by a muffled moan. You were embarrassed to admit feeling this way in front of Professor Snape, but there was nothing you could do to stop it. And to hear your professor of many years, and now your colleague, ask you if you felt any sense of sexual arousal made you excited, too. 

“I feared as much” He turned away slowly, bringing his hand to cover his mouth. 

“Professor wha-”

“Quiet. Give me a moment to think” Snape demanded. He paced the room slowly. 

It grew more intense with each passing second. The tingling created a sensitivity upon the surface of your skin. You grazed your arm with your fingertips and chills shot down your spine. 

You clenched your thighs together as your arousal intensified. The professor turned around at this same moment, and let his eyes catch sight of your discomfort. 

He looks good today, you thought to yourself. His jet-black hair fell so beautifully atop his shoulders, and his dark attire somehow never looked better than it did right now with the way it draped down the length of his body. 

“You’ve created something that many have experimented with in the past, but… it's not well documented. It’s dangerous. Think similar to a love potion, however��much more potent” Snape explained, ending his pacing right at your desk once again. His emphasis toward the end was all you needed to hear.  You could tell he was attempting to maintain his composure but you could also sense he was on edge.

“Oh, God” You cried, lowering your head to look down at your feet, “What do I do, Professor?” You begged. Your fists clenched the edges of the table. You needed a release. Or an antidote. “What is the recipe for the antidote?” 

Truly, you wanted the release. Your staff dormitory was nearby, just right down the hall, you could take care of this quickly. Snape looked around, ensuring you were both alone, then used a quick flick of his wand to close the shutters on the windows. It was dimly lit in the classroom now with only the light of many candles illuminating each corner of the room. It was…romantic. Most everyone in the castle was gone. Any remaining professors were locked away in their offices, and the students were well on their way home by now. 

“There isn’t one” He stated firmly. The warm amber luminescence glowed so beautifully upon his skin. 

The effects of the accidental potion were nearing unbearable, now. Every fiber of your being ached so desperately to be touched. 

“Fuck…I…I need” You breathed heavily, clenching your lower belly as your arousal pooled itself between your legs. Your cunt begged you for something…anything. You’d never cussed in front of Professor Snape before, but he could feel the urgency in your voice.

“You must relieve it” He snapped. Frustrated with the decision he knew was about to have to make.

“Severus…” You begged desperately, using his first name for the first time ever. You weren’t even sure what you were begging him for. 

“I must speak bluntly, Ms. Y/L/N, so listen carefully. You are no longer my student. I am not your professor. But this must happen in order to save you.” He began frantically, checking again to make sure the doors were locked. His clarification of your relationship with one another seemed to be more of a reminder for himself than for you. 

“Save me? Christ, will this kill me?” You cried out.

“Yes. If your body is not brought to orgasm several times, it will begin to affect the very core of your nervous system. There is no other way to stop it.” He explained. Hearing him talk about orgasms was unexpected but it aroused you.

Dammit, you thought, can’t he just fuck me? 

No. No matter how much you wanted him right now, you did not want to put him in that position. 

“Okay, I will…I will go back to my room now” You managed to say. He sighed in anticipation of what he would say next. 

“You can’t do it yourself” He began, his voice faltering as he failed to make eye contact with you, “It has to be another person”.

Snape knew exactly what had to be done. The moment he saw the spearmint you placed in his hand, he knew. 

Suddenly, your legs trembled beneath you and your knees buckled. As you felt yourself fall, Professor Snape quickly caught you. His arms wrapped beneath your arms and he lifted you up onto the desk. You whimpered in reaction to this contact against your skin. It was…electrifying, but you were running out of time. Your body was running hotter by the second. In a feeble attempt to cool yourself, you peeled the robe from your shoulder. 

“Please” You begged, gesturing to the fabric that held you hostage in your misery. 

“I-” Snape began, reaching to grab your robe. His eyes searched yours for uncertainty but found none. The expression he held revealed what he couldn’t say. He wanted you. He wanted to help in more ways than one. But no matter what he told himself, he couldn’t help but feel that it was wrong. 

While you squirmed on the table, you watched as Professor Snape eyed the remaining liquid in the cauldron. It was only a few drops, but it was enough to at least bring a man to his knees for a woman begging him to fuck her. But he didn’t need it in order to want you. Snape needed it to convince himself it wasn’t wrong. 

He breathed out heavily before pouring the few drops into the glass and throwing it back, getting as much as he possibly could. Snape winced at the flavor. 

“Professor…w-what are you doing?” You whimpered through your words. 

“We both took the potion. We thought it was a calming draught, and it wasn’t. And we did what we had to do to treat the effects” He responded quickly as if it was rehearsed. You knew what he was insinuating. If anyone found out, if anyone asked, that’s what happened. If Snape was under the effects of this potion too, he would need his release, same as you. With only a few drops, It would be less intense for him, so he could better handle himself. 

“If you’ll allow me, I will help you, my dear” He whispered as he came closer to you propped on the table, holding his face close to yours, speaking sensually against your lips. In one swift motion, he pulled the black robe off your shoulders, letting it rest on the table, leaving you in your sweater and mini skirt. 

Before you could even finish your nod of approval, the hem of your skirt was being pulled up frantically, followed by his wandering fingers that stopped just at the hem of your panties. You were practically dripping and he could feel it. 

“Oh darling” He groaned, standing between your open legs and pressing his lips against your ear. Every hair on your body stood up when he finally got this close to you, “You are so wet for me” 

You rolled your hips against his hovering fingertips. As you looked down, you faintly noticed the bulge that grew in his pants. You weren’t sure if it was the microdose of the potion, or how arousing it was to be in this situation with you, but it was a most intoxicating sight. You could feel the heat radiating from him and knew that he was fully under the effects of the potion. Not nearly as badly as you, but he was about to lose control.

“Professor Snape, I can’t take it anymore, please” You begged him. You needed something inside of you, now.

“Very well” He smirked subtly as he pulled the soaked fabric to the side and pressed his fingers flush against your clit before rubbing rhythmic circles. 

“Fuck!” You cried out and threw your head back, which was quickly caught by Snape’s hand. He held your head up to meet his gaze. The aching and burning persisted but were soothed slightly once his skin was upon yours. It was a surprise to be so reactive to the faintest of touch, but the angry fever burning your skin was electrified, enhancing every single one of your senses. 

“Look at me, Y/N. Oh, you sound so lovely” His voice was like honey as he talked you through your pleasure, admiring the sounds that flew from your lips.  

You locked your gaze with his and stared deep into him. 

It was overwhelming. All of it. The state of your writhing body. The way he looked towering over you. The feeling of his fingers on your delicate bud. Seeing him in such a vulnerable state, something you’d never thought you’d see in a million years. It was all so incredible and absolutely riveting. You thought you might be dreaming.

Snape’s thumb remained working at your clit while two fingers were suddenly pushed inside your cunt. Your walls clenched around his digits as he began pumping them in and out, curling them with every stroke. 

“You need to come. Come for me” He insisted, knowing that the first orgasm would help begin to subside your symptoms. You could’ve reached your high just from the sound of his voice alone, so you knew you were close already. 

Your mouth fell open as the tightest coil of nerves bundled at your core. Suddenly, without hardly any warning from your own body, your orgasm burst open, radiating and flowing through every fiber of your being. Stars danced in your eyes as the euphoria washed over you. Moaning and profanities filled the air, breathless and aggressive as it took you over. 

“That’s it, my love, just like that” He encouraged you through it, keeping his pace while he fucked you with his fingers. You curled your hips, riding his hand instinctively. You came down so slowly, feeling delirious but still hungry for more. More of him.

His cock was stiffened and strained in his trousers, begging to be released, but not until he ensured you were okay after your first high. You reached for the hem of his pants in desperation. 

“I need it” You struggled to form your words. 

“You need my cock? Is that what you need?” He whispered to you, watching your face twist in pleasure as his fingers curled harder with each thrust. 

“Please, Professor” You begged. There was something so hot about calling him that in this setting. He could never admit it, but he loved it, too. 

“As you wish”

He pulled his fingers from your pussy, leaving you empty and clenching around nothing. You whined at the loss.

He watched you struggle to remove your sweater and glided his hands up the side of your body to help pull it over your head, which revealed you wore no bra underneath. Snape growled lowly in approval of the sight. Your bare breasts glistened with sweat under the candlelight. He delicately trailed his fingers down the front of your body, circling your stiffened nipples along the way.

For the first time, he kissed you. His supple lips pressed firmly into yours, adding another layer of intimacy you were not expecting. You moaned into him, feeling his hands cup your burning cheeks as he pulled you into him. As you sat at the edge of the table with Snape positioned between your legs, you felt him shuffle with the clasp of his pants. 

Excitedly, you pulled away from the kiss to see his impressive length released from its restraints. Your thighs clenched together at the sight, which caused you to moan. You could see it on his face, he was burning with the same passion, but he was nervous. Maybe with less of the potency of your accidental creation, you would have had the luxury of anxiety, but not in this state. 

“Are you doing alright?” He asked you, one hand on the back of your neck, forcing your gaze onto him, and the other grasping the base of his cock, ready to give you exactly what you needed. What he needed. 

“More than alright” You breathed. 

“Good” He smiled back at you. You realized in this moment that he’d never fully smiled at you before, and it warmed your heart. 

Hurriedly, he yanked your panties off your body, throwing them to the ground. He pushed up your skirt, making sure it was out of the way. Ever-so-conveniently, the table was at his hips’ level, putting his cock at the perfect height.

He plunged into you, hard. A strangled, choked whimper caught in your throat as you felt overwhelmed with the fullness. Professor Snape sucked in a sharp breath, pleased with how you wrapped around his cock so perfectly. 

“Oh my God” You cried out as he began thrusting slowly, allowing you to adjust to him. It could not last long though, because Snape could feel the animalistic urges overcoming him. 

“Oh, fuck” He groaned deeply, staring down to where his cock disappeared inside of you. 

Something unraveled within Snape. His cautious demeanor was long gone. His brows furrowed into almost an angry expression as he snapped his hips passionately, fucking you hard and ruthlessly now. Your whole body tingled and spasmed in reaction to each thrust. His cock stretched you so wonderfully, and he was intoxicated by the way you took him. Like you were made for him. His hands gripped both sides of your waist, using your curves as leverage to go deeper. 

“You take my cock so well, darling” He praised, increasing his pace.

“It feels s-so fucking good, Professor. I’m going to come again, please…don’t s-s-stop” You stuttered, tripping over your own words as you felt drunk off the pleasure. With the rise of your next orgasm came the subsiding of the heat that coursed through your veins. 

“My pretty little whore, come on my cock” He growled, angling his hips at a deeper angle so that his cock brushed your most sensitive area with each thrust. 

It came over you again so suddenly, sending your body into a pleasurable convulsion. Snape pushed you backward, laying you flat on your back atop the table, and wrapped his fist around your throat. The pressure against your neck made your mind go fuzzy as you rode the high of your second orgasm. 

It felt…otherworldly. Like nothing you could’ve ever imagined. He faltered none in his thrusts as you floated through such indescribable euphoria. As you came back to what felt like reality, you opened your eyes to see Snape admiring you in your most vulnerable state, continuously taking his cock like you were made for it. 

Just one more. You only needed one more. You could feel it. One more orgasm would treat these effects. The only problem was, your body was weakening, and you weren’t sure if you could take it.

“One more, darling. Just one more” He breathed through his moans.

“I-I can’t” You cried. 

“You can. You must, Y/N.” He reminded you with encouragement, “Be a good girl and give me one more”

You nodded weakly. While he fucked you hard, he brought his fingers up to your swollen clit to bring you to your third release. You spasmed beneath his touch. It felt so good. Too good. You squirmed involuntarily, but Snape was not having it. He pulled his length out of you and quickly turned you around, bending you forward to press your face into the table. 

Before you could even process what was happening, he sunk himself back into you from behind and resumed his relentless thrusts. He could hold you down better in this position. He was more in control. 

Even quicker than the first two, your third orgasm unleashed itself upon your body. You writhed and cried out his name, mixed with other profanities as it washed over you. You had an unfamiliar feeling coiling in your lower belly. Before you knew it was even happening, you were squirting through your orgasm, something that had never happened before.  Snape groaned lowly in approval. 

This orgasm was followed by an icy flush that mixed with your blood, taking the burning sensation away completely. It was an ultimate feeling of relief. The pleasure was so intense, a stray tear trickled down your cheek.

“I am close” Professor Snape muttered.

“Come inside me, professor” You whimpered, sending him over the edge instantly.

His thrusts faltered and slowed as a warmth spilled deep inside your walls, coating your cunt completely. Snape bent over to press his chest into your back as he caught his breath. You both were slowly coming down from not only your release, but from the effects of the potion. You expected to feel shame or embarrassment, but neither occurred. 

He was careful pulling out of you, knowing how weak your legs probably were. You tried to catch your breath as he offered his hand, helping you to your seat near the table. 

Without another word, he helped you back into your sweater to allow you to regain your decency as soon as you could. It was hard to process what had just happened, but you truly did not regret even a single second of it. 

“I am sorry for what had to happen, Ms. Y/L/N” Professor Snape said as he kneeled down to look at you. His eyes looked sorrowful and full of guilt, like he blamed himself for what happened. It broke your heart to think he felt this way. You enjoyed this and you know he did too. 

You smiled and held a sleepy expression as you giggled and shook your head. 

“I’m not” You confidently responded.

The same smile you saw for the first time earlier returned to his lips.

“Good” He muttered. 

——-

Please forgive any canon inconsistencies. This was entirely self-indulgent lmaooo. Obviously this potion does not exist and I made it up based on actual calming draught ingredients!

[infamous-if]

The INFAMOUS PART 2 UPDATE is here!

Band Member Tier: NOVEMBER 22ND [POSTED]

Fan tier: NOVEMBER 27TH [POSTED]

PLAY THE DEMO HERE | BUG REPORT FORM

The demo is finally here! Part 2 clocks the demo at around 238.000 words. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that it's out. I can now go back to the prologue where I will begin rewriting/updating and just polishing everything before Chapter 3. To do that, I am asking for the favor of sending any and all bug reports in the entire demo to the google form. It's my makeshift method until I recruit beta testers, which will be happening some time during my rewrite.

It's best if you start from the beginning (i'm sorry). The errors from the demo are still there since I figured rewriting will fix that anyway, and there is one persistent error that I decided to just add a temporary choice near the end just for those who want to see the scene if, for some reason, the variables don't set.

✮ Part 2 is 60K words and it is NOT its own chapter, which means it does not have a full chapter arc. It's the second part of the chapter so it would help to read it as such. With part 2, Chapter 2 will complete at 144,000 words.

✮ What to expect:

Write and prepare for your first performance.

Be forced to stage a scene *ahem.*

Attend an episode viewing party.

See a familiar face!

Come to terms with the fact that maybe fame isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

I hope you enjoy the update :)

[dawnagustd]

hours || jjk

⇝ title: hours ⇝ pairing: jungkook x f!reader ⇝ genre: humor, i think? | neighbors to lovers | smut | implied unestablished relationship to established relationship ⇝ summary: You walk across the hall and visit your neighbor Jungkook every Wednesday to drink, chill, sing some karaoke… watch some Netflix. But you always end up wobbling back to your apartment after hours of doing all kind of unholy things. Not tonight. ⇝ rating: 18+ ⇝ word count: 3k ⇝ warnings: alcohol consumption | strong language | they’re both kind of bratty but cute | mentions birth control | pussy eating | edging | fingering | unprotected sex | pull out method | cervix touching/bulging | jungkook has a lip piercing and a septum piercing | uhh he puts his nose in her coochie lol | light tit slapping | teasing | throat grabbing | dirty talk | hairstyling (wink, wink) | missionary | cum shots | squirting | slight dom!jk | nipple sucking | breath play | crying | ass worshiping | aftercare | bam makes an appearance | naked jk… yes this is a warning and you will see why | i brought up BTR, i need to apologize immediately for that | discussions about relationships | i think that’s all

⇝ author’s note: she’s here, bitches!!!! lol thank you @m1sss1mp​ and @monvante​ for putting posters of this man all over my blog. this fic is for the both of you. thank you so much for holding my hand through it all. thank you @baljinciaga​ for beta’ing and screaming in the comments because you gave me the confidence to post this lol. listen, i’m rusty with the smut y’all so i apologize if it’s a mess. anyway, i hope you enjoy. this has been beta’d but there’s still probably some errors since i changed some things after it was beta read.

masterlist | permanent taglist form | read on ao3

drabbles: the unholy drabble | nails drabble | keeps

“So are you spending the night or…?”

Jungkook props himself on his elbow so he can see you. He uses his fingers to comb some hair away from his face, revealing his flushed cheeks and a horseshoe septum piercing. Ask yourself how many rounds you’ve gone, and you wouldn’t be able to give an accurate answer.

You came over at six, had a beer, did some karaoke, showed him some shit you learned in twerk class, and as some as the Netflix intro came through the tv speakers, your clothes were scattered all over his apartment and your ass was in the air while Jungkook fucked up your guts.

This is kind of a Wednesday night routine for you two. Has been for a few months. You’re just vibing and having fun with your hot neighbor, nothing serious yet. Right?

“As much as I’d like to stay—”

“Pussy.”

Your mouth falls open.

“Excuse me?”

He giggles until you reach for his hair and tug on his strands. You slide closer, trying to intimidate him but he keeps teasing.

“You’re pussy. You’re tapping out,” he repeats.

You scoff. “Boy, I’ve never tapped out a day in my life. Get the fuck out of here.”

Your thumb wipes the little smirk off of his face, but it returns seconds later.

“Your dick isn’t that good. Humble yourself,” you joke.

His cocky ass knows you’re dickmatized, but you still won’t admit it. 

“Whatever. You know I’ve been holding back.”

“And who told you to do that?”

“You,” he answers. “Oh, Jungkook! Please, I’ll come!”

You smack his ink-covered arm drawing a chuckle from his lips.

“You’re so full of shit, Jungkook. Okay, let’s fuck again, and don’t hold back this time,” you request.

Jungkook begins shaking his head, laughing at your persistence.

“Love, the only one getting that kind of dick is my girl so…”

“So what are you trying to say?” you ask.

He shrugs. “You tell me. You know I’ve been trying to see about that.”

An eye roll from you follows his statement. “Whatever, I’ve already let you know how it is.”

“Yeah, but I wanna hear you say when you’re not stuffed with cock,” he gripes.

“Well, come here then. I’ll say it in your ear.”

You call him over using your finger, but he doesn’t move.

“You don’t know what you’re doing to me, love.”

You throw the covers off of both of you, kicking the comforter until your legs are free. Jungkook doesn’t move initially when you spread your legs. He stays in a sitting position, letting his hair fall in his face while he smiles menacingly. His Calvin Klein’s hug his thick thighs, creating creases in his flesh.

“Well, show. Teach me. Make me aware,” you tease, using your foot to caress his calf.

“Careful, baby.”

His throat growls those words, his voice dropping octaves so low your pussy clenches.

“Why? Tired, hm?”

“You know that’s not it,” he chuckles.

You’d be lying if you didn’t admit your pussy gets wet just looking at him. Imagine being hot inside and out. That’s Jungkook. A gentleman, and the cutest weirdo immediately after. The sex is just the cherry on top.

You two just clicked, and the rest is history. Whether you need someone to act an absolute clown with or someone to fuck your brains out, Jungkook is that guy. You can’t keep your hands off of him, and he can never resist the chance to slide his dick in you.

“I don’t. So make me understand.”

“Ai yi yi,” he sighs. Then he looks at you and shakes his head. “...so much attitude.”

“Fix it for me.”

Jungkook nods then swiftly pounces on you. You start giggling, knowing you’ve struck a nerve.

“You’re pushing it, you know.”

“I don’t care,” you retort.

Jungkook smirks. “Oh, you will.”

He lowers his body, leveling his face with your pussy. You can feel small puffs of air leave his lips and come in contact with your center. 

Jungkook brings two of his fingers to your entrance and prods teasingly, getting you riled up almost instantly. You grip the sheets and lift your lower body off the bed to chase his digits, but he doesn’t push in.

“Still wet for me?” he asks. Jungkook spreads your folds to examine your arousal, looking at you when he discovers that you’re soaking. “Damn, you are.”

The sound of your slick as your opening widens makes your cheeks burn with shame. You turn away, but Jungkook doesn’t like that.

“Uh, uh. You wanna get fucked, you gotta watch,” he says.

Reluctantly, you give him your attention and you immediately regret looking away. His messy hair and puffy eyes give you butterflies as you wait for his next move. You almost forget about how close his face is to your cunt.

Jungkook’s fingers slowly slip into your pussy. You gasp while they sink deep into your crevice. He knows the exact route and the perfect arch in which he must curl them to make your body quiver with pleasure.

Hearing your arousal filling the room entices both of you and Jungkook becomes eager to pick up the pace. Your hips buck and move in a circular motion to match his movements, creating a familiar build-up of pressure within your core. The sheets below you start to dampen from the juices dripping down your center.

“You’re so hot,” he whispers before he kisses your clit. “And you taste so good.”

Jungkook makes out with your bundle of nerves while his fingers pump in and out of your opening. His hair covers his face, much to your disappointment, so you gather it all and keep it contained in a makeshift ponytail. 

Now that his face is visible, you can see the way his tongue swipes your pussy each time his lips part. You moan his name, swelling him with so much pride he can’t help but smile briefly. His fingers slide out of you but only so he can kiss lower and fuck you with his tongue.

The deeper he enters, the more pressure his nose places on your throbbing clit. His septum piercing tickles your center as he rubs his face in your pussy, creating a pleasant sensation that penetrates your core. 

Quickly, you lose control over everything. You can feel your stomach tightening, hear your moans getting louder, smell the desire growing stronger but you’re unable to grasp the one thing you so desperately want. It’s so close, but then, Jungkook snatches it away.

“Fuck, you asshole!”

Jungkook suddenly stops just as you’re reaching your peak. He withdraws and leaves you a whining mess while he laughs.

“Oh, now I’m an asshole?” His smirk never fades while he removes his underwear and tosses them on the floor. “I think I’m a gentleman.”

He looks over at the nightstand and sighs defeatedly.

“Fuck, man.”

“What?”

“Out of condoms,” he mumbles. “I’m sorry.”

You shrug. “It’s fine. I’m on the pill. We’re good.”

“Are you sure? I can just finish—”

“No, just pull out, dude. I wanna get fucked,” you insist.

“Well, yes ma’am. You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Jungkook hooks his arms under your thighs and pulls you on his lap. He keeps one hand underneath your thigh while the other one grabs his dick. You prop yourself on your elbows and watch as he strokes his cock a few times, using your arousal for lubrication before he aligns with your center.

The tip probes your entrance until it’s nestled inside and he no longer needs to hold his shaft. He redirects his attention to your clit, and he massages your bud as he buries his cock inside of you.

“Shit!”

Your back arches and your fist punch the bed. Inch by inch he fills your pussy until he can’t fit any more of himself inside of you. The fullness you feel from his girth leaves you breathless and panting.

“Still so tight,” he whispers. “...feels so good.”

Jungkook hovers over you when you lie down again and kisses you, leaving the taste of your pussy on your lips. His tongue slips into your mouth and arousal coats your tastebuds. Your moans are muffled but are still clearly heard. His name escapes your lips repeatedly as you beg him to fuck you.

“Ready?”

You nod. “Yeah.”

Another kiss graces your lips and then another for your chest. He moves to your breast and does the same to your nipples, but envelopes the right one between his lips and suckles it tenderly. Your arms wrap around him to bring him closer as he starts nibbling your sensitive bud with his teeth.

He starts to move, setting a pace that has your toes curling instantly. You bury your face in his dark strands and beg him to keep going.

“Jungkook, please don’t stop. It’s so good.”

“I’m not,” he promises, sending waves of vibrations through your areola. His mouth feels so warm and moist against your skin. Hair raises along your flesh caused by both the chill of the room and Jungkook’s gentle touch. It’s a contrast from the way he roughly thrusts inside of you, but it’s the kind of fire and ice that has your body yearning for more. 

As if he can read your body language, he changes his position. A lewd noise pierces your ears when his lips release your stiffened nipple. The cold air makes your skin tingle due to the sensitivity and the presence of his saliva. 

Jungkook wraps his hand around your throat, forcing you to keep your eyes on him. His fingers comb his hair away from his face, revealing his flushed face, his pierced lip tucked between his teeth. The intimacy of the moment intensifies the pleasure growing inside of you, and your watery eyes begin to produce thick salty droplets.

“Feel good, baby?” Jungkook quizzes. “Does it really feel that good?”

“Yes, Jungkook. It…”

Your voice is so weak and raspy. You have difficulty speaking clearly, and articulating your sentences. Jungkook is very displeased.

“Speak up,” he requests. He slaps your tits, leaving you trembling and hanging on by a thread. Your pussy clenches around him, and he responds by squeezing your throat. “You feel that?”

You croak out a response. The best you can with your airways being constricted.

“Good,” he grunts. “That’s how my dick feels inside this tight fucking pussy.”

He loosens his grip and air finally refills your lungs, making you lightheaded. Your head starts spinning, your vision becomes blurry, and slowly the familiar feeling begins to form within your gut. Grabbing Jungkook’s arm, you try to warn him, but you are immediately dismissed.

“Nope. I’m not done.”

Jungkook opens your legs wider and his thrusts deepen. It’s like he’s trying to fit his entire dick inside of you, but each time he runs out of room. 

You can feel him entering your guts over and over. The blunt outline of his cock is faintly visible whenever it lodges itself in your womb. Your muscles clench tightly as you try your hardest to keep it together.

One thing’s for certain, he has been holding back. Now you’re addicted to this new side of him, and there’s no other way you want him to fuck you. It feels like no experience you’ve ever had; you can’t get enough, but your body can only take so much before you lose control.

“Ah, shit! You’re fucking tight.” Sweat drips from Jungkook’s forehead as he struggles to hang on. He’s drawing this out; savoring the moment just like you are, but both of you are nearing your peaks, and it’s only moments before you topple over the edge. “I want this forever.”

“You have it, though. I’m not going anywhere,” you promise. “I’m yours.”

“Oh, fuck.”

Jungkook’s movements stutter when he hears your voice speaking to him through your soft moans. Your words are like a match igniting a flame deep inside of him. He begins fucking you harder, like he’s on a mission to ruin you.

“Shit. Come on my dick, baby,” he moans, probably waking the neighbors. “Make a mess.”

At his command, your body gives in and chases the pleasure it’s been longing for. You scream his name like it’s the only word you know. Your soul leaves you lying on the bed and elevates to the ceiling, probably even further. You tremble and shake beneath him as the coil snaps inside of you, sending ripples of pleasure shooting through your veins.

Your arousal gushes out of you with enough force to push Jungkook’s dick out of you. He slaps your pussy repeatedly, milking you dry while he strokes his shaft. As you lay there, squirting out the last of your orgasm, you slowly return to your body, but you’re still basking in your post-sex daze.

“Flip over.”

Jungkook turns you on your stomach and straddles your thighs. He strokes his cock while he stares at your ass, still tender from all the spanking he did early. He slaps it with enough force to get a muffled moan out of you. Your head remains buried in the pillow because your body refuses to move an inch.

“Softest fucking ass on the planet,” he mumbles. “And all mine.”

You relax under his touch as his large hand begins to massage your flesh. You become more exhausted as the seconds tick by. Jungkook’s pants and moans fill your ears as he chases his high, and soon his breaths become shallower, indicating that he’s approaching his release.

“Fuck.”

Moments later warm droplets of his cum paint your ass while Jungkook cries your name. He plops on top of you, careful not to use all of his weight, and leaves kisses along your shoulder. When his breathing settles, he gets up and finds a shirt to clean your body. He covers you with the blanket when he’s done so you aren’t cold.

“Are you still with me?” he asks, and you giggle.

“I’m here.”

“Well, I wish you’d say something.”

When you turn your head in his direction, you find him standing there in all of his naked glory, his dick slowly deflating, but still standing at attention while he chugs down his leftover beer.

“Maybe you should drink some water,” you suggest.

He puts the mug down and raises a finger. “You’re absolutely right. I’ll be back.”

When Jungkook leaves, the door remains open and someone else enters the room moments later. You don’t even flinch when Bam jumps on the bed, claiming his spot at the end. You’re just glad he’s finally warmed up to you. At first, you think he was a little jealous, but you guess he realized that with you in the picture, he receives two times the love and attention.

Jungkook’s footsteps make their way down the hall and he’s shocked by the sight of his pup lying beside you when he enters the room. 

“I see you two have finally become friends,” he points out. He walks over to the bed and gives Bam some love while he whispers to him. “Don’t steal my girl, dude.”

You giggle and shake your head, as if Bam would ever leave his side. You’ve noticed that he has been more drawn to you lately, but you think it’s just him getting used to you being around. He knows you aren’t going to steal his dad from him, so now he’s more open to spending time with you.

“Did you bring me some water?”

Jungkook nods. “Of course.”

He gives you the water bottle and you sit up so you can drink some. Jungkook sits beside you and waits for you to finish. 

You know he’s about to ask you something, so you quickly gulp down your water to get it over and done with. 

On cue, he speaks.

“You still haven’t given me an answer.”

“Ah,” you sigh. “I don’t know, Jungkook.”

“That’s not an answer. I mean no is fine, but I just wanted some kind of idea about where this is going,” he states.

You’ve thought about it, and dating Jungkook isn’t a bad idea. You’re just nervous because this is going so well and you don’t want to mess it up. However, the advice your friend gave you a week ago still plays in your mind.

“If you really need more time, it’s fine but I feel like you’ve been holding back too. I want you in my life, Bam wants you to be his mom, and—”

“Jungkook,” you interrupt, fighting back a smile, but you fail. 

“What is it?”

You set your water on the nightstand and grab his hand. You absentmindedly trace his tattoos, while you talk to him.

“I’m nervous because I don’t want this ‘honeymoon’ phase to end,” you start. You can see his shoulders droop because he thinks this is bad news. However, it's not. “But every day we grow closer, so why should I let my mind prevent my heart from being happy?”

“You are so fucking trashed,” he blurts out. “Did I really fuck you that good?”

“Jungkook shut the fuck up. I was trying to be deep. Leave me alone.”

You try to turn away and go to bed but he pulls you on his lap.

“Hey, I’m kidding. That was cute,” he says. “I got it. You like me, and I like you. Let’s just continue to take it slow.”

“Thanks.”

“Mhm. But just so we’re clear, you’re my girlfriend now by default because we just… Well, you know.”

“I’ll be that,” you reply. “As long as you’re my… boy boy b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend.”

When Jungkook rolls his eyes, you erupt with laughter, knowing he doesn’t want to admit he likes BTR.

“Whatever, go to sleep.”

“In my bed, or yours?” you ask.

“Don’t start.”

You both snuggle together on the dry side of the bed while Bam snores peacefully at your feet. Jungkook hugs you from behind and the two of you slowly drift off to sleep.

“Goodnight,” you whisper.

But your boyfriend has already tapped out. Looks like you’re the real champ around here.

thank you for reading! if you enjoyed this story, please consider reblogging and/or leaving feedback.

[sirenologyyy]

LOST MY HEART!

street racer!carlos sainz x fem leclerc!reader

✴ summary: where you somehow found yourself in a skimpy maroon cocktail dress watching cars race eachother in the heart of the city and where carlos sainz found himself wondering what on earth had been keeping you from him all these years?

✴ warnings: swearing, google translated french, asshole-ish carlos kinda, mentions of murder, injuries, death, & suicide, blood, police chases.

✴ author's note: so uhh I guess this is me on my first attempt at entering the f1 side of tumblr LMAO. If you see any spelling or grammatical errors, no you didn't. Was this inspired by 2 Fast 2 Furious? Yeah.

The foul stench of decade old nail polish is like a good sock to the face. You had been sitting on the windowsill as the balmy summer air wafts in and out of your quaint little studio apartment, your tailbone nestled awkwardly against the ridges of the windowsill making you shift positions every 10 seconds instead of simply choosing to continue your business on your bed where your mattress and pillows were far more forgiving than the metal windowsill. You carefully and meticulously coat each of your bare fingernails with wine red nail polish as some 70s reality show continues to play in your TV in the background; the dialogue blurring with the faint buzzing of the electric fan rotating on its axis, the only reason why you weren't melting at this very moment.

You were on the last finger, carefully spreading the polish around so as not to get it to stick on one of your cuticles until your phone started to ring, you see your phone light up in the distance and you scramble to get to it. It had been Alexandra calling, you recognise the picture of her face before you even see the name.

You couldn't help but glance up at the upper left most corner of your phone and your eyes widen a centimeter as you slide the button to accept her call. "Where are you? Are you okay?" You demand and when she didn't answer in all but the 3 seconds you gave her you leapt off the windowsill and began scurrying around your apartment, beginning to gather your things to leave the house.

Then, you hear her tinkly laugh on the other end of the call. "Would you calm down? Everything's alright here chérie, no one has died."

You halt to a stop in the middle of your apartment. "Are you aware what time it is Alex?"

"Yes, I am." She replies, hearing the giant grin through her voice along with her velveteen monegasque accent that tickled anybody's brain.

You look at your wallclock, 2:45. "So why on Earth are you still awake?"

Before she could even respond, the obnoxious sounds of cars revving their engines answered for her. You roll your eyes as you pressed the video feature waiting for her to finally accept, and when she did you were greeted by your friend grinning cheekily at you along with throngs of people whooping and cheering behind three sports cars lined up and ready to race. "Come on," Alex says, giggling blithely at your disdainful expression. "You promised to come today!"

You visibly stiff. Oh yeah, you did. A week or so ago when you made her try Filipino street food for the first time, you hastily agreed to come to one of the street races so she would try kwek-kwek dipped in spicy vinegar, you've completely forgotten about it.

"You've forgotten, haven't you?-" Alex mused, voicing your conscience.

Your brows thread. "-Of course not!" You're quick to defend as she laughs at you once more and she gives you this sort of endearing look that made you feel bad. "Fine, what if I have?" You say, giving up. You walk back to the windowsill in hopes to finish off your nails.

"Make it up to me, come to the race today. I'll even pick you up!" Says Alex.

You guffaw as you twist the nailpolish bottle closed. "That's not likely."

"I'm serious!" Alex persists as she moves away from the boisterous crowd, hearing their voices fade away more and more by the second. She sits down somewhere and places the camera in front of her face, prompting you to do the same. "Come on, Y/N/N, come today! Support Charles! You know how much it would mean to him if you came and cheered him on! You haven't been to one of his races since Jules."

Your jaw tightens, your chest begins to feel immensely heavy, and your stomach churns. Not in that particular order. "I didn't have it in me."

Alex sighs. "I'm not forcing you to come, I'm just... heavily encouraging you."

"I know, I know" you reply somewhat distantly, though barely enough for Alexandra to notice; and as she speaks to somebody else about a lychee martini presumably ordering one from the 24 hour bar beside the track, you begin to weigh your options. It would just be one race, and anyway Suzuka was 9 years ago, it wouldn't kill you if you came today.

It wasn't like you had a sleeping schedule to maintain.

"You're thinking so hard you look like you're gunna bust a vein." Alex quipped, ultimately pulling you out of your reverie and causing you to blink repeatedly.

"I'm warming up to it." You confessed, jerking your right shoulder upwards. Suddenly, a notification pops up saying Charles was calling you and your eyes widened. "Why the fuck is he calling?"

"Who is?" Alex wonders.

"I'll be right back Alex, hold on." You replied, distracted.

"30 minutes." She says, pointing at you.

You roll your eyes as you laugh through your nose. "No promises."

She blows you a kiss, you do the same before you ended the call and accepted Charles'.

It automatically sends the both of you into video and you see Charles inside a car, your mood sours even more than it already has. "Chou, come today." You hear him say with a stern look in his eyes while the edges of his mouth curl up into a grin you recognise all too well.

You scowled at him. "Alex called me, she tried winning me over too. She's a great negotiator."

He lights up at the prospect of you finally coming to one of his street races. "So you're coming?"

"If I do will you finally propose?"

"That's not fair!" He exclaimed, laughing at you.

"You whore! The amount of testosterone I had to live with in my 23 years of existence was appalling! Enzo's settled down, Arthur is seeing that girl he met in Milos, what about you?" You demand, your older brother watches you berate him with a fond smile on his face, wondering just how fast time flies.

"I'm waiting for the right moment, you can't blame me." He replies simply making you scoff.

"That's bullshit and you know it."

He clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Language."

"Is Arthur there?"

He adjusts the grip on his phone. "No, that's why I want you to come."

"But you have Alex, isn't she enough?" You fought.

Charles sighed. "She's just my girlfriend Y/N not my sister, at the end of the day it's still drastically different."

You raise a quizzical brow. "Just your girlfriend? Wait til she hears this-"

"Come on chou, one race." Charles pressed, and you can feel yourself losing restraint as each second evades you. 9 years of hearing about Charles' accomplishments and failures instead of being able to witness them firsthand, tonight was the night where the incessant begging of Charles, Alex, and even your twin brother Arthur on the rare occasion would finally change all that. "juste une course." Just one race.

"One race." You found yourself saying, Charles smiles.

"I'll see you in an hour." You shook your head at him giving him a shrewd little smile. "You stink."

"Not as much as you, Chou." He replies swiftly. You flip him off, hearing the last remnants of his laugh reach your end before you grunt a quick 'bye' and finally end the call. By the time Alex arrives in your apartment, (also known as her breaking and entering because you forgot to tell her you've changed locks and hadn't given her a new key yet.) You've gotten yourself dolled up in a new maroon cocktail dress you found while thrifting a few weeks back, wearing it for the second time around. Alex did your makeup since she insisted she wanted to try a new eyeshadow hack she saw off of TikTok and you styled your hair.

As you two are about to leave, she stops you from putting on your black ballet flats and pulls you back to the vanity.

"One last thing." She says to you before she lines your lips with a crimson lip liner and then filling it in with a red lipstick you had lying around. She turns you around fixing your gold heart necklace so that the clasp would be hidden in the back. You turn back around to face yourself in the mirror, checking yourself out. "Now you're ready." Alex grinned. "That way you're less inclined to smoke because I spent a good 10 minutes on your lips!"

You snort as you throw on your deep brown leather jacket. "Let's see about that."

Within an hour the both of you are out the door, you had the radio on full blast with the pair of you screaming the lyrics to Love by Keyshia Cole. The roof of Alex's silver convertible had been down, allowing the crisp dusk air to billow through your tresses as you sped through the otherwise empty streets save for the few cars that hung back and watched as you two zoomed past them, eventually stopping at the closed off avenue where the race was located. It took Alexandra 20 minutes to parallel park (with you cheerfully taking a video of your best friend visibly struggling and in dire need of help to send to your brother.)

Once she has surmounted such a great feat you two were off to find your brother who, funnily enough, chanced upon you first.

Charles takes off his amber tinted sunglasses, donning his signature baggy jeans that flopped as he waltzed towards the pair of you. "do my eyes deceive me or is my baby sister finally at a race???"

You smirk as you entrap him in a fleeting hug. "No this is Papa, I've come to take you with me."

Charles harshly pokes your side making you recoil. "Agh Putain! " You hissed, clutching your left rib as you scowl at your older brother.

"I see you haven't outgrown your foul-mouthed tendencies." Charles mused, boxing his arms in front of his chest.

You raised a quizzical brow as Alexandra giggled loudly beside you. "You do know who I grew up with, right?"

"It's great to have you here, Chou." Charles beamed fondly at you, causing the ends of your lips to curl upwards into a smile, a sudden wave of melancholy overcoming you. "Can't believe it's been this long since you've watched me race."

"Me too." You replied, returning his smile. "I'm excited to see if you still like to shred the side of your car against the sides of the track like when you were 14."

The tip of Charles' ears turn crimson at the sound of Alex's tinkly giggles. "You're never letting me live that down are you?" You giggle loudly as you shook your head at him.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, look, I'm in the lineup for the next race. If they'd known I left my car minutes before I'm set to compete I'm toast."

You rolled your eyes. "Alors dépêches toi, I'll see you later." Hurry up then.

He began to retreat towards the starting line. "Watch me win that fat stack of cash, and once I do I'll take you out for ice cream." He assured you oh so confidently in the true Leclerc fashion, pointing at your face.

"You better, or I'm cracking your head open on the asphalt like an egg." You call after him, watching as he danced his way through the crowd. "We'll see about that." You caught wind of him saying causing you and Alex to burst out into a fit of giggles, which were promptly drowned out by the arrival of two cars that had presumably been racing since before you got here. The crowd's thunderous cheering and whistling made you wince as Alex started whooping along with glee.

The drivers each exit their cars slamming their doors rather harshly. You stood silently as you watch one of them shove the other one in the chest causing him to stumble backwards and collide with his car, a Honda S2000. The cheers drastically begin to fall in a decrescendo when the crowd notices they start to get into a heated argument, from your vantage point one of the men with features so sharp it could cut diamonds seemed like he was berating his opponent that looked defensive, with his eyebrows furrowed as they exchanged sides.

One of your brother's friends, Pierre, who helped organise street races like these quickly intervened and told them to walk it off, dismissing the crowd who had just began to cheer for a fight telling them that if they were here for one they should take their business elsewhere.

"Yeesh," Alex makes a face as your eyes trail after one of the men. "There he goes again, all dark and broody."

"You know him or something?" You wonder, turning to Alex.

Alex looks at you. "He and Charles are leading in wins, his name's Carlos." She tells you, you turn your head to the direction he previously was in to find that he was gone.

Your eyebrows thread. "Sounds like you can't trust him with your drink."

Alex snorts. "With your ex-girlfriends either, once he learns you and your girlfriend have broken up he swoops right in and sleeps with her."

"That sounds a little dramatic." You say, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Alex gives you a pointed look as she places her hands atop your shoulders. "Chérie, trust me. I know you, you do not wanna get mixed up with that guy."

Your eyes widen, as you look at her almost scandalised. "What are you talking about???"

"I'm just saying!" She laughed, shrugging. "Just- be careful."

You resist the urge to roll your eyes at your friend and instead you give her a comforting smile. "Fine, I'll steer clear of him. I promise." You assure her.

As the minutes ticked on and your brother, who was seated in his custom Ferrari 360 modena had sped off into the distance with his opponents, you had covertly slipped away whilst Alex had began mingling with the other racers' girlfriends (she was too scared to leave you alone but you insisted you'd be fine.) to light one up.

Walking off to a secluded part of the track, you take out your cigarettes and lighter from the pocket within your jacket. After a series of attempts of igniting your lighter and to no avail, you grew irritated.

"Allez... allez allume. Come on you stupid little thing." You mutter, obstructed by the cigarette trapped in between your lips. Come on... come on light up.

"No use in forcing it if its that stubborn." Your eyes traverse from your lighter and towards the voice, a man's voice. Your heart so traitorously skipped a beat as you laid your eyes on him, approaching you as he takes his cigarette away from his plump lips. "Have mine." He tells you.

Clad in a shiny leather jacket, a white shirt, and deep blue jeans, he takes out his lighter from his front pocket and ignites it before your very eyes. The blistering amber flame danced as the wind dared to put it out which otherwise gave life to his eyes. In which you thought were dark fathomless pits of naught were apparently balmy and tantalising, doe-like and pleasant. "Do you mind if I join you?" He wonders.

"No not at all." You answered, lips still pinching that cigarette together. He laughed a little, making you grin out of awkwardness.

This was the same man you were warned to avoid and yet pleasant was the word that came to mind when you thought of his eyes that soon meet yours, and you didn't quite find it in yourself to pull away.

Only when you heard the familiar sizzle of your cigarette coming to life was when you take a hit and then promptly pulled it away from your lips.

You exhaled a cloud of smoke, a foul, gaseous barrier that stood in between the two of you. "Honestly I could've done it myself." You refuted, avoiding his eyes. You didn't want to fall victim to the ironclad grip of his warm gaze like you so foolishly allowed yourself to succumb to before.

He chuckles in a low baritone. "What can I say? My mother raised a gentleman." He replies in his sultry Spanish accent that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Oh pull yourself together, he's just a man.

You hummed at him, clearly amused. "A gentleman sure, but not a very good sportsman."

He grinned at you. "I take it you saw that little spat earlier, no?"

Your finally look at him once more. "Me? Everybody did. You looked like you were about to choke him until his eyeballs pop outta their sockets."

He chuckles at that, a sound that made your smile widen, even if it was just a tad. "He was being too aggressive during the lap, drove right into me from behind. Like uhh, the bumper cars." He recalls, snapping his fingers gleefully. "Almost had me flying."

"You still won though." You postulate, paying close attention to his reaction. Through the darkness you saw a light blush spread across his sun-kissed cheeks as he brought his cigarette towards his lips. "Why, are you glad I did?"

A scoff left your lips as you shook your head, the ends of your lips curlong upwards a tad to form some semblance of a smile before you stopped it from growing wider. "Don't get ahead of yourself."

This gets a chuckle out of him, glancing over at you. "My mistake I guess."

You rolled your eyes, before they carefully combed through the area to see if Alex had chanced upon you and caught you fraternising with your brother's competitor. Oh the absolute horror. "Oh poor you, I bet everytime you do donuts you're convinced it'd get all the girls to drop their panties for you."

Carlos blinked. "I wouldn't know myself," He juts his right shoulder upwards before taking yet another hit of his cigarette. "D'you wanna test that theory?" He asks you, smoke leaving his mouth and nostrils like a dragon.

"Oh you're a real treat aren't you?" You feigned a smile.

"Just about." He replied, cheekily grinning at you.

You furrow your brows at him. "Funny." You said. "Don't push your luck, connard." Jerk. You cussed as you shook your head. Finally, the sad baby cow eyes effect were wearing off, you thought. But then again, this was a street racer you were talking to. Even your brother had his questionable moments at times.

"Ahh, tough luck I guess. Usually the French love me." You hear him say as you checked the time on the dainty watch that once belonged to your Maman's wrapped around your wrist.

"Thank God I'm Monegasque then." You humored, causing him to raise an eyebrow and nod, almost piecing something together. You drop your cigarette to the ground, mercilessly crushing it up beneath your ballerina flats. "I guess I'll see you around?" You ask him politely, a light drawl hanging off your tone, but he offers you a polite smile in return.

"Can I expect you to come to another race soon?" He wondered as you slowly retreated back to where Alexandra had left you. It made you think all of a sudden.

"Don't hold your breath." You answered him.

He makes a face. "I don't have a lot of things to hope on."

You rolled your eyes playfully as you took a few slow steps backwards. "Dosen't sound like my problem." Carlos grinned at you as you pivot on your heel and walked off trying to suppress a grin, hands inside your jacket pockets as you quickly made it back to find Alexandra. Only for her to find you first.

"Where have you been?" She asks you, grabbing your shoulder and turning you around swiftly. "I was looking everywhere for you! Cha finished first you know, he's competing against the previous race winners right now. We were wondering where you ran off to!" Alexandra exclaimed.

"I was just walking around, doing some people watching. The usual." You lied casually, causing her to make a face at you.

"That dosen't explain why you smell like cigarettes again." She says, causing you to grimace inwardly. You forgot to shove some mints in your purse before leaving your apartment. Usually chucking a couple of them into your mouth would help cover your tracks, but your carelessness has bitten you in the ass once more.

"It's a street race Alex, it's bound to get a little dusty." You tell her laughing. "You dont get to talk either, you smell like you bathed in a vat of lychee martinis when you left."

She hummed, crossing her hands over her chest. "Touché"

You look back at her, sporting a victorious little grin one to which she rolled her eyes that faded oh so quickly when someone from behind you suddenly made you stumble forward, you were about to cuss them off when the infamous red and blue lights of police cars drew nearer and nearer alongside the blaring sirens.

"Holy shit." Alexandra gasped as she took a hold of your hand while everybody started bolting the other way like disturbed garden bugs once residing underneath an overturned rock.

"Jesus Christ-" You said before you began squeezing yourself into the distressed crowd. People were ramming into the pair of you from different directions as you tried to make your escape, you hear the police officers making arrests in the far off distance as you continued to fight your way through the throngs of people. Only when you finally ran off to where you had smoked a cigarette prior to the arrival of the police had you realized Alex hadn't followed you out like you so foolishly hoped she did.

The churning in your stomach only worsens when you hear more police cars arrive on the scene. "ALEX?! Jesus Christ- ALEX???" You yelled, trying to find her amidst the sea of people running for their lives, quite literally. "ALEX?!? ALEX WHERE ARE YOU?!?"

You unceremoniously jumped out of your skin when you hear a car pull up behind you causing you to gear up to try and run away, that was until the shotgun window rolled down and there was Carlos strapped in the driver's seat. "Get in!"

You were apalled. "I- I can't find my friend! I don't know where she is!" You shout back.

"Less likely of a chance you'll be able to find her when you're behind bars, come on!" The man insisted with a caring sense of urgency in his eyes.

Your frown deepened as you looked behind you, the sirens were starting to sound nearer. "Carlos I have to find her!" You say, turning back to look at him.

You saw a bulge form on his temple as his fingers flexed around the leather of his steering wheel. "I'll help you find her after the heat dies down, but please do yourself a favor and get in the car!" Carlos yelled before you open the door to the shot gun half-heartedly. You threw yourself inside and before you could even close the door he zoomed off. It felt like you had been suctioned onto the back of the seat as you were sure Carlos had floored it. You turn to look at him, only now you realize how dry your mouth felt, how your tongue felt foreign and rough like sand paper. "Thank you... for that."

"Don't mention it." He replied, dancing past the other cars that ran the speed limit as he drove the pair of you into the highway.

"You're right your ego'll inflate so much to the point it'll slow us down." You equipped, trying to ease the situation a little.

Even Carlos' hard exterior crumbles at that as you hear him chuckle. "Are you always this sweet to people who save your ass?"

"Usually, why?" You replied looking at him who shrugged, smiling ever so slightly. "Can't blame a guy for being curious."

That gets a little chuckle out of you which was promptly interjected by the sounds of sirens coming from behind you. You whip your head around to see at least 3- no, 4 police cars making their way through the traffic behind you. You turn to Carlos, mouth parted to warn him but it seems that he was a step ahead of you was the car went faster.

"They're right on us Carlos." You tell him, trying your hardest to keep your breakfast down as he deliberately ran a red light, causing a collision on the intersection, the car narrowly missing it.

"You doing okay? You don't sound like it." He asks you, taking a few seconds to look at you before they are back on the road as you force yourself to nod.

"Mm-hm, I just love the way car-chases make my knees weak."

"You sure it's the car and not me, hermosa?" He asks you mischievously. You giggled loudly at that. You're not a school-girl get it together. "Shut up, it almost sounds like you want us to get arrested."

He shrugged, smiling a shrewd smile. "Hey, it would be a killer story to relive and laugh about over some dinner sometime."

You glare at him and even in the dark you can see the distinct mischievous glint in his brown eyes. "Did you really just ask me out on a date? Now? While we're this close to being incarcerated???" You interrogate him loudly.

"If we get outta this alive and unscathed? I mean... it couldn't be the worst thing, no?"

You guffawed at his statement turning to him as he sped through yet another red light. "Yes it would, it seems like the only viable option for me now is to jump outta the car and surrender myself to the police."

He laughs boisterously at that. "Dios Mío, you're so mean!" Carlos exclaimed, sporting a boyish smile with his brows furrowed that made your heart do a somersault. "Speaking of police... I think we've lost them." He announces, switching his gaze from his riverview mirror to his sidemirror, with a victorious grin.

"Really??? Jesus Christ that was," you stopped to chuckle in disbelief, wiping the sweat of of your temples. "Exhilirating." You finish, finally landing on a word.

"Eh, same old, same old." Carlos sang dismissively, his face causing you to giggle. "When you've managed to accidentally rob a liquor store at 15 with your friends before school only for you to crash your dad's car into the river and have it blow up in flames all while avoiding being caught by the police, nothing surprises you anymore."

You snort. "How do you accidentally rob a liquor store?"

"Too long a story, I won't bother you with such details." He answers you, drawing a line with the air using his hand. "But the bottom line is that I'm never going to try and see how many bottles of cerveza fit inside my dad's military grade duffel bag."

You sucked in air through your teeth, shaking your head amusedly. "Christ, that behavior warrants you into being the favorite then, dosen't it?"

He hummed at you delightfully. "Look at that, we've only met tonight and yet it seems like I've known you forever." Carlos mused with a genuine smile on his face. "How do you do it?"

"Easy, I was the favorite growing up too." You replied. "Like calls to like after all."

"You're the oldest daughter followed by boys aren't you?"

"No, I was the one that followed boys, 3 of them. After years and years of trying Maman and Papa finally got the daughter they so desperately wished to have." You say, with a distant smile.

"Wow, I'm not good at this." Carlos replied dismally, raking a hand over his face with dread causing you to laugh at him again. "Hats off to them then, their daughter's pretty special."

"If I ever meet your parents I'd say the exact same thing." You replied.

He looks at you teasingly. "No you wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't." You laughed, causing him to laugh too.

The night further blurred after that, to the point that even now several hours later you couldn't exactly pinpoint where you and Carlos have gone after you exited the highway, what you have done, what you have said.

Based off of the egregious headache you were nursing, a wadded up paper bag of chic-fil-a on the chair beside you, and a familiar soreness emanating through your limbs you finally pieced everything together.

Of course, the second you came home to your apartment a call from Charles lit up your phone screen. As much as you wanted to let your phone ring into oblivion, you begrudgingly answered his call.

"vous plaisantez j'espère? c'est la millionième fois que je t'appelle et pourtant tu ne réponds que maintenant à ton téléphone?" Charles practically bellowed the second your call came through. You try not to roll your eyes in front of him. are you kidding me? this is the millionth time i've called you and yet you only answer your phone now?

"laisse-moi mettre fin à l'appel alors, essayons d'atteindre cent millions." You bounced back, pausing your show to divert your full attention to your distressed brother who had probably not even slept a wink since last night... well, earlier this morning. let me end the call then, let's try and reach a hundred million.

"quel ennui tu es! je n'ai pas dormi du tout depuis que tu as décidé de disparaître après la course et de ne pas me dire, ni à Arthur, ni à Enzo, ni même à Alex où tu étais allé!" Charles reasoned loudly making you flinch at the volume of his voice, having to calibrate your own volume settings so your head dosen't explode. what a pain you are! i havent slept at all since you decided you'd disappear after the race and not tell me, or Arthur, or Enzo or even Alex where you'd gone!

"Chill the fuck out will you? I've arrived in my apartment in one piece. I haven't been taken by the police, I don't have any injuries. Je vais parfairtement bien." I'm perfectly fine. You managed, massaging your temple off camera.

"Where were you?" Charles asks you now. "And where did your necklace go? That used to be Mamans."

"I took it off, Jesus." You lied quickly. In truth, you didn't know where the hell it was, but you decided to lie to not make the conversation last any longer than it should. "And I was off with someone- I don't- Why do I have to tell you these things? I'm as old as Arthur aren't I? I don't see you grilling him when he comes home late, in fact your fucking praise him for it!" You defend, finding it in yourself to finally raise your voice at you brother. Who scratched his head in frustration.

Charles remains silent for a second before he opens his mouth. "Fine... Fine! je ne te forcerai pas." I wont force it out of you. Charles exclaimed, ultimately giving in.

You fiddle with the remote in silence before you look back at him, bristling on your spot in the couch. "For what it's worth Cha, I'm sorry I made you worry so much. That was insensitive of me."

His face softens a little when he laughs through his nose. "Whatever, whatever. Truce." He mused, trying to sound all irritated when in fact he was not, causing you to giggle. "Don't pull shit like that the next time you come to my races, putain. I can see why Maman was so eager to let you move out."

You scowled. "you're goddamn insane if you really think i'm going to another race."

"See you Chou, take care." Says Charles, sporting a grin you were relieved to see back on his face. You rolled your eyes at him endearingly. "See you soon, Cha." You then end the call.

When you were about to put your phone down to continue watching the show you had paused, you receive a text message from an unknown number. You decide to view it so you could delete it and not have it take space in your phone storage but forgot about all of that when you finally read the message.

[choerypetal]

Love in the Impala / Sam Winchester

summary: Sam and you had always felt a mutual attraction, but the chance to voice your feelings never seemed to arise. Then, one evening, Sam took the initiative, creating an opportunity that could mark the start of a new relationship.

ps: english isn't my first language so i apologize for any grammar errors

xox'

Being with the Winchesters definitely had its perks, but unfortunately, it came with its share of drawbacks too. One unexpected downside was Dean’s immediate interest in you from the moment he laid eyes on you. What Dean failed to grasp was that your attraction was solely directed towards Sam, and Sam only. Something that he too, quickly picked up on. Unlike you, Sam enjoyed every little bit of it.

Sam couldn’t help but notice your irritation whenever Dean would continuously compliment your appearance, his eyes lingering on your figure, especially during those late nights at the club. It wasn’t until one particular evening after a successful hunt, when the three of you, including Castiel, decided to unwind at the local pub near the hotel. The place was packed, signaling the end of the week, and you were undeniably exhausted. But even then, Dean’s persistent attention towards you remained unwavering.

"You know," he purred, flashing the same overconfident grin he'd given you the first time you met. "Still impressive how you've managed to keep up with us. I mean, with a beauty like yourself. Who could resist, right?" He chuckled, taking a sip of his umpteenth beer to 'unwind'. Meanwhile, you simply returned his gaze, offering a silent smile before diverting your attention elsewhere for amusement. And there it was, Sam’s eyes fixed on yours, impossible to ignore.

Sam was fully aware of his actions, deliberately ignoring whoever the unfortunate lady was vying for his attention. His nods were half-hearted, brows furrowed almost in disdain, as he pretended to listen to whatever was being said, eliciting a slight chuckle from you. "Funny, isn't it?" What you failed to realize was how you, too, were ignoring Dean's words entirely. And in response, Sam did the same, sharing in your amusement with a vulnerable chuckle of his own.

Later in the evening, Dean was completely intoxicated, the taste of alcohol lingering on his breath, while Castiel made valiant attempts to keep the conversation going. Amidst this, you noticed Sam mouthing a word – 'Bathroom' – prompting you to excuse yourself before fully comprehending his intent. Sam not only shared your sentiments but also awaited this opportune moment, perhaps to assert to his brother who you truly belonged to: him.

"If you'll excuse me, I have a little situation to attend to," you announced, your voice cutting through Castiel's ear, who simply hummed in acknowledgment as Dean reluctantly lifted his gaze, his lips forming an unmistakable pout. "Won't be long, I promise," you assured, though that turned out to be entirely inaccurate.

Sam waited for you, a drink in hand now emptied, his eyes fixated on your every movement as you approached him. You could feel his unwavering gaze upon you, devoid of shame or guilt, as he realized the power he held to admire you whenever he pleased, without his brother's interference for once. "Did I forget to mention how beautiful you are?" His gaze hardened slightly, brows furrowing from perhaps admiring a bit too intensely. But where was the line when it came to the two of you?

"Not too shabby yourself," you replied in kind, your teeth gently sinking into your bottom lip as you eyed him from head to toe, a familiar sensation stirring in your stomach, reminiscent of the first time you met Sam. It had been a rookie mistake, spilling your favorite coffee on him, but it led to one of those moments where you were fortunate enough to help him clean not just his shirt, but his chest as well – a memory he seemed to relish in reminding you of. "It's a shame we're not at a coffee shop. Who knows where your clumsiness might have taken us."

Your cheeks flushed at his comment, and the moment he noticed, his lips curved into a smirk as he leaned in closer. It was one of the things he loved about you – not only were you nearly the same height as his brother, but just a tad smaller, creating a perfect fit between the two of you. Trying not to sound too obvious, you chuckled softly, but he couldn't resist teasing you, his fingers gently caressing your chin to draw your focus back to him. "Hey hey, back to me, love," he murmured, his voice husky, rendering you almost defenseless against him, already feeling yourself succumbing to his charm.

"You make it impossible not to be distracted by your beauty," you pouted, your attempt at defense crumbling as your gaze involuntarily shifted from his chest to his lips. Sensing an opportunity, Sam's fingers trailed lightly around your waist, wrapping around you before he contemplated fully enveloping you in his embrace. His grip conveyed an unwavering resolve not to let go. "I have an idea," he confessed, sparking your curiosity about what plan he had brewing from the start – undoubtedly one that would leave Dean regretting ever flirting with you in the first place.

Sam's gaze drifted over to Dean and Cas, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he observed the scene before him. With the two of you not far away, he couldn't resist indulging in the sight. "How about," his voice husky once again, his desire palpable as he clenched his jaw, longing for you – a desire that had been brewing since day one. "We have a little fun in the Impala?"

Your nerves caused you to gulp nervously. Had you heard him correctly? "Th-The Impala, but what about—" Before you could finish your sentence, Sam swiftly cupped your face, his attention solely on you as he pressed the bottle neck into his chest. Without giving you a chance to respond, his lips brushed against yours, initiating a kiss that you found impossible to resist. You felt his breath quicken, followed by a playful nip at your bottom lip and a soft laugh as he quirked a brow in confusion. "What?" you chuckled, to which he responded in kind. "It's just... I don't know how long I could resist. If it weren't for being Soulless, not to mention Dean being so clingy around you—"

Without hesitation, you leaned in once more, rising onto your tiptoes to initiate another kiss. "Then," you broke away from the kiss, allowing Sam a moment to catch his breath, though his gaze pleaded for more. It was enough to tease him, your fingers playing with his collar as you spoke softly, "How about you be a gentleman and take me to the Impala?" He understood your implication immediately, wordlessly heading to settle the bar tab, smoothly concocting a story to excuse yourselves to Dean and Cas, citing the need for some fresh air. Fortunately, Sam's convincing manner provided the perfect cover, sparing you from having to hear the charm he employed on his brother.

As the two of you managed to sneak into the Impala, you couldn't help but chuckle as Sam settled you onto his lap. His fingers traced patterns around your waist, causing a slight shift in your hips as you felt the tension building through the fabric of your clothes. Your cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as you tried to stifle any noise. Public make-outs were never your preference, but with Sam, your adventurous side emerged, perhaps as a subtle message to Dean to cease his flirtations.

"God damn, you look even better on top of me," Sam's eyes darkened as he savored every visible inch of your skin, his fingers digging into your flesh as he relished in the sound of your escalating moans. "Sam..." Your voice echoed through his mind, driving him to the brink of madness. But before things could escalate further, a tap on the Impala from outside abruptly interrupted the moment.

"Dipshit!" Dean's voice, surprisingly less intoxicated, pierced through the silence. In contrast, Castiel remained uncomfortably silent, his presence a reminder of the world outside the cocoon of the car. Sam's chuckle prompted you to bury yourself deeper into the crook of his neck, his arm still protectively wrapped around you as he scrambled for an excuse. Yet, his cocky demeanor remained intact – if this was the tactic to finally make his brother understand, then it had to start somewhere.

"Dean, maybe we could... leave the two of them..." Cas attempted to diffuse the tension, but Dean's strong objection was evident as he stormed into the driver's seat, causing both you and Sam to shift closer together in response.

"Really?" Dean's gaze shifted between the two of you, and you couldn't help but anticipate a hint of sadness or even anger from him, considering it was evident that you and Sam had a mutual attraction. However, his response caught you off guard. "In MY Impala? You can bang anyone, Sam, but NEVER in my Impala," he declared, gesturing emphatically.

The two of you couldn't help but laugh in unison. "So, me hooking up with the girl you've been flirting with isn't a problem?" Sam sounded almost offended at this point.

"I mean," Dean paused, swallowing as his gaze met yours. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes that you felt deeply once they locked with yours. But instead of dwelling on it, he smiled. It was clear that seeing his brother happy was of utmost importance to him. "I know you've had a thing for my brother. I mean, who can resist those puppy eyes?" He ruffled Sam's hair, earning a playful pushback from Sam and a smile from you at the small display of affection.

"You're right," you agreed, redirecting your attention fully back to Sam. "How could anyone resist?"

With that, Dean started the Impala's engine, Castiel back in the passenger seat, while you nestled comfortably in Sam's arms, sitting in his lap. The drive was filled with laughter and shared moments, the four of you enjoying each other's company until you arrived back at the Bunker. As Sam spoke, teasingly, "Don’t think you can get away without me testing you, my love," you tried to hide your blush, only for Dean to interject with mock disgust, "Spare the details! For the love of god."

Chuckling together, now alone, you gently caressed Sam's cheek, admiring every detail of him. "I love you," you whispered softly, leaning in to peck his lips.

"I love you too," he replied earnestly, ensuring that you would never forget that night. And indeed, come morning, you would find it a little difficult to walk, as Sam made sure of it.

[bunniekittiee]

The Loudest Silence

Based off of @heavenlymorals ‘s post that Bi-Han had an injury to his throat that caused the raspiness. I did some research on throat illnesses and for this one, I went with acute laryngitis. Also this isn’t proofread so ignore any errors! I suck at endings btw.

It was unknown how Bi-Han got ill as he hardly ever got sick, but he was suffering. He attempted to cover his illness and continue his regular activities, such as hard training and practicing his ability to withstand the cold of the Arctika. But at night, he ran a high fever and his body was wracked with coughs until he was coughing blood. His mother was worried, extremely worried. She stayed up many nights to help Bi-Han by giving him tea to sip on and rubbing his back. She made sure he slept elevated so his coughing would not persist as long.

However, his father was not happy that Bi-Han was sick. He blamed himself for not strengthening his immune system, and he encouraged Bi-Han to freeze the illness out. His mother thought otherwise, so they argued over the course of action. She wanted Bi-Han to rest and recover, he wanted him to continue training and get over his illness in the cryomancer way.

“He is going to be the Grandmaster one day. How can he be a leader if you coddle him?” His father spat as he lifted his hands up in irritation.

“It is not coddling if I’m taking care of him because he is ill. He’s coughing blood! He can barely stand up, let alone train.” She replied with her face twisted in irritation. “I will not let you push our son until he is severely ill. He needs to rest.”

They bickered while Bi-Han listened, his body fighting for him to stay in bed but his mind told him he needed to train. He needed to prove his father wrong. His father was always harder on Bi-Han than Kuai Liang and Tomas who did not have to prove themselves as much as Bi-Han had to.

That was the downside of being the first-born son.

And he resented his brothers like hell for it.

Kuai Liang snuck into Bi-Han’s room with soup, using his hands to keep it warm. “I brought you something to eat, brother.”

Bi-Han looked at him, unable to talk as his throat was inflamed shut. His vocal cords felt like they were being ripped out of him when he made an effort to speak. He shook his head when Kuai Liang came closer with the soup.

“Why not? Are you not hungry?” He asked.

Bi-Han sighed in frustration as he was unable to communicate why he didn’t want to eat. It wasn’t that he was not hungry, it felt like sandpaper going down his throat when he ate. It was painful and uncomfortable.

He tried to communicate with his eyes, but eventually gave up and grabbed something who write on next to him. His mother made sure he had something to write with as she understood he had a hard time telling his family what he needed.

Kuai Liang looked at the paper when Bi-Han held it up and nodded. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry brother. I’ll leave it in the kitchen for now. Is there anything else you might need?”

He shook his head once more and made the motion to shoo Kuai Liang out. His brother listened and closed the door behind him, making Bi-Han sigh again.

He felt like death. He was sure Death would claim him. He wanted to rip his own throat out. The overwhelming urge to sleep took over him, and he closed his eyes.

Groggily waking up, Bi-Han slung his legs over the edge of his bed. He still felt horrible, but he knew his father was right. He needed to try to freeze the sickness out somehow. As he began to get dressed, he felt lightheaded as the corners of his vision began to fuzz. He shook his head slightly. He could not be weak. He could not show weakness.

Despite how much as his body yearned for his bed, he had to make an effort to improve his health. So he trudged out of his room and quietly padded down the hall as he swallowed his built up saliva in his mouth. It hurt horribly when he did, but he could not help it.

“Bi-Han! What are you doing up?” Tomas asked him as he approached Bi-Han. He narrowed his eyes at Tomas and opened his mouth to say something but he could not get a sound out. His vocal cords throbbed, and he rubbed his throat. Glaring at Tomas, he pushed past time and tried to make his way outside.

That was, until Kuai Liang stopped him.

“What are you doing, brother? You need to be resting. Why are you going outside?” Kuai Liang questioned as he stood between Bi-Han and the door.

The eldest brother wanted to explode. Everyone was getting in his way. His brown eyes burned into Kuai Liang’s as he moved his brother to the side. He began to go outside into the snowy tundra while his brothers followed behind him.

“You cannot go outside! It will worsen your condition.” Liang said worriedly as he caught up next to Bi-Han. “Please go back inside.”

Ignoring his request, Bi-Han stepped through the snow as the icy winds burned his throat and nasal passages. His head hurt badly now.

Kuai Liang told Tomas to get their mother while he followed Bi-Han. “Please brother, we don’t want your illness to become worse.”

“Obey my orders.” Bi-Han guttural voice that had not been used for a week rang in the air. He regretted speaking as his throat felt like it was being scraped with sandpaper and a knife. Kuai Liang was taken aback a little bit from the sounds of Bi-Han’s voice. It sounded painful. Bi-Han clenched his jaw and continued stepping through the snow while Kuai Liang lingered behind him.

The Arctika itself was always chilly with its freezing winds and the snow that seemed to never stop. But it had cold spots that were icy compared to the normal coldness. That was where Bi-Han was headed. It was easier to focus his power, and he hoped that the extra chill would help him freeze his illness out.

Kuai Liang warmed himself up from the bitter cold as he followed him. Tomas trailed behind the two brothers, shivering and the tip of his nose and cheeks turning red. He did not understand how Bi-Han could withstand it so easily.

Reaching the cold spot, Bi-Han threw himself onto the ground and began to cover himself in snow. His teeth chattered and his bones ached from the snow, but he knew he could focus his powers better this way. He had to freeze it out one way.

“Brother!” Kuai Liang kneeled down next to him and attempted to get the snow off of him, but Bi-Han smacked his hands. “You are going to get even more sick!”

Despite Tomas and Kuai Liang’s blabbering, Bi-Han sunk into the snow more and began to focus on the freezing temperatures. The cold. The ice that was beginning to frost over him. He needed to get his illness out quick.

He closed his eyes and blocked out his brothers’ pleas and focused on his heartbeat. His bones now ached to a great extent. His throat felt like it was being shredded by a cheese grater with every breath he took.

Bi-Han was not sure if he fell asleep or if he passed out. All he felt was someone pick him up which woke him up from his sleep. He assumed it was Kuai Liang, and Bi-Han grumbled quietly.

He felt warmth engulf his body, but it did not feel good. Going from extreme cold temperatures to hot made him feel like he was on fire. He groaned in pain, his throat flaring up again as he felt like his skin was being engulfed in flames. He fluttered his eyes open, and there stood his mother. She was worried, he could tell by the scrunch of her eyebrows. He saw a glimpse of his father approaching, but his eyes felt heavy. Bi-Han soon passed out once more.

When he opened his eyes again, he glanced around and saw that he was in bed with multiple blankets stacked on him. Near his bed, his mother slept. He felt his heart lurch as his worries consumed him. Was she okay? Did something happen?

Her eyes opened when she heard Bi-Han shifting around, and she got up quickly to tend to his needs. “My son! How do you feel?”

Bi-Han had a pounding headache, his limbs felt heavy, his bones hurt, he was not in any better shape. If not, worse than before.

He explained this to her on the paper pad and she sighed. “I told your father that freezing it out would only worsen it. I was right. You are officially on bed rest, Bi-Han.” She said as she gently pushed his stray hairs back from his forehead. “You are not going anywhere. You will not resume training. You will not get up from this bed, do you understand me?”

He wanted to argue and tell her that he could do it, but with the way he felt, he did not feel like doing anything. He just nodded his head at her while she sighed again.

“I don’t know what I would do if I were to lose you, my love.” She told him quietly. “You are my life. As well as Kuai Liang, but you are my life.”

Bi-Han suddenly felt tired, his eyelids starting to drag down as his vision blurred. He was once again entering his dream state that was empty. Void of any dreams. Just darkness.

It had taken three weeks for Bi-Han to fully recover. His mother fought hard for his father to give Bi-Han the adequate amount of recovery time. His father respected her wishes and granted Bi-Han time to rest. As much as he wanted his son to continue his training and work, he did not like to see him so severely ill. He saw how sickly Bi-Han looked after he tried to freeze it out of him. Bi-Han was pale with blue veins slightly showing through his skin. His body was limp and deathly cold. He thought for a moment that his son had perished by his own bad encouragement. But Bi-Han persisted.

As a future Grandmaster should.

Bi-Han began to feel better halfway into Week 3. He felt more energized and did not have to worry about falling asleep out of nowhere. Kuai Liang and Tomas were joyous to have their brother back even if he was grouchy. They had missed Bi-Han accompanying them to training and his moodiness that only made them annoy him more.

Training had its difficulties as he did not have the stamina built up anymore. So he had a somewhat difficult time attempting to adjust to his usual regime. However, he was used to not talking. His body may have been recovering well, but his throat still had flare ups. No one expected him to talk. But it frustrated him to no end trying to communicate without speaking. No one seemed to understand him. And sometimes it was hard keeping his side comments to himself.

One day, Tomas had accidentally smacked Kuai Liang in the face with a stick, causing the brother to have a large red mark across his cheek.

“By the Gods! Kuai Liang, I am so sorry!” Tomas apologized to him as Kuai, annoyed, told him it was fine.

“You imbecile.” Bi-Han rasped. “You need to watch where you are swinging objects.”

Tomas and Kuai both jumped on surprise, eyes wide as they swiveled their heads to Bi-Han.

“Brother, your voice…” Kuai Liang said in shock.

“It’s different.” Tomas breathed as they studied Bi-Han who was a little surprised himself. His voice was altered from his illness, and he did not expect it. It was deeper than normal with some raspiness to it. He sounded much older and a little intimidating.

“Be quiet, both of you.” He rumbled. Both of his brothers obeyed his orders.

Bi-Han used his voice more, even surprising his parents. “Your voice is new.” His father told him. “A future Grandmaster with a voice like that will bring him success.”

Bi-Han debated on whether his father was telling him the truth or not. He was used to his original voice, and he did not want any changes to it. It wasn’t anything special, but it was his regularity. Now, he had a much deeper and raspier voice that didn’t sit well with him.

Would he admit he was insecure? Absolutely not.

But his mother noticed he used his voice less despite being fully recovered. And she did what mothers always do best.

“My son,” she said to him one day while she helped him apply creams to his face. His face was breaking out from stress, and he was irritated because of it. “Your voice is lovely. It may have changed due to our sickness, but you sound intimidating. You can use that to your advantage, especially when you are Grandmaster.”

The cryomancer did not have that thought cross his mind. His mother was right, he could use it to his advantage. Bi-Han had always been on the much colder side with his personality, so having a voice like that would only add to his demeanor.

Brown eyes staring at his mother’s, he nodded his head. “I had never thought about it that way. Thank you.”

She smiled at him softly, continuing to rub a bit more cream onto his face.

Kuai Liang and Tomas had the hardest time adjusting to Bi-Han’s voice. They never fully got used to it, and if Bi-Han snuck up on them, he often surprised them.

He scared Tomas so bad that the poor kid swung himself off the side of one of the hills around the Arctika. His powers were definitely tested that day on whether he could control his smoke enough to bring himself up the large hill again. Bi-Han found is amusing while Kuai was worried about Tomas being hurt.

Bi-Han utilized his mother’s advice for many years, even after she had passed. Growing from a teenager to a fully-fledged man who was now the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, he had much practice with altering his voice to sound more imposing on others. Sometimes, he used it on his siblings. But Kuai Liang always rolled his eyes and told Bi-Han that he was not scaring anyone.

But they never were used to his voice. How gravelly it could sound and how it would change throughout the day. His voice sounded much different in the mornings than in the afternoons.

He was thankful he had gotten ill those many years ago. It worked out in his favor despite how much pain he had to go through. But he thought it worked out in his benefit.

[cutieeva]

Sweet Peach

𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫

Female Reader

Warnings : Infidelity. Sexual assault. Dubious consent.

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒

❛ シュージンの愛 ❜

He was utterly unaware the moment she step inside his mansion, all heavenly and beautiful like ripe fruit to taste and how can he, as a man leave such a fragile beauty alone despite the ring on his finger and children for who she was even asked to come.

"My Lord, the answer you have written is wrong. Please correct it after a thoughtful moment". (Y/N) says to the little boy dressed in kimono. Who lift his chin.

"May you correct me yourself because I find myself unable to". (Y/N) nod.

"With pleasure". Holding the brush between her fingers, with elegance she wrote the correct answer on the paper by the black ink before laying on the wooden polished table and present him. Kiriya nod in judgment.

"I see, forgive me for unable to identity myself". She smiles at the little boy's acknowledgement and pat his head.

"No fears, mistakes are crafted to be corrected and learnt". Uttering the advise she recalls from her own master to the little lord.

"Teacher, could you see my answer, please". Hinaki, the eldest daughter present her own paper to her tutor (Y/N), who smiles and views.

"Well done. May your sagacity persist, illuminating all your undertakings." The little girl, smile in response.

"Well, I offer my sincerest gratitude for your unwavering diligence. We shall meet at our next assembly." The children all bow slightly and (Y/N) nod. Standing up and walking to the exit when her sight meet their father, Ubuyashiki Kagaya. The leader of the demon slayer corp she had no knowledge of until she submit to the wealthy lord's for tuition and was accepted.

She curtsied deeply in respect to the young master and he, the symbol of benevolent and clean man should not bear such ill thoughts of his wondering eyes lingered upon the delicate contours of her neck, where the gentle folds of her attire accentuated each mole and sweet curve.

Unaware she stood straight again and he smiles in shame, eyes dart to the sliver ring reminding of his wife and children he often times forget the moment this enchanting woman step inside his mansion for two weeks now.

"The study has ended ? So soon, I might add". The woman smile wider at the young master's worry for his children's education.

"It is solely attributable to the young lords and ladies' remarkable intellectual alacrity. They grasp concepts with effortless ease and rectify errors with unerring swiftness, bespeaking a most promising future." Praises sing from her lips and the leader smile, basking at the proud of his offspring. "And, naturally, we must consider the lineage from which they hail. The young lords and ladies have unmistakably inherited their father's distinguished intellect and noble bearing." She added, admiration shine from her eyes where Kagaya see his unappealing self at the reflection yet her warmth humanize him, the way she stare directly free of shame or disgust from his spreading disease on the one eye. It flutter his heart when it should not.

"Your compliments are overly generous, but I attribute our children's exceptional qualities, in no small measure, to my wife's own exemplary intelligence and virtuous influence." She frown at the mention of his wife to which he notice and thought, does she dislike her ? A fleeling thought came of the answer perhaps she feels some envy ?

While (Y/N) inside is berating herself for the oversight to acknowledge the esteemed lady's influence, whose virtues and graces undoubtedly should be praise as well.

"Of course". She agreed. "I shall take my leave". Swallowing she stare for the polite permission.

"Indeed". He said with a heavy heart and he stepped aside, permitting the lady to glide past him. The soft brush of her silken shoulder against his arm arresting his breath, and he was unexpectedly entranced by the subtle, sweet fragrance that wafted from her, of peach he believes.

☯

Kagaya is sitting under a cherry blossom tree, basking at the warm sunlight and the cool breeze when a peach he had not know appeared in his palm and his mouth felt dry, with a sudden thirst he sank his teeth in the lush peach tasting the sweetest honey even a nector has fail and the juice glide inside his mouth and some in his hand, he hastily licked the trickle, savoring every drop. He bite and bite and bite more, the more he savor, the more unsatisfying he is feeling and before he knew it, eyes fluttered open, locking onto the inviting curve of a stranger's lips he is kissing with great passion he grace none.

And her kimono's silken folds slipped from her shoulder, unveiling a (S/C) radiant expanse of skin before his eyes that captivated Kagaya's senses he rip his kiss to claim the tender flesh, drinking in the heady fusion of peach sweetness and her own alluring essence.

"Lord, Lord, it's time to wake up". Kagaya's open his eyes wide and it dawn upon him. It was a sensual dream he had not imagine from adolescent. Also the woman with peach fragrance was—.

"Thank you for waking me". He smile at his wife who smile. —not his wife rather (Y/N).

Guilt and rage fill within and he waited, waited and waited for the disgust to come however it did not come. Perhaps because he never really loathe it. After all dreams are of someone's inner desire and shame eat him watching his innocent children running around their mother while he fascinate of another woman. Their tutor, (Y/N). The alluring woman that is seducing him.

Thus when she make her appearance Kagaya hid, not wanting to meet the cause of his destruction.

☯

"Teacher, what deeds can children do to bring joy to their fathers' hearts ?" This earned her attention and she smile.

"Explain, please". Hinaki gulp and look down, reluctant to open up. "Share your thoughts. You are seeking a way to bring joy to your father's heart, am I correct ?" The little girl lit up at her tutor's smoothing voice and nod.

"For few days despite his bright smile, I've noticed a lingering strain on his face these past few days. The faint wrinkles and tension in his demeanor betray his usual carefree air, leaving me feeling concerned and helpless." (Y/N) pat tendering on her back, dwell how adults overlook the keen discernment of children, who, with intuitive sagacity, grasp subtleties that escape the notice of their elders.

"Might I propose that you indulge your artistic inclinations by sketching a likeness of your esteemed father or beloved family? Such a gesture, tenderly presented, may well bring solace to his heart.". Hinaki nod at the suggestion and (Y/N) part her lips when Kiriya took her attention away at a problem he deem is correct. "I am looking forward to". She whisper to her, encouraging before helping others.

☯

"Well, I offer my sincerest gratitude for your unwavering diligence. We shall meet at our next assembly." She repeated the words and the students bow when Hinaki come near her, showing the drawing she crafted. (Y/N)'s heart touched, finding even herself among the family picture.

"I am deeply grateful. I can not alone with words describe how you warmth my heart. Thank you". Blush red her cheeks. "And I know, your father will cherish it a lot". She hand back the paper. "Well, I shall take my leave—". She stopped by the little girl's tuging her sleeve.

"I wish to present him with you". She tilt her head a little.

"If you are shy. We can share this with your mother ?" The suggestion she thought good was discard by her no.

"Why ?" Curiously she ask.

"Because mother is not at home at this moment and I wish to give him now however my nervousness overshadow me". (Y/N) nod, soaking the adorable reason and comply. They both stood up, parting from the others to visit her father, (Y/N) follow behind, (E/C) eyes wondering a little as never wander inside the mansion properly before. Each inch is pristine and polished as expected. A little envy grip her heart from how lavish they own.

"Here, we have arrived". Those thoughts disspeared at Hinaki's announcement. Her eyes stare at the door and wait for the daughter to open who rather gaze at her.

Stood in silence she finally utter. "You want me to open the door ?" The little girl nod. (Y/N) laugh nervously and walk closer to the door to knock once politely.

"Come in. Wife, you have arrived earlier than expected". Kagaya's voice plain and (Y/N) bite her bottom lips before opening the door and peering her head a little.

"Forgive me, it's (Y/N). My lord". The man's flinch at the faimilar voice that captured his dreams and mind and look up, meeting her humble smile.

"Oh. Please come in". Faxing a calm voice, he smile watching her enter in his study room, his gaze lingered on her figure draped in a lavender hue kimono he can not deny to say it's befitting.

His heart pound at the thought of her wishing to see him and wait for her lips to part and say when a little body caught his eye, his eldest daughter shying behind her and holding a paper. Confuse at her presence.

"Well, she wants to present something to you". He watch (Y/N) nod to his daughter who came near him and knelt to present the paper. His fingers unfold and eyes fill with warmth at the realization of a family picture drawn.

However what interesting is (Y/N) on the side too, unconscious smile wide and (Y/N) notice, pushing the little girl's body to hug her father in surprise, that she did. His lavender eyes wide before soften to reciprocating the action.

"Thank you, my child for gifting such wonderful gift I can receive". The girl smile bashfully.

"Welcome and teacher proposed this idea, sensing my unease I have felt concerning your welfare, father". His grip on her hug loosen and eyes met her.

"Oh, forgive father for distressing you, my child". His words directed to her daughter however his gaze remained on her. "And teacher, thank you for your guidance". (Y/N) nod at the kind words.

Hinaki part the hug and about to stood up when her feet slip and almost on her own did (Y/N) run to her student and hold when Kagaya did at once. Their hands top of one another causing (Y/N) to flinch and his heart to race faster at the first touch on bare skin.

"Her skin is softer than I imagined". He thought when she removed her hand.

"F-forgive my rudeness". Her lips stutter, standing up relieve to see her student not fall. The father smiled more, finding her stutter cute.

"Forgiven". The woman nod.

"I-I will take my leave". Bend her body in respect, she turn around to left without his swift permission, leaving behind emptiness within him from their short meeting.

That night he dreamed of caressing a soft (S/C) woman's body. He knew belonged to (Y/N).

☯

The droplets of rain fell harsh on the ground crafting such noise (Y/N) lean her body to listen, melting into the nature, almost lost of her work. If her student did not call her.

She jolt, ashamed by her actions and shake her mind to clear and help the little girl unaware a pair of lavender's eyes admirating her from the sildline.

Soon the study come to an end and the children bow at their gratitude and she stood up, walking to the exit encountering Amane, the mistress of the mansion hastily she bow.

"I have come to give you this, the rain is heavy and returning home might not be safe for a young lady like yourself". Amane forward the parasol to which (Y/N) thank.

"Pardon me, I still wish to return". The beautiful lady nod understanding and (Y/N) walk pass her holding the kind gesture and using it when she step out of the roof. "Heaven, the rain has increased". Her (E/C) eyes stare at the dead empty street and felt a shivers run her spine, walking through the harsh rain preying no ill stand in her way. However god does not bear her wish when the cool breeze and rain turn into a traitorous storm flying her weak parasol away surprising her as her only shield was snatched.

Stood in the middle of the road, dawn setting and her body soaking the water. "I must go back to the mansion". It's impossible to even take a step to continue her journey back home where her parents are waiting. Unfortunately it seem her day would be spend at the Ubuyashiki mansion.

When she return the mansion, standing soaked with blush on her skin from the shame of her lack of judgment, she expected to be ridicule however the pair did nothing apart from taking her to the guest room and advising her to rest the night here.

What escape her eyes were Kagaya's hunger eyes, drawning to her wet body, the way of rain soak her cloth to stick her each curves and skin, he is embarrass by the sound his gulp did. He lick his lips, going outside for privacy for her to change into fresher cloth. He sent his wife away to rest and stood outside, waiting for her former clothes (Y/N) hand, apologizing for being a burden, to he, laugh kindly.

(Y/N) close the door and sigh in relieve at how thoughtful of them to not be cruel while on the outside of her door, lean Kagaya gripping the soaked cloth and sniff on them aggressively. The smell of earthly mix with with her fragment of peach, together it craft the recipe of such heavenly odor he can not help yet lick his mouth to wet the dryness and calm the rush of blood in his lowerpart.

☯

The night came faster than she thought, resting in the estate of someone else feels unnatural, uncomfortable that she knelt from her futon and unfold the small wooden table on the corner and lit a candle to lay the paper and begin writing to draft her mind into a wander to calm her nerves.

Her finger familiar with the brush in her hand move in a fluid motion to write as she please, to no one to intervene and no one to judge yet her forehead still wrinkles and top of the brush touch her lips carelessly, very frequently than an appropriate amount however no loss would be if she decides to part those pillow lips, betray a glimpse of her pearly teeth or perhaps the red flesh of a tongue then the top of the brush will slip into her open mouth fill with saliva and settle upon the soft, plush bed of her tongue where it rest firm and hard, surrounded by the heat and her nector lips close on it's own, deliriously wrapped around the top of only a mere brush however the dignity was shed far long ago as she dug deeper and deeper the brush, befitting perfectly, firm and hard and in desire she suck on those only for the reward to never arrive as she coax, even pleads moans in desperation, rolling and rubbing the softness end of the brush tainting her pure hand in a black ink like a careless little girl—.

(Y/N) turn her head, directly staring at the door. No shadow or a soul stood, confuse by the feeling of watched she continue her writing, the brush still dance between her clean fingers and politely writing.

Kagaya, rest on his back on the wooden wall, breathing heavy for the lungs on his chest for air and close his eyes, sweat glistening from the lustful imagination he imaged pure from the hidden watching by the little crack he made. Her innocent writing turn into such filth his mind craft he can no more deny his desire stretching thin and that he wants her. Near and into his arm.

After all she is seducing him too. The averting glances, coming near her daughter, soaking in the heavy rain to return so sinfully and envy dropping from his wife. Passion must be met. The question is how.

☯

Morning awake her, she sit up, stretching her hands and yawning, slept like a baby. (Y/N) stand up, tighten her loosen kinomo and went to open the door, grasp.

"My lord ?" He stood right in front of her, figure tall to frighten her within the quite hallways. He look at her, gaze so tender she felt unsettle and smile too wide to be happy and without a word she was pushed inside and the door slam shut, her eyes close in the sudden pain on her back, wincing, part her lips to comment when he silence it by blending his own on top of her.

Her eyes wide, (E/C) pupils threating to spill, unable to believe the same kind married man kissing her. Her lips snarl and she attempt to push his advances however caught by his one hand before the other wrap around her waist, pulling her near.

No. No. No. No. No. In fit of rage and desperation with full strength remain in her body she push him away, ripping their lips apart. Her hand twisting free from his grip to slap him only to be caught.

He breaths heavily, lavender eyes decorate with lust and passion that clouded even his better judgement. He eyes her wet lips and smile, they were softer and sweeter than even the peaches he dreamed of and her skin were lovely to touch like feather of a bird. "Do not slap me. I love you". (Y/N) gaze at him in astonishment.

"Why do you appear surprise ? Do you not know I was under your spell the entire time you were seducing me ?" The man is mad, along the disease on his skin, it seem it spread into his brain too for how non sensible words he is uttering, (Y/N) thinks.

Before she can deny such impure accusation he drive into her neck, engulfing her body within his own and sucking the skin he desired so much, and sigh as if given water to survive, trailing pepper kisses on the side to her chin and stopping. (Y/N) grim, unable to stay attach to a situation she wish to never begin, watching him intently how he bore his eyes to her like imprinting her on his memory.

His lips then kiss on her corner of lip.

On her cheek. Kagaya smile and (Y/N) close her eyes in response.

On her closed eyes. (Y/N) suck a breath.

On her forehead. He loves her, oh so much, adorably to die.

And on her lips finally. Sighing in happiness, of how he kiss her, not in dream, imagination rather in real life. Heat garthering under his skin and blush color his cheeks, even his entire face along the wider smile. He looks mad in desire.

(Y/N) let him kiss her this time. Welding her lips open to sink his tongue to taste and hands to roam her garments. "I knew it, she wants this too". Happily nibbling on her bottom lips to into her flesh of mouth, he drink all and every nector she could offer, greedily taking and taking.

His hands while untie the rode to the kinomo and tear open her clothes she bite his lips hard to draw blood and broke the kiss when he flinch. Leaning her head on the wall, she breath first.

"Am I a prostitute in your eyes ?" Kagaya's eyes wide and shake his head desperately.

"No ! Never". Never in the life of him did he thought ill of her.

"Then after having your way with me. You would discard me like a used cloth". She avert her gaze and her voice bored, lack of emotions.

"No, Never". He deny eagerly, how could he when he is flying to her like a moth to a flame, infuriated with her entire being.

"How do I believe you when you have wife and children of your own ?" Her voice raise and eyebrows furrow. "I am just a other woman, you can not marry me. And if you can not, then you won't have me". Yank from his hands she tries to walk away when he embrace her from behind, tighten his hold where she is suffocated and whisper in her ear.

"I can leave her. Leave anything to have you". She smile bitterly and thought foolish, foolish man.

"Your children too ?" Her (E/C) eyes gaze at him and smile crease to nothing. The married man nod.

"I want you only". Feverishly he confess his love over and over and over again that she tune out.

"Then done it before having me". She broke free from the loose grip and he let her because if he wants to own her entirely he must get rid of the worthless ones.

☯

(Y/N) close her eyes in ache of the chaos a man create solely for his selfishness and sit quietly on the carriage Kagaya gave her.

"I do not wish to see your feet wounded". She scoff, wanting to be cradle in her mother's haven.

☯

For the few days she did not dare return the mansion, staying under the roof of her haven and as the days pass in silence, (Y/N) thought the storm has pass unaware it was brewing for the bigger storm because now she knelt alongside her parents in front of the treasures, gifts and a golden swan hairpin on above.

It's gift of marriage. Clearly he is proposing to her.

"(Y/N) ! What is happening ? Ubuyashiki is wanting your hand in marriage ? Was he not wed already ? With adorable children ?" Her mother rain of questions her daughter can not answer.

What would she ? That the man was drove in madness for the thirst of her body ? To own her ?

"Pardon me, Mrs. (L/N). Young master has divorced his wife. He is unwed now, waiting for your daughter's yes". The butler explain calmly.

"(Y/N) ! you can not say yes ! People will assume you as a whore—". She cut her father's worried whisper.

"Say you your Lord that I have accepted the gift and agreed upon the marriage on the date as he please". Her parents close their thoughts, doubts creeping them yet the decide to trust their daughter.

"Understood". The butler left, some guards on her doorsteps for false protection and more for assurance of her not run away.

☯

Within a week, their marriage was set as near as possible and (Y/N) sat wore pure white kimono as a bride she is, the maidens bathing her in praises and compliments she is not in need and her parents wore their dress, masking their tension by the smiles she could see though.

She stand up, going outside and met the gaze of her future husband Kagaya dressed in black, who's name is she going to bear along his possessions.

The man's breath stop for moments watching the angel descend from the stairs towards him, in pure white he will tore eventually and stand beside him to become his forever.

Their vows and the cup was exchange hastily. Guest were close to none and with that they become wed. A dry and marriage based on desires. Nothing alike to how she imagined few months ago before stepping at the cursed mansion. The servants took her first to change in their chamber and Kagaya watched, crazed smile decorate upon his lips.

☯

Finally he went inside greeted by not his new wife rather with empty cold chamber and his mind racing until his sight catch the letter underneath the lit candle.

'Dear husband, I will enter after fully dressed in red thus while waiting please drink the juice I made from my favorite fruit— peach'. The leader caress her exquisite writing just like her and glide to the cup he take to drink. The taste is bitter at first before sweeten, too much to his liking yet like intoxicating he only drink more and more and more.

With a gentle click on the table he place the cup, waiting for his (Y/N) to appear. Seconds bleed into minutes and his eyes flutter close. Minutes pass to hours and the slumber force his eyes to draft, the darkness won.

(Y/N) close her eyes, hoping he took her sleeping drink to fall asleep for her escape to be easier. Her parents sat in front, sleeping as well resting their head on one another, earning a serene smile from herself, she knows could be lost if she stayed with that man. He does not deserve her virtue let alone her heart. The entire reason she offer his prove of love through divorce was because the moment he confess his love, she knew his kind wife does not deserve to rot hence she wished enough for her to break free with the innocent children. Better to be fatherless than an adultery father.

However what she did not calculate his desire control him to send marriage gifts so shamelessly. Knowing she has fallen into the hole deep, she can not escape unscathed thus she agree to marry as promise only to run away somewhere he can never find her. Never, she promise because the place she is running to is out of the nation of Japan. As a tutor and educated woman, she has knowledge and chance to leave.

In the drink she craft, her mind almost wish to put poison for him to eternal sleep however the demon slayer corps need a leader to navigate the end of demons thus she let him live. In misery as she wants.

☯

Amane crumble the letter send by the woman that tore her marriage however the smile that plastered on her face could only overjoy in the misery of her husband of never earning the only woman he hold dear.

Sipping her tea, words from the letter flow her mind of apologize for ruining her marriage and deciding something for her instead of letting her bear a chance, she will forever be in regret and in debt of her.

"She is not a bad woman. Indeed". Amane thought, tasting the tea sweeter than it was.

Perhaps it's from the agony scream of her former husband from his mansion.

"How dare she run away from me when she have my name ! How dare she lie and broke the promise !" In fit of rage he scammble the house upside down, the servants quivering, never seen such side of their master— not even the time of his discovering his disease.

"I will haunt the woman—". Coughs of blood halt his speech and rage as he fall to the ground, blood dripping and scatter on the ground.

Language of love, he has read. When wed to his arranged wife he never felt love rather a duty however that woman changed his colorless life into rose tinted-one. Where he is not tie by duty rather to a love now, her physical touch. And he would haunt her to the end of world if needed.

"Good luck". (Y/N) smirk, throwing a white fogle symbol of ending a marriage that flew to fall on the ground as she ride the ship with her parents, carrying luggage on their hands.

FIN

𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐨𝐟 ◸◜𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬◞◿

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Battle in Rhodolite: Team Deer Bonus Story

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors.

------------Flashback------------

Emma: "Is there a reward for the winning team?"

Sariel: "Yes. They will be presented with a ticket that can grant any wish within reason."

Sariel: "Our committee will have to hear their requests."

Emma: "I understand. I'll prepare myself from now on."

---------Flashback Ends--------

Emma: "So, congratulations!"

Emma: "The winner of the first International Friendship Martial Arts Tournament is Team Deer!"

Emma: "As the organizing committee, we will do our best to fulfill everyone's wishes."

Keith: "That's great. Although it wasn't a serious martial arts tournament, a victory is still a victory."

Leon: "Hold on. There was one person in this team who slacked off."

Chevalier: "..........."

Leon: "You disappeared for your own reasons, but it's still considered skipping."

Silvio: "True. It's a bit funny that everyone gets the reward equally."

Rio: "You say that, but you just played in a card game."

Silvio: "And you just made sweets. That's not called a martial arts tournament."

Luke: "I did participate in the martial arts tournament properly."

Sariel: "The cleaning afterward was hell, though. Fufufu."

Luke: "Well, it's not my fault."

Keith: "Things are starting to look ominous. Emma, what should we do?"

Keith: "In the first place, the ticket that grants any wish is one per team, not one per person, right?"

Emma: "Yes, that's correct."

Keith: "I can't imagine everyone here agreeing on a wish."

Keith: "What should we do about that, Sariel?"

Sariel: "Let's just forcefully gather and summarize their opinions."

Keith: "Understood. In that case, how about something like this?"

Emma: "Do you have an idea?"

Keith: "Yeah. We're going to have a martial arts tournament with everyone here."

Keith: "And the person who wins will receive the ticket."

Emma: "I see!"

Emma: "Wait, what?"

Silvio: "That's easy to understand."

Silvio: "Alright, I'll start by taking you down."

Rio: "Whoa!?"

Rio: "Attacking out of nowhere一are you some sort of a barbarian!?"

Silvio: "Tch, you even threw a knife at me right away."

Silvio: "But don't think you can crush me with such a feeble weapon."

Emma: "Ah, crap, it's really starting!"

Luke: "Hey, wait, Rio! Don't throw a knife at me!"

Rio: "Then why don't you help me, Prince Luke? I'll behave myself if we defeat this jerk!"

Silvio: "Ha? Are you my enemy too, big guy? Then come at me."

Luke: "Alright, the way you said that just now pissed me off."

Luke: "I'll kill for unlimited honey."

Emma: "Ahhh! You too, Luke!? Wait, what you said sounded really dangerous!"

Sariel: "Please step aside, Emma. At this point, we can only leave it to fate."

Sariel: ".........."

Keith: "Heh, I've known for a while that you're no ordinary guy, but I didn't think you'd block my sword with a whip. Impressive."

Sariel: "What are you planning, Prince Keith?"

Keith: "Nothing. I'm just thinking of taking responsibility and joining as well."

Sariel: "If you say you'll take responsibility, then could you please stop this?"

Keith: "Sorry, Sariel. I'm as fragile as a weed, so stopping this is beyond me."

Keith: "Though, I don't really intend to stop it."

Leon: "Emma! Come over here!"

Emma: "Leon! W-W-What should I do? Even Sariel has started fighting with his whip."

Leon: "Calm down. Do you know what to do in times like this?"

Emma: "No. I have absolutely no idea."

Leon: "It's simple."

Leon: "In this world, the strong devour the weak and make the losers submit."

Emma: "Um, why are you drawing your sword too?"

Leon: "Stay behind Chevalier."

Emma: "Wait! And he's gone."

Keith: "Oops, haha! I never thought I'd have the chance to fight you, Leon."

Leon: "Don't let your guard down. This fight won't end until there's a winner!"

Silvio: "Hey! Who the hell tried to attack me from behind just now!?"

Rio: "Ah, damn it! I missed. Seriously, this guy's so persistent!"

Luke: "How about I just blow everyone away together?"

Sariel: "That wouldn't be good. Please calm down."

Emma: "No one..."

Emma: "No one seems willing to listen to me."

Emma: "If everyone wants to fight with swords so badly, they should've done it in a martial arts tournament."

Emma: "The only person I can rely on in this group is..."

Chevalier: "............"

Emma: "You've been reading a book since earlier. Sorry, but I have a favor to ask."

Chevalier: "............"

Emma: "Could you please settle this commotion?"

Chevalier: "............"

Emma: "I'll give you some rare books. The owner recently said he found books from a lost nation!"

Chevalier: "Oh?"

Chevalier: "Lost nation's literature sounds interesting. Most of it is said to have been burned by Obsidian."

Emma: "The owner is an incredibly lucky person. Having one or two books from a lost nation is a real bargain!"

Chevalier: "In that case, it is certainly worth it."

Chevalier: "Stop, was it?"

Emma: "Eh? Huh? He disappeared."

Rio: "Waah!?"

Luke: "Whoa!?"

Silvio: "What the!?"

Sariel: "Oops."

Leon: "Chevalier!?"

Chevalier: "Keep your promise, simpleton."

Emma: "T-Thank you very much."

Emma: "I didn't expect you to disarm everyone in an instant."

Leon: "Isn't this unfair, Chevalier?"

Luke: "Sneaking in when our guard is down and taking the easy part is really sneaky."

Rio: "Exactly!"

Silvio: "Seriously, why are you the most motivated one here? That's not like your character at all."

Keith: "Your swordsmanship was impressive, Chevalier. How about sparring with me next?"

Sariel: "Prince Keith seems unusually spirited today."

Emma: "Okay, everyone, did you cool your heads already?"

Emma: "If we continue like this, we'll never be able to fulfill your wishes."

Emma: "Let's have a constructive discussion, please!"

Rio: "Emma looks cute when she's mad."

Luke & Leon: "Agreed."

Silvio: "You guys, shut up."

Keith: "Hmm."

Keith: "In that case, how about having the Second International Friendship Martial Arts Tournament?"

Silvio: "Ha?"

Keith: "I'm talking about the team's wishes."

Keith: "Well, everyone seemed to still want to fight, so I thought having it regularly might be a good idea."

Keith: "That way, the chance to have your wishes granted might increase from once to two or three times."

Keith: "I believe it could improve things without engaging in useless fights like this."

Leon: "You were the one who started this useless fight."

Emma: "Prince Keith's suggestion is wonderful!"

Emma: "Having the exchange event two or three times would deepen our bonds even more than just doing it once."

Rio: "Emma's eyes are sparkling. Cute."

Luke & Leon: "Agreed."

Silvio: "I told you guys to shut up."

Silvio: "If there's a next time, I want a different team from this damn mutt. I'll knock you guys out with all my might."

Rio: "Wow, so much confidence. Hopefully, you won't get beaten up in return."

Luke: "I'll be on a different team from that bastard Clavis. I'll take him down next time, for sure."

Sariel: "Where's the word friendship in all of these?"

Leon: "You don't have any objections, do you?"

Chevalier: "............"

Leon: "Oh, he ran away. Well, I guess that means he has no complaints."

Emma: "So it's decided then."

Emma: "I look forward to the day when we all get together again."

Ikepri Masterlist

[inou-ie]

Hello, how you doing? Can I please have yan Jinglie x Blade's younger sister. Basically, his sister is youngerin a year. She is also part of Stellaron Hunter, but she is more has more softer side. Jingliu was always in love with them, untill they left woth Blade. However, one day Jingliees Blade's sister in Xianzhou, and decide why not to kidnap them and make them hers? (Hopefully I didn't confused you).

Author's notes: I'm sorry, this took so long... I hope I got it right though! Since you asked about yandere before, I thought you'd like it this way.

Warnings: slight NSFW, yandere, kidnapping, stalking.

MDNI

Joining the Stellaron Hunters to care for your older brother is akin to having a second job. You must be there for him, recognizing the possibility of his losing control, rather than relying solely on Kafka's abilities.

You and Blade are consistently assigned to missions together, whereas your brother often operates independently. This pattern persisted during your mission in Xianzhou Luofu, as he ventured solo, leaving you to operate alone.

Frustrated by the constant effort to keep pace with him, you resolved to complete the mission solo. As you surveyed the surroundings, a flood of memories engulfed you, recalling the diverse individuals with whom you had interacted in this very place.

However, an unsettling feeling gnawed at you. It seemed as though someone had been watching you from the moment you entered this place. You glanced around, but there was no one in sight.

Putting the mission aside and continuing to walk in an attempt to lose the mysterious pursuer turned out to be a grave error. You eventually found yourself at a dead end, and a chilling sensation crept down your spine as the surroundings grew colder with each passing moment.

"...you.. have returned..." a cold voice from behind caused you to pivot around, revealing a woman wearing a black blindfold, advancing toward you with deliberate, unhurried steps.

"Who are you?" You swiftly raised your guard, yet a bone-chilling coldness filled the air as she inched closer. "Have you... forgotten about me?" The woman paused, then delicately removed her blindfold, revealing her piercing red eyes fixed intently upon you.

In that moment, a rush of memories flooded your mind. You took a closer look at her face and breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that this woman was, in fact, an old companion.

"Jingliu?" You muttered, studying the woman once more. A faint smile graced her lips as she approached you. "That's right... I'm glad you came back." she said, her voice carrying a chilly tone. She stood before you, her hand reaching for your cheek, gently rubbing her thumb against it.

Her touch, though both gentle and firm, was unmistakably familiar. A chuckle escaped your lips; how could you ever forget the person you used to spend time with?

"...n't leave..." You heard Jingliu mumble something, and your curiosity piqued as you leaned in closer. "Did you say something?" You asked with curiosity. After several moments of silence, you felt her grip on your chin as she locked eyes with you with an intense gaze.

"You can't leave me again..." Jingliu uttered before she moved her hand toward your face. Her cold hand covered your eyes. Just as you attempted to pull away, an intense and numbing coldness washed over your mind. You groaned in pain while struggling to break free, but she held you tightly with her arm around your waist, her hand still seemingly freezing your thoughts.

"What are you doing?!" You continued to struggle against her, but it proved futile; her strength remained as formidable as ever. Jingliu didn't utter a word, and you felt your mind growing blank as you slowly lost consciousness.

You jolted awake with a start, sensing a weight on your body, only to find Jingliu atop you. She smiled to herself while gently caressing your face. "You'll be with me forever..." She mumbled softly before planting a tender kiss on your forehead.

With your eyes half-opened, you strained to scan the dim surroundings, but darkness obscured everything, and your mind remained clouded. "What did you do to me..." you whispered weakly, attempting to shift, but Jingliu clung to you tightly, using her weight to keep you pinned down.

"This is where you belong... by my side," Jingliu whispered, her finger tracing a chilling path along your neck. "I won't ever let you go, not again." she added, her smile taking on a wicked edge as her red eyes gleamed in the darkness.

You groaned as Jingliu shifted her position, now seated on top of you. She gazed down at you while keeping you pinned down. "I love you..." she mumbled before cupping your cheeks in her hands. "I love you so much." she repeated, seemingly waiting for your reaction.

"What are you even saying..." you muttered under your breath, noticing Jingliu's expression darkening. She grabbed your neck with both hands and leaned down. "That's not right, you were supposed to say you love me back." she whispered dangerously against your throat.

Jingliu tilted your head upward slightly, her mouth drawing even closer to your throat. Her hands felt cold against your skin. "Let me go– ah..." a sudden moan escaped your lips when she licked your throat up to your chin.

Her breath hitched when she heard you moan, and it only served to fuel her desire even more. Jingliu's tongue continued to explore your neck, drawing shapes on your skin that sent shivers down your spine. She nipped at the soft flesh just below your earlobe before sucking gently, her hot breath causing goosebumps along your collarbone.

You could feel every inch of her nails digging into the sensitive skin behind your ears, sending waves of pleasure coursing through you. Despite yourself, a low growl rumbled from deep within your throat when she finally bit down hard on that vulnerable spot between neck and shoulder—the bite not quite painful but undeniably intense.

"I love you." she murmured once more into your ear, her voice hoarse with desire. Her tongue traced the outline of your earlobe before dipping inside, sending shivers down your spine.

You can't help but moan beneath her, squirming around while closing your eyes tightly. "It's been years... you must quell the longing you've stirred within me." Jingliu whispered with an air of longing and desire. Your eyes widen at the sight of Jingliu slowly removing her clothes before leaning down to embrace you.

"I'll never let you escape, my love.. Nothing can separate us ever again." Jingliu mumbled before your combined moans, cries, and whimpers echoed through the night air like a primal symphony...

[britt-kageryuu]

Not so much a content warning, but fictional politics mentioned.

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

Donnie is working on some programming on stream again. They told the audience that it's for some minor upgrades to a something he was working on. Some of the chat is trying to play a guessing game, on what it's for based off of some peoples programming experience.

Donnie is only seen from the waist up so he's only visibly wearing his oversized purple hoodie, but this one appears to have an effect where everytime they type a sparkle effect happens somewhere on the hoodie, and of course his mask.

As Donnie chats with the audience while typing fast (looking like a disco ball), they ignore a notification sound that kept going off. But since there were no effects or messages appearing on screen the audience knows it's not from the stream, so there are some curious as to what Donnie is ignoring, with how many times it's gone off during the stream so far.

Eventually Donnie let's out a loud spoken, "Groan Of Annoyance. Does this person seriously have nothing better to do with their time! Yes I know it's all the same person, who needs to get an actual life!" They basically yell towards the device that is sounding of multiple notifications, "My dear siblings and I have been getting multiple messages, under different names, from the same person, and if it wasn't for a few loopholes in laws about cyber harassment, I would have sent the authorities after them!"

Donnie grabs the device and quickly takes Screenshots of the messages, before mass deleting them from all his siblings devices. Only for more to pop in shortly after, which likely meant the Annoyance on the other end was using a program to send these, or help 'disguise' their identity. Not that Donnie didn't already know who they were, but they needed to keep things legal, as annoying as that was.

"I know some of you are curious, what is this person sending us with such frequency, is it very important? Well it's not really, depending on your point of view." Donnie says seeming to be tempted to yeet the device, "This person is persistently asking us about our thoughts on politics. If only because we've strictly said to never bother us about topics such all those."

Donnie takes a moment to stretch before continuing, "Before anyone asks, we're not actually registered to vote, and even then one of the candidates, Mr. Jamieson, made our lives a bit difficult in quite an important way. How you may ask?" He holds his hands and leans forward on them, "His policy on obtaining identification when you technically didn't have any, made it hard for us to get our paperwork through."

"What do I mean by that? Well when Papa gained custody of us, there was a bit of an Error that made it near impossible to find our legal papers. Thus made it hard for Papa to be able to get help for us. Since he himself immigrated to America and not very familiar with getting such in the US." Donnie explains this as calmly as possible, trying to not get worked up, "So we couldn't do much, for some likely racist reason we guess, about that until a few years ago, when we found someone in a government position who could help us, though even they had trouble getting blocked by some policy or other by Mr. Jamieson."

"Our wonderful friend was able to help us, and now we have our identification and passports if they don't want to believe those are real." Donnie says with a lighter tone, "But going past that, the other candidates are not very interesting to us, we know some are pushing for better things, but the current debates have not been as clear as we like."

He gets annoyed by the notifications going off again, "If the person who's doing this is watching right now. I do know who you are, well there are a few others in your location, but either way, you will not like what I plan to do if you do not cease and desist!" Donnie says the last part with a growl in his voice coming through loud and clear.

They then clear their throat, take a drink, and get back to programming, not saying anything. The notification sound has not gone off since.

"On a much lighter note, we have some plans to go to a convention, though we haven't been invited at guests, so no meet and greet stuff. Just you might find us in person, if you're lucky." Donnie jokes, "Though we can't say which one just yet. There are a few happening around the same time and we only have time for one right now. Thus you might be lucky to find us."

Donnie continues to talk to the chat while working, giving a broad range of which conventions they're might go to, talking about possibly having a booth in the Artist Alley, but things were not set in stone yet.

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

Masterpost

This idea got stuck in my head, because in universe there would be some questioning about politics, plus I can say that they met a Nice Agent Bishop who helped them get legal identification. It's just the 'Mr. Jamison' is anti immigrant or along those lines, thus tried to stop or slow the process, without actually knowing who the paperwork was for, or caring.

I also don't want to include real world politics in my fictional Turtle world, but I kept being tempted too.

[1-800anklebully]

Exchange ft King Kenny x black female reader

Summary! In which old lovers reunite and Kenny still feels like Destiny is the one for him.

Warnings! Swearing,mature content,angst turned to fluff at the end, sappy and jealous!Destiny, and a whole other bunch of things.

Main character: Destiny Korma

➔ ➔ ➔ Excuse any errors!

“Please I’m begging you Destiny. Can you please be in the video?”Harry pestered, while holding his hands in a prayer form,to which Destiny side eyed him in disbelief. Her cousin was the biggest beggar of them all.

“Why does it have to be me, don’t you have a ton of woman in your DMS begging to be in a video with you lot?” She recalled seeing a woman on Instagram being hysterical, because Filly had brushed her hand in the club while he was trying to get through.

This was appalling, because she never understood the hype behind her cousin and his friends. They were normal human beings that lived a normal life except, they were rich and made entertainment videos for a living.

“Because the fans want you, Destiny. Sharky and them did a Q&A on Instagram,and they said they wanted you in a video.” Harry informed her, bored with how she was questioning him too much.

A smirk formed on Destiny’s plump lips and she cleared her throat crossing one leg over her other.

“Sharky? How is he by the way..”

Harry groaned loudly, shaking his head at his cousin's antics. He knew how much she fancied him, but Sharky found the whole thing amusing. So from time to time he would purposely flirt with her, just in spite to make Harry annoyed.

It’s not like he had a chance anyway, the two would never happen as she was his best friend's ex, plus Destiny wanted the real thing and Sharky was not ready to commit, at least not until he was ready.

Just like Kenny.

“He's fine Des. Now are you in or not, because I don’t have time to play cat and mouse with you. I got things to do—“

“Alright chill grumpy pants, I’m in. Just text me the details and I’ll come.”

Sighing in relief, Harry mumbled ‘’thank God’’pointing to the air and stood up hugging his cousin before leaving her apartment. Leaving her to dwell on the fact that she was going to have to face Kenny on Wednesday.

TIME SKIP TO WEDNESDAY BECAUSE I'M LAZY

Wednesday had crept around the corner like nothing, ultimately Destiny planned to sleep in and watch Top boy. However, she received a reminder text from Chunkz, and NIKO. She knew better than to try and bail,because both of those men were persistent and would most likely rock up to her house and drag her out.

So she spent the majority of the day doing self care as the video was scheduled at 3:30. Such as doing her lashes, eyebrows, re painting her nails and even chucking in the time to go and do a workout.

She felt good so she had to embrace the moment.

“Hello.” Destiny picked up her phone while glancing at the caller, she was in the middle of getting her nails done so she had to multitask.

“BITCH ARE YOU ON CRACK, YOU'RE FILMING A VIDEO WITH MY HUSBAND. AND DIDN'T WANT TO TELL ME”. Meet Karin, she’s Destiny’s best friend and right hand woman.

The two met one night when they were at the club, and Destiny got bat shit smashed and she tried to steal Karin’s Birkin mistaking it as hers. Until Karin told her it was not and somehow the friendship formed from there.

They have been seeing each other since then. And haven’t turned on each other's back since. Destiny visibly flinched at her friend's tone, as she didn’t expect her to be as loud as a camel.

“What’s with the shouting? And I promise I was going to tell you, but I’ve been busy.”

“Too busy to call your friend right! Well what are you wearing, you better not be wearing some baggy shít or lord help me, I’m coming down from Australia to smack your ass.” Karin threatened, only for Destiny to laugh at the seriousness in her tone.

Destiny had a ugly habit of wearing clothes that were baggy, this was only because her family had taught her from a young age to not wear tight revealing clothes.

Ever since, she hasn’t tried to try and break this habit. It’s only now, at the ripe age of 27 she’s wearing clothes that show a tad bit more skin. Thanks to Karin who is carefree and is all about body goals.

“No I’m not wearing something baggy, I’ll show you when I get home. But don’t worry I’ll make sure to tell Chunkz that you’re sending your love from Australia.”

“Period! As you should, that man wants me; he's just too scared to make the first move, which is fine.”

As delusional as Karin sounds, everything she was chatting was indeed correct. Her and Chunkz have a little thing, and it’s been going on for awhile and he is yet to ask her out.

He’s always so quick to come to Destiny for not being open and honest about her feelings, when he can’t even take his own advice and do the same.

“Alright, well I’ll call you later I gotta finish my nails.”

“Okay bye baby, make sure you take photos and send them to me! Love you pookie!”

“Love you too wifey!”

TIME SKIP

By the time Destiny was done with everything, it was already 2:30 and she knew that she took forever to do everything. So she put on her crocs on sport mode, and sped home to get ready as the studio they were filming at was 30 minutes away from her house.

But with her crazy driving she would make it 20 minutes. Once she had gotten home she quickly did her make up, making sure it wasn’t too dramatic then put on her outfit and she was out.

Her estimation was indeed correct because by the time she got there it was already 3:00. Out of breath, she slammed her car door and bolted into the studio to find most of the women were already there and the boys were talking amongst themselves.

Before she could approach them, a man had gently tapped her causing her to spin around.

“Hey are you Destiny? If so,we would like you to come with us so we can show you your room and where you can put your stuff.”

“Oh okay.”

Trailing behind him, she was quickly pulled into a room where they adjusted her hair, while attaching a mic to the back of her dress, in order for the fans to hear when it’s her time to talk.

Cluelessly, Destiny followed the man and she watched as he motioned for the women to all come together so he would explain what’s going on.

There were a total of 8 eight women and they were all Caucasian, Destiny being the only black woman. She silently cussed to herself, as she was going to give her cousin a handful later about being more diverse.

“Alright as you all are gathered here today I’m pretty sure you are all aware of what’s going on today. Kenny is going to be our lucky man,who’s going to have to distinguish which one of you is the gold digger.” He spoke to no one in particular.

“You will all stand behind this white wall in number order based on the number that we have given. Kenny will then go around asking each individual to introduce themselves. And we’ll go from then on, the last 3 contestants will then go on a 5 minute date with him and he’ll decide the winner from there.

“Now me personally I don’t care if you’re here for money or for love. That’s on you. All I’m asking is that we just tone it down with the swearing and let’s all be respectful is that simple? Any questions?” The women all murmured to each other and he nodded.” Great, now let’s line up please.”

The man had gone around ordering all the girls with a number and Destiny had landed on number 5. They all got into their positions and the video had started.

All she could hear was Nikos booming voice echoing throughout the room, as he was giving the intro. This gave her some sort of comfort, that he indeed was here like he promised.

Now they had gotten all the girls to introduce themselves and it was Destiny’s.

“Contestant 5 it’s your turn.”

“Hello my name is Destiny. I am 26 years old and I’m from Sierra Leone.”

“Oh an African queen, I like that.” She overheard Filly say, and she almost laughed, however she covered her mouth to prevent it from coming out.

“That’s cool love, and what’s your occupation?”

Swallowing, Destiny was hesitant to answer as she didn’t want them to suspect it was her, but she didn’t have a choice but to answer.

No one else besides Harry and Niko, and chunkz were aware that she was invited to the video. As they wanted it to be a surprise to the fans and the other boys.

“I’m a physical trainer in the NBA.” She revealed and heard multiple gasps, some of the girls even rolled their eyes or scoffed in envy. But she didn’t give a damn, she worked hard to get in the position so she was going to earn it.

“DAMNNNN”

“Nah she’s waffling.”

“Ain’t no way she works in the NBA.”

The boys suddenly became a bit more quiet then Kenny spoke.

“Oh okay I see you girl, what team?”

“The Atlanta Hawks.”

“Lads, I think I just fell in love…” Kenny exaggerated clutching his chest, causing everyone including the camera crew to laugh.” I LOVE THE HAWKS, You think you can get me Trae Young’s number?’” He asked, almost sounding genuine, and almost sounding like he wasforced into it.

“We’ll see.”

The boys oooo like teenage boys and Destiny rolls her eyes with a smile. Who knew the boys were still childish after all these years.

“Alright next contestant!”

TIME SKIP-

As the time went on ultimately, Kenny had kicked out the contestants he didn’t like. Remaining with Destiny; and contestant number three and number 6. Now Destiny was not really stressed because Number three was named Bree.

She was a brunette and was a model of course, but she lacked the confidence and she was just talking about herself the entire time, not even asking Kenny the right questions.

Then Number six was named Sasha. She was a blonde and actually seemed genuine. Her only problem was that she was only here for money, unfortunately Kenny didn’t know that but he was getting the sense.

Sasha had told Destiny that she was purely only here to get money to pay off her BMW. Like girl, get a damn job the last thing that should be on your mind is trying to be famous and being on YouTube.

“So what are you into?” Kenny had asked Bree who was grinning so hard that her mouth could snap.

Now he was not entirely convinced that she was genuine so he analysed her response carefully.

“I’m into dancing.”

“Oh yeah, what kind of dance are you into dancehall?” Kenny jokes, showing his dimples however his grin soon dropped,once she stood up from her chair and began doing some tap dancing.

Instantly, Sasha m lol and Destiny made eye contact and bursted out laughing. The two began running to each other, grasping each other's arms, as they cried to themselves.

Filly and them were also heard laughing from the other room because what the hell was even that. Gathering themselves together, Kenny bit his lip to contain his laughter.

“Wow, that really was something.”

“Awwww thank you Kenny, I wish I could do better but these bad boys were in the way.” She patted her heels, thinking she really did something.

Fast forward to Sasha, obviously Bree was let free because Kenny was not feeling that whole dance plus she was giving very much desperation.

Next was Sasha, she was nervous for some reason and kept cracking her knuckles every few seconds. It was only until Destiny approached her that she calmed down slightly.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“No,just nerves. I guess Kenny seems so sweet, just don’t want to ruin it.” She rambled, playing with her fingers and Destiny hummed.

Kenny was her ex, so she knew what he liked and didn’t like. So if Sasha was to go out there flaunting her humongous breasts,he would immediately not show interest.

Sure he loved a more curvy woman, he didn’t discriminate at all. He just didn’t want her to have to show off her body, in order to gain his attention.

He mainly went for personality, yet he wanted something to look at of course. Maybe even something to grab onto if you get my drift.

“So Sasha, I’ve been told that you like boxing, why’s that?”

“I’ve learnt that it was a great way to take off my stress, and my father used to do it with me all the time when I was younger until he passed away.” She recalled, causing Kenny to frown sympathetically.” Oh my gosh, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“It’s fine how could’ve you. It was years ago, but at times I still find myself lingering on the fact that she’s not here.” She cleared her throat, to prevent herself from crying.

Kenny reached over grasping her hands in his large ones causing Destiny to scoff, earning a side eye from the producers. Why was she so bitter, it’s not like she still liked Kenny. Her and Kenny were done, and he’s moved on.

So why is she suddenly so bothered by seeing the way he was gazing into Sasha’s eyes. I mean she was the perfect fit, she was more on the slim thick side. Educated, with a wealthy family and was a boxer. All she needed was a lover.

What was there to not love about her!

Destiny on the other hand, she was also educated and wanted to settle down just like Kenny. It was just finding the right man that was troubling her. The men her age weren’t taking her seriously, she only had one serious relationship after Kenny.

Was with a guy named Stefan, he was African American and came to London for some cruise. While on the cruise, Destiny happened to be there and she had a one night stand with him.

The two went on to date for a while until she found out that Stefan was just using her to get closer to her brother Dean, who was a famous football player he just wanted to be like Dean. So she broke up with him and never saw him again.

“Okay contestant 5 can you please come out and reveal yourself.” Sharky’s loud voice boomed from the other room, and Destiny sighed bracing herself.

With one last deep breath, she adjusted her skirt and made her out from where she was and walked over to the table where Kenny was.

As soon as she came into the camera, the boys began screaming loudly and clapping. Kenny’s face had dropped and he visibly looked as if he had seen a ghost.

“OH MY GOSH BRUVV.”

“IS THIS DESTINY KURMO IN THE FLESH?!”

“SOMEBODY PINCH ME LADS.”

Once all the commotion had died down, Kenny had cleared his throat and began laughing foolishly.

“You can’t be serious… If this is a joke, Niko come out here right now.” Kenny became angry, because he hoped the boys were not playing with his feelings.

They all knew that he still loved and cared for Destiny tremendously, words can’t even describe how much he cried the day they split, she had an immense impact on him and she didn’t even know.

Ask anyone, even the loyal fans they would tell you that boy was sprung over Destiny.

“I promise bro, if this was a skit I would’ve told you but this wasn’t me.” Niko defended himself, also bewildered by the sight of Destiny. More at the fact that she actually showed.

“He’s not lying. Harry was the one that was invited for the video. So take it or leave it, either you can sit down or you can send me home. I don’t mind.” Destiny chimed, taking a seat across from Kenny.

It looked almost like he was having an internal battle with himself. Almost instantly, he gave in sitting across from her and he just stared.

“Yo, cut the cameras.”

“Kenny—“

“I said cut the cameras bro, I don’t want this recorded!” He snapped, and the guy sighed but obeyed, turning the camera off temporarily.

“So what’s your aim? Why are you here Destiny?”

“Kenny-“

“If you want the money you can take it and leave. Because I’m not about to do this again.”

“Do what.” She frowns, not getting why he was so upset at seeing her appear in the video. After all he always wanted her to appear in a video and she was here.

“Be with you again! You left me remember, I told you I wasn’t ready and you just ran off like what we had was nothing.” Kenny argued, Destiny scoffed not liking his tone one bit.

It was almost as if he was blaming her for the fall out that occurred between them, and that was the last thing that Destiny liked. Was when someone accuses her of being the problem, when she wasn’t it.

“Well excuse me for being smart, why waste my time on someone that wants to be a man child forever. I told you from the start Kenny, I wanted the real thing, and you couldn’t give me that. So what did you expect me to stay?! No because I’m not one of those women that will tolerate that Kenny!” She shouted back and it suddenly became silent. It felt almost as if no one else was in the room, just these two.

Suddenly Kenny got the urge to ask her a question that he knew could go either way.

“Do you still love me Destiny?”

Suddenly Destiny’s face had become tense and her face had fallen a bit at his words, why was he switching the attention to her all of a sudden. She was meant to let all her anger out on him, not vice versa.

“Are you serious Kenny, this isn’t about me it’s about the fact that you’re trying to blame me for leaving, when you couldn’t even meet me halfway—“

“Just shut up for a second!”

Everyone had become even more quiet and all Destiny could do was sigh and gaze helplessly into the distance, where Chunks and the rest had all come out from behind the room putting their thumbs up to encourage her.

They knew that she was probably never going to want to make a video with them again, if it was going to be this chaotic but this drama was going to gain views.

“See how you avoided my question? I asked if you still loved me. Not what I did 4 years ago, so I’m gonna ask you again, do you still have feelings for me Destiny.”

“Okay fine, yes I do! I still love you for some reason, after the messy break up I can’t seem to let go of all those years we spent together. And then for us to just break up like it was nothing. You don’t know the damage that you did Kenny.” Destiny could feel her eyes burning with tears, but she wiped them before they could spill.

It physically made Kenny sick to see the love of his life in tears because of him, lord knows the unseen tears that she shed while in private. But he was here now and he was ready to make things right.

Leaning forward, Kenny interlocked his hands with hers and she didn’t fight it. Instead she glanced down at his fingers not wanting to make eye contact. Then he used his other hand to lift up her jaw so that her eyes were glued to his.

And she folded.

“I know, baby. And I’m sorry alright, if I could take back my actions I would do it a thousand times.I was young and dumb, and I wasn’t ready. But I’m 26 now and I’m ready to give you my all.

Looking back. I realised how lucky I was to have you, a woman that was willing to settle down and be there for me. And I was dumb even enough to lose you. So I’m here now and I want you back Destiny.

We’re too grown to be going back and forth about our feelings. I want you and I’ll be damned, if I let you leave this place without being my girl.” Kenny finished and, the boys all cheered loudly at his speech.

Heck even the producers were joining in on the applause because Kenny was a good man. The girls Bree and Sasha, were even tearing up in the corner with smiles. They could tell from the start that Kenny was not as interested in them as he was with Destiny.

As soon as Destiny appeared his whole demeanour, had shifted so quickly that anyone could tell that they had history.

“So what do you say Destiny ?” Niko wraps an arm around him.” Are you ready to take him back?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll gladly take him. He’s quite leng. Have you seen his abs?!”Aj added, and this made all of them laugh at how unserious he was.

“You lot actually crack me up, but to answer your question yes I take you back Kenny. I’m ready to be your woman.” She gleefully says,and the boys all awe as Kenny pulls her by her waist pulling her into a deep and long sweet kiss, kissing her as if his life depended on it.

“YESSS IT'S ABOUT TIME FINALLY WE’RE GOING TO HAVE FOOD AT HOME.”

The day ended with the boys all going to eat at a restaurant, and the whole time Kenny would not let Destiny out of his sight. He clung onto her like a Koala. Not because he was afraid of losing.

Moreso,because he missed her touch for 4 years which he attempted replacing with multiple women. No one matched her energy, her love was one in million. She was irreplaceable. Overall, he was just glad that he was with her finally.

Kenny finally had his girl back

The end.

︳︳︳︳︳︳︳

Author's note!

Please, this was sooo long. But I was having a Kenny era so I had to write a little something for him. And I know it’s so all over the place, but I just wrote what came to mind.

So I really hope y’all liked it. And maybe in the future I might write for the beta squad, cus lord knows I love all of those men!

Once again thank you for reading and supporting my writing, it means a lot and if you have any ideas in mind you want me to write please don’t hesitate to ask!

I’m down to write for whoever that’s if I like them…

Anyways Ciao! 🩷

[bimboamyrose]

Unfamiliar - Ch. 14

First two chapters ☆ Previous (Ch. 13)  ☆ AO3

(life update at the end cause it’s been quite the year)

Ch. 14 - The Present

“There’s no time like the present.” Amy thought back to her conversation with the fortune teller- how wise and experienced she seemed. Her words echoed in Amy’s head- “Your time is as valuable as anyone’s.”

Amy kneeled on the floor of her room, her stack of tarot cards fanned out in front of her. It reminded her of when she was a kid; of when she first met Sonic. The excitement and nerves of that time reflected to her from the back of those same cards. 

But there was no time for a full spread today, as much as she would have liked the guidance. She would instead draw her daily card and discern what she could from that.

She’d been staring long enough. Closing her eyes, she reached in whatever direction felt right. Her fingertips made contact with a frayed corner. Amy held her breath as she turned it, slowly opening her eyes.

“The fool?” she said out loud. At first glance it was a silly choice, but her face quickly lit up. “The fool!” she repeated with joy. “Perfect!”

The card was illustrated with a carefree man happily standing at the edge of a cliff, as if on the onset of a precarious journey. But he looks confident, even if unaware of the possible risks ahead. For better or worse, The Fool took his chances and looked toward the future with optimism.

It couldn’t be a clearer sign. Madame was right- it was time she understood how Sonic felt about her. She would find an opportunity for that today.

Nervous as it made her, Amy hopped around the room giddily, imagining the scene. It went on for a few minutes until she caught sight of her alarm clock.

“Oh!” 

The morning was growing late. She quickly gathered up her deck, placing her special card face-up on her nightstand. She would slip it into her pocket later for good luck.

Amy rushed out of her room, past her house guest. “Morning!”

Metal read, sitting at his usual spot on the couch. The shape of his heavy body grew further indented into its cushions by the day, a reminder of how much time had passed since Amy opened her home to him. She rustled around the kitchen, glancing at her guest and out the back window as she made herself a quick breakfast. In the time Metal had been there,  the weather had slowly shifted from frosty to damp, the ground flourishing as spring showers rolled over the landscape. It was warm out.

 Amy had overfilled her coffee mug as she pondered it. She frantically reached for the paper towels.

In reality, Metal was doing anything but focusing. A low hum had made its way to Metal’s hearing, tuning in and out since the night before. It echoed the high pitched ring that entered his head after leaving the festival.

Feet away in the kitchen, Amy slammed down a plate on the counter. His head shot up. She was slurping from a coffee mug as she took slices of bread out of the toaster. She placed them on the plate gently enough, but the contact came across as banging to Metal. Then the ringing continued. As if instinctually, Metal scratched at his pointed “ears”- the triangular sound receptors mounted to the top of his head- but the buzzing persisted. Amy was seemingly deaf to the noise. Was it coming from inside him?

“Gotta change,” Amy said quickly, footing it back to her room with her meager breakfast in hand. 

Metal followed her with his eyes until she shut the door behind her. He tensed like a guitar string at the noise. He focused on adjusting his receptors until his surroundings were no longer deafening. But why was his hearing so sensitive all of a sudden? He couldn’t even recall using it to that extreme prior to that morning. 

Before he could process what caused the error, his receptors picked up again. Metal could hear Amy in her room; involuntarily eavesdropping on her. He heard the distinct sound of cards shuffling. She was surely reading those tarot cards of hers, drawing them with gasps and giggles between pulls. He listened on, wondering silently what she was so excited about. 

Then her tablet rang loudly, screeching to Metal’s sensitive hearing. Amy picked up the call as he frantically adjusted his sound receptors again.

“Hi, Tails!” she giggled.

“Hey Amy. You’re sure in a good mood!”

“Well-”

Metal immediately tuned out. It probably wasn’t the right thing to do, invading her privacy- but curiosity had gotten the better of him. And he probably should focus on why his hardware was malfunctioning instead.

But it was no use. Whatever was causing the issue wasn’t letting up, and he could hear their conversation coming in and out. He finally relented when he heard his name some minutes later.

“I’ve been thinking,” he heard Tails remark. “I still find it sorta suspicious that Metal’s here just as Eggman’s supposedly turning over this new leaf.”

Amy sighed. “What is it now?”

“Well, I checked him over yesterday and couldn’t find any evidence of spying like remote control or tracking, but… I’m just not convinced Eggman would abandon him just before going on some business venture. Don’t you think he could be some kind of distraction?”

Amy paused for a moment. Metal sat up on the other side of the wall in anticipation for her response.

“Nah,” she said finally. “I trust him.”

Trust. Metal nodded to himself, relieved at her answer.

 “Oh, speaking of spying- what’s the plan for today?” Amy continued.

Tails grumbled. “I’m giving Sonic the listening device. All you have to do is pay Eggman a visit and plant it somewhere we can listen in on him. It’s not like Eggman to be this private so whatever he’s planning has to be big-”

“If he’s planning anything at all.”

“What?” Tails sounded annoyed. “You believe this act?”

“I’d like to,” she groaned. “He is getting kinda old.” And so is chasing after him, she thought.

Another voice interrupted the conversation before either of them could continue. “Hey, buddy!” Sonic called to Tails from another room.

“Be right there!” Tails answered before turning back to his tablet. “Just… be careful, please?” he pleaded with his friend. “I know you’ve been getting along with Metal, but we can’t put anything past Eggman yet.  

“Yeah, yeah,” she responded aloofly. “When is Sonic coming?”

Metal turned down his glitching receptors before listening to Tails’ response. He tensed his body, once again reminded of the intrinsic, intense loathing he held for Sonic. He hadn’t had time to process how he would manage that rediscovered fury. Then there was the knowledge that Tails still felt threatened by him. Logically, he understood Tails’ concern- armed with his memories, now more than ever; but it was, nonetheless, hurtful. That seemed like the right way to describe it. Metal slacked back into the cushions.

But, what if Tails was right? Metal still couldn’t remember what led up to the day he lost his memory. He could, very well, be part of a scheme unbeknownst to him. And now that he could recollect the relationship he had with Dr. Eggman, Metal felt strange staying out of either Sonic or Eggman’s involvement. Metal, for his part, felt no desire to fight against his creator. He didn’t feel any loyalty to the man, either. But one way or another Amy would end up in the middle of it again…

Before he could ponder it any further, Amy giddily stepped out from her room. She seemed especially cheerful when she returned, unable to keep the grin off her face. Metal was instantly distracted from whatever was happening with his hearing. His eyes followed her path as Amy twirled into the living room, a gift bag hanging from her wrist as she plopped onto the couch next to him. She looked like she was ready to burst with some kind of good news. 

“Hello again!” she beamed. 

Metal sat back upright, glancing down at the bag on her lap and immediately setting aside all those complex thoughts for later.

“I’m getting picked up soon, but I wanted to give you this before I head out today…” Amy held the glittery paper bag out to Metal with a bashful smile. “It’s a present! It’s nothing fancy, but…”

Even as he reached out for the gift, Metal couldn’t keep his eyes off her. What was the gift for? She cast her shy gaze off to the side with a rosy flush. Metal would match it if he could. 

He took the bag from her carefully, setting it on his lap. Fluffy white tissues stuck out from the top which he pushed aside as carefully as he could manage. The delicate paper wrinkled and tore slightly from his touch, causing him to hesitate. “Don’t worry- presents were made to be ripped open,” she assured with a grin.

Metal looked to her beaming face momentarily and continued opening his gift, tossing the crinkly gift wrap aside. The contents were as much a surprise as receiving a gift at all. 

“Do you like it? I thought you might like to write on something nicer than a notepad or a smudgy old whiteboard.”

He pulled out the journal she’d shown him at the equinox festival, its supple leather binding as pleasant in his grip as he remembered. Metal stared at the book, studying its smooth surface. Although it felt durable, he held it gingerly in his palms, still fearing his claws could rip into it unintentionally.

“There’s something else in the bag, too!”

A velvety drawstring sack sat at the bottom of the gift bag. Amy’s expectant eyes watched him. He pulled the top of it apart with care, revealing the contents. He was unsure what he was looking at.

“They’re gloves,” Amy said, as if reading his confusion. “I handmade them for you. I hope you don’t mind…”

Gloves. He examined them carefully. The insides were lined with a hard wearing suede that backed the fine leather exterior, like sturdy working gloves in reverse. Of course; she was probably concerned that he would tear into things from time to time. Her scarf had been unfortunate enough to meet his metallic claws and his whiteboard was scratched beyond reasonable use. Not to mention her arm…

“You don’t have to wear them if you don’t want to.” Amy cut in. “But I thought you might find it more comfortable for some things. Maybe you won’t have to be so careful when you’re reading anymore!”

That was true- he had to take his time turning pages when he read, which slowed him down. It was cumbersome to him especially as he could otherwise get through a book at full tilt. Metal looked from Amy’s considerate gift to her uneasy expression. 

“Do you like them?” Amy worried that she’d offended her friend somehow. “Maybe if you tried them on…? I could always make adjustments…”

Metal shook his head, carefully slipping one of the gloves over his sharp fingers. It fastened at the wrist with openings on the palms and backs that allowed for greater mobility than full gloves would. He ran the tips of his covered claws over the face of the journal. No scratches. He then flexed each of his fingers with ease before slipping on the other. It wasn’t until then that the thoughtfulness of Amy’s gift registered in his mind. They were perfect.

He took the opportunity to reach for her hand as well, easily sliding his fingers beneath her palm and placing his other palm over top. It was a bit harder to sense her, almost as if slightly numb- but he could do it without worry of harming her. It seemed a fair trade. He chimed enthusiastically as he held her hand in both of his.

Amy’s worry melted away. “You do? I’m so glad! I had Tails help me with the measurements and design. I can still make changes if you need them, though,” she assured.

Armed with a doubtless nod, Metal met her eyes and chimed with more enthusiasm than what was probably necessary. Amy wore a satisfied grin as she chuckled back at his reaction. There was comfort in knowing that he could touch her without harm. Metal gave her hand another soft press before pulling back and watching as she slipped away. He followed her hand back down as it met the other in her lap. She knit her fingers together nervously, but the smile didn’t leave her face. 

“Anyway, big day today,” she sighed dreamily. “Sonic’s picking me up for this spy thing real soon. Wish me luck!” Warmth radiated from her cheeks as she thought about her goal for the day. 

Metal was intrigued at her excitement. Could she really be that elated just about going on this mission? 

Unable to keep her excitement to herself, Amy continued. “It’s been a good day so far. You liked your gift, which is such a relief, and this morning, I drew this!” She pulled a tarot card from her pocket. “This is The Fool! I know the name seems silly, but this card is telling me to take a risk in order to embark on a new adventure. Isn’t that exciting? I think it’s a good omen for today.”

The Fool. Amy was so animated, it must have been important to her. He echoed her excitement with a melodic set of beeps. Still, Metal couldn’t help but think of someone else when he heard the card’s name.

As if he was summoned, the doorbell then rang, followed immediately by a quick knock on the door. Anyone could guess who the impatient visitor was even if they didn’t already know Sonic was on his way over.

“Coming!” Amy lept from her comfortable sitting place, practically sprinting to answer the door. She smoothed down her fluttering dress in anticipation.

Metal didn’t move. The mere thought of his rival sent his engine into overdrive. He brooded as Amy opened the door, determined to remain calm for Amy’s sake, but unable to do much about the intense whirring produced by his body when he heard Sonic’s voice.

“Hey, Ames. You ready?” Sonic leaned against the outer door frame with an arm tucked behind his back.

“Hey! Yeah, I’m ready when you are,” she beamed. 

“Could you take care of these first?” He brought a small bouquet of blue and white forget-me-nots out from behind his back. The wildflowers poked up the tops of stems long and short, irregularly arranged together in a little bundle. It wasn’t the neatest bouquet, but they were lively and pretty nonetheless. Amy gasped at the sight of the flowers, catching Metal’s attention.

“Oh, Sonic! They’re so pretty!” She took the modest little arrangement in her hands lovingly, examining the bulbs. “Thank you! Where did you get these?”

“Found a patch of ‘em on the way here. Cute, huh?”

“I love them!” she nodded giddily. 

“That’s not all. Brought you a present- Check this out.”

Sonic dangled a small paper in front of her face. It was dated almost 9 years back. Amy’s face lit up.

“Oh! Is that-”

“Yep!”

He turned it over, and Amy was face-to-face with the likeness of her younger self. The photo showed Amy, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles around a cake. It was from her 10th birthday party.

With her free hand, Amy took hold of the little memory and sighed. “How funny! I thought this was lost for good.”

Sonic nodded. “I found it while cleaning out Tail’s lab. Guess it fell off the ol’ pin board behind a bunch of old junk.”

“You were cleaning?” Amy stepped aside so he could come in.

He came in past the doorway. “Well, you know, with his wrist and all…” Sonic trailed off with a shrug. “Anyway, thought you’d want to keep it.”

“I’m gonna stick it on the fridge! Oh- and let me put these in some water.”

Metal listened as she invited Sonic in and took care of the flowers. Amy slipped into the kitchen, immediately pinning the photo under a magnet on her fridge and disappearing under the counter in search of a vase. 

Metal did his best to avoid eye contact as Sonic approached nonchalantly. 

“Hey, Metal. What’s up?”

Aside from the whirring of Metal’s engine, he didn’t answer.

Sonic took a step back. “Whoa, sounds like you’re about to blast off...”

The smug greeting alone could have sent Metal after him, but he sat still in silence. Or he would have been silent, were it not for his unruly engine and its ever intensifying burring. His fingers creaked together. He could feel his body involuntarily cranking up the heat.

“Uh, you alright?” Sonic repeated. 

Amy peeked back at them from over the counter as she stuffed the shaggy stems into a narrow vase. It was difficult to ignore Metal’s demeanor, his engine practically screeching now, body language no more reassuring. “Metal?” His red-hot gaze shot back at her eerily and her own eyes grew wide. “Do you… need some fresh air, maybe?” 

The surprise in her expression snapped Metal back to reality. The glow from his eyes dimmed to its usual state and his body relaxed, fans powering down, as if it were his way of exhaling. He lifted his frame from the couch with a nod. There was some concern in her soft smile as he approached her.

“You ok?”

His eyes shifted back at Sonic, who was now looking to the front door and tapping his foot impatiently. Turning back to Amy, Metal crossed his arms as if to ask her the same question.

“Oh, don’t worry about us- we’ll be fine.” Amy laid a gentle hand on his tense shoulder, feeling it give as he seemed to relax. 

Then, pointing to the fridge, she practically yanked him into the kitchen by the arm. “Before we go, take a look at this!”

But he was too fixated on her grip to see where she was pointing.

Amy clicked her tongue. “Look~!” she repeated, pulling him further.

Metal’s gaze snapped to the photo stuck on the fridge. 

“It’s from when I turned 9! A year after we met. Neat, huh?”

Suddenly captivated, Meta straightened his body. He approached the fridge, vision fixed on the crinkled little photo. He plucked it from under the magnet to take a closer look.

The girl in the photo looked just as she did the day Metal met her; the day he was activated. He could picture her behind those bars, chatting with him. It was strange- he remembered her perfectly without the photo, but it was like seeing a different side of her. She beamed back at him from the picture with a wide smile. short hair and a childish gap between her teeth. There was never an opportunity to see her that way back then. Not for Metal.

“Ah, I forgot I’d just lost one of my baby teeth that day,” Amy blushed giddily. “How embarrassing!” She didn’t actually seem all that embarrassed. 

Metal took a moment to scan the rest of the photo. Sonic looked just like he did the day they met, cocky grin and all. It looked like he was the one holding the camera, facing the lens back at the group. Then his eyes wandered to the cake. It was a small whitish cake messily slathered in cream and topped with strawberries and 9 candles. There was some writing in the frosting.

Happy Birthday, ROSIE!

Rosie? He couldn’t recall hearing that name.

Metal turned to Amy, pointing inquisitively at the cake in the photo. She immediately knew what his question was.

“Oh! The boys used to call me Rosie…” There was something between a smile and a grimace on her face, clearly much more embarrassed by the nickname than the photo.

Sonic laughed from the living room. “Rose the Rascal! Man, we were so mean!”

“Pff, yeah.” Amy took the photo from Metal and pinned it back to the fridge, the magnet now stuck right over the cake. “Guess we all grew out of it,” she concluded. “Anyway!”

Amy turned on her heels and walked past Metal and out of the kitchen. His eyes followed her as she addressed Sonic and led him through the front door. 

“Just lay low while we’re out, kay?” Amy called to Metal, pulling open the door.

Metal caught Sonic’s quick, perplexed glance from Amy and then to Metal as she waved good-bye and the door closed behind them. 

Amy let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. Shaking off the embarrassment, and glad to have avoided any conflict between her rivalrous friends, she aimed her attention back at Sonic. 

“So, do you have that spy thing?”

Sonic cleared his throat. “Yeah.” 

He pulled a tiny gadget out from his glove. “No way Eggman will spot this. Apparently it’s some sorta microphone.” The paper-thin listening device was no larger than a dime. “Since we’re supposed to stick this thing under his desk or something, maybe you oughta handle it.”

“Probably,” Amy said, plucking it from his grasp before he could carelessly toss it to her. She barely had time to tuck it away before she’d been swept off her feet without warning, carried away without another word by her sprinting companion.

Inside Amy’s home meanwhile, the pathetic little bunch of flowers sat in a vase upon the kitchen counter, all crookedly poking out of the vessel. Metal focused on them bitterly. 

Distracting himself, Metal gathered up the gift wrap from earlier into the bag for disposal. He watched his fingers as he did, impressed at the craftsmanship of the gloves that allowed him to complete the task neatly, rather than making scrap of the delicate tissue. It felt slightly unnatural, the change in his usual grip. He glanced out the back door at the lush landscape dotted with flowers. It was so much more vibrant, more pleasant to look at since he’d arrived. An improvement.

Somehow, Amy received Sonic’s messy bouquet with all the same enthusiasm as she had Metal’s perfect bunch some weeks back. Still, he supposed, he could do better now.

Metal tossed the gift wrap and set his sights on the lush landscape beyond the back door. Surely Amy could spare another vase when she returned.

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

sooo that was another 10 months without updates ackjhasdf oopsss

yeah so since my last update i’ve:

sold my house gone house hunting found the house of my dreams & had my offer accepted... packed up most of my belongings and moved them into storage gone on a very nice trip through greece & italy LOST the dream house due to legal bullshit (i am still devastated tbh) returned home and immediately packed the rest of my things & moved(not into my dream house :I) had to go house hunting... again idk make like 5 offers. none of them were accepted found another place finally, bought it, started renovations (still ongoing) moved into the new place partially got accepted into art school!! (this is my third degree askjdfh) got offered an adjunct teaching role (accepted cause ya girl broke) gone on a little trip to turkey for xmas (it was v nice) started the new job (i have 2 now :I) started art school (bad timing) CONTINUED RENOVATING (i still don’t have a kitchen man) and more renovating i mean it never ends FINALLY moved the rest of my things into the new place (6 months later) and. kept renovating. that’s 3 moves for y’all keeping count

yeah so i’ve had a rough few months lmao BUT it’s summer break, i don’t teach right now, & I’m taking very few classes. my day job is also a lot less busy this time of year. i plan to spend the summer renovating the rest of the place, building a proper kitchen, and hopefully writing & working on my graphic design degree

oh and i get married in august c: AAAAAAAAA

ANYWAY hope you all have had a much less stressful few months & enjoy the chapter. next chapter is actually written & i’m just editing it for next week (knock on wood)

love u guys, thank you, besos, BYE 

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball AF Lore

Last night I reblogged a thing about Xicor, the imaginary villain of Dragon Ball AF, the imaginary sequel to Dragon Ball GT. There were some cool responses to this, but I didn't want to reblog the entire post all over again, so I thought I'd carry the discussion over here.

@brotoman-exe : #so do they ever explain why Goku cheats on his wife in this set up?#(to be clear Im guessing it was likely a stolen dna Superman 4 thing just having fun)

My understanding was that the West Supreme Kai faked her death and then came back as a bad guy. She somehow obtained a DNA sample from Goku and used it to impregnate herself? The end result being that Xicor is the biological son of Goku and the West Supreme Kai, even though Goku himself had no idea of any of this.

Of course, it's impossible to cite sources on any of this, since I'm talking about made-up details from a made-up show. It's entirely possible that there are other versions of the AF legend where Goku cheated on his wife like a jerk.

What I always wanted to know was how the West Supreme Kai survived the fight with Kid Buu five million years ago, and why she laid low for so long.

But now that you've brought up Superman IV, I can't stop thinking about the raw chicken thigh Lex stuffed in that little lockbox. This is my new DBAF personal canon.

@scarabats123: #As someone who wasn't alive in 1994#let me tell you Xicor and AF was THRIVING in the 2000s up into the early 2010s#hell even now some people make nostalgic fanart of it#Everyone knew about Xicor and Evil Goku and that blue bald dude

It really is bizarre how long the AF mythos has persisted. I think Dragon Ball Super was the final nail in the coffin for any true believers that were still left, but by the time DBS came out AF had already established itself as this weird little thing in its own right. It's like Bigfoot. I think everyone knows it's not real and doesn't make a lot of sense, but the idea is too much fun to discard completely.

@mozillavulpix: definitely think there's a lot of information here that's wrong, but I wasn't in the fandom in the 1990s to confirm any of it But the one big thing is...I'm pretty sure 'Dragon Ball AF' was originally supposed to stand for 'April Fools'. Like at one point someone somewhere started the name just because it'd be hilarious to trick people into believing something with a name so obviously-fake if you were paying attention. But when people started believing it they came up with their own theories on what it meant. kanzenshuu also says the rumours probably only started around 2002-2003 https://www.kanzenshuu.com/rumor/dragon-ball-af/

There were some factual errors, but the one that stood out to me was the notion of Toyotaro creating Towa and Mira, since I'd always heard Toriyama created her for Dragon Ball Online. And I've heard of the Goku Black/Xicor parallels before, but I'm pretty sure that's more of a coincidence than anything else.

I also found the 1990s to be a little too early for AF rumors to really get started, so I went back to that Kanzenshuu article you linked to and read it again just to check. This time, I ran across the link to the message board discussion about the "SSJ5 Goku" image that seems to have started it all.

Apparently, this was all discovered back in 2012, but I don't think I ever heard about this until now. Someone found the "AF Goku" image in an issue of the magazine Hobby Consolas, cover dated May 1999.

It looks like the magazine just published reader-submitted fan art, and this particular one was credited to David Montiel Franco of Alicante, Spain. Forums member Raykugan published this information in February 2012, and then Derek Padula contacted the artist and published his findings on his blog "Dao of Dragon Ball".

David Montiel Franco, as it turns out, has his own blog, af-dragonball.blogspot.com, where he appears to be promoting his Dragon Ball AF fancomics. And apparently, the guy in the image is not Super Saiyan 5 Goku at all, but an OC named Tablos.

So it appears that the true original DBAF was a fanwork created by Franco prior to May 1999. Everyone else was building onto his creation whether they knew it or not. The alternative is that Franco is stealing the credit from the true artist, but that seems like a weird thing to still be holding onto after all these years. I mean, if he wanted clout, you'd think he'd do more self-promotion than this. By now, everyone would have heard of his claims to be the creator of AF. So I think he might be the real deal.

Anyway, it definitely ties DBAF to the year 1999, although I have a feeling the rumors didn't really pick up steam until 2002 or so, as U.S. fans became aware of a sequel series to Z and wondered what might follow after that. There may have been rumors in other countries that got earlier access to GT, and there were surely American fans in the 90's who knew more about GT before it was localized. But at least the concept of AF was around in the 90's, even if it was the tail end of the 90's, and even if it was very obscure.

But that's AF in general, not Xicor. I get the sense that Vintagegeekculture seemed to conflate Tablos with Xicor, and that's probably an understandable mistake to make, since Xicor was probably invented as a response to what was thought to be SSJ5 Goku. So Xicor must have come later, but how much later?

I guess what bugs me is that there ought to be someone who would claim credit for the character, the way Franco claimed to be the artist of the DBAF image. It's kind of fascinating how Xicor is out there and no one's trying to act like it was their idea.

[justatiredghost]

No Freedom from Knowing Ch1

ao3

The general mistrust of magic as well as dangerous people in his past kept Jonathan Sims isolated, hidden away where he hoped he might finally be safe. Until he met someone who might be worth shattering that peace for.

-

Jonathan Sims was in a foul mood. It had been approximately 37 hours since the intrusion attempt, but he was only just now able to get himself out of bed. Bad pain days were nothing new of course, but he had so many things he needed to get done and the fact that his schedule could be so derailed by a group of misguided youths daring each other to harass the dangerous recluse who lived in the woods was aggravating to say the least. 

He’d tried to expend as little magic as possible to strengthen the barrier and reroute them back in the other direction, with vague suggestions of horrors flickering across their vision to hopefully deter future attempts, but they were persistent and it had left John completely drained. 

At least it had worked in the end. Settling on this method to keep out intruders had been a long trial-and-error process, and he bore scars that proved it necessary. This was the safest method for all involved. 

Not for the first time he wondered if he should leave, move far away, but he’d already tried that. That was how he’d ended up here in the first place, except the pre-existing building and defenses had been a stroke of luck that wouldn’t be happening a second time. There was no way he would be able to build a house and start over all on his own. 

Besides, it wasn’t like magic was looked on more favorably anywhere else. He’d be in danger wherever he went, and he couldn’t hide forever. At least these woods were dangerous to travel through, discouraging most from exploring. 

The irony wasn’t lost on him that he was more afraid of those in the town nearby who had discovered him than he was the monsters that lived with him in the forest. Then again, the fact that the monsters didn't seem to want him dead on the same level might be because they saw him as one of them, and that didn’t exactly set him at ease either. 

Regardless, all of this had led to him outside, elbow deep in soil, replanting herbs well after dark. They had been outgrowing the hanging basket for some time now and he simply couldn’t put off relocating them any longer. The forests were dangerous once night fell, but he was more than safe inside his little haven. 

At least, he was supposed to be. 

There was a loud crash followed by his chickens squawking in surprise and indignation and John felt his blood run cold. If a wild animal or monster had gotten in, the chickens would be making very different noises. In a lot of ways, it would have been better if it had been, at least then he wouldn’t have to find a way to fend them off without harming them. 

No, it had to be those delinquents, back to try again, and John had just been too weak to notice their approach. The runes were still in place and the barrier was definitely still up. If they’d discovered how to pass through without destroying it, he would be in serious danger. He could be overrun by the entire town, a proper angry mob, and he would stand no chance. 

His old injuries ached, reminders of why it was so much safer to isolate himself, to hide away from the world. It was scary enough being confronted with one reckless kid trying to impress his friends let alone the entire town. He let himself cling to his anger, at the indignation of it all, the constant fear he was too tired to feel anymore, and he let it stoke that anger. 

He knew he wasn’t exactly an imposing figure, but he had an impressive temper, and it had successfully chased off some before they could realize how frail he looked. If he could utilize that now, he would. Anger was easier than dwelling on that fear anyway. 

“You’ve got to be joking,” he fumed, raising his voice as he grabbed his cane and used it to help leverage himself onto his feet. “Back again so soon? I was lenient before, but if you insist on intruding, you’ll wish I had simply killed you when I had the chance, instead of running you off—“ 

He came around the side of the chicken coop and froze. Lying on the ground in a heap was not a young delinquent but an injured man, looking up at him in bewilderment, breathing hard, presumably from running away from whatever had injured him. And, no doubt, the shock of winding up in John’s little hiding place. 

“Good lord, are you hurt?” John asked, taken completely off guard. He bit his lip to try to focus, get back on track, because he couldn’t show that sort of weakness here, not in front of a stranger. He raised his cane as if he or it were anywhere strong enough to bludgeon someone. “If you leave now, perhaps I will show mercy— wait, you’re bleeding rather a lot—“

“Sorry,” the man said, throwing him off again. “About your chickens.”

He didn’t even look afraid of John like he should be. Confused, yes, and certainly in pain, but the fact that his concern was immediately on the chickens he had frightened left John with no idea what to do. Especially when the man collapsed, unconscious. 

“Well,” John said, studying the man, bringing his cane back down to lean on. “That’s inconvenient.”

John himself had been described many ways; wiry, scrawny, lanky, and the like, and the man on the ground was anything but small, more than twice as wide. This would be difficult, but not impossible. Over exertion would leave him unable to move much the next day or so, but he should be able to get him inside and tend to his injuries before his bad leg gave out. Probably. 

-

Honestly, John was grateful that the stranger hadn’t been conscious for any of his puffing and panting as he dragged the man into his bedroom and eventually onto his bed. It was altogether an undignified experience. He was successful in the end, though, and finally set to tending his injuries. 

There were plenty of superficial cuts on exposed skin, a hazard of sprinting through the trees and brambles. There was an ugly gash on his side, though; one that looked suspiciously familiar. If it was what he thought, this man could have been marked and still be in danger. He should strengthen his wards just in case. 

He was about to draw away when a hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. He barely managed to stop himself from yelling in surprise, looking down at the large hand holding him in place. The grip wasn’t particularly tight, but it still caused his hand to shake minutely, unwelcome memories helpfully supplying possibilities for the sorts of terrible directions this situation could go in. 

He looked up at the large man currently in his bed. He still looked pale and weak and afraid. No anger or accusation in his eyes, which was possibly a good sign. To his surprise, the man’s eyes widened at John’s reaction and he quickly released him, raising his hand as if to reassure. The shock of this was enough to surprise John out of his own fear, leaving him bewildered.

“Please, wait,” the man said, voice weak. “Please don’t go.”

“You— want me to stay?” John asked. Maybe he just didn’t understand what was happening, too delirious with pain. Maybe he didn’t know where he was. 

“There was something out there—“ he said with wide eyes. 

“It wasn’t me,” John said quickly, and the man looked confused, as if it didn’t make sense for every townsperson to accuse John of any ill that befell them in the forest. 

“No, I know,” he said, still looking confused. 

“O-okay,” John said. “I’ll stay.”

The man looked so relieved he let out a heavy sigh, his eyes falling shut. He must have been exhausted. And if he’d had an encounter with one of the more insidious monsters in the forest, John felt for him and what he must be going through. 

And then John berated himself for the thought. It didn’t help to feel for others, to get attached. Yes, this stranger had such an open and friendly face, and he appreciated the consideration he showed in releasing and reassuring John despite his own fear. But once he was properly awake, he was sure he’d change his tune. Still, John didn’t want to have to see this man’s expression twisted in disgust or hatred, directed at him. 

John shook his head as if that could banish the thoughts. This was pointless, this always went the same way. As far as the town was concerned, John was the boogeyman they warned their kids about. The monsters in the area were supposed to be all his fault, and every death they caused was blamed on him. This man would look at him just like all the others, as a monster who had sold his soul or some such nonsense. 

The truth was, he was just as much a monster as far as the townspeople were concerned. Any time he’d found one injured and tried to help, they’d usually fled as soon as they were able. After a few days at most, this man would be gone and John would be alone again, as he was meant to be. As he deserved. 

The biggest danger would be trying to avoid angering the man or accidentally getting in his way during his escape and getting injured for it. His body had taken more than enough punishment over the years and he wasn’t exactly keen to add to his collection of scars. And this man was solid and strong even despite his injury. 

John waited another hour before he left the stranger to his sleep. He knew all too well the nightmares the things in the forest could give, so he weaved a little magic, hoping it might help keep them away, allowing him to actually rest peacefully. A wave of exhaustion washed over him for his efforts, but he simply sighed. It was time to get back to his planting. 

-

John was moving much slower today, exhaustion and pain seeping through every part of him. He wasn’t going to take a break, though, he had too much to do. He’d changed the stranger’s bandages that morning, but he didn’t have a chance to check in on him again until early evening. He was halfway across the bedroom before he realized the man was sitting up, watching him, and he stumbled to a halt. 

“Oh, you’re awake,” he said, blinking in surprise. Then winced. He of all people knew how invasive it could be, stuck in an unknown place, at the mercy of someone else. He wanted to do this properly, make sure this man knew he would be given as much privacy as possible, and he’d already messed it up. “I apologize, moving forward, I will be sure to knock before entering.”

“It’s fine, it’s your house,” the man said with a shrug. “I should be thanking you, you saved my life. I’m Martin, by the way.”

“Um, Jonathan. John,” he replied. “You do know where you are, right?”

“I think so,” Martin said, glancing around at the room, as if it held the answers. John wasn’t much for interior design, it was mostly filled with practical items, tools and supplies, extra blankets. No evil talismans or dead birds or whatever people thought he should collect. “I remember running through the forest, running from— something. So I assume that means you’re—“

“It’s fine,” John said casually when he stopped to ponder his next words. “You don't have to find a polite way to say it, I know they call me a witch.”

“A-are you?” Martin asked, and to his credit, he did look more curious than fearful. 

“No, but people don’t exactly care about the nuances,” Jon said with distaste, conveniently leaving out the bit where he did in fact know magic and didn’t exactly get this ability from a reputable source. “If they see something they can’t explain, they usually chalk it up to witchcraft.”

“Okay,” Martin said, as if that answered everything, as if he was going to simply accept his word for it. John told himself it didn’t mean anything, he could just want to move on. But there was something so trusting in his eyes. It made him feel unsteady. 

“Yes, well,” he cleared his throat. What was he even doing? He had a script and everything to make this as smooth as possible. He needed to get back on track. ”I have gone to great lengths to tend your wounds, so I suggest you not do anything to worsen them. Unfortunately, that means a return journey back to town is ill advised, so I am forced to extend my hospitality while you heal. You are, of course, welcome to leave at any time, but my protection only extends to my land here. Once you cross over the perimeter, if you collapse, I will not be carrying you back here again. Is that understood?”

“Y-yes,” Martin said quickly, but he looked concerned. “I don’t want to impose—“

“Nonsense,” Jon said dismissively, because there was no chance he would ever throw someone out while they were hurt. “While you are under my care, you will be provided food and shelter. And, no, I don’t plan to poison you. There would be no point.” 

He’d had to add that to the end of his little speech after being accused several times, as baffling as that was. He didn’t even grow anything poisonous here. And then he waited. The man still showed no inclination to flee. 

“O-okay?” was all Martin said, more of a question than confirmation when the silence dragged on a little too long. 

“Usually this is the part where you would try to flee. I won’t chase you if you do.” He indicated his cane by gently tapping it against the wooden floor. “Even injured, you’ll likely be faster.”

“I have no idea what is happening right now,” Martin said. “I don’t really want to run, do I have to?” 

“Wha— no, obviously not,” Jon said. He’d been doing his best to stand straight, give some sort of weight to his presence, even if he wasn’t exactly imposing. This entire thing was so confusing, though, he couldn’t help but deflate, clutching his cane close to himself with both hands, like he could hide behind it. “Like I said, I’d advise you to stay. It’s just that people usually wish to get as far from here as possible when given the chance. Are you sure you know who I am? It’s just that, I’d heard my reputation was quite grim.” 

Martin pondered this for a moment before he spoke. “You saved my life. I was so terrified and alone, and then you were there. You stayed with me. How could anyone not trust you after that?”

John couldn’t remember the last time someone reacted this way. Had anyone ever, after he’d gotten his magic? He’d come so far, to a place where no one knew Elias Bouchard, where he wouldn’t be associated with the likes of him. But it hadn’t mattered, they could still see the magic in him. 

Not that John had ever been great at lying or hiding his nature. He discovered that the hard way when he’d first gotten involved and went looking for help. That was why he needed a cane most days. Not that he blamed them, they’d been right. This had all been his own fault.  

He pivoted, trying to get back on track, returning to his script to help him through this interaction. He couldn't let himself get so thrown like this, he couldn’t let himself be vulnerable. 

“Well, as I said, you will be staying here until you are well enough to leave. Please make yourself comfortable as this will be your room. I will have dinner prepared shortly. I make three meals a day, but you are of course welcome to any food in the kitchen whenever you like.”

And with that, he turned and left the room. He was on unfamiliar ground, now. So very few people stuck around after this point, and his paranoia was throwing out all sorts of suggestions, reasons why this had to be a trick or a trap. But what would even be the point? 

He sighed and leaned heavily on his cane as he headed for the kitchen. He still had things to do. And a suspiciously endearing individual to cook for. He grimaced. He shouldn’t be thinking of Martin as endearing, he was only going to get himself hurt. He was usually so much better at not getting attached. Maybe he was just more lonely than usual and this was the first person to not lash out at him in— a very long time. 

-

It was a bit of a balancing act, holding the tray of food as well as leaning on his cane all while fumbling with the door after knocking. Eventually John got it open, though, and felt much too proud of himself. Martin made as if to stand when he saw, but he just glared at him and waved him off. He did not want to have to redo any stitches so soon. He then hooked his cane around the leg of a small table and dragged it over to the bed and placed the tray down on it. 

“Dinner,” he said with a gesture, as if that was needed. “In order to avoid aggravating your wound, I thought I would bring it here. However, you will be expected to take meals in the other room in future so long as your condition doesn’t worsen.”

“Of course,” Martin said, nodding enthusiastically. “I’m sorry you had to go to all this trouble.”

“That’s— that’s fine,” John gave him a confused look, because grateful or apologetic was not typically the reaction he received and he found himself thrown once again, uncertain how to proceed. Somehow this made him more worried than anger would have. 

“Wow, this looks amazing,” Martin exclaimed as he examined the food, oblivious to his internal turmoil. 

”Um,” John’s cheeks darkened and he awkwardly rubbed at the back of his neck. “You can leave your dishes there when you are finished. I’ll retrieve them later.”

And then he turned and slipped out of the room at impressive speed before he could say something else kind, that made his chest feel so warm. He decided it was time to scrub the floor. That would distract him from all this.