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queenimmadolla · 2 years

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𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐍𝐄'𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃

(dad!eddie x mom/pregnant!reader)

*NOT Mature, SFW — incorrectly flagged

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏 ─ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐 ─ 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑 • more of the pennyverse here.

Summary: . . . After almost losing you in a scare related to your preterm labor, Eddie is reluctant to meet his newborn son, whose life still remains on the line, until some convincing from you. warnings: angst, a whole lot of angst, near death experience, difficult pregnancy, early labor, preterm birth, talk of loss of infants, birth defects, happy ending.

a/n: congrats on making it to part two! we still have quite a bit of angst to get through but we're almost through the storm! this part (even though i wrote Wayne's World as a whole) was my favorite to write, and i'm sure you'll be able to guess why. word count is 6k. good luck and happy reading! and for the people mad about the long post, sorry, had the 'keep reading' tab on but it kept fucking with the format and eating chunks of it. you're gonna have to scroll. let me know what you think? ◡̈

Hours passed by, Penny had fallen asleep in his lap again and so had most of his friends with the exceptions of Jonathan who looked like he could really use the sleep, Eden and Wayne. Steve would snap awake every once and a while, careful not to jostle his sleeping girlfriend. Nancy was asleep on Jonathan’s shoulder while Argyle used Eden’s lap for a pillow. Barb and Robin were hanging off chairs in the most uncomfortable looking positions, Robin’s snores almost painful sounding. The ‘kids’ (teenagers) had been picked up by their parents, only agreeing to go home if they could come back to wait with him first thing in the morning.

Eddie didn’t rest for a single second, mind torturing him with horrible, horrible thoughts. One played in his mind on loop; he was holding Penny as he walked out of the hospital. They were on their own.

It held him captive, he hadn’t even noticed your doctor approaching him until she gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Mr. Munson?”

Wayne and Eddie traded quick glances and he handed Penny over, trying not to disturb her too much in his rush but she just curled up to Wayne.

Eddie stood up, already feeling lightheaded. That voice in his head that had been torturing him whispered something cruel to him, enough to make him want to cease existing: maybe you, somewhere in this hospital, already gone and he didn’t know it. Was she about to confirm his worst fears?

“I apologize for the fright we gave you. Your wife started hemorrhaging and she lost a lot of blood.”

Yeah. Eddie’s world was ending. It was over.

“But we were able to stop the bleeding and get her a transfusion. She’s stable and she’s going to be just fine.”

The relief was almost crippling, the heaviest weight he’d ever felt on him was lifted. Eddie wanted to cry, he squeezed his eyes shut again, trying to compose himself before he broke down in front of another doctor.

“We have her in a room, probably hold her for a couple of nights, depending on her recovery. Would you like to go see her?”

“Yeah, yes, please.” He nodded rapidly, wiping furiously at his eyes.

Dr. Eisenberg nodded and began walking down the hall, “If you’ll follow me.”

Eddie turned, ready to ask Wayne to look after Penny when Wayne cut him off, “Go. I'll let ‘em all know she’s okay and send ‘em home. They probably won’t be able to see her tonight or in the mornin’, but I’ll stick around. Let me know when I can come on up.”

Eddie wanted to hug him, but he really needed to see you.

“Thank you, Wayne. For everything.” Then he was scrambling after Dr. Eisenberg, who had stopped to wait for him.

The walk to your hospital room had Eddie ready to tear his hair out, he’d wanted to just ask your doctor for your room number so he could sprint the rest of the way because her pace was much too slow. He was desperate to get to you, to make sure you were really still alive.

“Here we are,” she stated, pushing your room door open. “Hello, again, Mrs. Munson. I brought someone who’s been waiting for you.”

Eddie’s breath hitched as Dr. Eisenberg stepped to the side and he finally saw you, eyelids heavy from whatever sedation you were still trying to pull yourself from, and a smile on your face that only widened when you locked eyes.

“Hi, baby,” you slurred, sleepy little smile not going anywhere. And neither were you.

The rush of emotions he was experiencing was too much, he burst into tears where he stood as Dr. Eisenberg closed the door behind her on her way out.

“Eddie…” you mumbled out, reaching the hand lacking an IV out to him.

Of course you were trying to comfort him, you were the one confined to a hospital bed, having just barely survived a traumatic birth and you were still trying to comfort him because you were perfect.

He slowly approached your bed, hot tears—he was surprised his body could even still produce more tears given how much he’d cried in the last few hours alone—streaming down his cheek. Eddie really did collapse when he reached you, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck.

You wrapped your arms around him, holding him to your chest as best as you could, though you had no idea why he was crying, brain too hazy.

Eddie didn’t sob, just silently shook as he wet your neck, inhaled your scent, felt your warm skin and pulse beating beneath his lips. He hadn’t lost you, you were still here.

Ideally, he’d be holding you and squeezing you hard enough to ensure you’d never leave his arms again, but even in his emotional hysteria, he was mindful of your condition.

Eddie pulled away, large hands framing your face as he pressed desperate kisses all over your face, making sure every inch was caressed with his love before he focused on your lips, mouth meshing messily against yours.

You could taste the salt of his tears, feel a couple of stray ones catching where your lips met. While he may have been feeling a mixture of emotions, all you could feel right then was content and still a bit sleepy from the anesthesia.

When Eddie felt he’d conveyed his love for you sufficiently, he pulled away, a wet and hoarse chuckle escaping him when he realized you could barely keep your eyes open.

“You sleepy, baby?”

“Mhmm.”

“Get some rest, sweetheart,” Eddie’s thumb stroked over your bottom lip before resting over the center of it, “just, please wake up.”

“Okay,” you mumbled, eyes already shut. Still, you managed to press a kiss to his thumb before you slipped into a blissful slumber.

While you slept, Eddie had one of the nurses phone up the waiting room and sent Wayne. The poor man looked exhausted, but the relief on his face was evident when he saw you sleeping peacefully.

He looked like he wanted to cry, too. Instead, he just cleared his throat, blinked to keep the tears away and spoke low so as to not disturb you or the sleeping toddler in his arms.

“Everythin’ alright?”

“With her?” Eddie’s red rimmed gaze drifted back to you, focused on the rise and fall of your chest. Still breathing, “Yeah.”

Wayne nodded once and they both stood there in silence for a few minutes as the world began to turn again. Something still wasn’t right, felt wrong. He could tell by the tension his boy still had, arms crossed as he crouched in the seat next to your bed.

“And the baby?”

Eddie flinched as if Wayne had shot a gun off in the air rather than mention his son.

“I don’t know.”

Wayne watched him with a careful eye, Eddie looked almost like he was vibrating from the force at which his leg was shaking, even your hospital bed appeared to be affected by it, though not nearly enough to disturb you.

As much as he wanted to comfort him, for once, Wayne didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know what to say and he had an inkling that anything that came out of his mouth wouldn’t be heard by Eddie. He was lost in the dark crevices of his own mind.

The most he could do was offer to give him some alone time, he was sure his boy wasn’t keen on others sticking around right now, even him.

“I’ll take Penny home, me and Maude’ll watch her.”

Eddie shook his head, a look of panic flashing over his face, “No, that’s alright. She can stay with me.”

Wayne was reluctant, mouth set in a frown. Penny was a good girl, usually, but he didn’t know if Eddie could really handle her along with processing everything going on around him.

“Really, we wouldn’t mind─”

“I need her.”

That shut Wayne right up, he and Eddie shuffled to exchange Penny from his arms to her dad’s without waking her. She stirred momentarily then shoved her face into Eddie’s neck, her little body falling slack once more.

Wayne gave his shoulder a good squeeze, ran his hand gently over Penny’s back before he leaned down—and in a rare show of affection—pressed a brief kiss to your forehead.

As he was walking out of the room, Eddie felt the panic crawling down his throat again. He croaked out a broken, “Wayne─”

Wayne paused in the doorway, turning to acknowledge Eddie but his nephew didn’t continue, just looked scared. For a moment, Wayne was caught off guard, sucking in a breath as his boy looked young for the first time in a couple of years.

Now, he knew you and Eddie were young. He’d been aware of it when you got together, aware of it when you told him you were pregnant with Penny but sometime after that, he stopped seeing your age, stopped seeing Eddie’s as the two of you grew up for her. Now, right then, he remembered with startling clarity that Eddie wasn’t even twenty-five. He looked so young because he was.

Eddie didn’t have to say anything else because Wayne knew exactly what he wanted him to say.

Wayne nodded slowly, mouth pressing into a firm line of determination, “Everything’s gonna be alright, kid.”

Eddie choked up, held Penny a little tighter and Wayne went on his way.

He found himself settling back into the seat he’d dragged near your bed, cradling Penny as she remained blissfully unaware and drooling on his scrub top.

Wayne wasn’t wrong, she’d probably be a little too much for him but she was his kid, it wasn't like he could just hand her off to people when life came at him like this and he really did need her right now. Again.

You were here and whole, but somewhere else in this hospital, a member of his little family was still slipping through his fingers. He couldn’t let the other one out of his sight, couldn’t lose her, too.

Once more, Eddie remained restless as the hours passed. He sat in mostly silence. He’d turned on the tv near your bed, the volume high enough to drown out the sounds of the hospital outside of the room but much too low to wake you. Rain trilled against the windows, much more gentle than it had been earlier. The storm had also passed, and if there was even an ounce of humor in him, he would have been amused with how this storm seemed to fester like a black cloud looming over him.

It’d been a normal day up until he’d gone to Lucas’ birthday party, but he’d been skeptical about leaving you, worried something would happen. The metaphorical little black cloud formed over him, as a result, and so did the actual black clouds, quickly calling for wind and rain at high speeds.

And when Eddie had found out you were okay, you were alive, his black cloud disappeared, though it left behind damage and a cold atmosphere. The real storm had also run its course, leaving behind weather that reflected exactly how Eddie felt.

Penny squirmed in his grasp, and he realized he’d tensed up so he quickly relaxed, shifting her into a more comfortable position in his hold.

“Why don’t you give her to me?”

Eddie’s head snapped over to you, surprised to find you awake, somewhat lucid and watching him with a small smile on your face.

“Because you just had your insides removed and put back in,” He smirked, another wave of relief washing over him. You’d woken up, you really were okay. You weren’t going to leave him.

You rolled your eyes, making a vague hand gesture to brush the subject off, clearly the surgeons hadn’t removed your sass.

“She’s tiny and there’s more than enough room on here for both of us.” You hissed as you slowly shimmied your way to the side of the bed and Eddie frowned.

“Okay, how about you don’t move so we can limit the amount of heart attacks you give me today, yeah?” You knew Eddie must have been worried so you didn’t take the lack of humor behind his words and the tension on his face personally.

A quick glance at the clock confirmed your suspicions, “It’s three in the morning, Eddie. New day, but I’ll keep my antics to a minimum.”

Insistently, you patted the spot next to you, perfectly Penny sized and high enough to guarantee she wouldn’t accidentally move against your incision.

With a sigh, Eddie complied, gathering his daughter up. Tensing up disturbed her but full on moving her didn’t, most likely used to being carried into your home after she’d fallen asleep in her car seat or on the couch.

She didn’t stir when he laid her down, either. You both had to rearrange her limbs into a more comfortable position, one that didn’t make it look like she was possessed. Once Eddie tucked her in, he let out another sigh and cast you an apologetic look, big brown eyes wide, glassy and full of sorrow.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.” It was the last thing you deserved after what you’d gone through.

The sincerity in his voice almost hurt you, it was heavy, as though it carried more weight than just a simple apology for his tone.

You held out your hand and Eddie immediately slipped his over it, locking his fingers with yours, squeezing as his breath hitched.

Your hand was so warm and soft. At one point in the last twenty-four hours, he’d thought he’d never get to feel it again, never get to hold your hand or see your pretty face. Never get to say…

“I love you,” he blurted out, the panic he’d felt earlier when he couldn’t remember the last time he’d said those three words to you climbed right out of his belly, trying to claw its way out of his chest. Eddie took in a shuddering breath, head shaking as a hot tear escaped its confinement, trailing down his cheek. He moved to the other side of the hospital bed, so he wouldn’t crush Penny, and took your face in his hands, pressing a passionate kiss to your lips, hoping he was able to convey just how much he loved you.

He needed you to know.

“Eddie,” you mumbled as he pulled away, only to hide himself in the crook of your neck again. You could feel his tears against your skin and it alarmed you. “I love you, too, baby. What’s wrong?”

“I thought I was going to lose you,” he confessed and you felt your heart seize up, “I thought I was gonna lose you twice in the same damn day. I was so fucking scared, sweetheart.”

When he’d been driving to the hospital, there had been a moment when he wondered if you’d still be breathing when he got there. It made him want to throw up so he quickly squashed it and forced it to the back of his head. It hadn’t been ideal when he’d entered the operation room, he didn’t like seeing you get cut open but it was comforting to see he’d overreacted. You were getting a c-section, you weren’t on your deathbed.

Until you had been.

And for the second time that day, he thought you were going to die, thought he’d somehow cruelly manifested this for you and himself.

“I’m alright, Eddie.” You freed your hand, grabbing his to cradle your cheek with.

“See? I’m okay. You didn’t lose me, you’re not going to.” Eddie pulls away from his hiding spot to stare down at you, the wounded puppy look still firmly in place so you add a little humor, hoping to get a smile out of him, “There’s no way I’m checking out this early, I can’t risk you moving on when you look this good.”

Eddie’s hand was so big his fingers were tucked into your hair, his palm alone took up most of your cheek. His fingertips lightly massaged the area of your scalp available to him as the hurt on his face morphed into an earnest look, somehow more vulnerable.

“There’s no moving on from you, you’re taking my soul, my heart, all of it with you when you go. You’re the love of my life, my everything. And that—fuck, it terrifies me because I’d still have Penny to take care of and I wouldn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t know how to pull myself out of it, if it’d even be possible and quite frankly, I don’t ever want to fucking find out.”

Eddie was more than happy to have those types of questions remain unanswered for the rest of his life.

“You’d be able to do it, I know you would. You would be able to take care of Penny and the baby.” You knew he would, your husband would pull himself out of his depression to make sure your children were okay because of how much he loved them, despite his grief.

Eddie flinched, something you were quick to clock. You didn’t need to ask, he could see the question reflecting in those beautiful eyes of yours.

He had to break the news. You were already in a frail condition and he had to tell you the baby you’d almost died to have, your son, might still die.

“Honey, the baby—he—fuck, he’s uh…there’s something wrong with his heart.”

The way your face plummeted shattered something inside of him.

“What?”

“He’s got a hole in his heart, the doctor said it was pretty common amongst heart defects but since he was born so early, it’d be difficult to medicate him or perform an operation. All they can do is keep him under observation, he still might not make it because of how young he is.”

You squeezed your eyes shut, head dropping back to meet your pillow as you tried, and failed, not to cry. Why was this happening? You blamed yourself, why hadn’t you been able to keep him in your belly? Why had your own body betrayed you? Why had you failed your baby?

“This is all my fault,” you declared, eyes and cheeks growing wet with your tears.

“No, no, sweetheart.” Eddie was not about to let you take the blame for something out of your control or even allow you to believe any of this was your fault. “You can’t possibly believe this is on you. These things happen, it obviously isn’t ideal, but it’s just circumstance. It’s not your fault and it’s not the baby’s fault. You did everything you could and more. Okay?”

He leaned in, finger stroking gently across your cheekbone as he caught a tear. You sniffled, nodding once as he pulled you back together.

“What does he look like?” You asked, snuggling back into the pillow as Eddie coddled you.

He hesitated for a moment before he answered, “I—I don’t know.”

That elicited a small frown from you, “You haven’t seen him yet?”

Eddie swallowed hard, gaze moving away from you, “No.”

You waited, watching a series of emotions pass over his features. Eddie often tried to keep his internal struggles to himself, a habit you noticed once you became friends with him (ironically, through some trauma bonding) and even into your relationship. You hadn’t expected him to confide everything in you right away, though you had let him know should he ever need someone to talk to, you’d be there.

Now, it wasn’t a matter of if he would, it was when. It didn’t take him long.

“I don’t know—I guess,” he pursed his lips, eyes squeezing shut as he felt the all too familiar burn of fresh tears. How many times had he cried in the last twenty-four hours? He felt ridiculous to be so emotional, then again, he’d never thought he’d find himself in this tragic situation, so he was due for a couple of breakdowns, “I know if I go down there and I—I look at him, I’m gonna fall in love with him and then what? He dies. I can’t do that, not if I’m gonna lose him forever. I can’t.”

Eddie was leaking tears, not yet sobbing but well on his way as he made his confession. He couldn’t stomach seeing his baby boy if he was going to be taken away from him, if the two of you would have to put a tiny little coffin—a size that should never have to exist—six feet into the ground. He’d been put through the fucking ringer but Eddie couldn’t do that. It would break him.

Eddie’s confession had you crying as well, you shared his pain. You didn’t want to lose your baby, either. You couldn’t remember what he looked like through the haze of your fatigue when you’d given birth to him, but if you tried to think hard enough, you could remember how it felt to have him in your arms in the passenger seat of Wayne’s truck. The first time you’d held him and you hoped it wouldn’t be the last.

Even if it was, you were grateful you’d had the chance to and you knew Eddie would never forgive himself if he didn’t get to see him, didn’t get to meet him.

“I know you’re terrified, Eds. It scares me, too.” You grabbed his hand just as it slipped away from your face, encouraging him to look at you. “I don’t want to lose him, either. I want to take him home. I want to cuddle with him, nurse him, take tons of pictures of him with Penny and with you, but most of all, I want to make sure he knows I love him.”

It killed you to imagine your baby in an incubator, small, helpless and with no one but the nurses, who could make the time to check on him in between all their other patients, offering him comfort. Human contact. And if he did end up passing, he could do so alone in there, not knowing how loved he was.

“I know you love him, Eddie, and you don’t want to lose him. But you can’t lose him if you don’t have him, baby. I hate that this is even a possibility for us, but I’d rather have held him and lost him than to never have picked him up at all. I’ll be okay with whatever you decide, but do you really want him to die without having gotten to meet his dad?”

Eddie let out a choked sob as he shook his head. He didn’t want his baby to die at all but you were right, if he did lose his kid, he’d spend the rest of his life agonizing over the same thing Eddie had been upset with himself for when he thought he’d lose you. He’d been unable to recall the last time he told you he loved you. Only, he’d know he never told his son.

“I’ll be right back,” he swore and you nodded just as he leaned down to give you a kiss. He wiped away his tears, inhaled a particularly violent sniffle and you watched as he left your room to finally meet his baby.

Eddie felt almost disorientated as he navigated his way to the NICU. He’d been there once, briefly, to check on Penny when she’d been there for a few hours, but that was a couple of years ago and he’d needed the assistance of several nurses and staff to direct him, but he finally made it.

The entrance room, where the viewing window was located, was nearly empty. There was a woman further down, gazing through the large window.

Eddie approached it with caution and his heart racing a mile a minute. It wasn’t too difficult to find his baby. His son was in an incubator, close to the window and labeled ‘MUNSON’. For the first time, Eddie got to take his son in. He had been right, he fell in love with him at first sight.

He was smaller than some of the other babies, bigger than others as well and surprisingly well developed. Kind of calmed Eddie’s nerves, just a little. He had a couple of monitor pads attached to his tummy with an additional one wrapped around his tiny foot. Other than the nasal cannula, baby Munson didn’t have a whole lot of tubes attached to him like Eddie had imagined and he could see a smattering of hair on his head, somewhat light in shade but he had a feeling it would darken soon to resemble his own.

It was hard to tell if Wayne and Penny were right in their description of him, Eddie couldn’t tell if he was still pale since the baby was cloaked in blue light, but he assumed his son had gained some color by then. Eddie also couldn’t make out his eyes, those were covered by some sort of eye cloth, most likely for protection. He looked a little odd, obviously resembled a baby and while his features were almost indistinguishable, appearing a little generic, as his face still needed to develop a little more, Eddie could see hints of familiar features.

He looked like newborn Penny, well, so far. Her features had obviously changed since then, and still were, but he was promising to look almost exactly like she had when she was born. And Eddie thought Penny looked a lot like you, so it got a smile out of him, regardless of the fact his son was bound to resemble his family.

Eddie watched the rapid rise and fall of his chest with concern. Was he supposed to be breathing that fast? Was he okay?

“Which one is yours?”

Eddie turned to peer over at the woman who’d asked him the question, “Munson.”

Eddie watched as her gaze moved over all the incubators until they found the correct one.

“Oh, he’s a cute one. And his breathing looks incredible.”

“Really? It’s not too fast?” He asked, the worry in his voice obvious.

“Considering it’s his first time pumping those lungs, I don’t think so, no. Looks like he’s breathing real good to me. Mine needs a little help.” She pointed through the glass to an incubator that housed a baby with a tube in its mouth as well as individual ones in each nostril unlike his son’s nasal cannula. Eddie felt horrible.

“I’m sorry,” he tried to apologize but she waved him off, a smile still on her face.

“Don’t be, that’s all mine is here for. As soon as she figures out how to keep doing it on her own, she’ll be back with me and my wife.”

Right on, Eddie thought. Before he could continue their conversation, a nurse knocked on the window.

She gestured down to the baby, “Is he yours?”

Wow, this glass must have been thin, he could hear her pretty good.

For some reason, Eddie still assumed she couldn’t hear him and only nodded. She disappeared for a minute and emerged into the room through a large pair of doors.

“Would you like to hold him?”

Eddie glanced at the other occupant and she gave him a nod of encouragement.

“Yeah,” he rasped out, turning to look at his son through the window once more, “Yeah, I would.”

Eddie was nervous the entire time as she prepped him with instructions. While they were concerned about the hole in his son’s heart, he was well developed, had strong vitals, good reactions, even for thirty weeks. He was so good that had it not been for his heart, he probably would have been sent home at the same time as you, given your longer than average stay due to your c-section and preeclampsia.

And when she placed him in his arms, the love he had for his son almost overwhelmed him. He couldn’t believe he almost denied himself this.

“Can I touch him?” He asked, after he’d stopped marveling at the small face—eyes still hidden—in his arms.

“Mhm, we’d encourage it. Babies, even born preterm, are still very much so human. He craves the contact, it might even encourage him.”

Eddie didn’t hesitate, fingers gently stroking over the soft fluff of hair on his son’s head. This close, he could see it all pushed towards the middle of his head, like a mohawk. His baby was already metal straight out of your womb, it made him chuckle.

The nurse stepped away to tend to another baby, giving him a little privacy. Eddie maneuvered his son so he was resting on his chest, little head pressed against the spot just over his heart.

“Hi,” he whispered down to the baby in his arms, “I’m your dad.”

Much to Eddie’s awe, the baby nuzzled his head against his chest, making him still. He didn’t know why, but he’d believed his son wouldn’t be able to move for some reason. It was nice to know he was wrong.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, too,” he laughed, the sound soft, “I’ve been looking forward to it, you must have, too. You sure know how to make an entrance, huh? Couldn’t wait in your mom any longer?”

Eddie ducked down to kiss his little head, lips remaining there as he moved to sit in one of the few chairs of the NICU.

“It’s okay, though. I’ve got you, daddy’s got you.” Even if the outcome wasn’t okay, right at that moment with his son in his arms, everything felt like it would be. And if his son needed encouragement, Eddie would give it to him.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to come find you, your mom had to talk some sense into me. She loves you a lot, you know? Probably jealous I’m down here and she isn’t, but only because she physically can’t just yet.”

Eddie’s hand went to support the back of his head as he moved the baby down to hold in his hands, staring down at his little face.

“I’ll bring her down to see you again as soon as I can, though. So you gotta keep fighting, okay? I know things are hard for you right now, not as easy as the other babies in the hospital, but I know you can do it. I love you so much, your mom and I just want to take you home, so you gotta beat this, okay?”

Eddie rocked his baby, gentle swaying motions as he pressed kiss after kiss to his head.

“I see you’ve made it down for a visit,”

Eddie glanced up at the face of Dr. Houseman, she didn’t look as intimidating as she had when she’d first approached him in the waiting room.

“Sorry to disturb you, but I’m very glad I caught you. I heard your wife is doing well.”

“She is,” he confirmed, with a relieved grin.

“Good, I’m glad. Have you been given an update on your little guy?”

Eddie recounted what the nurse had told him and Dr. Houseman looked pleased.

“Well, I have more news for you. He’s proving to be much stronger than we’d initially anticipated, and while his vitals were already good on intake, they’ve improved tremendously in the last few hours and so have his responses. I think he’s figuring out what he’s capable of doing; how to breathe, how to move, how to eat—we introduced him to a rubber nipple to check his latch response and it’s good, not quite there yet, we’ll have to get creative with his feedings but I think he’ll be able to latch onto his mom soon.”

She must have caught the way Eddie perked up at her use of the word soon. That meant his baby had a fighting chance.

“These first few hours after a birth such as his and with his condition are crucial. While he’s still significantly weaker than an average full term newborn, your baby seems to be a fighter. Should he survive this next night, I believe he’ll make it. He’d just need some time in here while the hole closes up, but it just might not be too much for him.”

She left him with that news and a parting smile.

Eddie held his son for a few more minutes before a nurse returned to put him back in his incubator. He hadn’t wanted to leave him, but he’d promised him he’d be back.

When Eddie got back to the room, his heart was a little lighter and he was able to smile when he saw you giving Penny, who was now wide awake, kisses. He pressed his back up against the door and watched for a few moments as you leaned in and gave her a loud kiss. She’d go into a fit of giggles before demanding another with an again!

“Daddy!” Penny beamed the moment she saw him and Eddie grinned as he made his way over, lifting her into his arms when she held hers up to him.

“Hi, pretty one. You sleep good?”

“Uh-huh,” it was clear she was distracted and didn’t care about his questions, no, she had some of her own. “You see my baby?”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, trading an amused look with you.

“Oh, he’s your baby now?”

“Ya, he’s—he’s my baby.” She nodded with a grin as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he leaned down to press his forehead to hers.

“Well, then yes. I saw your baby,” he chuckled, pressing a kiss to her nose.

“Wha’helooklike?” Penny blurted out, eyes wide as she waited for his reply.

“He looked a lot like you.”

“Nooooooo,” Penny laughed, shaking her head against her dad’s, “He is my potatoes, not anoda Penny.”

“It’s true!” Eddie laughed with her as he put her back down by your side and leaned in to give you yet another—he’d never stop giving them to you—kiss.

“He looks like her?” You asked, after you’d returned his kiss.

“Mhm,” Eddie fell back into the seat he’d occupied hours earlier. “Looks like she did when she was a newborn. He’s not pale—like a potato,” he directed that part to Penny who just laughed into her little hands, “anymore, at least. I don’t know whose eyes he has, they were covered.”

Eddie was right about you being jealous, you were practically green with it.

“I wish I could see him,” you stated sadly, frown on your lips. You knew, realistically, if he started to decline, they’d most likely let you out of bed to see him or bring him up to you, but still. You’d rather it not come to that.

“Ran into his doctor while I was there, she said he’s got a better chance.”

Your eyes lit up, “Really?”

“I was just about ready to kiss her.” He nodded and you made a face, nose doing that adorable scrunch he loved so much.

“Okay, well, don’t do that.”

Eddie snickered, “It was a figure of speech, baby.”

“I know, I’m just saying it on her behalf,”

“On her behalf?” Eddie pouted, eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

“Yeah, I want to kiss her, too, but—uhm, Eds, you might need some sleep ‘cause—you’re hot, you really are, but you also look insane right now.”

Eddie got up to make his way to the bathroom so he could see himself in the mirror, nearly jumping once he’d turned on the lights.

His eyes were beyond bloodshot, his eye bags were dark and very apparent, his skin had an interesting almost gray like tinge to it and his hair was a wreck. Eddie looked like he belonged in a psych ward.

“Jesus,” he shouted loud enough to be heard by you.

“It’s okay, Eds. You’re still beautiful to me!”

Eddie did end up sleeping. Turns out the chair he’d been sitting on was also a pull out bed. You insisted that he get some rest, and while he did, you changed Penny’s diaper and got some hospital room service for the two of you, you’d even picked something out on the menu for Eddie to eat once he woke up.

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soapymansuds · 5 months

Text

Eternity and Counting

(Pt1) This is a running piece I've nearly finished, but the whole thing is way too long to post as one chapter sooooo... This part's pretty short just for the sake of timeline splitting.

Obey me! X Angel!MC (They/Them Pronouns)

TW: Suicide, depression, self-deprecation, death, big feelings, lots of sad, everybody is crying like all the time

MC just can't handle anything anymore and takes their own life. Imagine their dismay to find even death isn't the end for them.

(Takes place in the Frost Flowers event (sorta?), with mild "that chapter where MC finds out they're the Bridge" spoilers. Can't remember which chapter that was.)

~/\~

It's so heavy. This grand weight I've been lugging around since that day. I should have died. I was supposed to die. I would have deserved it too. All I've ever managed to do was cause problems for this family. And maybe I still am. The idea almost stopped me. Visions of their faces. Their tears. Their grief. It did, actually. A few times at least. But not today. It's happened again. Everything was going just fine until that God-forsaken dog decided I would be the object of his affection. Somehow, in spite of the threat it faced to the nation, the brothers refused to just hand me over. Almost losing not just their home, but their kingdom, for my sake. Yet again wasting their time trying to save me. Just like they did when my stupid power nearly killed Lucifer. When Lucifer nearly killed HIMSELF to save me. A bitter, evil part of me is still mad at Michael for stopping me. For saving me.

My arms feel heavy as lead as I lay here, counting away the seconds. I've got nearly an hour before anybody gets home from RAD. Plenty of time to make sure I stay dead. I feel a little bad for lying about being sick to get out of classes today. But maybe I am. Doesn't matter much now anyway. Really, my biggest concern in the current moment is how long it will take Barbatos to notice the ingredients I took. Sure, he's in classes right now too, but he pops in and out of the castle all day long. The likelihood of him stopping into the kitchen and noticing the cracked cabinet door, the scavaged shelves, and finally the open jars is uncomfortably high. In my defense, the chances of that happening while I was there were equally high, so I can't be blamed for the messy crime. But he's only got a few moments more before his discovery will be for naught, so I suppose it's not terribly worrying.

I can feel it, creeping up my spine like a cold massage. The ever-growing numbness. The slow death of my limbs. My lungs. Me. It's growing darker now, unnaturally so, even for The Devildom. I can finally free them of my burden. Free myself of it too. But I would like to offer a final scorn to whatever God allowed me to hear the gentle creaking of the front door.

~/\~

(Mammon's POV)

A chill runs through my spine,like something ominous is lurking behind me, but as I turn around, nobody's there. In spite of that comfort, I can't shake this overwhelming dread coating my nerves and sinking into my bones, urging me to move. Driving me to jog home. The gentle sway of the bag on my arm becoming notably more violent as it begins swinging by my side.

My hands can't work fast enough as I try to unlock the front door. I break into a near sprint as I approach their door, slamming it open.

"MC?" I call, it's dark in their room, but I can just make out the shape of their body resting in their bed. "Oh, you're just sleeping." I mumble, walking up to their bed and setting the bag on the ground next to it.

"Hey, I gotcha some human world medicines." I whisper, pulling a few bottles from the bag. "C'mon, you gotta wake up and take some."

I can't help but roll my eyes at their lack of reaction. "Been spending too much time with Belphie." I reach up to shake their shoulder gently.

Nothing happens. So I try again, fingers gripping just barely tighter. Tight enough to feel the unsettling chill of their skin. It seeps through my fingertips and into my soul. Gripping my heart in white hot fear.

"MC, wake up." I shake them again. "MC." Their name falls from my lips like a plea. "MC please-" I grab their other shoulder. "MC!" Tears spill from my eyes, breath shaky and ragged. "Wake up!"

(Raghhhh, sorry about this)

-Your dear friend, the author

#obey me shall we date #obey me x reader #obey me #mammon x reader #obey me mammon #obey me diavolo #diavolo x reader #obey me angst #why did i make this #send help #obey me leviathan #obey me x mc #obey me belphegor

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hazbinhazbinhazbinreblog · 8 months

Note

Vox frowns as he reads through one of the forms on his desk.

"Charlie got an interview with 666 News? She didn't tell me that."

He's already helped her with her initial interview, managing to snag her an interview spot with some better hosts than Katie Killjoy.

The whole reason he picked Daily Devil for Charlie's first interview was because they were far more professional than the hosts 666 News had to offer. Though he couldn't control the audience, Vox had hopes that it wouldn't immediately devolve into a fist fight on live TV.

But since Charlie's expected to share the screen with Killjoy…

Vox shakes his head. He can't keep worrying over his daughter. She's old enough that he trusts her judgment.

…

Most of her judgment.

Vox sighs and settles in to start some paperwork. The sooner he gets the thought out of his head, the sooner time will fly by and he can go pick up Charlie from her interview once it's finished.

His phone rings.

Vox glances at it. Normally he'll ignore it and get back later, but his gut tells him he should answer it.

Instinctively, he reaches out to his and Alastor's bond, even though he knows there will be no response. The deer's presence is still there, thankfully, so he knows that Alastor isn't dead. But Vox has no idea what's happening to him or what he's doing. Alastor, I'm worried I'm not doing enough for our daughter. I wish you were here to help. You've always been better at this than me.

Vox picks up the phone and answers the call while scribbling out signatures on some forms. “Hello, Vox speaking.”

“Hello sir, there's been an incident at 666 News.”

Vox freezes. “What?”

“The Princess got into a fight—”

“‘Got into a fight’?!”

He doesn't hear much more of the call after that, because Vox is scrambling out of his chair and sprinting out the door.

Screw the paperwork, Charlie is more important.

———

Charlie sulks and crosses her arms as the staff around her nervously fidget. A good distance away from her, Katie Killjoy stands, refusing to glance in her direction.

Somewhere, a door slams open.

“Charlie! CHARLIE!”

Vox sprints into view, obviously worried for her.

Katie perks up, a smarmy grin spreading over her face as she approaches the CEO. “Sir, it's so good that you're here to deal with—”

Vox shoves her unceremoniously out of the way in favor of skidding to stop in front of Charlie and kneels down to place his hands on her shoulders.

Charlie gives him a sheepish smile. “Hey dad.” She feels bad about the whole thing. Her dad already gave her one interview, so messing up another probably doesn't look good for him.

“Charlie. Hey, look at me kid, it's okay. I'm not mad.” Vox cards a hand through her messy hair. “But Charlie, I have to ask you something important,” he says urgently. “Did you win or lose?”

"Did you win or lose" PRIORITIES IN ORDER

Also I forgot for a second this takes place at the tail end of Alastor's 7 year absence, Vox continuing to reach out and getting no response is so sad. It's okay my guy you're doing amazing

#ask #dadstaticradio au #fanfiction #staticradio #radiostatic #staticlovetune

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imonanotherlebel · 8 months

Note

Could you write something a little smutty about best friend Jake 👀

Whispers in the Moonlight

Requested: Best friend Jake makes everyone go feral omg

Pairing: Jake x reader

Warnings : 18+, Minors DO NOT INTERACT! Suggestive content, mentions of alcohol, mentions of sex, fingering, fem receiving, does the devil's tango, possessive Jake, penetrative sex, unprotected sex (use protection!), smut ahead!

⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊

Y/n's pov

*ding*

I checked my phone and there it was. As usual. The drunk posts.

Sunsuniscool- Out with the boys!

Jake and his friends have started this thing where they drink whenever one of them is feeling down. I wonder who it is today. Nevertheless, they all drink like they are heartbroken.

A few hours later.

*ding*

Sunsuniscool- Jake is sad :( AND WASTED

Why is he sad? They are drinking today because Jake is sad? But he is my best friend. Jake is the type of guy that tells me EVERYTHING. Should I text him?

No. I should wait until he is sober.

Literally 20 mins later

*call from Sunoo☀️*

Sunoo: Hey Y/n sorry to bother you at this time. *rumbles and groans in the background* Jake is so drunk. We can't control him. He keeps asking for you. *inaudible sounds*

Y/n: Send me your location. I'll come get you guys.

Sunoo: Yeonjun hyung said he is coming to get us. But Jake won't stop screaming, "I am not leaving!". And he keeps on drinking more.

Jake, in the background: y/n.... y/n is here?

Sunoo: *sigh* There he goes again. Y/n he always listens to you. Please tell him to stop drinking and let us carry him home. I'm giving him the phone, okay?

Jake: Hey babyyyy... I'm sowwyyy...

He slurred through the phone. Gosh. He's drunk.

Y/n: Hey yourself egghead! Stop playing around and let them take you home!

Jake: Owkay y/n.... Yes sir!

The effect of alcohol was evident in his voice. I hung up, sighing.

He called me baby.. I mean, he does once in a while, but this time, it was different... It did something to me and I like it.

There was something in his voice that was hard to wrap my head around... I was lost in my thoughts as minutes passed by. The movie was playing on my TV, no attention payed by me....

*knock*

The sudden knock on my door made me snap out of my thoughts. Who could it be at this time of the night?

Wait.

It can't be.

Right?

I practically sprinted to the door and looked through the peephole. Jake.

I'm used to having him crash at my place when he's drunk, but today. I feel like something is going to go wrong. Or right.

I opened the door.

"Oh hey y/n", he said giving his signature smile. His eyes were half closed, the influence of alcohol clearly visible in him.

"Jake", I said. That's it. I don't know what to say. He looks... Different.

"Can I come in y/n?", he asked his voice turning lower. His eyes meeting mine.

I stepped back, opening the door wider so he can come in.

He got in, closing the door carefully before locking it. He removed his jacket and the sweater, down to his white t-shirt. The air has something different in it today. I can feel it. It's got some tension in it and it made me feel a little.... uncomfortable....

He kept eye contact with me the whole time. His eyes had something dark about them today, and pain.

"You know for a guy who was wasted a couple of hours ago, you look pretty sturdy.", I said trying to regain my composure. He looks like he’s about to eat me alive damn.

"Is he better than me y/n?", he asked pain amplifying in his eyes. His eyes glossy from alcohol, but now that I see him close enough, He has cried... Oh why...

"Who, Jake?", I asked confused.

"What were you doing with that guy? Huh?", he asked further, not answering my question as I didn't answer his. He looked mad.

"With what guy, Jake? I don't know who or what you're talking about. I'm serious.", I genuinely answered.

He ran his fingers through his hair looking to the side, anger very evident in his behavior. "Come on y/n, you know who I'm talking about!" He cupped my face with some force using both his hands, but still gentle enough not to hurt me. "Today. At college. I saw you with Him. You said you had something important to do. Meeting him was the important thing?" He asked veins in his eyes red with emotions. His voice was shaky and cracking mid sentence. Now that he is so close, I can smell his perfume mixed with alcohol.

" J-jake. Jake you're drunk. And I don't know why you're acting like this. And I- I don't know who you're talking about.", I said struggling to find my words. Okay, I've lied.

Can I be honest? I have liked Jake for a while now, more than a friend. But I’m unsure of his feelings. I might have fucked things up today trying to make him jealous at college today. I didn't think he'd get this upset. I almost had forgotten about it if I'm being honest.

Jake took a step closer, his gaze intense. "Matthew. Is he better than me? Why was he so close to you, huh? I saw the way he was looking at you!"

I hesitated, unsure of where this conversation was heading. "Jake, you're my best friend. No one can replace you."

He let out a bitter chuckle. "Best friend, huh? Is that all I am?"

I could sense the vulnerability beneath his intoxicated state. This wasn't just about Matthew; there was something more significant bothering him.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Did you guys hook up, uh?", he asked looking to a side smiling bitterly.

"No! no Jakey you've got it all wrong. He is only a friend, we were only-"

"Well he definitely thinks you guys are more than that.", he said bitterly. "At lunch, I heard his friends talking about how you two are such a perfect match. And then I saw you with that fucker. Did he fuck you, y/n?"

The room grew even more tense as Jake's accusations hung in the air. I could see the pain etched on his face, and my heart sank at the realization that my attempt to make him jealous had backfired.

"Jake, please listen. Nothing happened with Matthew. He's just a friend," I emphasized, hoping to break through the fog of alcohol and misunderstandings. "Nothing happened between Matthew and me.", I pleaded, trying to diffuse the mounting tension.

Jake's gaze softened momentarily, but the anger lingered. "I don't know what's happening, Y/n. I just... I saw you with him, and it hurt. It hurt more than it should have."

"Jake, what's really going on?", I asked.

He sighed, running his hand through his disheveled hair. "I messed up, Y/n. Big time."

I frowned, concern deepening. "What happened?"

He looked at me, his eyes searching for something. "I... I told Sunoo that I liked someone. Someone I shouldn't."

My mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. "Who, Jake? You can tell me."

He hesitated before finally uttering a name, "You, Y/n. I like you."

The admission hung in the air, catching me off guard. The alcohol had surely loosened his inhibitions, but his sincerity was undeniable. I felt a mix of emotions – surprise, confusion, relief, and a hint of realization.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," Jake continued, avoiding my gaze. "I didn't want to ruin our friendship, but I can't keep pretending."

I took a moment to absorb his words, realizing the significance of the situation. The air became thicker, the tension palpable. What was I supposed to say? That I've always loved him too? Or that he looks so sexy right now. I should not be thinking that right now!

Before I could gather my thoughts, Jake looked up, his eyes pleading for some form of response. The silence between us was both awkward and charged with unspoken emotions.

"Jake, let's talk about this when you're sober," I suggested, trying to buy some time to process everything.

He sighed, releasing my face from his grip. "I don't know, Y/n. Everything's just messed up right now."

I couldn't deny the intensity of the moment or the fact that Jake's confession had stirred something within me. Before I could formulate a response, Jake closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a desperate, almost urgent kiss. The kiss was a mixture of frustration, passion, and a desperate attempt to make sense of the chaos.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The weight of his feelings and the lingering taste of alcohol on his lips mixed in a cocktail of emotions. It was a kiss filled with longing, uncertainty, and a hint of regret.

As we pulled away, the room felt charged with a new kind of energy. Our eyes locked, and the unspoken conversation continued. Jake's gaze searched mine for a reaction, and I found myself grappling with the sudden shift in dynamics.

"Jake," I began, my voice a whisper, "we need to talk about this."

"Do you like me too?"

"Yes"

"Then?"

"I don't know"

"No for fuck's sake y/n! I want you! Fuck, I wanna leave marks all over you neck so that fucker will know who you belong to. I want to be the only one who loves you, who can fuck you."

"Jake, you might regret this tomorrow, you're drunk-", he cut me mid sentence kissing me once more, this time hungrily. I melted into the kiss, our lips moving in perfect sync.

His kisses moved, leaving wet kisses all over my chin to my jawline and down my neck until he settled at my collarbone, sucking on it slowly. His hand travelled to my waist, pulling me closer towards his body. I bit my lips, whimpering, trying to hide my moans which were threatening to leave my lips any moment.

"So tell me baby, will you let me fuck you so good?", he asked breathing heavily, need and dominance evident in his tone.

"What happened to 'I like you, will you be my girlfriend?' ", I asked chuckling.

"I said that. I told you that I liked you. You said you like me too. I think we can skip the go on a few dates before you fuck rule. What do you think?", he asked lust filled in his tone as it only became lower and lower.

"Good point"

"So what do you say y/n? Will you let me fuck you?", he asked smirking.

"Yes", I said pulling his face with both my hands, crashing my lips into his lips. Fuck I want him so bad.

He kissed me sloppily as he guided me to the nearest wall, pushing me against it. His hands roamed my body making me moan into the kiss.

He started kissing my neck and something in me let loose as I let out a moan. I could feel him smirking into my skin. I was holding my moans in as his hand moved down the side of my hip to my thigh, grabbing it tight. He then lifted my leg holding it against his as his other hand pulled me even closer to his body. His actions came to a halt as he looked at me, letting my leg back down.

"Jump" He said making every part of my body heat up.

I did as he told me, wrapping my legs around him as he carried me into my room. I held onto him for dear life, but the ride was short as he soon entered my room and threw me onto the bed. He took a step back and smirked.

"Damn baby, I've dreamt of this moment a hundred times. How are you so fucking hot?", he asked sexily, filled with love.

"Only for you Jakey", I said making doe eyes at him, working him up even more than he is already.

"Fuck." he exclaimed as he quickly removed his t-shirt and dived into me, immediately kissing me with the same passion and hunger as a moment ago. My hands found itself on his toned body, the warmth making my core tingle.

I moved my hands along his back and his toned arms, this felt like heaven. He pulled back, pulling me with him, I was now seated on the bed while he was kneeling.

"I know I asked this in the heat of the moment y/n, but really, are you okay? Are you okay with what's about to happen? Because if you're uncomfortable, I can totally understand y/n. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to d-"

"Jakey. I like you too. I want you."

"Oh thank god!" he said smiling as he dived back into me. Embracing me with love as he started kissing me everywhere his lips could find. He swiftly removed my T-shirt and bra, his left hand eagerly finding one of my breasts as his other hand pulled my face into yet another heated kiss.

Soon his hands were roaming my whole body, touching me softly yet so hard, making each place he touch burn oh so sweetly. His hand moved lower and lower and so did his kisses. After taking his sweet time kissing and sucking my nipples, he started kissing my belly, leaving hickeys all over it.

"Mmmm Jake." , I whimpered.

His hands found my shorts and looked at me once more as he gripped my hips. His eyes met mine, asking the same question; Are you ready? I rolled my hips towards him, biting my lip.

"Fuck", he said as he quickly removed my shorts, leaving me in my panties.

His hand moved to my clit, rubbing me through my underwear. I let out whimpers, as my eyed rolled to the back of my head. He groaned in satisfaction.

"Damn baby you're soaking." He moaned out and ripped them off.

"Hey! I liked those you know?", I screamed out surprised at his eagerness.

"Don't worry baby, I will buy you hundreds of them.", he said smirking and then his eyes moved to my pussy. "Wow baby, how is everything about you so fucking sexy?", he said as he moved down holding my hips in place.

He slowly started placing wet kisses down my thighs, moving closer and closer to his target. He quickly reached his destination and buried his face in between my legs.

He started pressing small kisses on my pussy and on my pussy lips, incoherent words coming out of his lips every now and then. Then he started to leave kitten licks through my folds making me moan shamelessly.

"Such a needy little girl y/n? Tell me y/n, tell me what you want?"

"I want you to eat me out Jakeyyy.. I need you pleaseee."

He quickly got to work between my folds, licking me hungrily. One of his fingers slowly entered my pussy, making me let out whimper after whimper.

"You taste so fucking good baby. So delicious for me."

"Oh fuck Jakey don't stop", I moaned out as he slowly started pumping his finger in and out of my wet pussy, His tongue expertly licking my clit. He moaned at my whimpers, making vibrations run through every nerve ending down there. He entered another finger and increased his pace.

"Will you cum for me, baby?", Jake asked sensing that I am close to my high by the increased pitch of my moans. I nodded my head madly as he was right. I am so close. He kept fucking me with his fingers, as he licked my clit so so well. It hit me like a tidal wave, making my eyes roll back and making me see white. I screamed in pleasure as the continued licking and fingering me, helping me ride out my first orgasm of the night.

"Breathe, baby", he said as he stopped his movements. I caught up with my breath as my heart started to calm down. I was calmed down enough to notice the bulge in his pants.

I sat back up and started reaching for his zipper, but he stopped me, holding my hand still.

"Today is about you baby. Let me make you feel good. Plus, I want to feel you around me now baby, I can't wait any longer.", He whispered, looking into my eyes. His lips and chin still glistening from my wetness.

Oh my god. He is so hot; shirtless, his hair sticking on his forehead here and there from the sweat, lips plump and red, eyes so full of hunger and love.

He started removing his pants, soon removing his boxers as well, letting his full length spring free. He was long and hard, with a good amount of girth. Damn, good thing he fingered me. Even with all that prep I still doubt if I can take it all.

"What's with the face pretty?"

"That is not gonna fit", I said pointing at his dick.

"I think we can make it work", he said smiling as he pushed me onto my back again, quickly getting on top of me. He pumped himself a couple of times before lining himself up with my entrance.

He spread my legs apart further and with one hand, guided his tip to move along my folds a few times. I couldn't help but roll my hips at the soft friction.

"Damn baby stay still", he said holding my hips down. He then started to enter into me, Little by little.

"Ohhh fuuuckk!", I screamed out as he went all in, stretching me out to the max, making my insides burn deliciously.

"Tell me when you're ready baby", Jake said as he gave me some time to get used to the size. I nodded slowly. Taking a few breaths as moving my hips around slowly till I fount the most comfortable spot. When I was ready I slowly moaned out "Move, Jakey".

He slowly started to move in and out of me, turning the stinging sensation into pure pleasure. Soon enough, his pace became quicker and quicker.

"Fuck baby this is all I've ever dreamt of and more. Will you be a good girl and take my dick, baby?", Jake moaned out as he fucked me out raw.

"Yes Jakey. I'm gonna take you so good.", I moaned out rolling my hips with him, our bodies finding the perfect rhythm. I'm in heaven.

"I am the only one who can fuck you till you cry, right y/n?", He said his voice low and raspy with dominance. Oh he possessive already. It makes me clench around him earning a moan from him.

"Yes. Oh fuck. Faster Jake!", I screamed out in pleasure as the familiar knot in my stomach was starting to grow tighter.

His pace increased, fucking me fast and passionately. Kissing me wherever his lips could find. My nails dug into his back as I felt my climax come closer and closer. I felt his dick twitch inside of me.

"I'm close Jake! Oh god!", I moaned out.

"Me too baby me too.", he moaned back as his pace turned sloppier and faster.

He moved at a machine like speed making my mind turn hazy and foggy. "Cum for me baby, clench around me y/n. Cum for me."

"Oh fuuuuckk!", I screamed out in pleasure, seeing stars as my orgasm washed over me. He continued to fuck me, making me ride out my orgasm and immediately I felt the warmth of his liquid coating my insides. It made me clench around him, milking every drop out of him. His head moved back in pleasure as he slowly came to a halt, collapsing onto me.

We just stayed like that for a few minutes, slowly gaining our senses breath after breath.

"That was the best moment of my life!" Jake exclaimed, smiling. Showing his puppy like smile to me, coming back to his usual self.

"Me too.", I said smiling back.

"Oh My God!", he said looking down to where we were still connected and back at me, his eyes wide with fear. He quickly pulled out of me.

"Owch! What?", I asked wincing at the sensitiveness.

"I forgot to wear a condom!", he screeched out.

"Haven't you heard of a birth control pill, you silly?", I said smiling. "A condom would have been better though", I added.

"Oh thank god. I don't want to get you pregnant until you're ready. You've told me, you wanted to graduate and start earning and the build a family someday.", He said, smiling, stroking my hair after laying beside me.

"You remembered.", I said smiling, happy at the thought of him remembering every detail about me.

"So y/n...", he started softly.

"Hmmm?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?", he asked nervously.

"Yes, you silly. I have always liked you, you oblivious egghead!", I said smacking his head playfully.

He pulled me into his embrace, sighing in content as he kissed my forehead.

"I love you Jakey", I whispered, genuinely happy that my long time crush and the person I've trusted and loved the most is finally my boyfriend.

"I love you more y/n"

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

This is my first fic on tumblr. Forgive me if I've not hit the spot or if this isn't good enough. I'm happy to write for you anytime! <3

#enhypen #sim jaeyun #jake enhypen #jake imagines #enhypen imagines #enhypen smut #jake smut #jake oneshot #enhypen oneshots #kpop smut #kpop imagines #smut #minors dni #minors do not interact #sim jake #jake sim #jake enha

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adventuringblind · 8 months

Text

Nothing Like The Picture

Daniel Ricciardo x Reader

Genre: Fluff, some spice towards the end

Summary: She's seen his pictures growing up, talked to him through letters, but the real thing is much better.

Warnings: ramblings about how good-looking Danny Ric is and an age gap of sizable amounts (I'm not sorry)

Notes: A request from @poster66 that I fell in love with.

Masterlist // Request Form // My Website // buy me a Ko-Fi

Growing up knowing you're going to be used as a pawn in a political game is certainly something that can drive even the sanest royals to madness. The thought of having your entire life planned out for you the moment you're born has to be exhausting.

It's not for her.

Maybe it's because it's all she's know from the second she was born. Or it's the stacks of letters that sit on her desk from before she could even read that make this whole thing feel endearing.

Daniel wrote to her before she was born. Mostly ramblings about what he'd been up to. It's like he's written her an autobiography, so they aren't strangers when it does come time for her to be married off to him.

The age-gap wasn't planned. Not when their parents entered into this agreement. Neither of them had been born when they'd been promised to each other.

So, Daniel wrote her letters and when she was old enough, she wrote back. He was elated to get her first letter. Enough to write back instantaneously despite not having done much since the last one.

They wrote about interests and activities. About how their studies were going and how much they disliked their tutors.

She'd sprint through the castle, almost falling down the steps in her rush to receive his letters. The growing feeling of butterflies in her stomach with each written word became all consuming.

Daniel's kind words of consolation, paragraphs of endearing affection and lines of encouragement when she fell into emotional turmoil. She'd go as far as to say he is her closest friend and confidant. She'd shared all her secrets with him. He'd shared some of his with her.

The canvas painting on the wall of Daniel and his family is her only clue as to what he looks like. Aside from his own personal description of himself. He has a 'charismatic smile and devilishly good looks.'

Daniel asks her often about what she wants in the future. He claims that she will be treated as his equal. It's only fair she gets to have her own interests and he'd like to make sure she has whatever she needs when she inevitably has to move.

He writes her often about horses and how much time he spends in the stables. Tucked up in his horse's pen writing her. He rides often, much to his parents' demise. Daniel promises to take her riding and show her all his favorite places to hide away.

She tells him about the hidden corner of the library where she hides herself to read and write. Nobody has yet to find the secret location. Sometimes she uses it to escape her mother's constant hovering and fathers' ridiculous wrath.

When the day comes for her to leave, she neatly tucks away every letter, so they remain safe during the journey. She sends one last message to Daniel expressing her enthusiasm for getting to see him in person.

It takes far too long to get there. She wonders in Daniel would've ridden his own horse. They'd certainly reach their destination faster that way.

After what feels like years of traveling, she's standing at the foot of the steps. Butterflies making it difficult to breathe. They rage around in her chest and stomach.

She gets sympathetic looks from her hand maiden. It's not that she's upset about being here. But the anxiety of finally seeing Daniel is messing up her thoughts.

She manages to coax herself into at least going up the stairs and inside out of the cold. Surely Daniel would not want an icicle for a wife.

She takes a moment to admire her new home, letting herself breathe and relax before she has to face the inevitable.

"Princess!" She whirls around on her feet and is indeed met with a large charismatic grin. He jogs up to her, the distance now standing between them oddly suffocating.

She gives up on restraining herself. It's only the two of them in the hall for the moment. Her arms wrap around his neck.

Just as she imagined, he smells utterly addictive. Strang arms hold her in place. He's too, which is an added bonus given how cold she is at the moment.

"You, are incredibly stunning." He smiles in her hair. It's a good thing he can't see her face because she can feel the heat of the blush. "I hope I meet your expectations and my descriptions did my physique justice."

"I've been staring at the same portrait for five years now. I can safely say that it didn't do you any justice."

"The painters always get my nose wrong!"

Daniel pulls away and cups her cheeks. For a moment, she thinks he might actually kiss her. Which - she won't lie - Is something she'd very much like to have happen. So much so, that she goes for it first.

Alas, Daniel foils her attempt. "Not here. I have plans for you later. We've been writing for years; you can be patient a little longer."

She whines at him, but when Daniel lays a kiss to her cheek and brushes his fingers against his skin, she knows she'll wait for him.

Thousands of years, if neccecary, if only to look at him in real life and not through a portrait.

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fantasyandshit · 6 months

Text

Something is wrong

type: Oneshot

Pairing:Azriel x reader

Masterlist

"where are you going?"

"Oh, Az!" Yn turns as her wings unfurl- "Im headed to Windhaven to check on things up there for Rhys- When did you get back? I thought you were still in Day?" "I-I returned last night. I'm sorry, you said your going to WindHaven?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because Rhysand asked me to? What's the issue with that?"

The shadowsinger notes the females face contorting into one of confusion, "Well it's just- Myself, Cassian, or Rhys are the ones that usually go up?"

Now the confusion morphs to anger and annoyance as she speaks, "Oh? Am I not capable shadowsinger?"

"No No! It's just that they are dangerous as they are- and well, your a female far more powerful than any of them-who knows what they may try to do to you?" The words fly out of Azriels mouth in a blur.

"Your right, i am more powerful than them-If I must I will fight them-inf act I'll do it in front of the whole of the camp as a lesson." the Illyrian females eight, bright green, siphons flare like green flames licking within the small gem shapes.

"Just-just be careful ok?" Azriel knew he couldn't fight the female-couldn't convince her to stay, and he knew she was very capable, powerful, but deep down he couldn't' help the gut feeling that something was going to go wrong- that she would be hurt.

"Always shadowsinger." She smirked as she dropped backwards off the balcony railing, falling for a moment before her wings flared open and she soared for the mountains- always with the dramatic exit.

-----

As I make my way through the frigid night to the cabin I am staying in I hear footsteps- ten separate sets of them trailing through the snow-following me. I whirl around only to be caught off guard by a punch to the face, I stagger back- quickly kicking my attacker in his kidney. The male lets out a groan, kneeling to the floor before before i kick him again, this time in the face. As I use my power, effectively killing the brute; another male comes up from behind, pulling my head and exposing my neck, just before I'm able to fling him off I feel a needle in the side of my neck. Shit.

I feel my body start to go numb, my knees giving out as the male behind me catches me. I barely get another glimpse before my eyes are rolling back as I go limp in his arms.

-----

"I'm telling you Rhys- its been five days, you said she'd be back in three. There has been no warning of a longer stay and no-"

"Azriel! Stop it! Yn is capable- you know that better than anyone, she will be fine!" A sigh, "If she doesn't come back within two days-we will go after her. ok?"

Knowing he wouldn't win this, Azriel bows his head before stalking out.

-----

The next day the doors to Rhysand's office were thrown open, the Shadowsinger storming in. He knew something was off with yn and he was not going to sit around any longer. He just, he just knew she wasn't ok and the fact no one seemed to care made him blind with rage. He didn't understand this feeling, he'd never been nearly this mad at his family before but he couldn't shake the fire burning underneath his skin.

"Im leaving and you're either coming with me or staying out of my way." Azriel didn't need ti explain, everyone in the room knew what he was talking about- well more like seething like a wild animal, his hair tousled as he glared ahead.

The high lord lets out an exasperated sight, "Az- we talked about this, if sh-"

"No! No! What of it were Mor? What if it where Feyre, or Nesta?"

"That's different-"

"No its fucking. Not. Now are you coming with me or no?"

As he turns to leave the room, Cassian moves to him,p placing a hand on his shoulder as he tries to reason, "Maybe-"

"Let. Me. Go."

"Az-"

"Let him go Cass."

The Illyrian let's his brother go sighing as he does so.

-----

Azriels shadows are in a frenzy as he lands in the camp- hurt- experiments-torture-ten-hurt-help-help!- Help her! Now! Faster!

The male sprints, running faster than he ever has as his shadowsa lead him deep into the woods where one lone cabin stands.

'basement- ten males-she's hurt-save her'

As the door is pushed open a man jumps for Azriel, he waist no time, sending his shadows down the mans eyes and strangles him as he slumps to the floor, the next males ends with a dagger in his head, the one after with a slit throat, choking and spluttering on his own blood, the fifth with shadows circling his body, pooling into the open whiles they find. The next is thrown from the house with Azriel's power, the next just obliterated, the eighth and ninth are thrown into each other, going on conscious before being stabbed in the throat. The final tenth one stands at the top of the stairs, thrown down and ending with a sickening crunch.

Azriel stomps down the stairs, being met with a sight that nearly makes him throw up as he rushes to the female. Yn lays naked and strapped to a cold metal table, her body covered in blood, vomit, piss, and puss that oozes from concerning wounds, her body is also littered in bruises, slices, and what look to be needle injection sights. And her wings, gods her wings were shredded, hooks tethering them to the ground. As he moves to her he notices a journal lying open...

they were using her as a fucking experiment- they had pushed who know what into her body, torturing her slowly.

"Az?" Her usual strong, sassy voice replaced with a weak whimper.

"Hey, hey I'm here." He brushes her hair behind her ear softly, his face softening immediately as he stares at her. she looks tired, so tired.

"You came for me?"

"Yes, I always will. Ok sweet girl, I need to release your wings ok? It's going to hurt."

She says nothing as she stares forward, Azriel grabbing the first hook and ripping it out- a small cry leaves her lips but she's out of energy, screaming far to much these past few days. Azriel moves to the next wing, pulling the second hook out, her wings drooping as he moves to unbind her. He slowly pulls her up and into his arms, cringing at the whimpers and squeaks she releases. "Oh sweetheart. I am so so sorry."

Azriel knows he can't transport her in this condition so he quickly calls for Rhys.

'Rhysand!' his panicked voice rings down to the other males mind

'Azriel? What is it?'

'It's Yn, bring Madja-quick.'

'I'm on my way now.'

"Az?"

"Yes?"

"Come here."

The shadowsinger leans his head down- surprised as Yn surges forward ever so slightly, pressing their lips together, molding them to each other like they were made for each other. Before any more can happen, Feyre, Rhysand, Cassian, and Madja appear in the room.

-----

Azriel watches as Yn's chest rises and falls slowly. She'd been out nearly three days now and Azriel couldn't leave her side, nor could he stand to look his family in the eye. They were part of the reason they were in this position right now, why Yn still lay on her bed, deep in sleep.

-----

The next morning Azriel is woken up by a soft voice. "Az?"

"Yn. hey, your awake." The male rushes to her side as he helps her sit up slowly. As the two make eye contact Azriel feels it, and judging by the gasp she lets out, Yn does too."

"Mate?" They speak at the same time. Smiling like two kids in a candy shop as they simply look into each others eyes for a moment. Unable to help himself, Azriel leans in, kissing he mate softly.

-------

Sooooo, hey guys! I felt like writing a feral Az but also wanted some sweetness sooooo here you go. Some of this did get inspired by the lovely work of @afandomangel but it was original work of mine, I've wanted to write feral Az for a while now. I want to leave this saying- Guys PLEASE send in requests, part of the reason I haven't been posting as much is because I a having serious writers block and my inbox has been open-and empty- for...well since In opened it and I needdddddd you guys to send in requests, I write everything and I write for a lotttttttt of fandoms, not just acotar so please please send in requests. Anywt\ay love you guys and I hope you enjoyed

#azriel x reader #azriel #acotar #acotar x reader #feyre archeron #feyre x reader #elain x reader #elain archeron #nesta archeron #nesta x reader #cassian x reader #cassian #rhysand x reader #rhysand #x reader #fem reader #x you #illyrian #illyrian reader

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in1-nutshell · 10 months

Note

IM GETTING EVERY IDEA I GOT OUT WHILE REQUESTS ARE OPEN IM SORRY

also I'm sorry i keep bringing up chaotic teen Buddy and Megatron, but i love seeing this fucker suffer through forced adoption.

I'm still kinda trucking through the comics, but i know that at some point Megatron is essentially yeeted into a whole ass different dimension and spent 300 years there (i could be totally wrong, if so ignore.) long story short, i have been stuck on the idea of Megatron getting stuck there for 300 years, mourning his funny little human child after 80 years, cause he figures even if he does get back home, they wont still be there.

Luckily for everyone involved, that 300 years was just a few months for the lost light. unluckily for everyone.

Buddy - "My father is gone, therefore I am no longer responsible for the consequences of my actions."

Hello again! Don't feel bad for asking/ requesting. Requests are fun to do for me and I can write almost anything someone asks, almost. Still, ask if you want something written. It is time for the return of Fearless Buddy!

Hope you enjoy!

Fearless Buddy reaction to Megatron coming back from the other dimension

SFW, platonic, familial, bit of angst here and there, Human reader

MTMTE/LL

Buddy had conveniently slept when Megatron had left. Don't blame them, they had been running off of little to no sleep for weeks and their body finally had enough.

Rodimus had to break the news for Buddy.

"What do you mean Megatron is 'gone'?!"--Buddy

"He left, he just up and escaped! But don't worry we'll get him back on board in no time."--Rodimus

"He... He really just left?"--Buddy

"I'm afraid so."--Rodimus

"Well, you know what? Who needs him anyways! The big sorry pile of scrap can go rust in space for all I care!"--Buddy

"Buddy--"--Rodimus

"Who needs him! Thanks for letting me know Roddy, really. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some important things to go over with Whirl."--Buddy

"What important things? What could be more important than this right now?"--Rodimus

"We are going to put a bumper sticker on Minimus saying 'Kachinga'!"--Buddy

"... Carry on!"--Rodimus

Rodimus really wishes now that he had stopped Buddy from making it to Whirl's. The ship had become the two's playground for pranks and sillies.

No one was spared from their wrath.

Many bots on board got mad at the two. But it was the bots closest to Buddy to realize something was deeply troubling them.

Their enthusiasm seemed forced most of the time. Their laughter almost seemed... Robotic almost. And their eyes... they looked so hollow and lacked the usual twinkle they had before.

Whirl appointed himself Buddy's guardian in the meantime. There wasn't much argument there as being Buddy's Amica, it was probably for the best.

Whirl lost count of the amount of times he caught Buddy going into Megatron's habsuite and crying over some of his poems. He wants to hurt Megatron so badly for the pain he inflicted on Buddy. They became Rung's most frequently seen patient after talking with Whirl.

"You really think this is going to help?"--Buddy

"I'm sure of it! If Eyebrows here can stand me, then you'll be like a walk in the park!"--Whirl

"... Thanks Whirl. I mean it, you're the best Amica a friend could ask for."--Buddy

"Hey now, don't get soft on me yet. That's Rung's job. Now get in there and punch those feelings in the face!"--Whirl

The day when Megatron comes back after everything is settled Whirl is one of the first in line to deck him across the face.

"You sorry excuse of a tyrant!--"--Whirl

"I know you're upset Whirl... Buddy passing must not have been easy..."--Megatron

"Passing? What are you talking about?"--Whirl

"Surely they have already passed it's been more than 80 years."--Megatron

"Megs, it's been a couple months since your little disappearing act."--Rodimus

"...Is Buddy alive?"--Megatron

"Of course they are! Why--Hey!"--Whirl

Megatron sprinting pass him and to Buddy's habsuite.

Megatron had never sprinted as fast as he did at that moment. For the past 200 or so years he had been in a constant state of mourning. He thought he had lost Buddy forever. The biggest regret he had was not at least telling them good bye.

Now here he was... He almost backed out of knocking on the door, but he did it. The doors opened revealing Buddy in all of their morning glory.

"... Buddy?"--Megatron

"Ah man it's one of those dreams again. Listen fake Megs, I'm not in the mood right now. So if you'll just come back next week that'll be great."--Buddy

Megatron finally snapped out of his dazed and scooped up Buddy into his servos and held them close to his spark.

It took Buddy a solid second to realize this wasn't some fever dream.

"Megs?"--Buddy

"I'm here now. I'm here."--Megatron

"...How... How dare you! YOU LEFT ME HERE ALONE! YOU DON'T JUST CALL SOMEONE THEIR KID THEN LEAVE THEM HIGH AND DRY! WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE ME?!? OR AT LEAST SAY GOOD BYE!? TELL ME! TELL ME WHY?!? DAD WHY DID... why did you leave me...*--Buddy

"...I am so sorry..."--Megatron

"...you better be... I will never leave your side again... You're worse than a toddler getting lost at a Walmart..."--Buddy

It wasn't an easy transition at first. Buddy had their friends always within arms length from Megatron. Buddy themselves put up some walls to avoid getting hurt again.

The two eventually decided to seek counseling to try and mend their relationship. Thank goodness that happened.

Now Megatron was sitting in his habsuite with Buddy telling him all the latest news on the ship while reviewing their latest poems.

These were the little things he missed most and was glad he had gotten a chance to get them back.

#transformers #transformers x reader #maccadam #idw mtmte #mtmte x reader #mtmte megatron #mtmte whirl #mtmte rodimus #human buddy #fearless buddy

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ivelle-serenity · 4 months

Text

Skateboard 8

Wind breaker

✧˖° — windbreaker men

✧˖° — mdni, smut, description of not safe for work content.

✧˖° — this is a story not one shot.

"What does he want from you, Demitra?" Minu asked, turning the attention to me. Panic flooded through me as I looked at Jay, who was waiting for my answer.

"I-I don't know," I stammered. The truth is, I have no idea what Vinny is up to. Why does he want to help me? Isn't he mad at me? I bit my lip, feeling the weight of my words. "But I can say that he's not threatening. Maybe he just wants to mess around with you guys."

"Yeah, he better be bluffing," Jay said, crossing his arms. This time, I won't let it slide if he does something again." Everyone looked surprised by Jay's seriousness.

"He's still our friend, Jay..." Minu started, but Dom cut him off.

"That's not how friends should act," Dom said with frustration. "He has no right to scare people or damage things that don't belong to him."

I stayed quiet, unsure of what to think. I knew I shouldn't get involved in their problems. I wasn't there when their friendship fell apart. I wasn't around for their conflicts. In short, I had no right to speak up. All I could do was talk to Vinny later and ask him to leave me alone.

"Demitra," Dom called out, not looking at me. He was staring at the floor. "Call us if he bothers you again. We won't let anyone harm you. You're part of our group now."

I was stunned by his words and looked at everyone in disbelief. Jay's intense gaze made me wonder if they truly considered me one of them now. Does this mean they're my friends now? But deep down, I knew Vinny wouldn't hurt me. Wooin wouldn't allow that to happen.

And why do you think that, Demitra? Just because you sense that the leader of Sabbath likes you? Gosh, this whole situation is just too much to handle.

"I understand, thank you," I said softly. Mia touched my hand, a smile gracing her face.

"If it weren't for you, this crew wouldn't be improving as much. You're a genius, and thank you for helping us, Demitra."

After she said that, I remembered the times when I taught Jay and Dom about biking. Even this morning during our class, Dom asked for advice on how to increase his speed, and I helped him with all my knowledge in sprinting. It was only now that I realized because of them, I returned to biking, but for a good reason this time.

After our P.E. class, I couldn't shake off what had happened from my mind. I let out a heavy sigh before running my fingers through my hair. I glanced to the side and saw the student council president staring at me, blushing. Some of our classmates were with him. I just rolled my eyes.

I knew they were the reason why my locker was filled with letters and flowers. I didn't expect to attract so much attention here in Korea. I thought I would have a quiet life as a student, but I was completely wrong.

I was startled when my phone rang. I wasn't surprised when I found out who had messaged me.

Wooin: Joker will pick you up there. So be ready.

I let out a sigh and hid my phone. I was surprised when a thick book was placed on my desk. When I looked up, I saw Jay with a serious expression. He adjusted his glasses.

"What is this?" I raised my eyebrow.

"A book," he answered simply.

Irritation crossed my face. "Stop with the sarcasm. What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Do you think my tutoring is finished? You're not even halfway there yet," he leaned against the wall.

I chuckled. "Aren't you supposed to be thinking about the race for tomorrow? Why are you thinking about helping me with my Korean again?" I shook my head.

"My mom isn't home. We can study there," he suddenly suggested. I was surprised by his sudden invitation. I looked at him in surprise, but his face remained serious.

"Maybe next time, Jay—"

“Why?” he quickly asked. “Do you have somewhere to go?”

My heart raced. I could feel the heat rising to the back of my neck. Why is he doing this? Damn it. I should be staying away from you, dumbass! You're just making this situation much worse than I expected.

"Yes," I replied. I smirked. "Don't worry, I'll study hard at home, Sir Jay." I teased, but it didn't change his expression at all. So cold.

As I made my way down the stairs and stepped outside, I immediately noticed Joker’s sleek motorcycle parked nearby. He was leaning against it, arms crossed, with his usual blank expression. This guy is always so hard to read. Maybe he's annoyed that he has to pick me up.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to be the one Wooin sent. I thought it would be Vinny," I joked as he handed me a helmet. It was my first time riding a motorcycle, and I fumbled with the helmet, not sure how to put it on properly.

"Disappointed?" he asked, moving closer to help adjust the helmet on my head. I felt a blush rising to my cheeks.

"Nah, maybe he'd crash his bike if he picked me up. That guy hates me," I joked again, trying to lighten the mood. Joker’s gaze briefly flicked to my lips before he looked away. He then climbed onto his motorcycle and gestured for me to get on behind him.

"Well, I'm the one here. Come on," he said as he started the engine.

I climbed onto Joker's motorcycle, feeling uncertain about where to put my hands. What if I fell off? Panic started to set in as I bit my bottom lip.

"You can hold on there," he said suddenly, pointing to a spot behind him. I felt a bit of relief. "Or you can hold onto my waist if you're really scared."

Why would I do that? My cheeks began to heat up.

"No thanks. I'm fine--FUCK!"

I wasn't sure if Joker did it on purpose, but he sped off so quickly that I had no choice but to grab onto his waist. The motorcycle zoomed ahead at an alarming speed, and I kept my eyes shut the entire ride. I was too terrified to let go until we finally stopped.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" I snapped, shoving the helmet at him angrily. He just tilted his head, giving me a deadpan glare.

Does he really have the right to look annoyed? I should be the one glaring!

We entered the club, and Joker walked ahead, leaving me to follow him. The place was a madhouse, with people dancing, drinking, and shouting. The music was deafening.

A drunk guy bumped into me, nearly knocking me over. Thankfully, Joker caught my elbow, preventing me from falling.

"What the fuck?--Joker!" The guy started to get angry but quickly recognized Joker. Joker stepped closer, his gaze icy.

"You got something to say?" Joker threatened. The guy quickly shook his head, raising his hands as if surrendering. "Get lost," Joker growled, shoving the guy in the chest, making him stumble back.

I shook my head and walked ahead, knowing we were heading to the VIP room to meet Wooin.

As I stepped into the VIP room, my eyes widened at the scene unfolding before me. There was a pole in the center, and dancers - or more accurately, strippers - were performing for Hyuk. I looked around, hoping to spot Vinny, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, I saw Wooin sitting back, casually drinking while a woman with long black hair grinding on his lap. She was barely dressed, and I could see him touching her ass as he took a sip of his drink.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and I was about to turn and leave when Joker blocked my path.

"Why did you bring me here, you idiot?" I muttered, feeling irritated and uncomfortable.

"Let me out of here..."

"Is that Demitra?" I heard Wooin's voice, causing me to squint in disbelief.

I put on a fake smile and tried to play it cool. "I see you're all busy. What a great timing huh?"

Hyuk, who was lounging on the sofa, turned his head towards me. "You're pretty quick."

"Your friend seems to have plans to kill me with how fast he drive," I said sarcastically.

"Leave, everyone," Wooin suddenly announced, causing the dancers to stop and the woman on his lap to pause.

"But you said..." annoyance dripped from the woman's voice.

"I'll just come back next time. I'm leaving," I said, but Joker was leaning against the door with his arms crossed.

"Stay here, Princess. We have a lot to talk about," Wooin smirked.

"Do you really need me to win your race? From what I've seen, you guys are already pretty skilled," I remarked, crossing my arms as I watched the girls gather their things and leave the room.

I heard Hyuk scoff. "So, who's gonna tell her?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Demitra..." Wooin got up, came over to me, and adjusted his glasses. "You're not here to share your bike knowledge, Princess. You've got your own skills, so why share them with us? We have our own."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. I widened my eyes and pondered his statement. If that's the case, then why did they bring me here?

"Then why did Vinny say you needed me..." I started to question.

Hyuk clicked his tongue while lounging on the sofa. "He just said that to get you here."

My mind was reeling from what I had just learned. What on earth is happening?

Why do I feel like they're not telling the truth? Why does it seem like Vinny was being honest, but he just didn't know this was the plan all along, especially from their leader? My breathing quickens as I stare at the guy in front of me. Joker doesn't want to let me out. Hyuk seems to want this too. What do they want from me? I don't want to think that they all have feelings for me. I'm not that kind of person who thinks the world revolves around her. But their actions suggest otherwise.

Wooin chuckled. "You see, Demitra, you're our secret weapon. Even though we have skilled people like Vinny in our crew, having someone like you makes a real difference to our team."

"You're joking..." I burst out. "A weapon? Are you insane? Didn't I tell you I don't want to be exposed to that biking stuff anymore?" I was starting to get angry. I saw Hyuk shift in his seat. I could feel Joker moving behind me. Wooin's expression changed.

"You don't want to be exposed, you say? Then why are you letting Hummingbird use you?"

Hyuk's words sent a chill through my entire body. He stood up from the sofa and walked towards us. There's no way he knows that. I felt my face pale, so I averted my gaze.

"I- don't know what you're saying..."

He rolled his eyes.

"We know you've been training with Hummingbird," Joker suddenly spoke up from behind me. I turned to him in shock. "We also know they're using you as a replacement for their female rider, Shelly, who's currently in England," he said coldly.

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sandinthemachine · 2 years

Text

No running by the pool

Summary: You and Soap make a bet at Ghost's expense...they really shouldn't leave you two alone

Warnings: This is just a fun little one so not much. You and Soap are little shits, Ghost nearly blows a gasket, Price is exhausted dad and poor Gaz gets caught in the middle

Words: 858

guys i can't title things to save my life, if you have a better title id love to hear it

"Ya should've seen it, Captain, the perfect ricochet right through his head," Soap bragged.

"That's because I shot it," Gaz interjected, shaking his head, and Price laughed, taking a swig of his beer. It had been a long mission, and the 141 were relaxing at a hotel for the night before the plane ride home. It was the off-season, and they had the whole place to themselves, choosing to recline and chat by the pool. Price had kept his holsters on, but Soap and Gaz had chosen the casual route, looking for all the world like a couple of college kids on spring break in their jeans and tight t-shirts.

He is pulled out of his reverie by you trotting up to the group, squeezing in between Gaz and Soap.

Soap laughs at you. "Eager to hear more of my heroic stories, are we?"

You chuckle, scratching the back of your head. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

He laughs even harder, slapping you on the shoulder. "Good lass."

Price just shakes his head at you before turning to talk to Gaz. You take the opportunity to lean in, whispering into Soap's ear. "You owe me 200 bucks."

His eyes double in size from behind his beer. "You didn't-"

You grin. "I did."

Soap snorts, slapping his hand over his mouth as he swallows. "Where is-"

You're interrupted by a splutter as Price chokes on his drink, spitting beer all over Gaz's face, but the poor man doesn't even notice, too busy staring open-mouthed to the side.

You and Soap whirl around to look, you inching behind him just slightly.

Ghost has just walked out of the hotel, eyes scanning the pool. He's wearing his full mask, balaclava and hard plastic both.

And the entire thing is neon pink.

Soap HOWLS, doubling over himself and spilling beer everywhere, completely exposing you.

Ghost whips around and bellows your name before charging at you, and with a scream you sprint away, leaving Soap to collapse on the ground as he laughs even harder.

You rush to the pool house, barreling around it like the devil himself is on your heels. You spot a stack of crates and jump up them, leaping onto the roof and kicking out at the crate stack just as Ghost reaches them. The crates wobble and collapse, sending him backwards with an angry yell, and you pull yourself up, running across the roof with a mad laugh.

"Y/N!" You freeze at Price's commanding voice and turn to see him marching up to the side of the building, Gaz and Soap trailing behind him.

Ghost stalks around the building, looking for all intents and purposes like a bull in a gladiator's ring. Well, except for the pink. You giggle again, and he glares at you.

Price says your name again, pulling your attention away from the fuming phantom. "Get down from there. Now."

You shake your head vigorously. "Uh-uh, no way, sir, Ghost is gonna murder me."

"Damn right I will," Ghost growls, walking closer to the wall, and you squeal, pushing yourself further back onto the roof.

"Ghost. Stand down," Price commands.

You laugh. "Yeah, come on Ghost, it wasn't even my fault, it was Soap's idea."

Soap's eyes round into saucers as the hulking man turns to face him. He forces a smile. "Just want you to let loose a bit, Lt, ya look like you could use a little-NO!" He cuts himself off with a screech as Ghost leaps at him, the pair sprinting back towards the pool.

Unfortunately, Soap isn't as fast as you, and within two seconds Ghost tackles him to the ground, rolling and flinging the poor Scotsman straight into the pool with a splash.

Price burrows his face into his hands, and you laugh hysterically, shaking on your legs until one of your feet slips and you squeal, sliding right down the roof. You grab at the gutters as you go over, leaving your legs dangling.

And Ghost is there. Of course Ghost is there. You look down just to see him looking back at you, his hands wrapping around your ankles with a chuckle before he yanks, wrenching your grip free and pulling you right down into his arms.

You smile up at him. "Uhh...sorry?"

But it's too late to beg for mercy as the man marches you right over to the pool and opens his arms, letting you drop into the water ass-first.

You splutter as you come back up, treading water next to Soap. "You happy now?"

He sticks his hands up, sinking into the water for a second. "Hey, it was your idea."

You both start laughing, splashing around before you see Ghost in the corner of your eye, still standing at the edge of the pool. You look back at Soap and give him a wink. He winks back.

In one motion the both of you twist, bringing your arms together and hurling a wave of dirty pool water all over Ghost's pants.

His long-suffering groan is drowned out as you both cackle.

A job well done, if you do say so yourself.

A/N I thought of this the other day and I couldn't help myself, the thought was too funny. It's torture Ghost season, and reader and Soap are star players.

Comments and reblogs are always appreciated. Love you guys :)

#simon ghost riley #ghost fanfiction #call of duty #cod #cod mwii #ghost x reader

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forcebewitht · 2 years

Note

Leona x Fem S/O; fluff/comfort and a HINT of spice ; Who is absurdly great at parkour but people only find that out during his overblot when she made a dash to pin him to the ground and kiss him, could we get a more closer look at how that would go? + bonus if Leona woke up with his head on S/O's lap after the whole thing (he just needs someone who won't give up on him,, <3)

Can You Feel The Love Tonight? (Overblot!Leona Kingscholar x Athletic!MC!Reader)

Those roars were ringing in your ears, sand spread all through the now darkened skies- cascading down and around your figure like a golden waterfall of agony. Your eyes were locked onto Leona now- but he wasn't the same as he was before. No, he was more....wild, like an animal now than you had ever seen him. Ever since you both had started dating during your stay in the Ramshackle Dorm at Night Raven College, everyday was a surprise with him.

You never would have anticipated this, however.

His emerald eyes were wide and wild as he gave yet another roar in unison with the large Blot Beast that stood at his side, blocking himself from attacks launched by the other students attempting to take him down. He was focused on taking them down- he would have his way with you once these idiots he was surrounded by were dealt with. You noticed just how locked on he was- and knew that if you didn't act, the school most likely would be destroyed by his might and almost majestic power of decimation. So...you ran. You took off in a sprint, suddenly bolting straight past the members of Heartslabyul, Jack, Ruggie, and Grim. They started screaming your name, warning you of the danger you were thrusting yourself into. Jack attempted to grab you to pull you to safety- but you were far too quick. It was...as though your body moved on its own accord. You just knew....you knew that Leona had to be saved. You had to save him.

You loved him.

Leona gave another roar at the sudden motion, your figure like a blur to him within the flying sand per the moment. He was preparing another strike against his suppressors- the lousy lowlives who wished to smother out his rule...and that was when you were suddenly soaring through the air. You had kicked yourself off of the falling debris entirely, launching yourself like a rocket at your lover.

"LEEEOOOOOOONNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Hearing his name, Leona suddenly spun- and his crazed eyes ever so slightly squinted at your soaring form.

"......Y/N....?"

Whether it was out of shock or something else, one thing was certain- in mere moments, you were colliding with his body and crashing to the ground. The lion king let out a low grunt as you fell on top of him, your hands now being pinned to either side of his head- your chest now pinned to his own, practically straddling him. His ears pinned to his head in shock, eyes wide now as his eyebrows furrowed.

"And just what do you think you're-"

"Come back to me, baby....you know I love you...."

Not giving the time to respond, your lips had suddenly collided. You felt Leona's body tense up, clawed hands latching themselves onto your shoulders- as if he couldn't believe what was happening. However, all of you had suddenly entered his sense at once. Your scent, your touch...your taste. Yes, your taste....he had almost forgotten it altogether in his madness.....

A pathetic second born like him....loved....? He almost could laugh but.....he believed it- believed you.

You soon felt the lion kissing you back, settling himself into your touch- almost consuming it entirely. Your hands caressed his face with the utmost care and gentle touch, body now shutting out the rest of the world. It was simply you both- you and your little lion. Leona's hands shifted to settle upon your waist- practically smothering you with his form to keep you close...almost as though he was deeply afraid you would disappear if he did not keep you there. His thoughts went silent, body merely focused on being close with you, smothering out the darkness of his receding mind....

...The next thing he knew, he was waking up with a clearer mind with his head nestled upon your lap. His eyes fluttered open, meeting yours from above- had you been crying? He couldn't quite place why you would have been now, of all times- perhaps that was a thought or question for you later. For now, all he knew of was one thing in particular....

That someone actually did love a pathetic life like his in this life after all. And he sure as hell wouldn't be letting such a thing go.

✨End✨

((Thanks for the ask, Reader! For the readability sake of your fellow Readers, I kept the MC as genderless as possible- just so that everyone could enjoy it more fully! Had fun with this one- the thought of them just soaring through the air made me think of that one breaking free vine KFNDKNWKSKSKSSNOWKE💕✨))

#twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #disney #twistedwonderland #twst #leona kingscholar #overblot leona #overblot leona x reader #yandere leona kingscholar x reader #twst leona x reader #twst leona kingscholar #force writes #force writing #twst leona

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darkstar225 · 2 years

Text

Twice's 10th member is receiving hate

The members noticed the difference in her mood the whole day. It could be because she got bad grades, she woke up late as she spend the night training or because of the hate she's receiving. Maybe all of them but the unnies wouldn't know, she didn't wanna seem weak and bother them with her issues when she knows all of them also receive hate and are doing fine. After a long day, she said good night to her sisters and practically sprinted to her room without her roommates (SMC) sleeping as soon as her head touched the pillow, which was already a bad sign since she hated to sleep without someone in the room with her.

Meanwhile in the living room...

Jihyo - Did you girls see how she looks tired?

Jeongyeon - Yeah, she's also in a mood. The girl can give us a run for our money when she's being sassy *rolls her eyes*

Nayeon - I taught her well *dries fake tears*

Momo - Be serious grandma, we're talking about our child

Nayeon - YAH! STOP CALLING ME GRANDMA

Dahyun - With all due respect unnie, shhhhh. You know Y/N is a light sleeper (can't relate, I could sleep through an earthquake)

Tzuyu - She's right unnie, once I got thirsty and opened the door to go to the kitchen and get a cup of water. She woke up immediately asking if I was okay

Chaeyoung - Fr, can someone go check if she woke up, please? I feel like it's been some time since she fell asleep so fast, she's probably exhausted. I agree with Jihyo unnie.

Sana - I'm gonna see if she's still in her room, brb

On the SMC room...

Y/N - Well, that didn't go the way I wanted. I wish I'd just escape this hate, they're not being fair to me, I keep being up all night overthinking all the mistakes they point out and training to be better than what they see. Am I not good enough? Maybe I suck at this. What if the group did improve without me being the black sheep?

While thinking all of this she wasn't aware that a certain hamster had entered her room and informed the rest she was awake. When she finally came back from her mind, she let out a scream because her unnie was just staring at her looking quite creepy

Y/N - UNNIE, YOU SCARED ME!

Sana - Sorry honey, you're somewhere else but I knocked before entering. How are you? You seemed kinda out of it...

Y/N - I'm doing okay unnie, just lost a night's sleep, otherwise, I feel fine

Sana - Don't lie to me, we know you. Right guys?

At that moment everyone that was outside the door went inside and nodded their heads.

Mina - Sana's right babe, we took note that you're not the same as always as soon as you got out of your bed this morning.

Y/N - But-

Jihyo - No buts, we're getting through the issue you're having and you're getting some sleep after this with me (Jihyo, Jeongyeon and Mina's room)

Dahyun - Unnie is right (again), start talking, please... We're worried about you!

Y/N - That's exactly why I didn't wanna talk with you guys. I don't want to be a burden.

Momo - Again with this... We already talked about it, you know you're important to us and we care about you and your feelings, every time you need someone to hear you, we're there for you. Stop thinking that you're burdening us when you get sad, hurt or even mad like this morning. We know you like the back of our hands and we'll understand anything you request without questioning 'cause you always try to express what you need. Except if you ask for my jokbal lmao

Chaeyoung - What a way to kill the moment, da- dang.

Nayeon - And here I thought Momo was speaking facts, yeah... That sounds more like her lol

Jihyo - You did well Momo... Don't think we forgot about you young lady

Y/N - I mean, you could... Jk, tysm for always assuring me that you love me, sometimes things appear to be harder to believe after everything you hear from people.

Jeongyeon - Which people? Who do I've to kill?

Tzuyu - Am I the only one who already understood what's going on? She's receiving hate! Now that I know everything falls in place, the anger, the sadness, the insecurity...

Mina - Wow, it makes sense. Is this it sweetie?

Y/N - Yo, are you a therapist 'cause gee, you read me like a book lol

Sana - Stop joking, if that's the case, it's something severe

Y/N - Ok, ok. I'm sorry. Yeah, I got some hater recently that I can't get out of my hair, they talked about my dancing skills, my vocals, how I'm always lazy on stage and my poor expressions. It sucks as I'm starting to believe it and I can't seem to stop wanting to train, that's why I stay late at the studio. I'm exhausted unnies, it hurts so much to see that no one notices my efforts and just sees what I did incorrectly. *sobs*

Jihyo pulls Y/N closer and she lays on her chest while crying. Jihyo feels her shirt getting wetter as time went by and she felt heartbroken to see her maknae so glum. Without anything else to do everyone sat near and gave their love in their own style, all while Jihyo caressed Y/N's back repeating that things will be okay.

After half an hour, sobs turned into sniffles and Y/N got out of Jihyo's chest and leaned on Momo that was behind her. Momo instantly gave her a kiss on the forehead, making the maknae giggle and the unnies hearts flutter with how cute she looked being so vulnerable.

Jihyo - Are you better now?

Y/N - It's not something that goes away like magic but you guys made me feel inches better, you're the best family I could ask for!

Twice - OWNNNNN, that's what we're here for love bug. We're pressing charges against your haters or we're not TWICE!

You can certainly expect all the members to appear at JYP to threaten JYPapa so he can make that come true and give some vacation so they can help their dear maknae to heal because they love their dear maknae.

A/N: I'm sorry for any errors, English is not my first language. Pls, let me know if there's something wrong, ty for reading <3

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twistedtummies2 · 9 months

Text

The Scarlet Pirate - Chapter 1

Well, ladies and gentlemen...this story has been a LONG time coming. XD

This is the first of a six-part "Chapter Story" for my OC for Twisted Wonderland, James Killian - based on Captain Hook from Disney's Peter Pan. (Also featured are Smitty McCarthy, based on Smee, and Matthew Satyr, based on Peter himself...oh, and Nakoda - my Kaa OC - also has a role here.) The basic premise of this story has been in my mind for almost as long as James has, but for numerous reasons, it wasn't till just within the past few weeks I finally got a chance to develop and write it out.

The result is, I think, the single longest "Chapter Story" for any of my OCs for TW I've created so far. Take that information however you will. So long as this tale, that it went from a planned three-parter, to a planned five-parter, to now being a six-parter, standing at approximately 150 pages in total! Hopefully, all the work and length will be for the best. XD

As is typical for my Chapter Stories, I will be posting this one chapter at a time per day over the course of this week. For future reference, you can find the next chapter here.

WARNING: While this story, throughout all six parts, does not FOCUS on my kinks, there are instances of very mild stuffing/belching related content sprinkled throughout, as well as various instances of implied or near vore situations. If you're into these things, good on ya. If you aren't, just be warned they will show up here and there, although not with any degree of spectacle.

With that said...I hope you enjoy.

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

“COME BACK HERE, YOU LITTLE MEAT LOAF!” “WE’LL RIP YOU APART!” “YOU CAN’T GET AWAY FROM US!” You panted as you ran at top speed out of the cafeteria of Night Raven College. Behind you, three Savanaclaw students - one with the ears of a jackal, another with the ears of a leopard, and a third with the ears of a binturong - were sprinting after you, charging like mad wildebeests. Hearing little gasping sounds beside yourself, you shot a glare at the cat-like little creature who was running on all fours alongside you, ears crackling with flames as his trident-tail worked to keep him steady while he bounded along. He noticeably licked at a few stray crumbs of food on his whiskers as you both bucketed along at flying speed. “Chernabog damn it, Grim!” you coughed between your own fast-paced footfalls. “Haven’t you learned any self-control at all?!” “Nyaaa! They were eating tuna sandwiches!” wailed Grim. “I couldn’t help myself!” You just groaned as you continued to flee. “If we die, I am SO going to kill you,” you muttered to yourself. You knew you couldn’t just head to Ramshackle Dorm straightaway: the Savanaclaw trio behind you would be expecting that. Your best bet was to lose them and give them a chance to cool down, then you could go home and try to forget this whole misadventure. So, you decided to take a risk, and ran across the athletics field, towards the woodlands beyond which encircled the campus. As you led Grim through the bushes and into the forest, you could still hear the three angry beastmen chasing you. They snarled and hissed in rage, showing no sign of tiring any time soon. You raced through the woods as fast as you could pelt, with Grim trailing not far behind you, and your would-be antagonists continuing pursuit. You had entered these woods enough times by now to know a way to circle through the greenery and find a path back to your dorm; you hoped that the trees and foliage would help your escape, as you bobbed and weaved between them, thinking they would slow down your half-animal attackers. You soon realized your folly: these were athletic beastmen, with senses and strength superior to your own, and skill as a hunter. Instead of slowing down your pursuers, the heavy greenery was slowing YOU down, giving them a chance to leap through the gaps in the trees, gaining on you inch by inch, foot by foot, yard by yard… A shrill “YIPE!” soon signaled what would be your downfall: Grim stumbled in a patch of dirt that collapsed beneath him - some spider’s hidden den - creating a pothole just large enough for his paws to catch. He rolled through the dirt and grass before bumping into the side of a tree. “MINION!” he called out in a wheezy way.

You skidded to a halt, cursing under your breath, and hurried back to help the little rascal…but in the time it took you to reach Grim and give him a brief check for injuries, your three attackers were upon you. You stood up and tried to run one direction, letting Grim rest on your shoulders…but the binturong boy barred your way. You whirled about in another direction, but the jackal stepped in front of you then. Finally, before you even had a chance to turn, the leopard man blocked you off. The three grinned viciously as they moved closer in unison. You backed up instinctively…and soon felt your breath hitch as you found yourself backed up against the tree behind you. Grim hissed angrily, hackles rising, as the three Savanaclaw students closed in around you. “Nowhere to run now, meatballs,” smirked the leopard. “C-Come on, guys,” you laughed nervously, with an anxious smile. “We…we can talk about this, can’t we?” “You can negotiate with one of our guts,” replied the leopard, licking his chops. “Hey! They’re not your kill!” snapped the jackal, baring his fangs as he snapped at his friend. “I caught up with ‘em first!” “We’ll decide who gets to eat the human after we tenderize ‘em,” suggested the binturong, and punched one fist into his free hand with a ferocious grin. “I call the furball.” “Fine by me,” said the leopard, cracking his neck and knuckles, while the jackal shrugged in agreement. You shuddered and groaned again, trying to restrain the blush on your face. Great. Just great. You were going to be beaten up and eaten up because Grim couldn’t curb his own appetite. The irony and unfairness were equally abundant here…you wished you could convince your heart to stop beating so fast, especially since it was pumping blood into your cheeks with the knowledge of what was coming… However, before any of the three could strike, there came a rustling from the treetops above you. All of you looked up, confused and startled…and the three Savanaclaw students hastily took a few steps backward, as something dropped out of the trees with a bold, brassy sort of cackle… “HA HA!” the something declared, and landed nimbly on their shiny black boots. “Villains, beware! Stand ready!”

To say you were surprised was an understatement. The three Savanaclaw students seemed equally bewildered. Standing between yourself and Grim, and your presumed predators, was a young man, dressed in a Night Raven school uniform. His red vest, and the black-and-red armband around one arm, indicated he was a student of Heartslabyul. His hair was long and raven-hued, flowing a little past his shoulders; the top of his scalp was wrapped up in a violet bandana. He wore golden rings on several fingers, between both hands, and a daring, dashing sort of grin was on his face, which lit up his rich, dark, chocolate-colored eyes. The Heartslabyul student adopted a pose like a skilled fencer; in his right hand, he held a most peculiarly-shaped, gold-topped cane. He pointed the ferrule end towards the three Savanaclaw bullies, holding the item like it was a rapier. His left hand flourished grandly up and behind his head. The outer spot of the palm was facing you and Grim. You felt Grim’s head tilt, as you both noticed the strange tattoo on the back of the stranger’s hand: it was the image of a hook. “Three of you, eh?” the youth snorted. “A pity. I was hoping for an honest challenge!” The three Savanaclaw students growled angrily, and adopted predatory poses. “Back off, pipsqueak!” the binturong spat. “These two belong to us!” “I think they rather belong to themselves,” sniffed the cavalier newcomer, twirling the tip of his cane in a rather taunting fashion. “Perhaps you’d care to officially claim them? You are quite welcome to try.” “You got a death wish or somethin’?!” snapped the jackal. “Oh, I wish for death daily,” shrugged the new arrival. “Just not for myself.” The jackal snarled violently, as did the binturong. The leopard stepped forward and bared his clawed fingers. “If you wanna try and keep our breakfast away from us, you can join it,” the cat hissed. “Looks like there’s enough here for all of us, boys!” This made the binturong and the jackal cackle as they stepped up to clearly support their leader. “I call the loud one,” the jackal replied, and licked his chops sloppily, drool splattering across his plump, shapely lips. “I think he’s gonna have a rich flavor…” “Fine by me,” rumbled the leopard, and rubbed his belly through his uniform fabrics. “Looks like the Prefect’s mine…” You shivered, cheeks pinkening again, as you licked your own lips nervously. You shifted your gaze from the hungry leopard’s eyes to the apparent swashbuckler’s face, to catch his reaction. To your surprise, for just the most fleeting moment, you could have sworn the young man’s cheeks turned a similar shade of rose to your own…but the hue soon vanished as he adjusted his stance, and lifted his cane a bit higher, pointing it towards the leopard’s nose. “So be it, gentlemen,” he said, somewhat gravely. “Heave to it, then, and fall on!”

The three snorted almost in unison. The jackal, who seemed eager to enjoy his very brazen meal, was the first to lunge forward, charging towards the Heartslabyul student. The raven-haired duelist laughed and ducked, scurrying to one side, and then whirled about. He swung his cane about, smacking the jackal in the backside. The canine demi yelped shrilly, and spun towards the offender; he raked a wild haymaker towards the young man, who blocked the punch with his rod. He did the same with a second punch, then jumped forward and jabbed the “point” of his weapon hard into the jackal’s gut. The canid grunted, clutching his stomach and doubling over…before the heavy end of the cane’s gold topper bashed into the side of his head, knocking him to the ground. “Aye, this takes me back. To basic training, that is,” sighed the man in red and black. He smirked, pointing his weapon at the remaining two beastmen. “Would either of you gentlemen care to try me next?” The leopard and binturong seemed stunned. They looked at each other, then their expressions hardened. The leopard growled and - clearly having some sort of authority - he tossed his head, and the binturong took the hint, letting out a fierce battle cry as they ran at the swashbuckler, one fist reeled back and ready to strike. The swasbuckler’s smirk widened, and he ducked to avoid the harsh punch, then threw himself upwards, jamming his cane into his enemy as he hurled them over his shoulder, causing them to land right on top of the jackal. Then, before the binturong could stand - WHAM! - a booted foot kicked him unconscious. “Pitiful Philistine,” sneered the cavalier. “You’re not even worth using my finest moves upon-AHA!” The man spun around like a top, holding his cane in both hands as the leopard struck. He had tried to attack the duelist from behind, while the Heartslabyul member was distracted. Said student grinned boldly as the leopard’s tail lashed in irritation. “A fine attempt, sir!” boomed your savior. “I can’t think of a single seven-year-old who could do better!” “I’ll chew that smug look off your face!” spat the leopard. The Heartslabyul student grimaced, crinkling his nose. Once again, you swore his cheeks turned a somewhat rosy hue. “If your fighting skills are as rank as your breath, I’d say good luck. Either way, you’d find it quite indigestible.”

The animal-man just growled louder as the fighter pushed him off. He lunged forward again, but the swashbuckler soon settled things: he cracked his cane against the leopard’s arm as it prepared to hurl a punch, then across the shoulder, then smacked it into the leopard’s face. With a pained sort of snarl, the leopard seemed ready to throw out a kick, but the duelist’s cane slapped against his shin hard. The cat yowled loudly, and comically lifted his leg and bounced on the other, clutching his wounded limb…at which point the skilled fencer lunged and plunged the butt end of his cane into their stomach. The leopard staggered back and collapsed to the ground in a heap, beside his other two comrades. The cavalier smirked proudly, and lifted his cane in a swordsman’s salute, before twirling it and letting its length rest across his shoulders. “Well, that was thoroughly pathetic,” he mocked. “I suggest, gentlemen, that you take up knitting: brawls are clearly quite beneath your abilities, in many respects.” The three defeated Savanaclaw students - in dubious and varying states of consciousness - just moaned in pain where they lay. The swordmaster nodded, satisfied, then his smile fell as a look of concern came over his face and he turned towards you. “Are you alright?” he inquired. You and Grim just stared, amazed. Each of you bore eyes as wide as dinner platters, your jaws practically on the ground. “Halloo?” your helper checked, and waved his left hand - the one with the hook tattoo - in front of your face. “Is there a mind working in that skull, shipmate?” You shook your head and blinked, coming out of your stupor. “Y-Yeah,” you finally stammered out, and began to smile. “I’m alright.” “Excellent,” smiled the Heartslabyul student. “Thanks for the save,” you said gratefully. “That…well…that was-” “THAT WAS TOTALLY WICKED!” exclaimed Grim, all but screaming in your ear, causing you to flinch. As you wrung out your aching audio receptor, the little imp bounced off your shoulder back down onto the ground. “Those moves were INCREDIBLE! Naturally, nothing is quite as awesome as the Great Grim, but that fighting skill was INSANE! I’d say it was almost as cool as I am!” The Heartslabyul student let out a loud, boisterous laugh. His chest puffed out and he held his head high with clear pride. “Why, thank you, thank you!” he said, using one hand to swipe a few stray hands of black hair out of his face most flamboyantly. “I suppose I was rather fabulous, wasn’t I?”

You cocked your head to one side, looking your savior up and down. The uniform, the voice, the theatricality…something about him clicked in your mind… “I think we’ve met before,” you realized aloud. “Nya? We have?” Grim blinked at you, perplexed. “Sure!” you smiled at your companion, then stepped away from the tree to grin at the Heartslabyul student. “We met that time Ace got conked in the head with a Magift disc.” “Indeed! Oh, how we laughed!” your new acquaintance drawled. “Actually, you seemed kinda upset at the time.” “Well, we laughed afterwards,” shrugged the youth, and then flourished his cane as he spread out his arms and bowed most low, even shifting his legs in a most courtly, elegant manner. “James Killian, at your humble service!” Grim giggled at the melodramatic introduction. You just smiled and introduced yourself more casually. “What were you doing out here, anyway?” you couldn’t help but ask. “Practicing,” James said, indicating his long cane. “One mustn’t allow one’s talents to get rusty, especially under the current circumstances.” “Nya?” Grim meowed, tilting his head and blinking his large, blue-green eyes. His trident-tail curled into a question mark shape behind him. “What ‘circumferences’?” “Circumstances,” you corrected patiently. “That’s what I said!” huffed Grim. “Circumventions!” Before you could try to correct him again - and before James could give a proper answer - a new voice broke onto the scene. “James!” it called out, in a high, flute-like sort of way. “James, there you are!” The three of you turned to see a small figure hop out of the bushes and onto the scene. It was a short young man - about the same age as James was - also dressed in a Heartslabyul uniform. He was small and stout, with a plump belly that pushed against his vest and shirt tightly, giving him a round, “cuddly” appearance. This was accentuated by his equally round face, with very large, bright, blue-green eyes - almost the same color as Grim’s, though not quite as vibrant. His shaggy-looking hair was white as chalk, but didn’t seem to have this color due to age; similar to the silvery hues of those like Azul or Jack Howl. A brick-colored newsboy cap sat atop his head, and upon his small, round nose, a pair of rimless, square spectacles perched. “James!” smiled the little man with relief. “You’ve gotta warn me before you-” The little fellow stopped short in whatever he was going to say, his smile fading and his teal-toned eyes going very wide, as he saw the pile of unconscious beastmen. He looked at them, then at you and Grim, then at James. “...Did, uh…did I miss something?’ he peeped.

“Nothing of great importance, Smitty,” yawned James. “I simply got some decent exercise. Well. Almost decent, anyway.” Smitty scratched his head, looking confused. “Exercise?” he repeated slowly, and looked at you, as if hoping you’d have an answer. You could only shrug helplessly. “It’s a long story,” you said. “Not really,” retorted Grim, and pointed at James with one paw as he spoke to Smitty. “Your buddy here just kicked the crud outta those bullies! It was so cool!” Smitty grinned. “Oh, yes!” he nodded enthusiastically, nearly knocking his own cap off. “James is amazing when he’s fighting! That’s why we came out here: he wanted to train his fencing skills for when he meets Matthew in that competition!” “Matthew?” you repeated. “Competition?” mewed Grim. Before Smitty could answer, he let out an “eep!” as, without warning, James stomped over and grabbed hold of his tie, tugging the fellow Heartslabyul student towards him. He leaned down with a fearsome glare, bringing himself nearly nose to nose with his compatriot. “Smitty!” he shouted. “If you weren’t so incomprehensibly dimwitted, I’d clap you for mutiny!” “J-James, what do you mean?” squeaked Smitty, holding onto his hat and looking quite startled, to say the least. “Wh-what did I do?!” James narrowed his eyes…then sighed and released him, dusting himself off. “Let’s recap,” he said, much-too-patiently. “Smitty McCarthy…what are the rules?” “Of the Queen of Hearts?” blinked Smitty. He blushed and removed his cap, wringing it in his hands with a bashful smile. “Sorry, James, I’ve only memorized the first fourteen of those.” “Not those rules!” James said, exasperatedly, pinching his brow. “MY rules. The ones you and I agreed upon.” “Oh, I’ve got those memorized perfectly, James!” smiled Smitty, blithely. He began counting them off on his fingers. “Um…lemme see…Rule One: each of us, when we go out to sea, will be entitled to an equal share of the -” “Start at thirty-seven,” droned James, boredly. “Oh, right! Ahem…Rule Thirty-Seven: never trust a pixie. Rule Thirty-Eight: never carry a pocket watch, nor use an alarm clock. And Rule Thirty-Nine: never say His first name.” “Thank you,” mumbled James, with a long-suffering sort of expression. “Please, try to remember that last one.” “Aye, James,” Smitty nodded, his blissful look indicating he still had no idea of what he’d even done. “I always do!”

James just rolled his eyes, then looked towards you and Grim. Naturally, after that, the pair of you were quite puzzled. “Apologies,” he said, oh-so-sweetly. “Disregard that name. It’s a…personal matter, between the two of us.” “I…I see,” you said, simply, not sure what else to say. “You still haven’t explained what you were talking about with a competition though,” Grim pointed out, then began to swish his tail eagerly. “Is it a magic competition, huh? Where we get to show off how awesome we are as mages?” “Not exactly,” said James with a shake of his head. Now it was his turn to look surprised. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of it already!” “Heard of what?” you asked. “Well, I suppose that’s a no,” chuckled James, and cleared his throat importantly. “Ahem! Every few years, the twin schools of Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy engage in a special event called The Scavenger’s Hunt.” “It’s a treasure hunt!” cheered Smitty. “TREASURE?!” exclaimed Grim. “Like…like REAL treasure?! Gold, jewels, tuna cans?!” “You’re wrong about the tuna cans, but you’re right about the first two,” Smitty giggled. “See, a long time ago, pirates used to have a habit of hiding and burying their treasure here on Sage’s Island. Back then, the place wasn’t as populated, and a lot more remote. So it was easy for them to go ashore, bury their gold, and then come back to fetch it later.” You could practically see the madollar signs in Grim’s eyes. No doubt he was imagining how rich he could get…and how much tuna he could buy with the money. “Every few years, the two schools hold a competition,” James continued the explanation. “In homage to this storied past, a chest is filled with money, and teams of seven from each school are assigned to try and find the “treasure.” We’re given a couple of clues to start off with, then it’s all on us. The teams have to try and find the treasure in two days, with the team that wins being the one who brings the chest to their school before nightfall on the second day.” “It trains the participants in a lot of ways, including survival skills, since you have to set up camp and spend a night in the woods for the first evening,” added Smitty. “Sounds like a pretty tough challenge,” you observed. “Nya! Any challenge is worth it if you can get money out of it!” Grim exclaimed. “My thoughts precisely,” smirked James. “The teams haven’t been chosen, but I have high hopes of being selected as one of the participants.” “Why? Do you have any special skills they’d be looking for?” you asked. “Nope!” Smitty interrupted, before James could answer. “The choices are totally random!” You and Grim shared a look. “Then…how can you be so sure you’ll get in?” you asked.

“Call it a hunch!” sang James, with an innocent shrug. The conversation was broken by a groan from the three Savanaclaw scoundrels. They were starting to stir. “I think we should probably get out of here,” you said, with a nervous laugh. “Those guys won’t be happy when they get up.” “I concur,” James nodded, then waved his stick around in the air in a dramatic gesture. “Come, Smitty! We must resume my practice!” “Aye-Aye, James!” Smitty said, saluting the taller student with a grin. The four of you bid hasty farewells, then you and Grim ran off towards the direction of Ramshackle Dorm. James Killian and Smitty McCarthy began to walk off in another direction. After a few moments, James looked down at his friend. “Well, Smitty?” he asked seriously. “Well what?” Smitty asked, blinking innocently behind his glasses. “Did you do as I asked?” urged James. Smitty’s smile fell. He looked away. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I, um…I made sure you and I would get picked.” “Perfect,” smirked James, a devilish gleam in his brown eyes. A low laugh left him. “Then everything is going according to plan…”

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You had become quite used to going to bed and waking up in a place that was not your room. You found yourself in a gilded chamber; beyond the darkened windows, you could hear the sounds of the ocean, and a muted, muffled ticking noise, which you quickly came to ignore. You were more focused on the giant figure before you: a tall, limber-looking fellow, with a hooked nose on his proud, lean face, and long black hair. A thin moustache slashed over the top of his lips, and he wore a long coat of vibrant scarlet. Along with the fingers, a golden hook - with a ruby-studded ring encircling part of it - stood in place of his left hand, scratching at his chin thoughtfully. He was pacing in front of a fine-looking harpsichord. You glanced to one side, and noted another figure: a small, fat man, with glasses and a red cap, dressed in blue and white. He was holding a large green bottle; some sort of alcoholic beverage. You had come to speak to the pair, hoping to receive some help. With a thunderous bellow, the Scarlet Pirate seemed to come to a decision, as he used his hook to grab hold of his companion by the back of their shirt, dragging them towards the door and nearly making them spill their drink “Come, Smee!” the Pirate boomed. “We must leave immediately, surround Peter’s home-!” “But Cap’n!” the Little Man piped up. “WE DON’T KNOW WHERE PETER PAN LIVES!” The Pirate immediately dropped the little man, his expression one bordering on horror in realization. “Great Scott!” he barked. “You’re right, Smee!” An idea sparked into your head. You rose up and rang out an alerting noise, gaining the pair’s attention. You flew with your pixie wings to a table in the cabin, where a map of The Island was visible. “What’s that, my dear?” the Scarlet Pirate cooed. “YOU could show us, the way? Why, I never thought of that!” The Pirate then surreptitiously whispered to his friend - “Take this down, Smee.” - but you barely noticed. You dipped your tiny feet into an inkwell, and waited for the two to move closer, so you could show them the way on the map. You thus began to walk across the map, the Pirate announcing the directions you indicated while the Little Man wrote them down in a notebook. “Start at Pegleg Point. Forty paces West of Blind Man’s Bluff, yes, yes…h-hop, skip, and a jump across C-Crocodile Creek! Then…Nor’ by Nor’east, one, two, three…” Something made you hesitate, as you neared the final spot on the map. You glanced over your shoulder. The Scarlet Pirate’s eyes shone with anger and impatience as he slammed his fist down onto the table. “WELL?!” he yelled. “GET ON WITH IT-I mean…heh heh…continue my dear.”

You glared and flew up into the Scarlet Pirate’s face, snapping out your one desire. He blinked, surprised, the feather on his hat flopping in front of his face. “I mustn’t harm Peter?” he repeated, and sniffed snootily, brushing the feather out of his face. “My friend, Captain Hook gives his word not to lay a finger-” You gestured in a hook-shape with one hand, crossly. “-Or a hook…on Peter Pan,” smiled the Pirate, assuringly. That did it. You swooped back down onto the map, and - with the last of the ink - drew an X on the spot with a helpful smile. The Scarlet Pirate grinned and nodded, then winked at the Little Man. “Ah, Hangman’s Tree,” he crooned, while his friend bounced excitedly beside him. “So THAT’S the entrance to his hiding place…” A shrill sound left you as - YOINK! - a huge, spindly hand sprung out like a jumping spider, and the Scarlet Pirate’s fist grabbed you, his smile turning truly villainous. “Thank you, me dear,” he purred like a cat with a canary. “You’ve been MOST helpful.” A malevolent guffaw heralded you being thrust into a glass container - perhaps an old lantern - and the hook latched it inescapably shut. Desperately, you pounded on the glass with your hands, watching as the Pirate and the Little Man left. As the door closed, you soon felt the air growing thin, you felt your wings falter, you felt yourself sink the floor of the lantern…and then… …You gasped sharply and woke up in bed. Not sitting up, but simply breathing heavily where you lay, head on the pillow. As you took in the familiar sights of your room in Ramshackle’s haunted house…you groaned and slapped a palm across your face… “I wouldn’t have this problem if someone would just eat me already,” you grumbled.

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“You had another one, didn’tcha?” You blinked and looked up from the book you were reading. Grim was sitting beside you, half finished with his sixth tuna can for lunch. “What do you mean?” you asked the inquisitive not-cat. “Your face,” said Grim, simply. “What about it?” you huffed, and looked away to read the book. “I’m reading. This is my reading-for-class face.” “Nope,” Grim insisted, shaking his head and pointing with one plump paw. “That’s your ‘I had a super weird dream last night’ look. Another one o’ those creepy visions again?” You sighed and looked up towards the sky, snapping the book shut. “I really don’t want to talk about it,” you groaned. Grim sneered and shrugged. “Fine, if yer gonna be a sourpuss about it,” he pouted, then his sparking ears lifted as he heard the distant, familiar voices of Ace and Deuce not so far away. “I’m gonna go see how the guys are doin’. You stay right here, Minion!” You gave a mock salute, with a tired smile, and watched as Grim tossed his now empty can away and trotted off towards another part of the grounds. You were sitting on a bench beneath the castle’s proudest apple tree, near the fabled wishing well. It was quiet; not many people were around here at this time of the day. You tried to remove the thoughts of last night via your studies…but to be honest, the Annotated History of Magical Economics was not exactly a page turner, and your mind kept wandering. You were unaware of a pair of great, big, yellow eyes, watching you from the shadows of the nearby colonnade. The eyes blinked once. As they did, a brief flicker of mesmerizing, pastel colors seemed to float around the irises and pupils, before flitting out with a second blink. The figured then slithered out from the colonnade, strutting towards where you sat - hips swaying, pelvis shifting alluringly - a sensual, slippery smirk upon their face. You heard the creak of something - or someone - leaning on the back of the bench a moment later, and a familiar, sibilant voice slid into your ears. “Sssay now…what have we here?”

You jumped, a bit alarmed by the voice in your ear…especially as you could sense the dampness of a slimy tongue very close to your earlobe. You turned around fast, then sighed with a mixture of relief and mild annoyance as you saw the face of the slinky, smirking Savanaclaw student, who peered down at you with a smug, seductive sort of expression. “Good afternoon, Nakoda,” you greeted, crisply. “Hello, breakfassst,” hissed the naga-in-human-form, with a flirtatious wink and lick of his lips. “It’s lunchtime,” you replied, blandly, not to be taken in. “Even better,” Nakoda said, and snickered in his usual way. “Sss-sss-sss-sss! That means I don’t have to ssspend an entire day digesssting you. Only part of one!” “Doesn’t it literally take days for you to digest anyone?” you drawled back. Nakoda grinned wider. “Awww…you remembered,” he crooned, and licked his lips. “I’m sssimply touched.” You blushed, and firmly turned back to your book. “I’m trying to study,” you grumbled. “If you just came over here to talk sexy, can you please do it later?” “Then you admit I’m sssexy,” smiled Nakoda, sidling into the bench, sitting beside you. “I never ‘sssaid’ that you weren’t,” you replied, addressing him without looking at him. “You freaking KNOW you are. But there are more important things than bed and breakfast.” Nakoda looked at you as if you had just spoken some heinous and unfathomable blasphemy. “Is there something you need?” you urged, hoping you could get him to leave. The serpent wasn’t really what you needed, with all the things on your mind. “Not really,” Nakoda answered with a shrug. “I sssimply noticed that one of my favorite sssnacks ssseemed a bit distressssssed, so I came over to sssee what the issssssue was.” You looked up from your book doubtfully. You were surprised to find that Nakoda’s smile seemed…sincere. Warm. Different from his usual sultry, greedy expression that indicated equal parts hunger and thirst. It was…friendly.

That was new. “Well…if you really want to know, I had a bad dream last night,” you confessed, then chuckled to yourself. “Jeeze…when I say it THAT way it sounds like I’m a toddler or something, doesn’t it?” “Mmmm…you’d be sssurprised what an…IMPACT dreams can have,” Nakoda replied with a pleasured shudder. You decided you could live without asking what THAT was supposed to mean. Instead, you explained to Nako about your recurring visions, about the past events and ominous signs of foreshadowing you’d seen so often in the past. You even admitted you’d had a similar dream strike you when Nakoda Spivak had tried to get Jamil thrown out of school. “Interesssting,” murmured Nakoda, his expression uncharacteristically serious as he nodded, taking in the information carefully. “Ssso, basssically, anytime you have these dreams, you know sssomething bad is gonna happen.” “Yeah, and I’m most likely gonna be roped in the middle of it,” you droned. “I don’t sssuppose I can do anything to help?” Nakoda asked. “Could you eat me so I don’t have to clean up the mess later?” you drawled sarcastically. Nakoda grinned VERY widely. “Is that your final anssswer?” he hissed, eyes flashing with gluttonous excitement. Quickly realizing your mistake, you held up your hands placatingly. “N-Never mind! Just a figure of speech!” you squeaked out. Nakoda snickered and leaned in till your noses nearly touched. One of his hands swept across and rested on your thigh. “Your ssscent, and your blush, sssay otherwise,” he breathed out, in a voice that could only be described as famished. Before your flustered, sputtering brain could produce an answer, the sound of a school bell was heard, making both you and Nakoda jump in surprise. The bell was followed by the voice of Dire Crowley over the school loudspeakers, announcing that all students were to go to the assembly hall immediately. Nakoda pouted, looking deeply disappointed; even a little sad. “Well, ain’t that always the way?” he grumbled.

You smiled weakly, not sure if you should be relieved…or a little disappointed, yourself. “Guessssss I’ll sssee you around, sssweetheart,” Nakoda smiled, and stood up, giving a reassuring smile. “In all ssseriousnessssss…if you need sssomeone to talk to about those dreams, or jussst to help you sssleep…you can always trussst in me.” “I’m not so sure of that,” you chuckled nervously, very easily catching the sound of the serpent boy’s stomach gurgling on the last three words. “But thanks anyway, Nakoda.” Nako smiled a bit wider, then tucked his hands in his pockets and swaggered off in his usual cocky, slithery way. You couldn’t help but stare, watching him go…watching the way his wide hips swayed…watching his rear bounce and shift, so tightly packed into his pants… “NYA! MINION, SNAP OUT OF IT!” “Wh-wha…?” You quickly shook your head and looked down, as you felt - and heard - Grim tugging on your pants leg. “C’mon!” the little beast urged. “We gotta go to the assembly! I do NOT wanna deal with Trein if we’re late.” Well, that was a good incentive if you’d ever heard one. You nodded and stood up, and followed Grim in the direction of the Assembly Hall. You already had a feeling, after recent conversations, of what the assembly was going to be for…and you were correct.

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“Ruggie, Azul, Sebek, James, and Smitty…I gotta say, that’s a pretty colorful group of people to go on a treasure hunt with. You two must be under some pressure.” “Nya! It’s nothing the Great Grim can’t handle!” You just chuckled and ruffled Grim’s headfur; he hissed and swatted at your hands with a petulant expression. You then smiled at Deuce, who had been the one to speak first. “Honestly, I’m surprised,” you admitted. “I wasn’t even sure Grim and I would be on the ballot. You know, on account of the fact I don’t have any magic. Didn’t they discount Ortho because of all his technomantic doodads, after all?” “Hey, Ortho had too big an advantage, not the same as your problem,” Deuce shrugged, and smiled at you gently. “Besides, you two are still students of Night Raven College. Magic or no magic, you’re one of us! Right, Ace?” “Yeah. Sure. Whatever…” Deuce frowned as Ace - with the most sour and dour expression - carelessly stuffed some popcorn into his mouth, chewing boredly. You and Grim and invited your two best friends over to Ramshackle to watch a movie together, in celebration of being chosen for the Scavenger’s Hunt. However, all night, Ace had been moping and grumpy. “Okay, seriously, what’s the problem?” snapped Deuce, fed up with Trappola’s guff. “Aren’t you happy for these two?” “To be honest? Not really,” Ace said, blandly. “Well, gee, thanks a ton,” you said, with a smile as sarcastic as your tone. “Ha! You’re just jealous because we get to go find buried treasure instead o’ you!” teased Grim. “Yes. Yes, that’s it exactly,” huffed Ace, and sighed dismally. “Seriously, how come you two have all the fun? Just thinking of all those coins, waiting to be dug up, and how I can’t even touch a single SPECK of it…” “Hey, it’s not like they’re gonna be able to do much with it,” Deuce snorted, lounging back in his sofa seat. “Nya?” blinked Grim. “What do you mean?” “Well, first of all, the ones who find the treasure can’t really KEEP it,” Deuce said. “WHAT?!” screeched Grim and Ace at the same time, looking aghast.

You winced at their volume and then answered: “Weren’t you both paying attention? Once the donated treasure in the chest is found, it’s distributed amongst the native islanders. We get a prize trophy, sure, but we can’t keep the loot itself.” “WELL, THEN WHAT’S THE POINT?!” shrieked Grim. On his part, Ace just pouted more intensely, grabbed a bottle of soda, and began chugging it down as if he were trying to drown his own aggravation. Deuce rolled his eyes and patted his friend on the shoulder. “Hey, look at this way,” he said, and smirked at Grim. “Even if you DID find it, with Ruggie, Azul, and James all in the group, do you really think you’d get any of it anyway?” Grim opened his mouth to answer…then closed it again…then shrugged. “Guess you got a point, with the first two,” he said. “Wait a minute, why are you lumping James in there?” you asked. “Psh. James is in our dorm, remember?” Deuce said, gesturing with a thumb between himself and Ace, who was still silently downing cola like his life depended on it. “After Azul and Ruggie, I think he might be the single greediest guy I’ve ever met. He’s always looking for some way to make more money, always going out with his pal to see if they can find any valuable salvage off the port, always reading books about where the different treasures of old pirates may be found on the island…if there’s anyone more interested in gold than those three, I’d like to meet ‘em.” You frowned and looked away thoughtfully. You took a sip of your own bottle of soda - tuning out the sounds of Ace chugging his down - as you reflected on this information. Suddenly, something didn’t seem right. “What’s the matter, Prefect?” asked Deuce. Meanwhile, Ace finally finished his drink, and wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve. “Grim and I met James and Smitty yesterday,” you answered. “They seemed pretty confident about getting chosen, even though Smitty said it would be random. They were also the first names that the Headmage pulled out of the hat.” “You think maybe they rigged things to get in?” Ace reasoned, sounding a bit out of breath after his long drink.. “Maybe,” you nodded. “But HOW?!” Grim exclaimed. “If it’s totally random, how’d they do that!” You winced and wrung out your ear.

“Maybe if you stopped yelling directly into my eardrums I could answer that,” you groused. “Seriously, Grim, you’ve been doing that a lot lately; I’m gonna have tinnitus by morning…” A grunt from Ace caught your attention. All three of the rest of you turned towards him as he massaged his stomach with one hand, and gave a sort of tight smirk, one eye closed. “Heh…nah,” he half-grimaced, half-grinned. “THIS is what’s gonna give you tinnitus.” So saying, he slapped his belly with both hands, and let out a rumbling, fat, wet burp, all of the carbonation he’d ingested rocketing free in a blast of foul gas. “BLLLUUURRRUUURRRLLLUUUP!” Ace sighed with deepest relief, then flashed a smug grin at the rest of you. “How are your ears NOW, Prefect?” he teased. You coughed once, your face red as a strawberry, while Deuce and Grim fanned the air before their noses. “...When I stop being deaf, I’ll answer whatever you just said,” you replied. Ace barked out a laugh in reply. It wasn’t long till all of you were giggling away. Unknown to all of you, two other Heartslabyul students happened to be passing Ramshackle Dorm at that very moment. “Yeesh,” Smitty McCarthy said, with a slight flinch, and looked up at James Killian beside him. “Well, Ace seems to be taking it pretty well…heh heh…” “Indeed,” mumbled James, with a very slight blush to his cheeks. He shook his head and swaggered on, the ferrule of his cane tapping the stone path beneath his feet. “Thank you for taking care of the choices.” “No problem, James. Soon as I told him what was in it for him, he was ready to say yes!” grinned Smitty, seeming proud to receive his fellow student’s gratitude. His smile fell soon after hower. “Um…James?” “What is it, Smitty?” “Don’t you think it’s…kinda dangerous, making that bargain? I mean…what if he causes us trouble?” “Hardly,” shrugged James. “After all, by the time he gets any sort of chance to, the deed will be done.” “Yeah, but still, tricking them all like this,” worried Smitty. “It’s not good form, you know.” “You insult me, Smitty!” huffed James. “I’ll have you know I am the PARAGON of good form!” Smitty looked dubious, but nodded anyway. “Aye, James,” he said, slowly. “I…I guess you’d have to be.” “Of course I am!” James blustered, and smirked. “Besides, it’s only bad form if you get caught.” With a laugh, Smitty slung an arm around the shorter man’s shoulders, waving his cane about over his head. “Now come, Smitty! Let us sing a shanty together; my victory is soon at hand!” Smitty giggled and grinned, nodding as he wrapped one arm around his partner in return. “Aye-Aye, Cap’n!” he cheered, and the two strolled off into the night. Their voices - especially James’ - sang joyously into the air, contrasting with the foreboding tone of the lyrics… “Sing a Yo-Ho! I’ll slaughter the swine! Yo-Ho! Must be Fate’s design! At last our tales will again intertwine! Revenge, Revenge, REVENGE is Gonna Be Mine!”

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The date of the start of the Scavenger’s Hunt had arrived. You and Grim walked side by side, towards one of the wide, sandy beaches on Sage’s Island. The beachside had been selected as the meeting place, where the teams for both Night Raven College and Royal Sword Academy would see each other face to face for the first time, before the great treasure quest began. You paused to adjust the backpack on your back; while you had not actively participated in the Camp Vargas events the school regularly held, you had learned enough from watching your fellow classmates to know what sort of essentials were going to be helpful to spend the night. (One of them was quite a number of tuna cans, just to keep Grim from going stark raving mad if hunting, fishing, or foraging didn’t produce much.) You were feeling rather nervous; there would be no instructors supervising this game, you had learned. You and your fellow students would be totally on your own, and not simply having to survive one night in the woods, but also having to track down the clues to a treasure chest, AND having to deal with Royal Sword at the same time. “This is gonna be one heck of a weekend,” you sighed to yourself. “Mrmph,” grunted Grim in reply, his tone and expression clearly quite sulky. Ever since he’d learned that none of the treasure could be claimed by you all, he’d been pouting. You smiled sympathetically, and reached down to scratch behind his ears, chuckling as he soon began to purr softly. “Come on, don’t be such a grump,” you teased. “This’ll be fun! Think of it this way: if we find the treasure, then everyone will know ‘the Great Grim’ is the best treasure hunter of all, won’t they?” Grim smiled. “Well, when ya put it THAT way…” You sniggered and rolled your eyes, then tossed your head to beckon Grim to follow you, the pair of you resuming your walk. It wasn’t too long till you spotted the section of the beach where the meetup was to take place. From a distance, you could see Dire Crowley pacing back and forth; his yellow eyes shone behind his raven’s mask, as he peered at a pocket watch he held in one hand. A little closer to you were some of your teammates… “Ah, there you are, Prefect!” Azul Ashengrotto grinned, as he saw you approach. “You’re right on schedule!” “I was a little worried we’d be late,” you admitted, then nodded to the second figure, who stood a small distance away from Azul. “Good morning, Sebek.”

Sebek Zigvolt grunted. He was dressed in the long green waterproof (and other clothes) you’d seen him wear during Camp Vargas, while Azul was wearing a long, green-and-purple camouflaged, hooded trenchcoat. You recognized them as the same coat he wore during Beanfest, on the Monster team; other pieces of gear on him were similar in style…in fact, all that was really missing were the glasses, as he wore his own typical spectacles instead. “Nya! Where’d you get those?” Grim asked Azul, also noticing the outfit. Azul smiled and held his head high, clearly quite taken with his own costume. “Sam was selling off some old pieces of Beanfest gear; this set was in good condition, and I remembered rather liking how it all looked on me. Besides, one must dress appropriately when preparing to ramble in the woods,” he replied. “Awwww,” Grim whined, dipping his ears and looking up at you. “And all my Minion wore was their gym uniform!” You shrugged. “Hey, unlike Azul, I’m not made of money,” you retorted. “I had other things to worry about than looking spiffy.” “Oh, don’t be so modest, Prefect,” Azul smirked, adjusting his spectacles. “When it comes to physical labor in the forest, I’d say you look like the perfect choice.” You blinked. “...As soon as I figure out if you’re insulting me or praising me, I’ll come up with a witty reply,” you said. Azul just chuckled. You then raised an eyebrow as you looked towards Sebek. He was unusually silent, seated on a large rock near the very edge of the shore, looking out towards the horizon with a pensive scowl. His arms were crossed over his chest, his navy green eyes glittering in an icy sort of way. “You’re a lot less noisy than usual,” Grim remarked, rather rudely, then smirked, crossing his forelimbs over his fluffy chest. “Somebody steal your breakfast this morning?” Sebek just growled irritably, clenching one of his gloved hands into a fist. “Human?” he rumbled. “Would you kindly silence that overgrown hairball before I take a bite out of him?” “Sorry, Sebek,” you apologized with a mild sort of smile. “I haven’t been able to find the mute button yet.” “NYA! WHO YOU CALLIN’ AN OVERGROWN HAIRBALL?!” Grim snapped. Sebek growled again in response, this time bearing his fangs at Grim. “I’LL THANK YOU TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN ADDRESSING THE GUARD OF THE MIGHTY MALLEUS!” he bellowed. Grim let out an “eep!” and hid behind your leg. You couldn’t help but smirk. “There’s the Sebek I know,” you said, somewhat teasingly.

Sebek just puffed through his nostrils and turned away again. Concerned, you took a cautious step forward. “Are you alright? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you act this, um…thoughtful.” “‘Thoughtful’ isn’t the word,” Azul spoke up. “I’d say he’s more ‘sulky.’” “SULKY?!” yelled Sebek, rounding on Azul this time. “INCONCEIVABLE! The attendants of the great Malleus Draconia are far too dignified to sulk!” “Oh, really?” smirked Azul. “Then what would you call your petulant behavior when ‘the great Malleus’ wouldn’t let you sit in his lap, as I recall?” Both yourself and Grim giggled at the pinkish hue that overtook Sebek’s cheeks. “That’s…that’s different,” Zigvolt replied, feebly. Azul chuckled again, louder than before, then gave you a smile. “You’ll have to forgive him, Prefect,” he said, smoothly. “It’s my understanding that Sebek here has been acting like this practically since the team members were announced.” “Let me guess,” you smiled at Sebek, not unkindly. “Are you worried about having to leave Malleus’ side for so long?” “As a matter of fact, yes,” sniffed Sebek. “But concern for my liege and his protection are NOT the sole reason for my…absolutely-and-completely-NOT-sulky mood right now.” “He’s upset about a specific teammate of ours,” Azul explained, adjusting his own gloves. “Which one?” you asked, curiously. You soon found out. “AHOY THERE!”

All eyes turned to see two new figures coming up the beach. You immediately recognized them as James Killian and Smitty McCarthy. The Heartslabyul duo were no longer in uniform; the hunt allowed participants to wear any choice of clothes they wished. For Smitty’s case, his ensemble still included his square-lensed glasses and red cap, but he also wore blue jeans and brown leather shoes. His top consisted of a blue-and-white striped shirt, which seemed to fit him a bit too small, exposing part of his plump, round tummy, and an olive green seaman’s jacket. It was James, however, who most assuredly stole the spotlight. You could have spotted his ensemble from a mile away: he still wore the black boots, purple bandana, and assortment of rings upon his fingers, and still carried his gold-topped cane. His legs were shrouded by maroon britches, which were held up by a black leather belt with a golden buckle, shaped in the image of a skull and crossbones. A somewhat loose-fitting white shirt was visible above this, with sleeves that ended in foppish frills; the shirt’s top couple buttons were undone, giving you a good view of the upper portion of his athletic-looking chest. However, beyond even this show of “eye candy,” the most attractive feature - certainly the one that drew the most attention - was James Killian’s coat. It was a long piece, somewhat similar in fashion to a morning coat, but with a high, stiff collar. The garment was colored a vibrant shade of crimson, with black shoulder pads and lapels, and gold thread lining on the aforementioned collar. The inside of the coat was lined with pale purple. It was a bold and flashy sort of outfit, on the whole, and on many people it would probably look rather gaudy…yet James wore it with such confidence, and held such pride as he sauntered along the beach, twirling his stick like an aristocrat out on a stroll, that he somehow made the whole thing look exquisite. “Sorry we’re a bit late!” Smitty apologized as he scampered over. “We were just-OOF!” Smitty tripped on something in the sand and flopped face down onto the beach. James paused as he came up behind his friend. He blinked down at him boredly, then poked Smitty’s backside with his cane. “Get up, you idiot,” he droned, dully. Smitty immediately hopped up, like a bouncy ball, and dusted himself off. “Aye-aye, James. Sorry!” he peeped, with an apologetic smile. James just smirked and rolled his eyes in amusement, before stepping towards you. “Good morning to you, Prefect!” he greeted warmly. “And the same to you, Grim!”

The two of you nodded back in greeting, then looked towards Smitty. He gave you both a wave, fiddling with his hat in a shy way, clearly embarrassed after his clumsy tumble. “I’m glad you both could make it,” you smiled, looking at Smitty when you spoke. The words seemed to make him feel a bit better, as he visibly perked up, blue-green eyes dancing behind his glasses. “It’s good to see you again, James!” Azul spoke up, smiling broadly as he approached the red-dressed swordsman, holding out one gloved hand. “Is all well?” “All is very well!” James practically sang back, and shook Azul’s right hand with his left. “And I must say, I was quite pleased to see you as part of this team! I dare say we’ll make quite the magnificent crew!” “Oh, I haven’t any doubt,” said Azul, and noticeably tightened his grip as he leaned in close. “I presume we shall prove mutually beneficial to each other, in finding the treasure.” James’ expression matched Azul’s as he squeezed back. “Oh, most assuredly,” he slithered out. “After all, we can’t allow it to fall into…unworthy hands, can we?” “That depends on your definition,” replied Azul, quite honestly. “I’d say helping our neighbors here on the island is a most worthy cause.” “Because it puts them in your debt?” you couldn’t help but drawl. “Why, Prefect! WhatEVER gave you SUCH an idea!” Azul gasped, as if insulted. You and Grim shared a look. James just narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s not the islanders I’m referring to,” was all he said. A clearing of the throat finally indicated Sebek’s presence to James. He looked towards the half-fairy…and his beaming expression immediately shifted to a sour sort of look. “Oh,” he muttered. “Crocodile.” “Human.”

“Suddenly, my excitement for this event has significantly dwindled,” huffed James, straightening his back as he held his cane before him, and lifted his head high in an imperious fashion. “Shouldn’t you be glutting yourself on some old, rotten fish or something about now, you cursed beast?” Sebek’s eyes narrowed, and he rose up from where he sat. He towered over James with his own great height as he strode close, glaring down at the far less impressively tall person. “I can think of a few things better to eat,” Sebek answered, ominously. James held his ground, but once more you noticed his cheeks becoming flushed. Sebek seemed to notice as well. “Oh, I would be very nervous if I were you,” he said, indicating said blush. “I’m going to ensure this game goes well for the Honor of the Great Malleus Draconia! If your arrogance causes any trouble, I’LL SWALLOW YOU WHOLE!” “Trust me, I would love to see you try,” drawled James, in a tone that you weren’t entirely sure sounded all that sarcastic. “And if you want to talk arrogance, I recommend looking in the water. Your reflection and yourself shall have much to discuss.” Sebek glared and lifted a finger, opening his mouth as if to shout something else…but Smitty suddenly slipped in to stand between the two, looking up at Sebek with a soothing sort of expression. “Hey…l-listen, can’t we just…save these arguments for later?” he asked, with a nervous little laugh. “I mean…we all have to work together, don’t we?” Sebek glared…but grumbled out something in the affirmative and sat back down on his stone. Now there could be no doubt: he was DEFINITELY sulking. “Well, anyway,” you piped up, wanting to change the subject. “That seems to be everybody but Ruggie.” “Nya…where is he, anyway?” Grim wondered, looking around as if trying to spot him. “It’s not like him to be late.” “I was wondering the same thing,” Azul nodded in agreement, and looked at the Heartslabyul pair. “I don’t suppose you have any idea, James?” “Hardly,” James answered, shaking his head. “I am not Savanaclaw’s keeper, after all. What that hyena gets up to is hardly my business.” “Especially since he’s always talking about how James would probably taste like-YIPE!” Smitty’s words were cut off by James flipping his hat over his eyes. As he struggled to remove it, the taller fellow went on… “My point is, your guess is as good as mine,” James said, oh-so-innocently. Azul smirked in a knowing sort of fashion.

“Indeed,” he said, softly, then placed his hands on his hips, still smirking. “For the record, you know, whatever Ruggie thinks you’d taste like…he’s probably correct. For I doubt it could be anything bad.” James narrowed his eyes, face still faintly tinted red, but said nothing. You and Grim once again shared a look, this time of slight confusion. “I’ll speak with the Headmage briefly,” Azul said. “After all, as the upperclassman of this group, I have automatic seniority as captain.” “Aye, Cap’n,” Smitty said, saluting Azul. James bowed his head respectfully in agreement, but you caught a hint of envious green in his eyes. Azul bowed his head right back, and wandered over to speak to Crowley, who was still pacing a couple yards away. “I get the feeling you two know each other,” you spoke up, waving a hand between James and the retreating Azul indicatively. “Ah, yes!” James grinned, with boyish delight. “Azul and I have been lab partners a couple of times, you see. I’ve also offered my assistance occasionally at his Lounge…naturally, for a fee. I daresay the two of us are on quite amicable terms!” “Well, that’s always good to hear,” you smiled. “It’s great to have friends who have more experience than you.” James’ smile faltered. Something flickered in his brown eyes, like sparks flying off of copper coins. “Experience you are correct about,” James replied. “But I hesitate to call us friends.” You smiled in a weary sort of way. Of course. This was common across Night Raven. “It’s not a weakness to enjoy friendship,” you said, simply. “Trust me, at some point or another, everyone here has felt that way.” James looked you up and down and then turned away. “A thousand pardons, my dear Prefect, but you misunderstand my belief,” he said, very calmly, “Friendship is not a weakness. It is worse than that. It is an illusion.” You felt your eyes widen. That was a new perspective. Your eyes suddenly felt drawn to Smitty, who was standing beside James, on the opposite side of him from you. You saw the little man wince, but he said nothing, quietly looking askance with sorrow in his large teal eyes. You were about to speak up against this idea, but before you could, Azul returned. Behind him, you could see Crowley tapping his watch and scowling, as if he were worried about it running properly. “Alright!” Azul announced boldly, clapping his hands together to get everybody’s attention. “It appears Ruggie will not be joining us for this hunt.” “WHAT?!” Sebek suddenly shouted. “How dare that hyena shirk his duties?! SUCH BEHAVIOR IS MOST UNBECOMING!” All of you flinched at Sebek’s volume before Azul took a deep breath and spoke again. “He is not ‘shirking his duties,’ Sebek,” he correctly, very patiently. “He is sick.”

“Oh, dear,” you heard Smitty murmur. “What’s the matter with him?” you asked, concernedly. “Some sort of stomach virus, possibly food poisoning,” replied Azul. “He should recover in a day or two; my guess is he ate something that didn’t quite agree with him.” You sighed. Yeah. That sounded about right, considering Ruggie would eat just about anything (and anyone) that wasn’t too expired. “At any rate,” Azul went on, adjusting his glasses. “A new student from the same dorm has been selected to take part. Things are running very last minute, however, hence why they’re running a bit late.” “Not as late as Royal Sword,” huffed Grim, noticing then and there that you and your Night Raven colleagues were the only ones on the beach at that moment. “Jeeze, what’s keepin’ those goody-two-shoes, anyway?” “Typical,” huffed Sebek, snootily. “Trust them to have no regard for the importance of punctuality. Not that a certain human here was any better…” “Oi!” snapped James, crossly. “I’ll have you know, I’m only fashionably late!” “There is nothing fashionable about tardiness!” Sebek rapped back. “SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR OTHERS’ TIME!” “Perhaps after YOU show respect to ME, for a change!” “HA! A loudmouthed human like yourself is hardly worthy of anything resembling respect!” “Pot to the kettle, YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD!” The two were soon bickering hotly. Grim hissed and covered his ears. You awkwardly turned to Azul, who was pinching his brow in frustration. “So, uh…I’m guessing you and James aren’t the only ones with history, huh?” “Picked up on that, did you?” Azul smiled, in a sarcastic sort of way, then sighed and shook his head. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know the story behind these two. All I know is that any time they meet, in any capacity, sparks fly.” You nodded. That much was evident. “H-Hey, that’s enough!” Smitty’s voice suddenly called out, and he stepped once more between Sebek and James, throwing out his arms as if to protect the taller student. “I-If you can’t stop yelling at James, then don’t say anything at all!” “Me?! Yelling at him?!” boomed Sebek, infuriated. “And what about-?!” “ENOUGH!” An uncharacteristic shout from Dire Crowley silenced all of you, and made you jump. The Headmage shook his head, clearly annoyed, and grumbled as he shook his watch and held it up to his ear. “The time MUST be correct, I CAN’T be mistaken!” you heard him mutter to himself. “That careless lout, Ambrose…!” James and Sebek shot one another a glare, then finally turned away from one another. Arms crossed, like a pair of pouting schoolboys. A moment later, however, their cross expressions faltered, eyes opening as they heard a sibilant snicker echo across the beach. “Sss-sss-sss-sss! Well…if these are the ones I’m gonna be sssleeping with, one way or another, I mussst be in for a fun time, huh?” Swaggering along the shore came Nakoda Spivak.

To Be Continued in Part 2…

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