#and guess what. i love blues and greens and teals. sigh

[vodika-vibes]

Hi! May I request an androgynous-presenting m!reader x Tech where he meets the reader at a club where they work as a dancer to get intel for a job and some… steamy stuff transpires? Perhaps with the reader and Tech being on kinda equal grounds flirtation-wise, as I always find overly blushy readers or Batch members a bit awkward.

Love your fics! Cheers!

The Dancer

Summary: You’ve been undercover as a dancer at the most well known night club on Coruscant for months now, and you’ve come to enjoy it. In part for the attention, in part for the extra money, and in part for him, Tech.

Pairing: TBB Tech x M!Reader

Word Count: 1756

Warnings: Smutty/Spicy/Steamy

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni

A/N: I don't use any pronouns for the reader in this fic at all, though if I had I would have used they/them pronouns. But the reader does have male sex organs. I hope this is close to what you wanted. You said steamy, rather than full on smut so I stopped before anything more happened. Please let me know if this isn't what you wanted, and I'll try again.

“Another theme night?” You ask, shivering as the cold paint is applied to your spine, “Kriff! That’s freezing!”

“Deal with it.” Ali, your friend and fellow dancer, says as he carefully paints another scale on your spine. 

“I have to wonder about the political correctness of this theme,” You continue, more to yourself than to your friend, “I mean, in a galaxy where Nautolans and Mon Cala exist, is a mermaid/merman theme really the way to go?”

“Turn around,” Ali says, as he sits back, “I need to paint scales on your neck and down your sides.”

You sigh, “I feel like a canvas.”

“That’s what we all are. Little more than canvases for the boss’s artistic vision.” Ali rolls his eyes, “He got new rings for all of us. With ‘beads that match his vision’.”

“Which means green or blue, right?”

Ali snorts, “They’re teal.”

You roll your eyes, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

“Also, he has color spray for your hair.” He tosses a spray bottle into your hands, “Get styling.”

“This job kind of sucks sometimes.”

“Be grateful he’s going with a water theme and not the winged theme that he was originally planning.”

“Don’t remind me.” You carefully work the color through your hair as Ali paints your skin, and you’re thrilled when you both finish at the same time. 

“Don’t forget the earrings.” Ali says as he presses a new set of earrings into your hands.

“These are so tacky.” You bitch, even as you remove your simple silver studs and replace them then the teal teardrop shaped bead that hangs from a chain.

“And yet, we’re going to make bank.” Ali says, “Come on. It’s almost time to begin.” He flashes a sly smirk, “Maybe you’ll see that cute clone that’s been coming to watch you.”

“They’re all cute,” You reply with a lazy wave of your hand.

“The one with glasses.”

“What’s wrong, babe? Jealous?”

“Of you? Please. We both know I’m the pretty one.” Ali winks at you and then leads the way out of the room with you hot on his heels.

“Pretty? I think you mispronounced petty, Al.”

“I can be both.” He says with a laugh as he joins the sea of green and blue clad women and men.

You allow yourself to be swept with the throng of people, and a small smile crosses your face when you step into the club proper. As ever, it’s been totally transformed. The normal rich reds and golds, replaced with blues, greens, purples, and silvers. 

“Alright, alright.” The owner of the club climbs up onto a platform, his eyes alight with glee, “You all look amazing! You look exactly like I envisioned~” He claps his hands together, “Alright. The dancers tonight are anyone who has gold on their outfit.”

You look down at the panels of cloth hanging from your waist…blues, greens, and silvers. No gold. Guess you’re not on dancing detail tonight.

“If you have silver on you, you’re going to be wandering the floor.” The owner continues, “And anyone with bronze is a bartender or wait staff. Any questions?”

“Yeah,” Ali raises a hand, he’s wearing an identical outfit to you, only with gold rather than silver, “Any special events tonight?”

“None that were cleared with me.” The owner replies, “Alright everyone, places! We open in 30!”

The crowd disperses into three distinct sections, and you head towards the door, joking lightly with some of your coworkers. You never get much intel on Theme Nights, but honestly, you’re not that bothered.

They’re fun.

Several hours later, you’re done with the night. 

Theme nights are fun, but they’re exhausting. All you want is to take a break.

Your eyes flicker across the club one more time, and then you see the one person you were hoping to see.

Tech is tucked in a booth in the back of the club, he looks kind of uncomfortable, but he also looks very curious about the employees.

Well, what kind of employee would you be if you let him remain curious. A sharp grin crosses your face, as you abruptly turn and weave through the crowd of people.

“Well now, color me surprised.” You joke as you lean your hip against the silver rimmed table. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Tonight of all nights.” 

Tech’s head snaps up, and he blinks at you, startled. 

His gaze flickers across the paint decorating your arms, sides, and chest, and then drops to the gauzy, floaty material hanging from your waist, and then his gaze snaps back to your face.

“You invited me.” Tech says, matter of factly, his gaze dropping back to the paint low on  your hips, “It would have been rude of me to not come.”

“Sure, sure.” You grin at him, your eyes sparkling, “Like the paint?”

“Yes.” Tech replies honestly, “It is very attractive.”

You laugh, “Have I ever mentioned how much I love your honesty?”

Tech’s lips twitch into a smile, “Not recently.”

“Shame. You should visit more often so I can heap praise on you.”

“I am afraid that you will make my ego swell.” Tech says as he takes a sip of his drink.

“Just your ego? Pity.” You say, once he’s taken a sip.

Tech chokes on his drink, “You,” He coughs, “You did that on purpose.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Of course not.” The sarcasm just drips from his voice, and you grin at him, “You know,” Tech notes after a moment, “My brothers say that you are a bad influence.”

“I don’t really care about what your brothers think.” You counter with a shrug, “I care about what you think. So, Tech, do you think I’m a bad influence?”

Tech gaze drops to your lips, to your chest, to your hips, “The worst.”

You grin at him, “You know there are private rooms available, right?”

“Is that an invitation?”

“You know that it is.”

Tech glances away from you for a moment, “I…probably should not.”

“Why?”

“My brothers will not approve of any of this.”

You lean over the table, and hook your finger around the collar of his shirt, “I told you,” You say with a sharp smile, “I don’t care what your brothers think.”

Tech obviously wars with his indecision, and you decide to give him one more push, “If you’re really not willing, Tech, I won’t make you. But you know that anyone here can buy my time, right?”

Tech frowns, “Yes. I know.” He glances at his datapad for a moment, seeming to read a message on the screen, and then he stands. “I think I would like a private room.”

“A fine choice, sir.” You reply gleefully, “This way.” You lead him through the crowd of people, until you reach the quieter part of the club, where the private rooms are located.

Three of them are being used, but the one on the end isn’t, and that’s where you lead him. You open the door, and adjust the time so that the charges will be applied to you, rather than him, and then you move to the side to let him in the room.

You’re careful to lock the door, and then, promptly, drop onto one of the plush chairs with a groan. “That’s much better.” You say as you rip the ridiculous looking sandals that you were forced into off your feet and toss them to the side.

Tech settles next to you, and for one, he’s not even glancing at his datapad, instead his gaze is locked on you. 

“See something you like?”

“May I touch you?”

You arch a brow, “If you like.”

His rough, calloused hand lands on your chest, and lightly tracing the painted scales, he looks surprised. They’re not coming off.

“I have to use special soap to wash the paint off.” You explain as you allow him to push you to your back on the couch. “It’s about as much of a pain as you expect.”

Tech’s hands trace down your torso, lightly tracing the paint as it makes its way down your body. “How far down does the paint go?”

You arch a single brow, “Why don’t you look and see?”

Tech’s hands hesitate low on your stomach, and then, with surprising swiftness, he unfastens the belt holding the panels of cloth on, and he carefully sets it to the side.

The trunks that you’re wearing are low cut, intentionally so to allow for as much skin to be painted as possible, and you settle back on the couch as Tech’s hands drift lower and lower. 

He swallows, hard, “Does the paint go under-”

Truthfully, yes. Ali’s something of a perfectionist, so you are actually completely covered in paint, but rather than telling him that, you just smirk, “I’m not telling. If you wanna know, you have to see for yourself.”

Tech’s gaze locks with yours, “You do not think I’ll do it.” He accuses as he rubs small circles against your skin with his thumbs.

Honestly, his touch is starting to make it hard to think, and you can feel yourself hardening. Of course, you have no shame, and if Tech’s noticed he hasn’t said anything about it. 

“You think so?”

Tech keeps his gaze locked on yours as he hooks his fingers under the waist of the shorts, and he tugs them down sharply. His gaze drops from your face, and trails down to your now achingly hard cock.

It, like every other part of you, has been carefully painted. And Tech’s face twitches. 

He trails a light finger across the paint decorating your cock, and you twitch, a low hiss falling from your lips, “You let someone paint you.” He sounds jealous and you laugh.

“Jealous, Tech?”

“Annoyingly, yes.”

You smirk at him, smugly. 

“You are incredibly annoying.” Tech announces as he wraps his hand around the base of your cock and gives you a firm stroke, pulling a curse from your lips and causing your hips to twitch.

“I’m not the one teasing.” You reply. “I’m also not the one still fully dressed.”

Tech pauses, midstroke, and then he leans down and crashes his lips against yours. What starts out as a heated kiss, becomes softer and more needy the longer it goes on, and you reach around him to tangle your fingers in his hair at the base of his skull.

“I…” Tech breathes against your lips, “I want you. Need you.”

And you laugh, “You have me, Tech.”

[creativecuteness]

Total Slaughter Island (Rescue Rangers) Prologue

I did promise I would post each week and here's the beginning of my brand shiny new Fanfic based on Evaeee-ry's horror AU I used to love Total Drama as a kid and in a way I feel like I'm writing a love letter. Anyway, enjoy the Prologue and let me know you're thoughts.

The fresh ocean breeze left a salty taste in her mouth and nostrils as the bow rocked to and fro. She stared at her reflection in the clear blue water with purpose. With the cloudless sky, orbiting seagulls, and cool breeze, it was a perfect summer day. Perfect for swimming, fishing, and cold creamy treats, but it wasn’t perfect in fact; to her, the last thirty days couldn’t have been more stressful.

She glanced at her associate out of the corner of her eye. The sun always had a way of hitting his handsome features just right—his short black hair, subtle beard, and brown eyes. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a teal green one over it, dark shoes, and brown khakis. his sorry excuse for a signature outfit.

To many, Christopher McLean was the Canadian equivalent of a Hollywood icon; he has appeared in countless movies, was a host for several radio shows, podcasts, and reality TV shows (put a pin in for that last one), and he was handsome to boot, especially when the light hits him just right. But to her, it wasn’t endearing as much as it was annoying.

Dakota Natalie (age 16) knew full well that Chris’s nice guy act was nothing more than that. His quote-on-quote acts of selflessness were just a way to paint himself as a humble, chivalrous, not your average celebrity kind of guy. But below the surface, the countless fangirls and mutual respect were the many ways he stroked his own ego. In actuality, Chris was an egomaniac, narcissistic, and overall insufferable. Any brave fool who tried to call him out on it would be fired on the spot and taken to court for ludicrous charges. Only a fool would work for Chirs, and sadly, Dakota, their captain who was manning the boat, and two junior high schoolers were those fools.

She turned herself fully to get a better look at Chris as he smoked his cigarette. He truly had no care in the world, and that just added to the young girl’s disgust. How could he be so nonchalant about this? Were his staff and actors just that disposable to him? Or maybe he was starting to feel an ounce of regret and couldn’t risk showing that vulnerability. Dakota liked to think it was the second option, but the logical side of her knew what was going on in his twisted brain.

Chris lowred his cigarette and puffed out smoke, all of which hit the brunette square in the face, making her start hacking as she fanned the air as the smoke stung her eyes and lungs.

“Ugh, yet another reason why I shouldn’t start smoking." She prayed that the repulsive stench wouldn’t linger on her clothes. A brown-skinned girl with purple hair in a braid handed her some water, which she gladly drank. Once her coughing fit ended, she gave Chis the best death glare she could muster.

“Watch where you’re blowing that stuff. Are you trying to kill me too?" She spat, a small part of her wanting to throw the TV host overboard.

“Hey, I gave you a warning, but you were so lost in my beauty, I guess you didn’t hear me.” He remarked teasingly. Even in her observation, she didn’t see his lips moving once he hadn’t said anything to her, and he knew she knew that. Barely anything gets past her.

“Pfft as if.” She scuffed, crossing her arms and leaning back on the railing. “I’m just seeing if you regret leaving twenty-one teenagers on a deserted island while you left to save your own hide.”

Chris’s features softened for once, letting his ego deflate as he gave his assistant an affectionate pat on the head. She had the urge to push it away, but moments like this were rare and far between, so she let it slide. (Just this once.)

“Look, as much as I hate admitting my wrongdoings, you have a point.” He sighed, taking another drag from his cigarette, this time blowing in the direction of the wind (and out of her face). “I shouldn’t have left those kids on the island with a crazy killer.” He spoke, “It’s just seeing Ezekiel’s head and severed body parts I panicked. I didn’t know what to do; what was I supposed to do?”

“Uh, bring them with you!” She snapped, banging her fist on the metal railing, startling their other two helpers, who were playing Go Fish using a barrel as a makeshift table. "Call the authorities and let them handle the rest! But no, you had to selfishly leave, giving those kids no way out, all of which could be dead thanks to you. How do we tell their parents?! They’ll sue you from here to Timbuktu; your reputation will be ruined, and you have yourself to blame for this, McLean!" She yelled, giving him another hateful glare.

Chris had to hand it to her; just like Hearther, her looks could kill, and it left him regretting waiting this long to rescue them.

A Hispanic teenager with short brown hair watched the scene unfold. He thanked his lucky stars that he wasn’t chosen for the show. As Chris and Dakota argued back and forth on the morality of their situation, he eyed the purple-haired girl and motioned for her to invite Dakota to play with them.

She nodded in understanding, not wanting this short-term alliance to be the end of them before their search even began. “Hey Dakota!” She spoke, waving to her, “Why don’t you play with us? We need a third player to even the playing ground.”

Dakota thought for a moment, giving a small glance at Chris, wondering if he had any final words on their conversation, but figured it’d be better to just end it now.

"Fine, deal me in.” She agreed, not giving the former host a second glance as she joined the two acquaintances, her expression still stormy, which showed since she didn’t bother to make small talk; the only time she spoke was to ask for a card. Chris would never admit it out loud, but he hated seeing her like this; Dakota’s dad was an old friend of his. Back before Chris was a big-time movie star, he got his start as a radio host. Dakota’s father worked in audiovisual and kept the sound in check and made sure the equipment stayed in perfect condition. It wasn’t long before Chris had himself a small fan base and was asked to audition for a variety of different roles. (His voice and charisma made him very likeable.) It wasn’t until years later that he reconnected with his old friend and offered him a job in the studio; he had a pet project he was secretly working on and wanted the best AV man on board. Plus, hearing he had a wife and daughter was intriguing; he guessed it wouldn’t be bad to have one of them on board too.

It wasn’t long before he met Dakota and took a minor liking to her; she was sweet, patient, and didn’t talk too much, which Chris minded at first, expecting to be bombarded with questions and the story of his life. Only to have that come crashing down when she stated she had never heard of him. Those words felt like a punch to the gut, and he took it personally. If it wasn’t for his busy schedule and reputation, he’d take her to the screening room and show her his filmography. But he had work to do, and being full of yourself doesn’t make for a good first impression, so he let the remark slide, reasoned his work in America wasn’t as popular as it was in his home country, and gave the family the tour, making a mental note to get Dakota familiar with his acting career when he had the time.

It wasn’t long before he developed a sort of uncle/niece, father/daughter relationship with her. For once, Chris’s ego didn’t get the better of him, and he enjoyed the downtime with the Natalie family; he even gave Dakota an internship, which she seemed to enjoy for the most part. He was on top of the world, and nothing was going to stop him. He was going to achieve his life goal of creating and hosting his own reality TV show, and for the moment, it seemed it would come true. Then he had to go and screw it up; in hindsight, he should have prioritized the players safety over ratings and drama. They only gave a brief overview of the filming location and didn’t even explore the whole island, but in his defense, no one pointed out strange happenings, human-shaped shadows, or anything of the nature. They didn’t know a psycho even lurked in the forest. So, naturally, they thought it was safe. Oh, how wrong they were, and now twenty-two minors could be dead, and a crazed murderer was still at large. And it was all his fault; he never should have left them and swept Ezekiel Miller’s death under the rug. He had more than enough money to pay whatever price his parents would have demanded for losing their son. Heck, he has enough money to pay all the legal fees those angry parents would’ve thrown his way.

And yet he left them anyway; his stupid pride and fear of a ruined reputation were what kept him from loading the campers onto his boat and calling authorities. And as if he didn’t feel bad enough, his favorite person can barely look at him. He showed Dakota his true colors, and now their entire relationship has fallen apart. (But little did he know he'd been showing the cracks even before then.)

McLean looked at his secret fiancée, Chef Hatchet. (It wasn’t easy being a bisexual man in this day and age; yet another act of cowardice Chris can add to his growing list.) They both looked at each other with saddened eyes. Hatchet knew how much Dakota’s distance hurt him behind his ego and selfishness. He was a human being with a heart of gold that was corrupted by his growing fame. Chef always knew his lover wasn’t the biggest fan of kids but hoped bonding with one would have Chis finally agree to adopt some with him. When he got out of the war, Chef worked as a daycare attendant and loved those little munchkins and their mischievous nature; Sure, they were a headache and gave him war flashbacks. Yet leaving them left him longing for kids of his own. He expected the longing to last a year or two before moving on, but it never did. Instead, it was replaced with a desire to raise a few with the love of his life.

Chris wasn’t a bad person by any means, but he sure as hell wasn’t a good one either. And yet that’s why Chef loved him; he too had a twisted mind and some deep, dark secrets he never wanted to get out.

If Chis was Dakota’s second father, slash uncle, Hatchet was her third, and he loved that kindhearted teen with all his heart (something he didn’t know he was capable of). Chef mouthed the words, “Give her time; she’ll come back around.” And they pretended their daughter from another mother, and father was going through a rebellious phase and returned his focus on getting them to the island before nightfall.

Chris just nodded, looking at his assistant, who barely said a word as she watched the two helpers. Who tagged along to widen their search.

“Yeah, things will return to normal eventually. All I need to do is save a few kids, show the world I’m not at fault, and everything will be right in the world again.” He thought he was pretty sure of himself. Though no amount of lying could prevent the elephant in the room, assuming the killer claimed more victims, that amount of trauma and worry is enough to fluff up anyone’s mind. Even if therapy is provided, who’s to say the trauma will become too much and someone could turn to unhealthy coping methods or commit suicide? Heck, for all Chris knew, they lost all hope and already did, making this rescue null and void.

“Face it, McLean.” A part of his brain spoke, “Nothing will ever be the same, and you know it. This act of cowardice will forever haunt you and the campers. So, stop playing hero, kiss your career and Dakota goodbye, and enjoy your last days of freedom. Because prison is the only place you’ll be going.”

And for once, Chris listened to the little voice in his head and kept his head down, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in his heart and feeling of dread as Camp Wawanakwa slowly filled the horizon.

[monarch-maelstrom]

The owl house AU short story - #4 truth or punishment

“I have a great idea!” Star said, clapping.

“Is it a safe idea?” Willow asked.

“Mildly.”

“If it will amp up this sleepover then I’m in!” Luz said excitedly. Tonight was another perfect moon for a moonlight conjuring. So Luz managed to convince Eda to let her have a sleepover at the owl house. And this time it was an even bigger sleepover. With Willow and Gus as usual. But also Marinette, Star, Marcy, Anne and Amity. Luz wanted to invite Adrien. But he said he wasn’t allowed to.

“It isn’t a horror movie right?” Marinette asked, hiding a little.

“No no it’s called Truth or Punishment. It’s a game my friend in Mewni showed me so I bought it.” Star said, bringing a little box out of her bag. Everyone crowded around it. Star pushed a little button and the lights dimmed. The cube projecting only blue light.

“Deceit and fable, lies and fiction,” The cube started. Marinette shifted uncomfortably. “Even with complete conviction, if truth is absent from these events all will face the punishment.”

“Ooo! Seems fun!” Luz said excitedly jumping.

“I don’t know Luz, this seems a little… fishy.” Amity said.

“It’s fine though, right Star?” Gus said confidently.

“Last I remember the punishment was tickling.” Star said bubbly.

“See not that bad!” Luz said pressing the button for it to go on. Amity exchanged a look with Marinette and Willow though. Luz trusted Star and she trusted it wouldn’t be that bad. I mean sure they do things differently on the foot or also known as Mewni. But it’ll still be fun. The cube opened up to reveal an animal with its mouth open.

“Pledge an oath of truth! Pinky swear to me…” The cube said. Gus looked at the cube amazed. Marinette backed up a little and Amity crossed her arms unsure.

“Oh oh! This will be like truth or dare won’t it?” Luz said excitedly. She put her finger into the animal's mouth. “I promise to tell the truth.”

“I don’t know what that is but probably.” Star said doing the same thing as Luz. Everyone did the same thing and when everyone took their turn the cube closed.

“It’s time for truth or punishment.” The cube said ominously. A spinner opened on the cube and it started to flip. Marinette fidgeted with her hands and Amity glared at the cube. Gus bounced excitedly and Willow looked unsure. Marcy was captivated with her game and Anne was trying to get her to finish quickly. “What is… your favorite color?” Everyone let out a sigh of relief. That was easy.

“I’ll go first!” Star said, bouncing. “Yellow. Wait no. Pink. Wait blue. No… I like them all!”

“I guess it’s pretty obvious. Purple.” Amity said.

“I like blue!” Luz said happily.

“Pink.” Marinette said shyly.

“I also like blue.” Anne said taking Marcy’s console. Marcy grumbled but paid attention to the other game. Luz high fived Anne laughing.

“I like neon green like my hair.” Marcy answered.

“Green like plants!” Willow said.

“Teal like illusions. Also teal is just pretty.” Gus said.

“Everyone answered honestly! Onto the next level!” The cube said. It started to rise up and glow brighter.

“Uh Star what is it doing?” Anne asked, concerned. Marinette shuffled backwards and Willow put her arm around her in a comforting way.

“It’s the second level!” Star said, clapping. The cube summoned an even bigger cube around the players. Capturing them in the game. Everyone gasped, scared.

“Is it safe?” Willow asked, concerned.

“Should be!” Star said.

“What’s your… biggest fear?!” The cube asked.

“Oh pfft easy! Nothing!” Star said with a hand wave.

“My mom not liking the boiling isles.” Luz said, putting her head on her knees. Amity held her hand. And she smiled.

“Luz breaking up with me.” Amity said sheepishly. Luz kissed Amity on the cheek.

“Adrien dieing…” Marinette mumbled.

“That’s a little random?” Gus said. Willow shot him a glare.

“No it’s not, it's understandable to be worried about your loved ones.” Anne said, smiling. “I’m scared they’ll never release Love Choice 2! I mean what’s more odd than that!” Anne said laughing.

“I’m anxious that my friends won’t like me anymore and won’t be my friends.” Marcy said. Anne smiled and Marcy smiled back.

“Okay Mari don’t get offended but I’m scared of

ladybugs.” Willow said laughing. Marinette pretended to make some offended noises.

“I’m scared of jack in the boxes.” Gus said, shivering.

“SOMEONE IS LYING!” The cube exclaimed. Everyone gasped scared as the cube lit up red. Suddenly the cube projected things in front of everyone. A projection of Luz’s mom appeared in front of her. She looked at everyone aghast and started telling Luz to never come back to the boiling isles. In front of Amity a projection of Luz saying something then walking away appeared. And so on and so on everyone’s fears were projected. Luz looked around as the room plunged into chaos. Marinette screamed as she watched Adrien fall to the ground suddenly. Gus ran behind Willow as a ladybug and jack in the box appeared and started creeping towards them. Amity looked at Luz frightened.

“Okay whoever lied please just be honest!” Amity exclaimed.

“I-I’m actually kind of terrified of the owl demon thing on your door Luz!” Star said nervously. The projections burst into sparkles.

“Star’s worst fear is a tube with an owl face!” The cube exclaimed. Luz let out a sigh.

“It’s okay Star, honestly I think everyone’s a little scared of Hooty.” Willow said laughing.

“I-I think the g-game should be o-over now.” Marinette said clutching to Willow. Luz felt really bad for Marinette. Out of all of the people in the room her fear was the worst.

“I agree let’s end this game before we’re traumatized even more.” Amity said walking towards the exit. Everyone tried following but the door extended and pushed them back down to the ground.

“The game is not over yet!” The cube exclaimed. “One more level to go!”

“Star…” Gus said.

“Okay okay I guess I didn’t know that it wouldn’t allow us to exit the game. But it’s just one more level! What’s the harm?” Star said with a shrug. Everyone groaned.

“Fine let’s get this over with.” Anne said, annoyed.

“Who is… your crush?” The cube asked slyly.

“O-oh.” Marinette squeaked.

“Oh come on, we're all friends here! We can trust each other. I'll go first. Marco Diaz.” Star said with a wave of her hand.

“Well obviously Amity.” Luz said laughing.

“Huh? No way! I like you too, Luz!” Amity teased. Everyone laughed really hard. “What about you Mari?”

“Oh uh I don’t like anyone at the moment.” Marinette mumbled her face, flushing a little.

“Oh me neither I don’t really like anyone right now.” Anne said bubbly.

“I uh I-I like uhm I like…” Marcy said she mumbled something else but no one heard her.

“What was that?” The cube pressed. Marcy’s face turned red.

“I-I like…” Marcy took a deep breath. “I like you Anne!” She said nervously.

“Me?” Anne asked.

“Uh uh well moving on! Gus?”

“Ah uh I’m not interested in anyone either.” Gus said, a little concerned.

“I think Hunter is a little cute but I’m not majorly interested in anyone.” Willow said casually.

“Hunter?!” Amity said astounded.

Luz was almost as surprised as Amity. “I mean he’s not the worst but it’s not like he’s the-“

“SOMEONES LYING!” The cube exclaimed suddenly. Cutting off Luz. Suddenly the room started getting smaller and smaller.

“Okay before this gets really bad someone be honest!” Gus said.

“Well we both know Amity and Luz aren’t lying and Marcy wouldn’t jokingly confess like that.” Anne said, her face a little red.

“So then who’s-“ Luz started but then realization hit Luz. “Mari? You’re not lying are you?”

“Wha what? No why why would I be lying?” Marinette said laughing nervously. Everyone shot her a glance.

“Mari please!” Star said. The room was very very small now and everyone was crouched together in the small box.

“F-fine yes I do have a crush!”

“Mari, that's not enough! The question was who is your crush!” Marcy said, her face really really red. Marinette whimpered.

“I-I’m in love with Adrien!” Marinette screamed.

“Correct! Marinette has an attraction to catboys!” The cube said. Marinette laughed dryly then fell to the ground.

“Excuse me while I sleep forever…” Marinette said muffled. The giant cube around them disintegrated and the cube fell to the ground. Everyone was really winded. So there was an awkward and uncomfortable silence.

“So uh about that moonlight conjuring?” Anne finally managed to get out.

[inkytsuki]

I played new Vegas for a few hours with the tritanopia color correction on (cause tritanomoly is big afterthought) and I don't have a headache????????? Like did I see the color yellow?? No!!! But girl....everything was so soft and not harsh on my eyes. I COULD SEE SHIT IN THE DARK AREAS WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT ON A RESHADE PRESET. There are so many colors of blue I've never seen???????? And SO MANY COOL TONED GREENS!!!!!! like I'm actually crying a Lil bit rn about this.

Tomorrow???? I'm gonna look at blue greens which I can only see one color of in varying values.

[attempted--eloquence]

So I was going through my drafts. and like, back in February when I was thinking about Valentine’s day fic ideas, I ended up drafting this silly matchmaking fic (based on the 36 questions for love) but I decided to abandon it bc it’s silly and I’m too lazy to flesh it out any further than this. But I dunno it’s maybe cute-ish. So I figured I’d post it here. So yeah!

anyway below the cut is Liam and Theo meeting at a matchmaking event<3

Liam Dunbar - ♥ - Theo Raeken

It’s a Match!

——————————

Name - Dunbar, Liam

Age - 25

“Question one,” Mason reads, settling beside Liam on the couch. “What is your idea of a good night out?”

“Uh, I guess…dinner? A movie?” he shrugs. “Wait, no, don’t put that. That’s probably what everyone is gonna say. When’s the last time I even went to a fucking movie theater? Umm, let me think.”

“Liam, dude.”

“No, hold on! Just—just gimme a sec,” he says.

“How about I just put ‘dinner and a movie’ as a provisional answer and we can move on—”

“Got it,” Liam blurts. “Mini golf.”

“Mini golf?”

Liam nods. “Mini golf.”

“Okay. Mini golf,” Mason sighs, typing in his answer.

“Wait! Maybe one of those barcade places, actually?”

“Only ten questions, and yet I’ve got a feeling we’re gonna be here all night,” Mason sighs.

——————————

Name - Raeken, Theo

Age - 27

Tracy stretches out on the futon, draping her legs across Theo’s lap. She says, “Alright, c’mon. What’s your idea of a good night out?”

“That night you, me, Don, and Josh broke in and hotboxed the projection booth during the horror movie fest is hard to beat,” he grins.

“Mm, try again. Something that won’t prompt the matchmaking company to report you to the local police department?”

“Like they’d be able to find anything on me,” Theo scoffs. “My record’s been expunged.”

“Fine. Good nights out that don’t involve criminal activity?”

He hums, offering a lazy shrug. “Don’t remember most of ‘em.”

“Theo.”

“Kidding,” he sighs. “You know, I hear bingo nights at the senior center get pretty rowdy.”

“I really hate you,” Tracy says beneath her breath.

“Heard it before.”

——————————

“What color best represents your personality?”

Liam glances down at his sweatshirt.

“Blue.”

“Okay,” Mason nods.

“That’s kind of basic isn’t it?” Liam frowns. “I mean, blue? Everyone’s gonna say blue. What color did you say on yours?”

Mason raises a brow, says, “Green.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m comforting and have a mellow energy, I don’t know, dude, I just said green!” Mason answers, waving a dismissive hand.

“Personally, I think you’re more of a teal.”

“Okay, last I checked, you were only signing up for this event with me because I’m too chicken to go alone. Now, you’re putting more effort into your answers than I did.”

“...Let’s go with blue,” Liam relents.

——————————

“I’d say…something between green and black. Like the solid part of birdshit,” Theo answers. “Familiar, but distinctly unpleasant.”

“At least you’re self-aware,” Tracy mutters. “I’m putting red. Confident, warm, and inviting.”

——————————

“I’m easy-going, but also, uh, motivated. And…confident. Yeah. Confident. But not arrogant. Definitely not that. But I have a sensitive side, right? I totally have a sensitive side. Oh, and Hayden used to say I was very thoughtful, so maybe that. And charismatic.”

“Liam—”

“And genuine.”

“That was like ten times the amount of words you were supposed to give,” Mason sighs.  

“Okay, look, just put down…” Liam trails off. He glances around his apartment, like his home decor will give him the answers. “Adventurous, kind-hearted, and intelligent.”

——————————

Tracy scrolls to the next question. Says, “Describe yourself in three words.”

“Down. To. Fuck.”

——————————

“What traits do you like and dislike most in a potential partner?”

“My dislikes?” Liam says. He draws his lip between his teeth, thinking. “Um, Impulsivity, indecisiveness—”

“Are you just describing yourself?” Mason asks.

“Very funny.”

Mason doesn’t laugh.

Liam falters. “Oh, shit. Wait. Am I?”

——————————

“What traits do you like and dislike most in a potential partner?”

He grins. Answers, “I like hefty bank accounts and dislike rigid morality.”

“Fucking hell, Theo, you have to take this somewhat seriously. They’re gonna match you with an absolute trainwreck and then I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Trace, I never even wanted to do the whole speed dating—”

“It’s a blind date event,” she corrects. “Not speed dating.”

“Blind date thing. It’s a combination of my two least favorite things, mandatory small talk and insincere pleasantries with strangers. You’re kinda forcing my hand here,” he grumbles.

“Donovan didn’t complain a single time when he took the personality questionnaire,” Tracy says.  

“Donovan is a serial dater. He’d probably sign up for this even if it wasn't a promotional event for your restaurant.”

She adds, “And Josh helped me put flyers downtown advertising Singles in the City for hours last weekend.”

He narrows his eyes. “Are you implying I’m an unsupportive friend?”

“I’m implying that I’m thinking of demoting you to ‘acquaintance’ status.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, I would.”

Theo shoots her a dry look.

“I know it’s silly to you, but it means a lot, okay?” Tracy stresses. “Hopefully, people will come and meet their soulmates and then fall in love, and get married, and have babies, and they’ll tell their kids the story of how they met at some cheesy matchmaking event at Chimera, and they’ll return on their anniversary and ask to sit at the table they first met at, and—”

“This is a soft opening for your restaurant. Not a rom-com.”

“I know, I know. I’m a mess,” she groans. “If all else fails, it’s an easy way to establish a customer base and gauge how the appetizer selection will go over with guests. If…anyone actually shows up.”  

Theo softens. He relents, “Okay, whatever. I’ll take it seriously. Promise.”

“Good, ‘cause I’ll be too busy overseeing the front and back of house to get in on the love connection action. I’ll have to live vicariously through you,” Tracy sighs. “Last one. Do you have a gender-specific preference?”

“Eh, surprise me. But, if they match me with a chick maybe I’ll send her your way.”

“Now that’s worthy of you being promoted to Best-Friend-For-Life status.”

“Only if the date sucks though.”

“Wow. How generous of you.”

——————————

“And last pre-survey question…” Mason mumbles. His composure has melted. He’s a lump on the couch, looks more ready to nap than anything else. “Do you have a gender-specific preference?”

Liam shrugs.

“Nope.”

Mason sits up, bewildered. “That’s the only question that hasn’t taken you five minutes to answer. I’m kinda proud.”

“Well, in that case, you think we can reinvest the remaining four minutes to look over my other answers?”

“Oops, my finger slipped,” he presses enter and shuts the laptop. “Looks like your answers have been submitted.”

——————————

“You gotta last name to go with that first?”

Liam startles, only slightly. A guy—his date?—settles into the chair across from him. His nametag says Theo. His face says he’s uninterested.

“Dunbar.”

“Dumb-bar?”

Liam scowls, “No, it’s—”

“Raeken,” he says.

“What? I said Dunbar.”

“My name. Theo Raeken.”

“Oh. Oh,” Liam nods, shifting in his seat. It’s quiet. He hates the quiet. He wonders if his questionnaire answers should’ve been tweaked so that he could’ve been paired with someone that would show more interest in him than in the trays of food being carried around by waiters.

“Look, this is gonna suck, probably,” Liam says. “I mean it’s always weird having to do icebreaker questions and shit with people you don’t know, but uh. Let’s at least give it a shot. Full-fledged honesty’s the best way to go about it, right?”

Theo pulls his lips into a smirk. “And what if I told you I’m a pathological liar.”

“I’d say we’re off to a great start,” Liam mutters.

Theo leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. He runs a finger along the stem of his champagne glass.

“Full-fledged honesty? This is my friend’s place, and I only agreed to participate to offer moral support in exchange for free drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Not love. Sorry to disappoint.”

Over half an hour spent filling out that stupid questionnaire and Liam gets someone that bluffed for a complimentary dinner. Just his fucking luck.

“But…you’re single?”

Theo nods.

“Yes.”

Liam quirks a brow. He asks, “And you’re not lying about that?”

“Nope.”

Liam shrugs.

“Alright. I can work with that,” he slides the sheet across the table. “Ask me something.”

Theo lets out a bemused snort. He loses the disinterested expression, though, so Liam will consider that a win.

“Okay. Question one: Out of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest?”

Liam mulls the question over for a few seconds. Says, “Maybe Plato.”

“Anyone in the world and you choose an old dead dude whose greatest ideas are already documented and who speaks a different language.”

He scoffs, “Who says I don’t know Ancient Greek?”

Theo shoots him a dubious look.

“Alright, so, maybe I don’t. But in the fantasy world where anyone can be my dinner guest, let’s assume I’m fluent in every language. And I’m not gonna pass up the opportunity to chat with an ancient Greek philosopher,” Liam answers. “I’d mostly just hope to soak up some enlightenment through osmosis. Plus he’d probably be running his mouth enough that I wouldn’t have to bother with entertaining him much.”

Theo takes a sip from his champagne glass.

“Running his mouth, huh. Sounds familiar.”

Liam sends a glare his direction, but it’s weak. He says, “Alright, smartass, who would you choose then?”

“Pet names already? I’m flattered,” he drawls. “My sister, probably.”

“Out of everyone. In the entire history of the world.”

“Yep.”

Theo doesn’t elaborate, just slides the question card over back over to Liam. He plucks a bacon-wrapped scallop off the appetizer tray carried around by one of the waiters, pops it into his mouth and raises an expectant brow.

Liam gulps.

“Question two…”

——————————

“Do I have a secret hunch about how I’ll die?” Liam groans. “Geez way to kill the mood. I’m still trying to work through the crushing mortality of reaching my mid-20s and this certainly doesn’t help with—”

“I think I’ll go out in a horrible freak accident somewhere random. Like a hardware store. Accidental beheading in Home Depot aisle 12,” Theo interrupts.

His insane answers are almost charming. Theo doesn’t take himself seriously and that makes it halfway-easier for Liam to let his guard down, too.

“Well. Personally, I was thinking something more along the lines of…uh, old age,” Liam shrugs. “My grandpa’s still kicking at the ripe age of 98.”

“Damn. Hope you didn’t just jinx him.”

“Dude.”

Theo raps his fist against the table, lips twitching into a grin.

“Knock on wood.”

——————————

“Am I boring you, Dunbar? Guess my idea of a ‘perfect day’ is too routine for you, yeah?”

“No. Sorry, not at all. Just,” Liam’s eyes drift across the restaurant, “that’s my friend and his blind date. I’m wondering how it’s going.”

Theo cranes his neck. Asks, “Which one?”

“The guy in the denim jacket at the table over there.”

Mason laughs too hard at something his blind date says, spills his glass of water on the neckline of his shirt in the process. Smooth. He’s totally gonna rant to Liam about that later. But his embarrassment will probably be overshadowed by the way he’ll swoon over how blind date guy uses his own napkin to dab at the wet splotch on his collar.

After a moment of unceremonious staring, Theo glances at Liam and says, “They’re beating us.”

“What?”

“Look at them,” he jerks his chin in the direction of their table. “They’re totally leaving here together. Hope he wasn’t your ride.”

Liam frowns. “Well. He actually was—”

“So, c’mon. You gonna let them outdo us or are you gonna win yourself a ride home tonight?”

Well. Liam’s never been one to turn down a challenge.

——————————

“Next one,” Theo says, face scrunched up in preemptive distaste. “Take four minutes to tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.”

Liam grimaces. “Think we can go back to the stupid fantasy questions?”

“C’mon, let’s hear it,” Theo sighs. “I’m timing you, motormouth.”

“I don’t like that pet name.”

“Didn’t ask.”

Liam levels a halfhearted glare at him. Says, “Fine, I’ll start, but you have to promise not to interrupt with a snide remark.”

Theo frowns, all mock-hurt. “That doesn’t even sound like me, but, whatever. Go ahead.”

It’s rushed, Liam’s summary of his life. Dad. Mom. Wedlock-baby him. Glosses over a volatile home life and shared custody and years of anger issues and psych appointments and school re-assignments. Finding a home in lacrosse, his college scholarship, his current assistant-coaching side gig when he’s not working as a curator. Fills in the a picture of his life with a broad brush that he hopes doesn’t make sirens blare in Theo’s head. The timer doesn’t go off. He’s not sure that Theo ever set it.

“So, yeah. That’s…me. I guess,” Liam sighs. At Theo’s patient silence, he adds, “I mean, whose idea was this? Yeah, reveal all your personal baggage to a complete stranger. Boom, instant love connection.”

Theo snorts, “Hey, I don’t know about you, but the subject of court-mandated therapy really gets me going.”

“Alright, your turn,” Liam says, grateful to step out of the spotlight. “Give me some of that full-fledged honesty.”

Theo’s casual about growing up. Only slightly vague. Keeps his voice even in a way that suggests he’s had to do a lot of reckoning with past. Talks about his parents, how them not being around much put him through situations he wishes he didn’t have to experience. But when he mentions his sister, her death, his words go heavy with self-directed blame.

Liam doesn’t time him. At all. Partly because he’d forgotten about the time constraint and partly because telling Theo to stop is the last thing he wants to do. Plus, it’d be a real asshole move. Making someone shut up the moment they decide to open themselves up.

“Anyway, yeah. Self-destructed my way through high school. Cut ties with my parents and got my shit together enough to go to college. I’ve been pursuing social work ever since,” he says, idly smoothing out creases in the tablecloth. “How much time is left?”

“Uh. Well. That would assume I even started the clock in the first place.”

There’s a lull. Quiet but far from uncomfortable. Liam’s cheeks heat up. He’ll blame it on the…lighting. The flame of the tealights in the center of their table. Definitely that.

Theo says, “So. Associate curator.”

“Yep. I spend long nights staring at old, dusty artifacts,” he nods. “Social worker, huh.”

“Mhm. My bank account is full of cobwebs and dust, so we have that in common,” Theo quips. “But, it’s important work to me.”

“Yeah,” Liam murmurs. 

Theo nods. “Yeah.”

——————————

What is your most terrible memory?

Theo’s expression flattens. He says, “Not to impede this highly-scientific matchmaking process, but I’ve found that alcohol and reflecting on bad memories don’t mix. If you don’t mind, I’ll pass.”

Liam exhales, lips tugging upward into a shaky grin.

“You have no clue how badly I was hoping you’d say that.”

He picks up the card, taps it once against the table.

“Alright, next question. What does friendship mean to you?”

“My friends are my family,” Theo says.

“I can tell,” Liam snorts. “You wouldn’t be suffering through a matchmaking event otherwise.”

Theo’s forehead creases. “You think I’m suffering?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

Theo gestures to a table across the dining area, where a man and woman sit stiffly across from each other donning match expression of discomfort.

He says, “I think they’re having a much worse time than us.”

——————————

Stare into your partner’s eyes for four minutes.

Liam blurts, “Would this be a bad time to—”

“Shut up, you’re supposed to be staring dreamily into my eyes right now.”

Liam rolls his eyes and stops the clock.

“How long did we make it?” Theo asks.

“Thirty-nine seconds.”

“God, I take it back. That thirty-nine seconds is my most terrible memory,” he huffs out. “You were saying?”

“I—uh. Sorry, this is embarrassing,” Liam mumbles. He draws his lower lip between his teeth. Admits, “I forgot your name like, twenty-five questions ago. Although I could probably rattle off your entire backstory now. But, what was it again?”

Half-restrained amusement flits through Theo’s eyes. He pulled his name tag off and balled it up inside his napkin shortly after introductions. Liam blames that noncompliance for his forgetfulness.

“I only agreed to 36 questions, Liam.”

“We skipped one,” he points out. “So technically you owe me one more answer.”

“It’s Theo.”

“Theo,” Liam echoes, lips curling upward. “Alright, it’s only fair that you ask me something now.”

Theo leans forward, eyes trailing across Liam’s face.

He asks, “Can I have your number?”

[howlingwolfqueen]

I am a lady of my word 😌

Y'all know the rules, WARNING: 18+! MINORS DO NOT INTERACT! SMUTTT

Tags: dom reader, sub batboys, dirty talking, pegging, spanking, degradation, humiliation, ya know kinky shit etc. 😎

Gender Neutral?: it's leaning towards femdom but it can also be gender neutral regardless.

Bruce: Rope

"Did I say you can cum?"

Shivers rack down his spine. He breathes heavily through his nose as you press your heel down harshly against his thigh. Looping a finger around the rope, you pulled it back and let go, watching with sadistic pleasure as it slapped against Bruce’s skin. He groans from behind the gag, wiggling his hips a bit. 

“Man, you really are a slut.” You snickered at the glare he gave you. Cupping his pec in your hand, giving it a few squeezes before pinching his pink nipple and tugging it. His breath hitched in his throat,

“Ooo, so the big bad bat likes to have his tits played with, how interesting. This night just keeps getting better.”

Dick: Leash

"Pleassseee," Dick whines as he shoves his head into your lap, snuggling his face into your thigh. He peers up with shining blues, his redden lips pulled into a quivering pout. You gently push his face off your lap causing him to whine louder.

"Enough."

Dick bites his lower lip, tears of frustration gather on his lashes.

"Aww, my pretty bird," you cooed, cupping his chin in your hand and place a soft kiss upon his cheek. Slowly traveling your way to his lips before teasingly pulling away to not let him have what he wants. Dick tries to follow after you until the brief reminder of the leash on him causes him to whimper.

"Ah, ah, ahh, pretty bird. You know the rules."

Jason: Position

"Ahhh, fuck!" Jason throws his head back against the pillow, his brows scrunches up, his mouth rounding in a perfect 'o'. His breaths coming out into puffy pants, hands clenching into the sheets beneath him.

Bleary teal eyes looked up before shutting, trying to force himself not to cum right there. The image burned behind his lids, the sight of you holding his ankles up in the air and apart. The feeling of your thighs plopping against the back of his, seated on him like it's your royal chair.

"Hmm, I guess you like this position very much." You giggled as rolled your hips around, erupting another loud groan from Jason.

"Mmm, I love this cock, it's driving me insane." You sigh happily as Jason dick presses against your sweet spot.

Tim: Spanking

"Five!" Tim whimpers, his back arching a bit as your hand rubbed over the reddening cheek. He wiggled his hips before another lash hits the back of his thigh causing him to release a loud moan.

"Don't move or else I will make you restart the counting."

Your hand rubbed against the lash, occasionally slipping your hand underneath the lace stocking. You slightly squeezed your thighs together, careful to not add way too much pressure on his cock.

"Color?" You hummed.

"Green," Tim exhaled.

Duke: Worship

Duke body encased in shivers as you pressed soft butterfly like kisses across his neck. Your hands gently rubbed across his chest, occasionally sliding down teasingly before coming back up.

"You've been overworked too much, Duke. Doing all of this for everyone, I think you deserve an award for it."

"R-Really?" He gasped as you bit down on a sensitive spot of his neck. You hummed causing another shiver to run down his spine. Your eyes peered up at him,

"Are you okay with me taking the reigns tonight?" You whispered.

Duke closed his eyes and leans back with you following, "yes."

BONUS! Also Terry is 20 for this.

Terry: Pegging

Terry grips the pillow, burying his face to hide the groan as you hit his prostate. You rubbed his back in concern, thinking he was not having a great time.

"Do you want to stop?"

Terry popped his head back up from the pillow, looking over his shoulder with wide eyes. His cheeks were flushed, eyes blacken with lust.

"N-No! Keep going!"

"Terry, be honest with me," you raised a brow at how quick he answered. Terry gulped before slowly rocking back against the fake cock, keening through his lips as it pressed against his sweet spot again.

"Ooh, so I found the prostate, huh?" You snickered at the blissed look etched onto Terry face. His face looked drunk on the feeling, his tongue lolled around in his mouth as he rocks again.

[books-and-catears]

Allow me to share another brainrot,, time traveler mc

After they time travelled with the help of barbatos and belphie performed creeky crack on neck, and then they came back, Tiny problem, they accidentally gained a small part of barbatos's time travel magik somehow

And god was it chaotic the first few month's - accidentally creating time lines and having to get out of them-- they keep a small journal of a diagram wherever they jump to, and usually go to solomon or, of course, barbatos for help (barbatos becomes a father figure not clickbait) Though, this helped them became a bit more creative, they also like noting down random events that happen in timelimes

So many more opportunities for mc!! Yayyyy!!!

(I have a whole appearance for them in my head oh god i am back on my time traveler shenaigans)

Also im another regular here now *pulls up a minecart and sits sideways on it* boohoo cracker

If you're a regular here, I am freaking blessed cause your ideas are too freaking amazing. *Takes a seat next to you on the sideways Minecart*

Twisting Time Pt. 3

Barbatos: Two in one day? You're speeding up this time MC.

MC: Well it wasn't hard. Instead of fighting over who is the biggest TSL fan, I pretended to be an anime enthusiast who really wanted to know about TSL instead.

Barbatos: Is this why you were stuck in his room for the last 4 days?

MC: It took us three days to finish the whole series. He spent the fourth day ranting about his opinion on how grand it is. All I had to do was listen and smile and he randomly started crying and hugged me telling me he's grateful I'm here and listening.

Barbatos: And that's when you sprung the offer of the pact on him?

MC: Yep. And Beel was even easier.

Barbatos: You cooked up a feast for him and he agreed to a pact?

MC: Well I also promised him I'd cook this again once in two months.

Barbatos: But a feast surely must be hard to make on your own.

MC: I used Mammon and Levi's help. Pacts are a wonderful thing. *Giggles*

Barbatos: You're a sly one. *Chuckles* I hope you know what you're doing after everything you'd left behind.

This time around it was okay. You could feel it. It felt wrong at times...like it wasn't fair. Like you already knew everything ahead of time, the initial excitement of the unknown and meeting for the first time gone.

The others were all unaware of the pacts you were making. The secret was between you and them. You weren't here to fix the family among each other anymore.

You were here to fix you. You still loved them of course, only a selfish kind.

But it was all for a better future. You convinced yourself to be strong, as you prepared to pact with Asmo and Satan next.

MC: Asmo! There you are!

Asmo: Ah in a rush to see me this morning, MC? How adorable!

MC: *jokes* Of course I want to see you. Who doesn't want to see beautiful things early in the morning?

Asmo: Oh flattery will get you everywhere. Come on inside, let me me show you how beautiful I can really be.

MC: Well I heard you and Solomon have a pact. Can I have one too?

Asmo: I can't just give a pact to anybody MC. You will have to earn. I wonder how you will.

MC: Would you like to do a nostalgic fashion show with all your favourite dresses?

Asmo: .... Oh MC.

Satan: What are you hiding behind your back MC?

MC: Take a guess.

*Something meows behind MC's back*

Satan: ... A cat?!

MC: Not just any cat. I enchanted her with disguise magic so that noone else can see she's a real cat. They will just see a soft toy. *hands him the kitten*

Satan: Why are you doing this?

MC: Well Asmo said I needed to earn my pacts so I'm trying to earn yours.

Satan: ...

Cat: *meows*

Satan: Consider my pact achieved. Now come let's name and feed this kitty.

____________________________________

Somewhere in a parallel timeline...

MC: Solomon! I'm so glad to find you here! I think I'm lost again.

Solomon: *sigh* Which one are you?

MC: Um the real one?

Solomon: *bigger sigh* No you're not. All of you are the real ones. But from the fact that you're not wearing a ribbon and didn't know about that means you're not MC Blue, Orange, Pink, Yellow or Green.

MC: Why are there so many versions of me??

Solomon: You've been going haywire after you came back to life. But then again even I probably can't handle Barbatos's power.

MC: And the colors?

Solomon: Every color represents the brother each version of you likes. So tell me Red or Violet? Red is Beel, Violet is Belphie.

MC: Um do you have a color? *Blushes*

Solomon: .....Why yes. *ties a white ribbon to your collar* I suppose you'd like to stay here's with me? *Smirks*

MC: *nods*

Solomon: Well then you'd better hide in my bedroom for a while. All your versions are looking for me since MC Teal took Barbatos out on a vacation.

MC: Oh. Well jeez I'm literally all over the place. *hides in his bedroom looking out*

MC Blue: *runs in crying* SOLOMON!

Solomon: Did you enter a wrong time line again?

MC Blue: I JUST SAW LUCIFER AND DIAVOLO GETTING MARRIED AND THEY ASKED ME TO BE THEIR BEST HUMAN. How could Lucifer do this to me???*crying louder*

Solomon: *trying so hard to hold back laughter* It's okay it's okay. That's not your Lucifer. Let's revisit the diagram and find your way back shall we?

*After MC Blue leaves*

MC white: Is it bad that I really wanna see that timeline they just talked about?

Solomon: I'll show you how to get there. I just hope we get to see them kiss the groom. Now let's go.

[vennilavee]

sunkissed

pairing: levi x reader (moon/stars universe) ft kaiya and rina

summary: rina peach's beachy birthday weekend!!

warnings: none at all, just a cute summer drabble

word count: 1810

Kaiya has never been very fond of the beach. She is very much like Levi in that sense- they both would prefer to either stay home or go to the park rather than allow the potential for sand to hide in the crevices of their bodies. After all, seagulls are a nuisance and it’s not like you can even see animals other than those pesky birds.

At least according to Kaiya’s speech about why she did not want to go to the beach last weekend. But it was Rina’s birthday, and unlike her older sister…. Rina loves the beach. She loves poking her feet in her sand and feeling the salty ocean water brush over her chubby legs. Her specialty is building sandcastles and she had sneakily asked if she could bury her daddy in the sand.

To which you had said maybe. And Levi had sent you a sneaky glare.

You can vividly remember the first time you brought baby Kaiya to the beach. She’d been a year old, after you and Levi had done extensive research on what sunscreen would be best for Kaiya. She looked so cute that day, in a bright orange bucket hat with blue starfish on it, a blue swimsuit and tiny orange crocs.

It took you nearly fifteen minutes to get out of the house, because you were too busy showering her with kisses and taking photos of her first beach day.

While she had been all smiles on the way to the beach, her expression had quickly turned sour when you had tried putting her feet in the water. Her lips parted ever so slightly to let out a stream of wails and her eyes leaked tears. She was trying her best to avoid her feet touching the water with all of her tiny might.

Kaiya hated the sand even more, if that was possible. She glared at the sand stuck in between her toes and Levi had only looked smugly at you. As if to say ‘I told you so’.

And he had.

But today, Rina is tugging Kaiya’s hand impatiently, wanting to splash around in the water with her big sister. Kaiya is hesitant, warily eyeing the water and looking at Levi and then Rina.

“Oh, fine,” Kaiya sighs, “Only for five minutes.”

“Yay!” Rina cheers and does a little dance before running off towards the water (with Kaiya and Levi on her heels).

You can’t help but watch Levi’s golden skin glisten in the sun as he gets farther away from you. His shoulders flex as he jogs after his girls, and you sigh happily before rubbing sunscreen on your arms.

You had rubbed sunscreen into Rina’s skin while Kaiya had insisted on doing it herself. Levi had wordlessly asked you to rub his back, which you had gladly done.

But not before squeezing his bicep indulgently, because damn, your man looks good.

You brought a book with you to read (and Kaiya had as well. She had stated firmly that she plans to read on the beach during this weekend trip.)

Your gaze travels from your book to immediately zero in on the girls and Levi from the tops of your sunglasses. Rina’s giggles are contagious and filter through the salty breeze, tucking away in your eardrum and you can pretty much hear Kaiya grumbling from all the way out here.

Setting your book aside, you decide to join your family in the water. You adjust your baby blue swimsuit, making sure all of your bits are covered, and make your way over. Your jumbo sized umbrella, beach towels and cooler are close enough that you can keep an eye on it from the water.

“Mama! You come,” Rina beams, reaching for you from Levi’s arms.

“I did, peach,” you reply, scooping her up. She’s getting so big, she’s already four. Rina is no longer the small baby who used to waddle around the house clumsily, she’s now old enough to run through the water and splash her older sister.

Levi pecks your lips in greeting while Kaiya dramatically gags.

“On Rina’s birthday weekend? Ugh, gross,” Kaiya rolls her eyes. Levi splashes her playfully with his foot and Kaiya gasps.

“Wow, watch out, daddy.”

“Ya, daddy, watch out! Watch out!”

“Oh, alright. I surrender,” Levi says, holding his hands up.

“It’s nice out here, isn’t it?” you murmur, nudging Kaiya’s shoulder. She tries to scowl, but she can’t hide her smile from you.

“Yeah, it’s nice. I guess.”

“Oh, you guess? How lucky for us,” Levi teases, ruffling her head of dark hair.

“Daddy! I did my hair and you’re making it messy!” Kaiya pouts, messing her hair up again.

“It not messy!” Rina protests, “It nice!”

Kaiya gives her a toothy smile in response, to which Rina mimics.

“Mama, can we have some drinks? You brought those peach ones, right?” Kaiya asks with hopeful eyes.

“Of course I did. You think I’d forget?”

You and Levi had taken extra measures to hide the cake that you both had baked for Rina’s birthday in the mini-fridge of the cottage that you were staying in for the weekend. In fact, it was Kuchel’s little cottage by the sea- Levi came here as a teenager and a young adult. And you can remember the first time he brought you here, too.

Kuchel will be arriving tomorrow to join the celebration, but tonight it was just your little family.

“Kiki,” you whisper from the corner of the kitchen, “Kaiya. Kaiya!”

“Yes, mama?” she whispers back.

“Will you please get Rina and your daddy and bring them outside to the deck? The cake is ready,” you reply and Kaiya nods, running off to find her sister and her dad.

The small deck has been decorated with shell themed balloons and streamers of gold and green (Rina’s current favorite colors) in the last two hours, while she was napping and while Levi had kept her entertained before that. You can hear her peals of laughter approaching closer and closer and you make sure to have your phone ready when she sees the setup you and Levi created for her-

And she gasps with wide eyes before squealing happily and running around the table decorated with teal lace to stare at the carefully curated mermaid themed cake that took hours for you to finish up.

“Mermaid! For my birfday, mommy?” Rina gasps, bouncing on the heels of her feet.

“Happy birthday, Peachy,” you beam at her and kneel for her to run into your arms for a big hug.

“Thank, mama,” Rina says, “Daddy, Kaiya! Wook cake! Come hug!”

She’s always been very affectionate. Levi says she gets it from you.

“Happy birthday, Rina Peach,” Levi murmurs, kissing her hair, “I’m so happy that you’re happy and healthy.”

Rina only looks at him with your eyes.

“Happy birthday, Peachy peach,” Kaiya says, jumping with her, “We gotta sing Happy Birthday! And then you blow out your candles and make a wish!”

“Make wish! Make wish!” Rina says excitedly, her dark hair shining with the sunset. Kaiya leads the charge in Rina’s birthday songs while Rina smiles brightly at you and Levi. It brings a few tears to your eyes and Levi tugs your fingers in his subtly.

Your girls are getting so big. Levi still remembers when Rina barely fit in the palm of his hands, when she came into the world so quietly. When fear filled his heart.

Seeing Rina blowing out her candles (with some help from Kaiya) makes his heart warm. Kaiya is getting so tall- he can tell she might be taller than him someday soon. Kaiya’s eyes glisten and shine, reflecting bits of his own steel grey when she looks at him.

He’s feeling contemplative. You can tell.

Once you finish with your pictures of everyone, Levi cuts slices of cake for everyone to eat. Rina most definitely stuck her fingers into her slice of cake but now, she is seated in his lap as she tries to feed herself (but ultimately leans back against his chest for him to feed her). Kaiya sits in between you and Levi.

It’s quiet, the sound of the waves against the shore vibrating around you as the close of Rina’s birthday draws close. The summer breeze drifts into your hair and you spot goosebumps on Kaiya’s arms.

“Gonna get some blankets, my little fruits. Be right back,” you murmur, patting her leg.

“Hey! I’m not a fruit!”

By now, the moon is shining brightly in the night sky and the stars along with it, and Rina is fast asleep in Levi’s lap while Kaiya is laying across your lap with tired eyes. You’ve all moved inside the cottage once the summer chill settled in to watch a movie.

Rest assured, you’re dozing off, too.

You hear Levi call your name. You hum in response and open your eyes blearily. It appears you’ve been asleep for longer than expected, because Kaiya is no longer in your lap and Rina is not in Levi’s arms.

“I put the girls to bed,” Levi murmurs, “C’mon. Let’s get to bed.”

“You gonna carry me or what?” you joke, but before you can get your feet on the floor, he scoops you up in his arms and pecks your forehead.

“How romantic,” you murmur, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“Yeah, alright,” Levi rolls his eyes.

“Did you check the locks?”

“What do you take me for? An idiot?”

“I’m just making sure, okay-”

“Yeah, yeah,” you murmur, patting his cheek adoringly, “Hurry, I’m tired and my feet ache.”

“How lucky for me.”

“The girls had fun today,” you murmur, rubbing lazy circles over Levi’s chest, “Did you?”

Levi hums, fingers trailing up and down your arm tiredly. “I like the sea, despite what you think.”

“You don’t like the beach. You hate finding sand in your-”

“Yeah, I hate the beach, but the sea is nice.”

You chuckle, pressing your lips to his throat.

“I’m surprised Peach went to bed so quickly. But she must be tired from running around in the sun with Kaiya all day,” Levi muses.

“Probably. Your mom can run around with Rina and Kaiya tomorrow at the beach. We should do boozy brunch in the meantime.”

“Why? So you can get drunk off your ass from two mimosas while your daughters are in the ocean?”

“Okay, first of all, that was a joke. Second of all, two mimosas? You think that much of me?”

“Am I wrong?”

“I’m going to sleep,” you huff dramatically, “Give me a kiss goodnight.”

Levi gives you a little more than a kiss goodnight when he pecks your lips, licking into your wet, warm mouth until your eyes flutter shut and he presses himself on top of you to envelop you in his embrace.

tags: @simpingmaize @kentobean @captainchrisstan @alrightberries @celestidarling @regalillegal @castellandiangelo @bakuhoesworld

[hlizr50]

Gwynriel Week Day 4 - Music

I'm back, my lovelies. Appreciate the patience.

Let's talk MUSIC, because I have established (with OVERWHELMING support) that Gwyneth Berdara would absolutely LOVE Taylor Swift and would 100% convert Azriel. He would play all begrudging and 'you have questionable tastes, Berdara' but behind closed doors and when they're alone together he's all in. And T. Swift has EVERYTHING. They can be lovey, they can be playful, they can be bitter. There are SO many options.

And, of course, I wouldn't be me if writing weren't involved.

I've started the series called 'Gwynriel and Her Highness Taylor Swift' on AO3, which will follow our favorite couple in AU fics with a sprinkling of T. Swift. You can read the first one, 'You Belong with Me', here.

And now I present the next installment:

Safe and Sound

Read on AO3

TW: Brief mention of past sexual assault and violence - no details, just that it happened

Gwyn's nightmares rear their ugly heads and Azriel is there to comfort her. She tells him about what happened the night her sister died and he finally understands the shadows he sees behind her happy eyes. She's afraid it might ruin their relationship only hours after it's begun, but he's there to prove her wrong - with the help of a little T. Swift lullaby.

The night was shattered by a blood-curdling scream.

Azriel’s eyes flew open and he sat up, frantically searching in the dark. It took a few moments for the fog of sleep to burn away from his brain. He was at the cabin. For vacation. He’d come a day early to make sure everything was on the up-and-up. With Gwyn. They were a couple. Officially. The first few hours had been absolutely ordinary and wonderful.

“Stop! Please stop!”

Gwyn. Fuck, it was Gwyn!

He was out of bed and out the door in a second, sprinting down the hall. “Gwyn!” he called as he reached the closed door, but the screaming, the crying – it didn’t stop. Not giving himself time to overthink he turned the knob and pushed the door open wide. The room was bathed in the faintest glow of moonlight, allowing him to see the flailing form on the bed, tangled in sheets and begging the demons that were in her dreams.

When he reached the side of the bed his heart may have cracked open. Her forehead glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, her eyes were screwed tight, and her cheeks shimmered with tears.

“No. No, no, no,” she cried through clenched teeth, and Azriel decided he couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t know what to do, but he needed to help her, to draw her away from whatever was tormenting her. He reached through her flying arms and cupped her cheeks between his hands.

“Gwyn. Wake up!” he called to her, willing her to wake. “Gwyn, please, it’s a nightmare. You’re safe, sweetheart.” Her eyes shot open, teal pools swimming with fear and confusion. Her limbs had stopped writhing, but God he could feel her shaking.

“Azriel?” she whispered weakly.

“Yes, Gwyn. It’s me. Don’t be scared.” He let his thumbs brush over her cheeks, wiping away tears that still fell freely over her freckled cheeks. “Talk to me, sweetheart. What can I do?”

She stared at him, chest heaving with deep ragged breaths, as if contemplating what to do. Azriel could understand. This was a vulnerable moment, and even though they’d been close friends for a couple years this was new territory. He had never heard her have a nightmare, and it wrenched into his gut like a knife. The feeling of uncertainty, of not knowing how to help her, only served to prove how deeply he cared about her. Their relationship was only hours old, but that was only because he’d been a coward and not because he hadn’t wanted to be with her - hadn't been falling for her already.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She sighed and closed her eyes. “Not really. But we probably should.”

When new tears started leaking out from under her thick lashes he released her cheeks and stepped a knee onto the mattress. Scooping her up he leaned against the headboard and folded his legs in front of him, tucking the fiery crown of copper hair beneath his chin. He gave her time, content to trace fingers lightly over the thin t-shirt covering her back.

“Az, I… there’s something you should know. Something you should’ve known before you decided you wanted to be in a relationship with me.”

His brows furrowed. “You think it would change my mind?”

“I don’t know,” she answered, voice barely even a whisper. The silence stretched again. He couldn’t imagine what bombshell she thought might doom this before it even began. “How much do you know about the night my sister died?”

Azriel’s hand stilled on her back. This was not the direction he’d expected the conversation to go. But he shouldn’t be too surprised – it was indeed a nightmare-inducing event.

“Not too much. Just that she was killed in your apartment,” he answered, resuming the soothing stroke of his hands up and down her spine. “Nesta said there was more, but that it was your story to tell.”

“I guess it’s your lucky night,” she shrugged in his arms and let out a bitter wet laugh. Azriel just gave her an encouraging squeeze and leaned his cheek into her silky hair.

“Catrin was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. He was abusive, possessive, controlling. He couldn’t handle it when she broke it off with him. And he hated me. He thought that their breakup was my fault. That night he broke into the apartment with a gun and shot Catrin in the head. Killed her instantly. But… he waited there.” Gwyn took a shaky breath. “He waited in the apartment. For me.”

Azriel drew back from her, dread coiling his muscles in grim anticipation. She looked up at him, eyes dull with resignation. He had never seen her wear that expression before – it made his insides feel oily and wrong. His hand remained at her back, and he was determined to keep that calming presence there for her. Trailing his gaze down from her face, over her shoulders, and down her arms, he found her fingers fidgeting in her lap. He took his free hand and covered her delicate fingers, his palm large enough to envelop both of her speckled hands. He lifted his eyes to meet her teal pools again, lifting the corners of his mouth in a soft smile and squeezing gently with his fingers.

He was there for her. Whatever she needed he would give it.

Gwyn’s lashes lowered, breaking her hold on him. He blinked and tried to control his breathing, remaining dedicated to being fully invested in the woman in his arms. The woman who was baring her soul to him.

“He…” she gulped a breath and moved her fingers so they were grasping his hand instead of the other way around. She clung to it, grip like a vice as she mustered her courage. “He raped me. He told me I took her away from him, so he took her away from me. And that I would never, ever forget him.”

There was no air left in the room, Azriel was certain. His lungs wouldn’t work, his mouth was full of sand, his fingers tingling with vengeful need. All he could hear was Gwyn’s tearful, labored panting and echoes of the terror-filled screams that had ripped him from sleep.

“Christ, Gwyn,” he gritted out. The hand on her back lifted to cup her head and pull her to him. “I’m so sorry.” Jesus fucking Christ, no wonder she got nervous in large crowds and around people she didn’t know. No wonder she didn’t feel safe out in the world. The cruelty she had experienced, the evil she had been forced to endure – it was unimaginable. And somehow she still found the strength to smile and laugh and be a pure ray of sunshine to the people around her.

“Obviously the nightmares are one thing, but… but you should know I haven’t done anything with anyone since that night. Not until you kissed me.”

Azriel hissed a curse, grasping her shoulders and pushing her back so he could see her face. “Did I frighten you when I did that?” he asked desperately. If he’d only known, he would have approached that differently. He felt cool hands on his cheeks, breaking him from his panicked reverie.

“No, Az. Not at all.” His heart calmed, and then nearly stopped as she smiled sweetly. “I should have found it terrifying. Honestly, had it been anyone else I probably would have. But, with you it was… amazing. Like magic.”

He couldn’t contain the toothy grin that blossomed when she said that. Like magic. He had felt it, too, but he just figured the magic part was her. He slid his hands from her shoulders to cup her jaw and leaned in to brush his lips across her brow.

“So we need to talk about what makes you feel uncomfortable. So I can make sure you feel safe with me.” Azriel let a thumb slide over the freckles painting her cheek. “Thank you for trusting me with this, Gwyn. I couldn’t forgive myself if I triggered something – if I hurt you.”

Gwyn tilted her head and looked at him curiously, blue-green pools shining with something he couldn’t quite identify. “So…” she began, then trailed off and lowered her gaze. He felt her throat work under his fingers as she looked back to him. “So it doesn’t bother you?”

He regarded her carefully. “What do you mean?” Of course it bothered him. She’d been hurt, and she was still reliving that pain. He wanted to take it away, to make sure she never felt that way again. And he wanted to kill the bastard that had dared to lay a hand on her.

“That you have to be so careful with me,” she answered quietly before lowering those thick lashes and turning her chin away from him. He still had his hands on her jaw, but he let her move as she wished. “And that… that I don’t know what I’ll be able to do, in terms of intimacy. At least at this point- “

“Gwyneth Berdara.” Azriel gently turned her chin back to him. “I wouldn’t give a flying fuck if you wouldn’t do more than hold my hand. I care about you, not sex. Now, what do you like? What should I avoid?” Gwyn wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled herself back into his chest.

“I like this,” she sighed. He wrapped his arms back around her and went back to rubbing his hands over her back. “I think I’m probably okay with most things along the lines of hugs and kisses. As long as it’s not a surprise.”

He chuckled at that. “So no sneaking up and grabbing you from behind?” He pressed a kiss into her hair.

“I like that, too. The kisses.” Her voice was muffled against his chest, and she giggled when he kissed her crown again. “And absolutely no grabbing me from behind,” she confirmed.

“And for anything more, we go at your pace. Whatever you want to try, whenever you want more, you need only ask.” Silence lengthened between them, the night filled with only calm breathing and the gentle scratch of fingers over cotton.

“Do you have nightmares often? I…” Azriel paused, the heaviness of shame creeping into his chest. They were good friends, spent a lot of time together. How did he not know that this was a struggle she faced? “I don’t remember ever hearing anything before.”

“It’s not that bad anymore. But when I’m somewhere unfamiliar sometimes the anxiety triggers them,” Gwyn answered, her fingers fidgeting into the hair at his nape. “I… part of the reason I said I would come early with you was to see what would happen. And if it was a problem, I could go home without anyone being the wiser. I had already checked with Nesta to make sure you could ride back with her and Cassian.”

The softness of her voice – laced with embarrassment – cut into him. “Berdara,” he practically growled. He grasped her shoulders and pushed back so he could look her in the eye. “You were going to leave? Why?” He knew the reason. She’d said it only hours earlier. I don’t want to take away from anyone’s fun.

“Az,” she started, averting her gaze. “The prospect of waking up all of my friends in the middle of the night, screaming and begging, is legitimately mortifying.” He moved his hand to cup her cheek, even though she still wouldn’t look up at him.

“Gwyn, do you think any of us would have a problem with it? That we would judge you?” Even if they all didn’t know the depth of her trauma, she was not the only one with demons that attacked in the night. The answering murmur was almost too quiet to hear, but the words rang loud in his ears.

“I don’t want to cause a scene.”

Azriel thought over the last day. The road trip, the realizations. The determination that had filled him after he watched her dance behind the steering wheel, eyes glittering with mischief. The relief that coursed through his veins, the sunshine that had warmed his soul when she said she’d wanted him to kiss her for awhile, too. The soft smiles, her giggles, the comfort they seemed to share. All the while, beneath the surface, demons and nightmares and fear and pain. How was it that she could be so strong, so resilient? The smiles Gwyn gave to their friends, to him, were genuine and bright. Her laughter was always musical and lively, without even an echo of sorrow.

The shadows behind her eyes had come for her tonight. And she had planned to go home, with whatever weak excuse, and fight them alone.

Not fucking happening.

He cupped her other cheek and pulled her jaw up, that same determination from the previous day emboldening him. “Look at me, Gwyn.” He could feel the heat in her cheeks on his palms, and when her eyelashes lifted he was met with shallow pools darkened with uncertainty, shining with wetness. “You’re not going anywhere, okay? You’re going to stay here and enjoy your vacation because, like I said before, it’s not as much fun without you around.” He bore his gaze into her with an intensity he was unaccustomed to possessing. She sniffled in response, which only melted his heart further, and blinked a few times – clearly trying to keep tears in check as she managed a nod.

“You’re a part of this family, Gwyn. We support each other. We love each other. If anyone else were here tonight instead of me, they would have run here just as quickly as I did. And if it happens again tomorrow night, you’ll probably have the whole gaggle trying to squeeze through the door all at once.” A few stray tears fell from her eyes as a giggle escaped her. Azriel leaned in, capturing each tear between his lips and her cheeks. “You don’t have to deal with this alone. Let us be here for you. Let me.”

At that, the dam broke. Gwyn reached for him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and burying her face in his neck. He could feel the warm wetness of her tears on his skin, feel her body shake violently against him. Winding his arms around her back, he rocked them back and forth and whispered into her hair.

It’s okay.

I’m here.

You’re not alone.

He started to hum as her sobs began to quiet, still rocking with her in his embrace. He smiled softly to himself. He wouldn’t know this song if it weren’t for her. He didn’t share his voice with many people, but Gwyn had heard it many times. He broke into soft lyrics as the redhead continued to calm in his arms.

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down

You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Come morning light you and I’ll be safe and sound

“Are you…” Gwyn’s thick voice was muffled in his neck. “Are you singing me Taylor Swift?”

Azriel chuckled. “I’ll deny it to everyone we know.” Her head tilted back, and the laugh that lifted into the air was one of the loveliest things he’d ever heard. A pealing bell of joy. She brought her gaze back to him and pulled on his neck to lean his forehead against hers. “I may or may not have come to appreciate the creative works of Taylor Swift. You’ve worn me down, Berdara.” He kept his arms around her back, even as her had moved over his cheek. Her teal stare was alight with emotion, the brightness reflected in a small – but radiant – smile.

“Thank you, Az,” she whispered before pressing her lips so softly to his. When she pulled back, he mirrored her grin.

“I don’t know much about being a good boyfriend,” he offered with a shrug, “but I feel like supporting your girlfriend’s potentially dubious music tastes and comforting her after nightmares are minimum standards. Standards that I hope to far exceed.”

“Well, I know it’s been less than a day – and I don’t really have much to compare you to – but I think you’re doing great.” Gwyn tapped a finger to his nose, and his eyes crinkled. Azriel lifted his chin and brushed his lips over her brow.

“That’s good. I have a number for you to call if you have any complaints.” He shifted slightly when his girlfriend yawned. “You think you can go back to sleep?”

“I dunno,” she murmured.

“Is there anything that has helped? In the past? Helped you get back to sleep?” Azriel absentmindedly rubbed a few strands of copper hair between his fingers. Gwyn gave a wry smile, but it faded quickly. “What?”

“Nesta would cuddle with me, when we lived together. She would hold onto me… it was like she would anchor me back to reality. To safety,” her voice was wistful, eyes distant. “But I couldn’t ask you to –“

“Do you want me to stay with you, Gwyn?” He traced a thumb in circles over her back. “If you’re comfortable with that, I will. Gladly. If you think it will help.” Azriel could only imagine that his own demons might also be subdued with her by his side.

Gwyn pushed away from him gently and he helped her move out of his lap. He watched her settle back onto the mattress, laying on her side facing him and pulling the blanked up toward her. She kept it lifted and lifted her eyes to him. His mouth curled up and he shimmied easily under the blanket to settle beside her.

“You tell me, Gwyn,” he whispered. Azriel didn’t want to presume how she would want him, instead seeking her guidance.

“Ummm… maybe stay on your back?” she replied. He put his hands behind his head and leaned back into the pillow, letting her move to where she wanted to be.

Gwyn sidled over to him and tentatively leaned up to place her head on his chest, tucking her hand under her chin. She wiggled a little bit, burrowing into her position.

“Comfy?” Azriel chuckled, receiving a contented ‘hmmm’ in return. He kept the arm closest to her tucked under his head, but he brought his other hand across him and grabbed the hand at her chin, weaving their fingers together. He brought their hands to his lips, pressing her knuckles against them. “No more fears, Berdara. I’m here. You’re safe.” He settled their joined hands over his abdomen, already feeling her heavy against him. Azriel stared into the dark, a warm blanket of contentment and strength settling over him. He had nightmares, too, things he also kept from nearly everyone. He would share those things with Gwyn, show her that she was not the only one with demons that attacked in dreams and that neither of them were alone. He had never felt so confident in the potential of a relationship, in the potential that he would be understood and accepted and loved. He already knew he would give those things to her - and more. With that newfound confidence he closed his eyes, her steady breathing lulling him to join her in peaceful, painless sleep.

[storytellerofuntoldlegends]

take my hand, take my whole life too

A/N: i missed the flower husbands so much that i wrote the majority of this in my phone's notes app when at my grandma's. also i think we were robbed of a sacrifice scene >:) (title is from the song "Can't Help Falling In Love" cause my grandma loves Elvis and we were listening to it while i was writing this)

Warnings: violence, kidnapping, near death experiences, human sacrifice, character death in dream, nightmares, fear of death (specifically of leaving someone behind), cuddling, forehead kisses, teasing/banter, crying (despite all the warnings i SWEAR this fic is mostly fluff and makes up for the angst)

Summary: For someone who had experienced death twice already, Jimmy would think he would have nothing to fear when it came to death. Or maybe those experiences made his fear more valid. But it wasn't really dying that scared him, it was who he would leave behind. Although if he was being honest, his own death was only his second biggest fear. His main fear was losing Scott.

-

It was dark when they came- setting their wall ablaze, weapons flashing and red banners waving. Jimmy put up quite the fight but was quickly disarmed, and Scott dropped his weapons when he saw the drawn bow aimed at his husband's head. Martyn was quick to bind Scott's hands behind his back, while Ren kept a sword pointed at Scott's throat. Skizz and Impulse grabbed either one of Jimmy's arms to hold him back. Etho kept the bow trained at his head for good measure- not that Jimmy would have dreamed of moving. Not when Ren's blade was close enough to graze Scott's neck.

"Sorry about this," Impulse murmured. Jimmy couldn't care less about Impulse's apology. He clearly had chosen his side, no matter how much he claimed to be a double agent for them. 

"What do you want?" Scott asked, sounding surprisingly calm for having a sword pointed at him, but Jimmy could tell from his stiff posture and clenched fists that he was trying to keep himself from trembling.

"We've come for your tribute. You'll give it to us, or we’ll take it from you, one way or another," Ren said with an evil grin, and Jimmy didn't like how he looked at Scott one bit. 

"We gave you your rabbit's foot, what more do you want?!" Jimmy demanded, straining against Skizz and Impulse. Etho readied his bow, but it wasn't until Martyn roughly pulled Scott against him and put the blade of his axe against Scott's throat that Jimmy stopped struggling.

"Not yet, my hand. We need to be at the altar for that," Ren said, causing Jimmy's blood to run cold. They were going to sacrifice Scott. And he was going to have to watch.

“He has two lives left, my liege. We could afford to kill him once- but if his red knows what’s good for him, we won’t have to,” Martyn replied, looking to Jimmy with a cruel glint in his eyes. He scowled, but stayed put as he nervously looked to Scott. Jimmy could tell Scott was trying to put on a brave face for him, but he was noticeably pale and his eyes kept darting between the bow aimed at Jimmy’s head and the diamond axe hovering at his own throat.

It felt like Jimmy had barely blinked and they were within the Dogwarts walls. He was stood in front of the altar, Skizz and Impulse still on either side of him. Etho was off to one side, bow slung over his shoulder, but he kept a hand on the hilt of his sword as he eyed Jimmy warily. Ren stood in front of Jimmy, but he could still see the scene of the altar clearly.

Martyn shoved Scott to his knees, then with a firm grip on his teal colored hair, he forced his head down. Scott grimaced at the treatment of his hair, but kept his head down when Martyn removed his hand. Scott's eyes met Jimmy's, and it was like everything else drifted away. No altar, no Dogwarts. Just Scott and Jimmy. The terror was clear in Scott's eyes, but he gave Jimmy a reassuring smile despite that. Jimmy wanted to stay in that moment forever, with Scott's gentle smile and the fantasy that maybe everything would be okay. But reality came crashing back in with the glint of a diamond axe poised in the air. It swung down to its target-

And Jimmy woke up with a scream. He sat bolt upright in bed, chest heaving and the events of his dream circling through his head with a startling amount of realism. It was like he could see his husband's blood spattered on the stones of the altar, even if he woke up before it could actually happen. It... it didn't happen... right? Jimmy scrambled out of his bed and up the stairs- he had to be sure.

He ran to Scott's home across the pond, quickly making his way up the side of the mountain to the door. Taking a shaky breath, he quietly opened Scott's door, and closed it just as softly behind him. He walked to Scott's bedroom, and breathed out a sigh of relief at the sight of his husband sleeping soundly in his loft. A fond, soft smile came to Jimmy's face as he watched his husband’s chest rise and fall. Scott was fine. Dogwarts hadn't sacrificed him.

Scott stirred, even though Jimmy had tried to be quiet, and sleepily blinked his eyes open. He propped himself up on a forearm, his other hand rubbing his eyes. Scott's hair was a mess, and Jimmy couldn't help but smile at the sight. Scott was always poised and presentable- seeing his husband a little ruffled from sleep was rather adorable.

"Jimmy? What're you- c'mere," Scott said, quickly giving up on getting answers to instead make grabby hands at Jimmy. With a laugh, Jimmy climbed up the ladder to his bed to nestle in beside Scott. He had barely laid down before Scott smushed his face inelegantly against Jimmy's chest with a pleased hum. Jimmy chuckled and wrapped his arms around him as he quickly drifted off again. Jimmy felt sleep tugging at him insistently, despite the rude awakening he had gotten. With a kiss to the top of Scott's head, Jimmy fell asleep, at peace knowing that his husband was safe in his arms.

-

Jimmy awoke to a weight stirring on top of him. His eyes slowly fluttered open to see a head of teal hair resting on his chest. Jimmy couldn't help but run a hand through Scott's hair with a likely ridiculously sappy smile. Scott let out a soft, startled sound and tilted his head to look up at Jimmy with mild confusion. His expression softened when he realized who was holding him, but he still looked rather perplexed.

"Jimmy? When did you get here? Did you sneak into bed with me?" Scott asked with a mischievous grin. Jimmy rolled his eyes. 

"Scott, we're married. Sharing a bed is hardly scandalous. And do you seriously not remember waking up and making grabby hands at me until you could latch onto me like an octopus?" Jimmy asked with a laugh. Scott's cheeks tinged pink, and he laughed nervously.

"Did I actually?" Scott asked, sounding a little flustered. 

"You did! You looked like you were gonna pout if I didn't cuddle you instantly," Jimmy replied with a grin. 

"I can't believe I'm being bullied by my own husband," Scott huffed, burying his face in Jimmy's chest.

"Guess I could just leave then..." Jimmy teased, shifting like he was going to move away. Scott made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat, holding onto Jimmy tighter. Jimmy laughed, hand gently running through Scott's hair to reassure him that he wasn't going anywhere. 

"So why were you in my house in the middle of the night before I apparently demanded cuddles?" Scott asked. Jimmy's hand stilled in Scott's hair, flashes of the nightmare coming back to him in the form of lifeless blue eyes and cruel laughter from their enemies. Scott peered up at him, and with an almost wounded sound he shuffled closer so that they were eye to eye, a hand coming up to wipe away tears that Jimmy hadn't even realized were falling.

"Nightmare. Had to make sure you were alright," Jimmy said softly. Scott smiled, gentle as he had in Jimmy's dream, then shifted up to kiss his forehead before nestling back down beside him, foreheads resting against each other and noses practically touching. 

"I'm here. You're here. We're together. It'll be alright," Scott said, voice gentle yet determined. Jimmy frowned slightly.

"You know it can't stay that way forever," Jimmy said. He was on red, Scott was on green. Odds were high that Scott would outlive him. Scott frowned right back at him.

"Then let's not worry about forever. Let's just enjoy the here and now," Scott said, more determined than before. Jimmy couldn't help but smile, and Scott returned the smile easily.

"I think I like the sound of here and now," he said softly. 

"Good! Because the here and now includes cuddling," Scott chirped with a grin, ducking his head down to where Jimmy’s neck and shoulder met. Jimmy chuckled, holding his husband tighter and burying his nose in his hair. They couldn't lie in bed forever, there were things they needed to do with their day- but after all, Scott said they should focus on the here and now. And that was exactly what Jimmy intended to do.

-

MCYT Fic Taglist (lmk if you wanna be added/removed): @corazon10000 @damiensaidno @franticfandomfanatic @space-ace123

[sfb123]

Stealing Moments

Book: The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Summary: The Royal family spends the afternoon taking part in some pre-Easter (or preaster, if you will) activities.

Rating: G - I’m not going to sugar coat it (sugar is the last thing this story needs), this is some majorly fluffy stuff here. Even for me, and I’ve produced some pretty fluffy work.

Word Count: 1,947

A/N: So this story is a triple threat:

I am participating in @wackydrabbles prompt #88 “I meant every word.” Which will appear in bold.

I am also participating in the @choicesaprilchallenge2021, day 3 teal. That prompt will appear in italics.

I am also participating in @trraw, day 2 Liam. That prompt will appear in the form of a handsome and charming King.

A/N 2: This is an idea that I thought of while I was writing my upcoming Uncle Drake fic (you’ll see that one on Sunday), so I decided to write it up as a little prequel to that. Thank you to @jessiembruno for encouraging me to take my crazy throw away ideas and make them into something, and also by contributing this adorable moodboard. You are a Canva master. To think, not too long ago you hated it and cursed it out on the regs!

Tags: You know the drill, they’re down below. I hope you get it! If you want to be added or removed, let me know!

Liam sat in his study, wrapping up some paperwork before his next meeting when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

Bastien entered the room and shut the door behind him. “Sir, Lord Neville is demanding an audience with you. Immediately.” 

“Of course he is. Tell him I am unavailable, and to make an appointment with my assistant before he leaves.” 

“I did. I explained to him that you have an important afternoon meeting that could not be rescheduled. He didn’t appear to care.” Bastien chuckled to himself. This wasn’t the first time Neville had tried to weasel his way into an urgent meeting with the King.

Liam let out a deep breath as he stood, scrubbing his hand over his face. “Of course he didn’t. That’s fine, I need to get to my meeting anyway. I will tell him myself.” 

Almost immediately upon exiting his study, Neville was in his face. “Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter that requires your immediate attention-”

Liam held up a hand, silencing him. “I’m sure you do, Lord Neville. Unfortunately, I am on my way to a very important meeting, so I am unable to sit with you right now. Please see my assistant on your way out, and she will be happy to book you for my next available appointment.” 

“With all due respect Your Majesty, that simply won’t do. It won’t take long, perhaps I could walk with you to your next meeting?”

Liam internally rolled his eyes at the suggestion. He knew just how to stroke his ego to get him to back down. “Lord Neville, as one of our most valued members of court, I couldn’t possibly do you the disservice of giving you anything but my full attention on what I’m sure is a crucial matter. That is all I would be doing if I allowed you to continue at this time. I will make sure that my staff adjust the schedule to provide us enough time to examine the issue thoroughly. Please send me any documentation as soon as possible so that I may review it before our meeting. That way, we can hit the ground running when we do meet.”

Neville stood tall, a smug expression quickly spreading across his face. “Very well, Your Majesty. I appreciate your assistance in the matter. I will leave the documentation with your assistant.” He bowed, and Liam nodded in response before exiting the area and moving on to his next meeting. 

“If I may say sir, the way you handled that situation was truly masterful.” Bastien commented as they walked through the palace. 

Liam chuckled and patted his security guard on the back. “All in a day's work, my friend. Everything is in place for this afternoon, I trust? I will have no disruptions for the remainder of the day?”

“Yes Your Majesty, the staff has been fully alerted that you will be unavailable. I will be at the door to ensure that you are not bothered.” Bastien replied. 

Once they arrived at their destination, Liam crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him. He was the last to arrive, so the sound of the door caught the attention of those that had already gathered. 

“Daddy!” Eleanor jumped out of her chair and ran straight for Liam, leaping into his arms. 

“Hello Princess.” He chuckled as he held her close, placing a kiss on her cheek. “Are you ready to decorate some Easter eggs?” He carried her through the livingroom area of the royal quarters, returning her to her seat at the kitchen table.

“Yep! I helped mommy mix all the colors together. It was so fun!” She gestured to the cups of coloring spread out across the table. 

Liam couldn't help but laugh at his daughter’s enthusiasm as he approached his wife, who was standing at the table making the final preparations for their afternoon project. “Hello, beautiful.” He leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on Riley’s lips. 

“Hey handsome. You made it right on time. I’m impressed.” She teased. 

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world. No matter how hard Neville tried.” 

“Neville, yuck!” Eleanor chimed in, causing both of her parents to burst out laughing. 

Riley turned her attention back to her husband. “Alright, you go get changed. I don’t want you ruining your fancy king clothes with egg dye.”

Liam kissed his wife and daughter before going into the bedroom to put on some more casual clothes. He returned unnoticed as Riley explained the egg dying process to Eleanor. He stood for a moment and watched them, his girls, his world. He couldn’t help the smile that quickly spread across his face at the sight. 

“Daddy, come on, we can’t start without you!” Eleanor called out to him from the other side of the room, breaking him from his thoughts. 

He returned to the table and stood between his girls. “Alright, I’m here. Where do we begin?” 

Not only was this Eleanor’s first time decorating Easter eggs, but Liam’s too. He was told that as a Prince, there were more productive ways for him to spend his time. It was just one of the many childhood experiences being royalty simply didn’t allow for. He was so happy, not just to have this experience for himself, but to share it with his daughter. Another way to give her the childhood he never had, but always wanted.

Once Riley explained the process, they got to work; since she was the seasoned professional, she let Eleanor and Liam take the lead and do most of the work. She marveled in the similarities in their gestures, the concentration on their faces as they placed their white eggs in the dye, and the excitement when it would come out dyed a bright color. At one point, Riley couldn’t help but laugh when they pulled out their eggs at the same time, and looked up at her with identical expressions of joy, showing off their creations. 

They had gotten down to the last egg, Liam turned to Eleanor, “Ok Princess, we’ve got one left. You get to pick the color.”

A thoughtful expression overtook Eleanor’s face as she surveyed the colors that surrounded her before turning to her parents and confidently announcing her decision. “Teal.”

Riley and Liam locked eyes and shared a confused expression. There was no teal, they had only prepared basic colors, blue, green, yellow, pink, and purple. “Baby girl, we don’t have teal. These are the only colors we have.” Riley explained. 

Eleanor’s lip started to quiver as her arms went across her chest. “I want teal. Please.” Her parents had been teaching her the importance of manners, so she figured if she said please, they had to give her what she wanted. 

They both knew what that lip quiver meant, they were going to need to move quickly to avoid a total meltdown. Liam approached the princess and started rubbing her back to keep her calm. “It’s alright Eleanor. Why don’t you tell me why you want a teal egg so badly?”

“It’s my favorite color.” She looked up at her father, a pleading expression etched in her face. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

There was no question that Eleanor had the King wrapped around her finger, and when she looked at him like that, there was absolutely no way he could deny her. “Alright, let me go talk to mommy and see what we can do for you.” He kissed her on her cheek and returned to his wife. “Riley, there must be something we can do. I can send someone to get teal coloring. We have unlimited resources at our disposal, there must be some way we can make this happen for her.” 

Riley shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Man, you really are a sucker when it comes to her. Aren’t you.” 

“For both of my girls, actually.” He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed them gently across her knuckles, while giving her a hopeful expression. 

She sighed deeply, as much as she tried to fight it, she was also a sucker for her family. “Alright, I guess I can try to mix the blue and green together. Maybe I can get the right ratio to make a teal dye.” 

Liam turned to Eleanor and gave her a thumbs up, she clapped her hands and cheered in response. Riley got to work carefully mixing the two dyes into a third cup, occasionally dipping a piece of paper in to test the color. She smiled to herself when the fourth test paper emerged from the cup. Mission accomplished. “Did somebody want to make a teal egg?”

“Me me me!” Eleanor raised her hand and jumped up and down in her seat. 

Riley placed the cup in front of Eleanor and handed her the egg. The pair worked together to color the final egg to the princess’s exact specifications. 

Liam watched as the two of them completed their family project. His heart was so full at that moment that he felt weak in the knees. He reached behind him and laid his palms against the kitchen island to steady himself. He stood there as his wife, the love of his life, sat with his daughter creating memories in their home. In that moment, he wasn’t a King, he was the luckiest man in the world. 

With the help of her mother, Eleanor pulled the egg from the dye, her smile growing exponentially as she proudly looked up at her father to show off her work. “Daddy, we did it! It’s teal!”

Liam chuckled at the sight in front of him. “I think it’s the most beautiful egg I have ever seen, Princess.”

Riley looked up and noticed Liam’s expression before leaning down to Eleanor. “Hey sweets, why don’t you go wash up for dinner while I put all of this away.” Her daughter looked up and nodded before rushing down the hall. Riley approached Liam and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, are you alright?”

“Love, I can honestly tell you I have never been better.” He placed a hand on her cheek. “Do you remember our first date? During the social season?” She nodded. “You asked me what my dream was, and I told you I wanted a real family, one that was close and listened to each other.” He paused, staring deeply into her eyes. “I have that, because of you Riley. You’ve made my dream, my heart’s desire, come true. Going into my social season, I had all but given up on falling in love, and assumed I would simply marry for duty. Then you uprooted your whole life to give me a chance at happiness. I will never be able to tell you how truly grateful I am for all that you have given me.” He placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

“Liam, I did it for me too. That night in New York, I had never felt like that before. I was not that girl, the one that drops everything to fly around the world for a boy I just met, but I knew there was something there that was worth exploring.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. 

“Really?”

Riley laughed gently. “I meant every word.” She leaned in to kiss him, and he pulled her close. 

They pulled apart just as Eleanor bounded back into the room. She ran straight for her parents and jumped into Liam’s arms. He held her against one side, and pulled Riley into the other. He was sure that life couldn’t get better than that very moment. 

Tags:

Permatag- @anjanettexcordonia @athena-penrose @cordonia-gothqueen @cordoniaqueensworld @gabesmommie1130 @gkittylove99 @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @jessiembruno @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @lucy-268 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @mile9213 @mom2000aggie @pixie88 @queenrileyrose @secretaryunpaid @sweatyrysconnoisseur @theroyalheirshadowhunter @twinkleallnight @txemrn

One Shots- @darley1101

Liam x Riley- @jared2612

@choicesficwriterscreations @wackydrabbles @choicesaprilchallenge2021​ @trraw​

[pretchatta]

prompt: holiday

dave said it's my turn to write a moons of rion fic

rating: teen; kanan jarrus/hera syndulla; 2.4k words

---

The Outer Rim planet of Rion was a tropical paradise. Beaches, bars and breathtaking views covered its surface, and the sight of the planet in the forward viewport made Kanan sigh with longing. So close, and yet so far.

It felt like he and Hera had been working non-stop for the past year. Between keeping the Ghost in fuel, the galley stocked, and working other (less well-paid, but Hera would argue more important) jobs, Kanan would like nothing more than to spend a few hours relaxing somewhere – anywhere – with Hera. They were something now; more than simply captain and crew, but exactly what that was Kanan hadn’t had time to find out.

He wouldn’t any time soon, either. This mission wasn’t even taking them to Rion itself, but to one of its moons. A quick pickup and then they’d fly straight back to Lothal to deliver it, get paid, and then move onto the next job.

Kanan sighed. “Remind me what the cargo is for this one?”

“I don’t know,” Hera replied absently as she steered the Ghost in an orbital path around Rion. Their destination appeared from behind the planet, the oceanic moon a deep blue colour dotted with small green-and-white islands. Just beyond it, its populated twin was also visible. “Vizago paid extra for discretion, but he didn’t offer me the dangerous goods fee, so I assume it’s at least safe.”

Kanan grimaced. “We’re relying on the integrity of a smuggler. I feel so reassured.”

“We need the credits, love. We’ve barely got enough fuel to make this delivery.” Hera gave the fuel gauge a worried look as the Ghost entered the moon’s atmosphere and they began their descent. Below them, taking up most of one of the smaller islands, Kanan could see a landing platform growing larger.

Hera touched the Ghost down with barely a bump. Had Kanan not realised months ago that his days of drifting were behind him, he knew he would find it very difficult to return to his old lifestyle. There were several comforts that came from crewing on the Ghost, the smooth landings being just one.

“Alright, let’s load up and get going.” Hera hit the ramp controls and led the way out of the cockpit.

Spaceport was a generous term for what greeted them outside. The battered landing platform was barely large enough for two ships, even though it took up most of the solid ground on the island, and the only permanent structure was a dilapidated single-storey hut. It looked like it was cobbled together from scrap, with the exception of the shiny solar panels stretched over the roof and the comm dish mounted haphazardly on one wall.

There were no windows, but the front door stuttered open as Kanan and Hera emerged from the Ghost. An ancient-looking prototype droid emerged, hobbling out towards them with slow, fitful steps.

“Welcome to landing site R-M2-S04,” it called out to them. Its mechanical voice was decidedly tinny. “I am C0-R4, the overseer droid for this location. Thank you for leaving your transponder on. Your ship has been identified as the Ghost.”

Droid-supervised transactions weren’t uncommon in their line of work. The handoffs were usually in remote locations like this one, and it was much cheaper to leave a droid to wait around than an organic being.

“We’re here to pick up Vizago’s shipment,” Hera told the droid.

“That is correct.” C0-R4 gave a jerky nod. “Your cargo will arrive in two days.”

“What?” Hera exclaimed. “Two days! We were told to come today, and that this job was time-critical!”

“Cikatro Vizago apologises for the unavoidable delay, but he understands that you have a fast ship.”

Hera glared at the droid, though Kanan knew her ire was in fact directed at their unreliable employer. “And what exactly are we supposed to do for the next two days?”

“I am not programmed for leisure itinerary planning,” it replied in its monotone. “I will be in low power mode until the shipment arrives. Good day.”

With that, the protocol droid turned and hobbled back into its hut. Hera stared after it in disbelief. Kanan, meanwhile, felt hope blooming in his chest.

“I know you’d rather get on with the job,” he said slowly, trying to keep his voice neutral, “but given our fuel situation, it looks like we’re staying in this system for the next two days. And since Rion’s right there…”

She turned to him with one eyebrow raised. His face must have shown more than he realised, because her eyes softened with sympathy.

“Kanan, I’d love to spend a few days on Rion with you, but we don’t have enough fuel to get there,” she said apologetically. “We barely have enough to take off and make it back to Lothal.”

Kanan was not deterred. “Okay, what about the Phantom? It has a separate fuel tank – we could take it to one of the resorts, stay for a few days and be back in time for the pickup.”

Hera shook her head. “I should probably siphon the Phantom’s fuel into the Ghost. We’re going to need it if we want the extra speed to make Vizago’s deadline.”

Kanan sighed. The captain's decision was final. “Fine. I guess we’re sitting here for two days eating stale rations. Hopefully the Ghost’s water purifier can handle the seawater.”

“Wait, rations? Don’t we have enough food?”

“We might have a couple dehydrated meal packs, but I was going to stock up when we got back to Lothal.”

Hera frowned. “I guess this is going to be a long two days.”

“It doesn’t have to be…” Kanan’s mind was racing as a new idea formed in his head. “Could you leave just enough fuel in the Phantom to make one trip to the other moon? It’s populated, and it’ll take less fuel to take off from because of the lower gravity. And right now it’s closer than Rion itself. I still have a few credits – not enough for fuel, but we could pick up some supplies, and then spend the next two days just relaxing here. It’s not exactly a luxury resort getaway, but it’s better than nothing.”

Hera looked unconvinced. “I don’t know…”

“Come on, Hera, we’ll still be able to make the delivery,” he pleaded. “And this way we can enjoy a few days of downtime! We’ve got nothing else to do, and it’s not like we’re going to get any trouble from the Empire out here.”

He could see her resolve wavering, and then–

“Okay, fine.”

Kanan resisted the urge to punch the air as she turned to walk back up the Ghost’s ramp.

“Chopper,” she called up to the cockpit, “work out the best course to the other moon, and be nice to the navicomputer this time! Then I want you to initiate a fuel transfer from the Phantom to the Ghost. Leave enough to make the trip to the other moon, Kanan and I will be going on a supply run when we get back.”

The old astromech blatted a question back at her from somewhere above them. Hera looked back at Kanan.

“We’re going for a walk,” she replied. “You’d hate it, you’d just get sand in your joints.”

Chopper made a rude noise, which Hera ignored.

“A romantic stroll along the beach, huh?” Kanan said, putting an arm around her waist.

“If we’re doing this, I should at least try to relax, and it seems like a good start.” Her arms snaked over his shoulders and around his neck, allowing him to pull her closer. Their noses brushed, lips an inch apart, but Kanan turned his head at the last moment to kiss her cheek instead.

“In that case…” he murmured against her earcone, and then dropped to his knees in front of her and gently lifted one of her knees. Hera complied, allowing him to raise her foot and slip her boot off it.

“You’re overdressed,” he continued. “Unlike Chopper, we can enjoy the feeling of sand between our toes.”

He finished removing her other boot, and looked up to see her smiling fondly down at him. He quickly shed his own boots, leaving both pairs just inside the cargo hold, and as an afterthought added his gloves. Hera did the same, allowing Kanan to take her bare hand and lead them back outside.

The beach was only a few steps away, and they strolled leisurely over the sun-warmed sand towards the brilliant blue water. Above, the odd fluffy white cloud floated in the teal-blue sky as the late afternoon sun shone down on the island. A faint breeze blew in from the sea, cooling the air and bringing with it the smell of salt.

Kanan ran his thumb over the back of Hera’s hand as a sense of calmness washed through him. Hera was right; the walk was a great idea. The sand was soft under his feet and with every step he could feel his body relaxing.

They stopped at the water’s edge, letting the waves lap at their toes. The water wasn’t exactly warm, but neither was it cold. They stood there for a few moments in comfortable silence, enjoying the tranquility.

Hera bumped her shoulder against Kanan’s. “Thank you,” she said. “I don’t think I would have let myself have a break if I’d been on my own, but… I needed this.”

He raised his eyebrows in mock astonishment. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You were right, dear.”

He smirked, and then leaned down to kiss her. She rose onto her toes to meet him. As with every time their lips met, Kanan felt a jolt of electricity through his stomach; he didn’t think he’d ever get used to kissing Hera Syndulla.

They resumed their walk, following the coastline. Doing a full circuit of the island wouldn’t take long. As far as Kanan could tell, there was no wildlife on this moon, but the lapping of the waves and the slide of their feet over the sand made for a perfect soundtrack.

“So, do you have anything in particular you want to pick up on this supply run?” Hera asked him.

“I thought we could get some fancy caf,” he replied, “y’know, since we're on holiday. And then something simple to eat that we could have on the beach.”

“That sounds good to me.”

He turned to give her a look. “We may be on a budget, but I like to eat out.”

She only managed to keep a straight face for a few seconds before laughing.

They were distracted from further conversation by a wide rock formation on the far side of the landing platform. Several meters tall at its highest point, it looked like it was made up of numerous pillars of dark stone, jutting upwards out of the ground and ending in flat, irregular shapes. The lower ones around the edge held small pools of water from the last high tide, but they were taller towards the middle and beyond a certain point the tops were smooth and dry. The beach continued around the edge, the sand stretching between the rocks and the sea, but the Ghost and the overseer droid’s hut were hidden from view.

They approached the rocks with interest. Kanan was only half-aware of Hera’s hand slipping out of his as he went to examine one of the rockpools and so didn't notice the mischievous look that had come over her face. By the time he realised she was no longer beside him, she had already removed the outer layer of her flight suit and folded neatly atop one of the dry pillars. He could only watch, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as she quickly and methodically worked on the rest of her clothing.

Hera carefully added her cap and goggles to the pile she had formed and then looked up at him. His heart beat faster at the sight of so much bare green skin. With a coy smile, she held his gaze as she slipped her underwear off and let it join the rest of her clothes.

“Fancy a swim?”

She didn’t wait for an answer; Kanan wasn’t sure he was capable of giving one. She turned and ran over the beach, lekku streaming behind her, splashing into the water until it was up to her neck.

She turned back to him and yelled “Well? Are you coming?”

It was enough to jolt him out of his shock. He’d left his armour behind today, so his shirt came off easily. The rest of his clothes followed in a somewhat messier pile than Hera’s, but creases weren’t on the forefront of his mind at that moment.

Kanan took off at a sprint towards the sea. When he was about halfway to the water he leapt, giving himself an extra push that made it higher and further than a leap any ordinary human should have been able to make. Tucking his knees into his chest in mid-air, he hit the surface with a splash, sending a wall of water over Hera. The cool water enveloped his body with swirls of white and blue. He kicked at the sandy sea bed to surface next to Hera, who was sputtering in protest.

Kanan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“You did invite me in,” he reminded her. His sodden hair was slicked back against his head and water dripped from the end of his nose. Further droplets ran over Hera's bare head and down her lekku, adding to the patterns already there.

“I didn’t ask for a tsu–”

He cut off her complaints with a wet kiss. She relaxed in his arms a second later, though he knew he had’t gotten away with it; she’d be planning her payback for later. He smiled against her lips and felt her mouth curve upwards in response. It really had been too long since they’d been able to just let go like this, to enjoy their time together and not have any pressing worries or responsibilities.

The kiss deepened, and Hera’s legs wound around his waist. Whoever's idea this had been, he thought to himself, it was definitely a good one.

[liquid-luck-00]

Wayne Gala/Father-Daghter Dance

Bio!Dad Bruce

Day 14: Wayne Gala and Day 16: Father-Daughter Dance

Ao3 ~~~ First ~~~ Previous ~~~ Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Knock, knock.

"Come in" Mari called, taking a shaky breath smoothing out her gown.

She was wearing a blush straight flowing skirt. The top was a 3/4 sleeve that was covered in silver lace and stones. Her hair was in loose waves falling over her shoulders. It was held back only by a twisted braids forming a crown around her head.

"Nervous?"

"Maybe a little" she laughed turning to face her dad.

He was wearing a simple fitted black suit with golden cuff links. His tie was a soft gold with hints of a caramel brown.

"We don't have to present you if that's what is worrying you" he wore a slight frown and worry laced his voice.

She gave him a smile "That's not it. It's just... I've never done an event like this"

"Oh. Well that is an easy fix"

"How?" she tilted her head.

"It is a masquerade, after all" he had picked up her mask and set it in place on her. It was silver form to look like a swan on her right eye and it’s head resting on her temple while the other one is beautiful filigree. There were gems on it which were all A pale rose color, this one shifted from its tail to its head silver to light blush and its beak.

"Oh" she giggled.

"Besides I won't be to far and neither will Selina." she began to smile. "Your brothers may end up not letting you out of their sights" she chuckled at this. "Besides I doubt Jon will leave your side."

"Dad!" she blushed furiously and he gave her a smirk.

"See nothing to worry about. We are all here for you." he kissed her forehead and lead her into the ballroom.

---

"Okay Dick. Spill" Jason sighed already done with the night. As he walked up to his brother who was watching the entrance.

He was in a charcoal suit with a crimson shirt and black tie. He was wearing a black and silver and white rabbit half mask covered with small swirls.

"Spill what Jay" Dick answered still smiling like the cheshire cat.

Dick was in a midnight blue fitted velvet suit accented with silver that matched his tie and a Bluejay sculpted it half mask.

"You look like the cat that ate the canary and if that's not guilty enough you keep scanning the room looking for something or someone."

"I'm not" he didn't finish that sentence.

"You are and unless you don't want to see this night through you'll talk."

"Okay, okay" he conceded. "You know how I spoke about getting Mari a date for tonight"

"Yeah... Shit Dick you didn't" great now I have to fix this, maybe the replacement and demon spawn will help keep this idiot's plan from succeeding.

"Two actually" Dick was now grinning like an idiot.

"And how sure are you that either will be right for our sister?"

"Well she did give me the names herself."

Okay not what he expected. "How?"

"She mentioned she had a crush on each of them. So I contacted them and they both agreed. Funnily though they were both on the guest list already" Dick began to ramble.

"Dick" Jason called getting his brother's focus again. "You said had. What were her words and think carefully."

"It was something about 'what a mess she was around them' I think. Why?"

"Was that's past tense" he nearly face palmed.

"Ya so?"

"Past crushes not her current" he holds Dick by his shoulders nearly shaking him.

"What's your point. Oh. Oh. I messed up" Dick finally seemed to realize.

"Ya you did, now let's see if we can fix this. What are their names?"

"Luka Couffaine and Adrien Agreste"

"Let's get the other two and try and fix your meddling if we ever want our sister to speak with us again." Dick nodded and the two of them went to find the demon spawn and replacement.

---

Jon found Mari not long after he had entered the ballroom. He was in a simple royal blue suit with a light gray shirt and silver bow-tie. His had on a domino mask which was a royal blue and mimicked a starry night sky, accented with silver clock gears, emphasizing his electric blue eyes.

"You look amazing Sunbeam" she gave him a smile.

"Thank you, but I've got to say you look great too." and he returned the smile.

"Would like to dance?" she giggled and was about to take his arm when someone called out.

"Marinette" he looked towards the voice and saw a blonde in a black suit and tie with a green shirt. His mask was a dark evergreen almost black and resembled a cat with ears and golden painted markings.

"Well look what the cat dragged in." Mari mocked and hugged the boy.

"I haven't been dragged anywhere." he put on an expression of mock hurt, reminding him of Dick, "Besides if I was dragged in this suit I would be avoiding you" she laughed at that. "You must be Mari's date, name's Adrien" he extended his hand towards him.

"Jon" and they shook hands.

"Just a warning. If you hurt her, even Batman will never find the body" he switched to a serious tone, but sounded more like a joke of a threat.

"Adrien" Mari hit his arm. "he is harmless to everyone but himself."

"Hey" Adrien pouted. "Let's just find Luka so we can start messing with your brothers" he grumbled.

"I hope you know what your getting yourself into right? Because I for one do not want to be on the wrong side of any of them" Jon warned.

"Trust me. After this Dick will never meddle in my love life again." Mari deadpanned a hard edge in her eyes as she explained their plan as they searched the room for the other player in this game while avoiding the bat boys.

"There he is" Adrien announced a few minutes later. "Looks like he's with Jagged that might be a problem.." Adrien frowned, the other boy had black hair with the tips dyed teal. the was in a black suit with a smoky actual shirt and gold tie. His mask was a white cat the left eye left in a dark blue and the left eye had a dark blue lightning bolt outlined in a hot pink with an electric blue unicorn horn.

"Leave Jagged to me" Sunbeam answered confidently.

"Tim is heading towards him." he added "Wait how are you going to handle Jagged" her smirk was the only response he got.

"The question we should be asking is how is she going to shake her brother and get away from Jagged?"

---

"Hello Luka" she stated plainly as she met the small group. "Hey Jagged, Penny"

"Marinette it's Rock'in to see ya" Jagged scooped her up in a hug. While Penny gave her a smile and pat her head. Jagged was in an electric purple blazer with white slacks, and a black shirt. He had a bronze untied tie and his mask was inspired by Fang in the same bronze as his tie. Penny's dress was an off the shoulder gown fading from white to purple to black at the train. The purple and black was lifted with bronze stars. Her mask was a fade between white and purple but it was completely made with glitter.

"Mari! Finally I found you" Tim had finally made it to their group. He was in a black suit and a light gold shirt with a red bowtie. He wore a golden half mask resembling a dragon with twisted horns. Jagged's arm was still over her shoulder. "And who is this?"

"Oh sorry, introductions" she clapped her hands.

"Melody would you like me to introduce us?" Luka offered.

"No its fine... This is Tim one of my older brothers" she smiled. "Tim this is Luka Couffaine, Penny Rolling, and this is Jagged Stone ” she finished.

"Mari if Jagged is your Uncle, Dad I think that means you have a nephew now" Luka added with a small smile in his eyes.

"Blimey you’re right" Jagged let Mari go and hugged Tim not letting him get in a word. "Any other sibling I need to meet Marinette?"

"Plenty" she laughed "But you should know Tim here is a big fan." she grinned. After that statement the Rocker seemed to make it his mission to get to know Tim. While Tim seemed to starstruck to answer, that and Jagged didn’t give him an6 time to answer.

"I think Jagged broke your brother" Penny stated with a chuckle.

"Don't worry he'll be back to normal soon" she laughed "Do you mind if I steal Luka away?"

"Of course, You do have your phone?" Luka nodded at her question and they walked towards Adrien and Jon.

"Jagged is going to keep your brother busy a longtime, Melody"

"So, Tim is taken care of. Whose next Mari?" Jon asked her.

"Hm, Who would feel played if he helped us mess with the others then flipped it on them?" she smirked.

"Damian" Jon answered confused.

"Wait we are recruiting your brother to mess with your brothers" Adrien asked, she nodded her head, "Mari you're more chaotic than the black cat himself."

"He'd be so proud, so lets find Damian"

"That shouldn't be to hard" Jon responded pointing behind him, "he's heading this way."

Sure enough Damian was stalking towards their little group. He was in a dark emerald suit with a black shirt and gold bow-tie. He wore a black kitsune fox mask with gold in the ears and dark green markings.

"Tt there you are Dick and Jason have been looking for you."

"Really what a coincidence so were we"

"Let's go" he turned around took a step before turning back around "Why?"

"Let me guess Dick figured out he isn't a good Cupid and now he is trying to fix his mess?"

"Yes. Your point"

"You know these two are some of my best friends, so they told me and we decided to prank them a bit tonight, we even got Jon to help"

"Perhaps I may assist as well" she couldn't see it but she knew her brother was wearing his trademark smirk under that mask. She nodded her head. "Okay so how are we going to handle those three."

"Two" Adrien corrected.

"Who did you deal with?"

"Tim" Jon answered this time.

"How?"

"Jagged" She piped in.

"Is he in this plan?"

"No that was all Mari" Luka replied. "But you might want to steer clear of my Dad for a while." Damian nodded his understanding.

"Best that we deal with Jason next then" he planned.

"Or we can get two birds with one stone" Adrien grinned. Everyone stared at at him in shocked silence.

"Care to explain Adrien" Luka finally broke the quiet.

"A game of monkey." he answered which seemed to confuse everyone. "We tell them the name of someone in the group and then only that person is seen."

"That will drive them insane" Damian commented "Let's do it"

That was exactly what they did. Dick and Jason seemed to always be five steps behind. By the time they spotted her and made their way to her she was gone.

At one point they decided to split up but then she didn't appear for an hour. Once they regrouped the game of cat and mouse continued.

By 11:30pm they had been at this for almost 4 hours and her brothers went up to the baloney but instead of watching the floor they were sitting upstairs. This is what she took as the cue to end their game of monkey.

"Hey you two. I heard you were looking for me." she smiled as she approached.

"Mari we've been look for you for hours." Dick called

"Wasn't the Demon with you at one point or another" Jason asked tired.

"I was" Damian responded next to him.

"Why didn't you bring her over then?" Dick asked their younger brother.

"Because it wouldn't have been half as annoying for you without him." Jon appearing and answering from between her and Dick.

"What do you mean? Was this just a game to keep us running around?" Jason seemed to be catching on.

"I've got to say it went better than planned" Adrien proudly stated as he made his appearance.

"Was Tim in on it?" Dick asked resigned.

"No Jagged got to him before we began, this game of monkey" Luka grinned from his spot on the railing watch those below.

"Jagged as in Jagged stone!" now Jason was at the railing looking for his brother and the Rockstar.

"We should probably rescue him now, huh?" Mari asked aloud.

"We should" Damian answered her "Father wants as all on the stage after the New Year count."

"I'll go get him" Mari offered.

"No I'll go" Dick responded. "Tim is only there because I set him to find you." he finished.

"Yes he is, but I'm the only one who is able to get in a word with Jagged" she countered walking away.

She was able to get Tim easily and the two made their way towards the others. By then Tim seemed to normalize a bit, he was a complete zombie after Jagged, that once they reached the others he finally spoke.

"When were you going to tell us Jagged Stone was your UNCLE!" he finished in a soft shout. At that her brother began questioning her but she had placed her face in her hands and shook her head.

"Jagged is my honorary Uncle" she sighed. "Besides dealing with all of you took up so much of the night that I need to find my date and apologize" she huffed. Jon 'mysteriously' vanished during the exchange.

---

"Wait if Mari had a date why did she leave, which one of you was it?" Drake was giving Agreste and Couffaine a stare.

However the two in question began to laugh. My three older brothers shared a look and explained what had occurred this evening.

"So who is this date she went to find?" Drake finally asked a relevant question.

"I have no clue" Grayson answered and again Couffaine and Agreste were laughing.

"Okay I get why you three wouldn't guess" Agreste pointed at Grayson, Todd, and Drake "But you've been with us, how could you not tell." Agreste was grinning.

That was when the pieces fell, Kent, he practically ran through the hall his brothers not far behind. The count down had started.

10

They still hadn't found those two.

9

He spotted his sister and best friend not far from his father and the stage.

8

7

6

5

They were about to reach them.

4

Kent pulled his sister in close.

3

She raised up on her toes.

2

They were right next to them.

1

They kissed and a flash was seen over his shoulder, Grayson must have taken a photo. They pulled away and then seemed to notice them.

"How long?" Damian asked his sister.

"How long we've been dating or how long it took for you to figure out you were played?" she asked him removing her mask.

"The moment I offered to help I was played, I realize that" he answered begrudgingly.

"So how long have you been dating" Grayson asked impatiently. A smile clear on his face and amusement in his unmasked eyes.

"Not long" his father answered as he made his way towards them. "It's been about a week. Besides it's time Mini."

---

Standing on the stage was Damian next to Dick who was on my right. On my left was Selina, they Jason and finally Tim.

"Hello everyone" he began to gain everyone's

attention. "As this is a new year and new beginning I would be honored to introduce as well as reveal to you all the very talented designer MDC" Marinette walked on the stage from the right.

"Hello I am Marinette of Marinette's Designs and Creations" she smiled and spoke confidently. There was a series of polite applause and when it ended I spoke again. "I am also pleased to announce that Marinette is also my daughter." That arose some questions from the reporters in the room.

But it was Lois whose question caused the room to fall silent.

"Is she another adoptive child or biological" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"She is my child biologically, she is also the youngest of all my children. He smiled and that seemed to placate most of them.

As he and his family walked off the stage Lois and Clark were waiting with Jon.

"Mari anything you want to say?" Lois questioned her.

"Um" she looked confused and Lois gave a small laugh before showing her, her phone. It was a photo of her and Jan sharing the Midnight kiss. Mari turned bright red and as he looked at Jon who matched her blush.

"I get the first interview” she smiled as she hugged Mini.

"Okay" she smiled and returned the hug.

"Care for a dance Mini?" he asked hoping to keep the mood light. She nodded and made their way to the dance floor.

They danced together for about four songs before Jon took her and they began to dance instead.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist:

@mochinek0 @justafanwarrior @abrx2002 @ranger-gothamite @fantasiame @moonystars14 @mochegato @bigbeautifulandfullofsugar @maribat-is-lifeblood @iglowinggemma28 @miraculous-ninja @talutah0 @vixen-uchiha @danielslilangel @witchsblackfox @pawsitivelymiraculous @lizziejay @marinettepotterandplagg @colorfulmongerpsychicranch @dast218 @sassakitty @miyla-lokidottir @lilkymilky @tazanna-blythe @tired-butterfly @lozzybowe @smolplantmum @queencommonsense @loopingtangent @chez-pezeater @paintedhope7 @technicallyburninggarden @meme991001 @wannajointhecrabcult @melicmusicmagic @trippingovermyfeet @greatcatblaze @fidget-eep @miraculouslydumb @iamablinkmarvelarmy @laurcad123 @hauntedwintersweets @fc-studios @fusser90 @madking-warqueen @buginetye @little-lady-bird @thebooki3h @iamabrownfox @galla02006 @syrencall @gimpedmercy

[celestialvoid-fanfiction]

Falling in Love All Over Again

Stiles wakes up in hospital after an accident, but he doesn’t remember anything… or anyone.

 For @evanesdust - Happy Birthday!

  He slowly blinked his eyes open, wincing as he stared up at the bright LED lights and the white insulated panels of the ceiling. He struggled to keep his eyes open, blinking heavily as his vision slowly came into focus.

He felt weak, his body aching as he struggled to move, trying to turn his head and look around the room.

His breathing felt heavy, every breath sending shooting pain through his chest.

He let out a weak groan.

“Hey,” someone said, their voice soft.

He turned his head slightly to look at the woman who stood beside him. She was in her thirties and wore teal scrubs. A small gold necklace hung around her neck, the pendant was woven strands of gold with four gemstones set into the design. Her soft face was worn with creases, a kind smile lifting the corners of her mouth. Her eyes were like dark smoky quartz and her gaze was soft. Her long dark hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, falling in messy waves down her back. A few curls had escaped the elastic tie, falling down around her face. She smelt like roses and something nostalgic.

“How do you feel?” she asked.

He paused for a moment, taking everything in.

“Sore,” he answered, his voice raspy and broken.

“I’ll give you something to help with that,” she said. “Can you tell me your name?”

He paused, searching his mind for anything that seemed familiar, but he couldn’t think of anything. His eyes widened slightly as a sickening feeling of fear settled in his stomach. He shook his head.

“That’s okay,” the nurse reassured him. “Do you know where you are?”

“Hospital,” he guessed.

His answer brought a smile to her face. “Which hospital?”

“I don’t know,” he answered.

“Okay, do you remember what happened to you?”

He shook his head, fighting back the tears that welled in his eyes; he didn’t like feeling this way, he didn’t like feeling lost, confused and helpless.

“Do you know how old you are?” the nurse asked.

“No,” He answered.

“Do you know your birthday?”

He shook his head.

The nurse nodded, bowing her head slightly s she looked down at her chart.

He swallowed hard against the growing lump in his throat, fighting back the wave of nausea as his stomach twisted in knots.

“What happened to me?” he asked.

“You were in an accident,” she explained. “You took quite a blow to the head and it seems to have affected your memory. But it’ll be alright; a lot of the time, memory loss is temporary and your memories come back after some rest or by triggers—people, places, smells, etcetera.”

“How long do you think it’ll take for my memories to come back?” he asked.

A solemn look passed over her face. Her voice was apologetic as she said, “It could be a few hours, or a few days—maybe even a few weeks. There’s no way to know for sure.”

He nodded.

“I’ll check in on you in a little while,” the nurse said as she returned the clipboard to the end of his bed. “Try and get some rest, okay?”

“Wait,” he called after her.

She stopped and turned back to him.

“What’s my name?” he asked, trying to hide the desperation in his voice.

“Stiles,” she answered. “Stiles Stilinski.”

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

 Stiles let out a sigh as he woke to the sound of voices.

“Just take it easy,” he heard the nurse – Melissa, she’d said her name was – said quietly.

Stiles shifted slightly, pushing himself upright slightly and sitting back against his pillows.

Two men entered the room. The first looked to be middle age, his fawn-brown hair thinning slightly and his face worn with wrinkles. His hazel eyes looked at Stiles with a mix of pain, worry and love. He wore a dark windcheater with a logo on the sleeve that had the letters B.H.P.D embroidered into it and a brown shirt with a gold-plated name badge pinned above his breast pocket that read STILINSKI.

The other man had raven-black hair and a strong jaw shadowed by the thin scruff of a beard. His pale aventurine eyes were mesmerising. He wore a faded grey Henley and a worn black leather jacket.

Stiles looked between the two of them, hoping his nervousness didn’t show.

“Hey, kiddo,” the older man said softly. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Stiles lied.

The man with the black hair let out a sigh that ended in a breathless chuckle.

“What?” Stiles asked.

“That’s what you always say when ‘fine’ is the last thing you’re feeling,” the man said.

Stiles dropped his gaze.

These two seemed to know him well—one called him ‘kiddo’ and the other could read him.

“Do you know who we are?” the older man asked.

Stiles looked at him, letting his gaze linger as he took in every detail of the man’s face. There was something familiar about the lines on his face—as if every one of them told a story. There was something familiar about the hints of brown in his hazel eyes. There was something familiar about him, but Stiles couldn’t place it—like a word stuck on the tip of his tongue.

Stiles looked at him apologetically and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” the man said.

“Your nametag says Stilinski,” Stiles pointed out. “Melissa said my name was Stilinski.”

“Yeah,” the man replied. “I’m John Stilinski… I’m your dad.”

“My dad?” Stiles repeated back.

“Yeah,” he replied. He looked across to the man who stood at the end of the bed. “And this is Derek.”

Stiles met his gaze.

The corner of Derek’s lips turned up in a soft smile.

“Your boyfriend,” John clarified.

Stiles’ eyes widened with shock. He turned to John. “Seriously?”

John nodded.

Stiles looked at Derek then back at John. “You’re kidding, right? He’s way out of my league.”

Derek let out a low chuckle, bowing his head slightly as he tried to hide the rosy blush that coloured his cheeks.

“John,” Melissa called from the doorway, nodding towards the hallway.

“I’ll be right back,” his dad said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before heading towards the door.

“So,” Stiles started slowly when it was only him and Derek. “How long have we been dating?”

“Six years,” Derek answered. “Nearly seven.”

Stiles was stunned. He bowed his head, his mind reeling as he tried to make sense of everything—tried to grasp at threads of thoughts or hidden memories.

“It’s okay,” Derek said softly. “You don’t have to remember everything right away. It must be weird looking at a stranger and being told you’ve been together six years.”

“It’s a little unnerving,” Stiles admitted.

“Don’t worry; I’m not going to try and kiss you or do anything that’ll make you uncomfortable,” Derek reassured him. “I’ll give you as much space as you want, but I’ll be here if you need me.”

Stiles let out a soft sigh. “Thank you.”

Stiles looked down at the foot of his bed.

“Can you pass me my chart?” Stiles asked.

Derek’s brow furrowed slightly with confusion, but he stepped down to the end of the bed and passed the clipboard to Stiles nonetheless.

Stiles read it.

“Wait,” he said, his brow knitted together as looked down at the page. “That’s not my name.”

Derek stepped over to Stiles side, looking over his shoulder at the clipboard.

“Yeah, it is,” Derek said. “It’s your given name, but you go by Stiles.”

“I don’t even know how to say that,” Stiles said.

“Mieczyslaw.”

“Mieczyslaw,” Stiles repeated. He skimmed down the page as he read aloud, “Broken ribs, fractured left wrist, ligaments in shoulders strained and slightly torn, blunt force trauma to head, bruises and lacerations, memory loss—possible retrograde amnesia.”

He set the clipboard down in his lap, trying to hide the broken look on his face, but apparently Derek knew him better that Stiles thought.

“It’s going to be okay,” he reassured him. “Whatever happens, we’ll get through it.”

Stiles looked up at him, his dark eyes full of gratitude.

Derek offered him a reassuring smile.

Stiles smiled in return.

“What’s your favourite colour?” Stiles asked.

“Orange,” Derek answered. “Like a sunset.”

Stiles thought for a moment. “What’s my favourite colour?”

“Blue,” Derek replied.

Stiles nodded, thinking it over.

“Tell me about yourself,” Stiles said, a hint of pleading in his voice.

“Um… My name’s Derek Hale. I have two sisters—one older, one younger. I was born and raised here in Beacon Hills – like you. I was orphaned when I was fifteen and older sister took us to New York, but we returned a few years later.” Derek thought for a moment. “I like dogs—and we planned to get one as soon as our house is ready.”

“We live together?”

“Yeah, we’ve lived together for three years now,” Derek answered. “We’re building a new house on my family’s land.”

“Wow,” Stiles said quietly, taken aback by how wonderful his life seemed.

“Sorry to interrupt,” John said, stepping back into the room. “Melissa said that maybe some photos will help.”

John set a plastic back down on the table at the end of Stiles’ bed. It had a bright red band across it with bold white letters that spelt out EVIDENCE. John opened it and pulled out the phone inside, passing it to Stiles.

Stiles looked down at the screen as it lit up. The phone was locked by a password.

Stiles swallowed hard against the lump in his throat as he tried to think.

“1107,” Derek said softly.

Stiles looked at him, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“It’s my birthday,” Derek explained.

Stiles typed in the password and the phone opened.

“You’re a romantic,” Derek teased.

Stiles let out a breathless chuckle. He opened the photos on his phone, starting at the most recent – a screenshot of a dog on a rescue site; probably the one they were going to adopt once their house is finished – and scrolling back through the photos.

There were pictures of him and Derek, him and his dad, him and a young man with short brown hair and a khaki police uniform—Jordan, his dad told him. There were several photos of him and Derek hanging out with a group of people that looked to be their age: a girl with copper-coloured hair and soft green eyes, a boy with a mop of brown hair and a crooked smile, a girl with long blonde hair, a boy with dark skin and a kind smile, and another boy with thick blond curls. Derek told him each of their names.

“You don’t remember anything about Scott?” his dad asked.

Stiles looked down at the picture again and shook his head. “Should I?”

“You’ve been best friends since you were four years old,” his dad explained. “Inseparable. Partners in crime. I thought maybe seeing his face would spark a few memories.”

Stiles set the phone down. His dark eyes glistened as tears began to well.

“I’m never going to remember, am I?” he said quietly, his voice strained and breaking. “I don’t remember my best friend, my boyfriend, or my own dad. I didn’t even know my own name until Melissa told me.”

“Hey,” Derek said softly, reaching out to take his hand. “It’s going to be okay. Maybe your memories will come back in a day or two.”

“Or maybe they’ll never come back,” Stiles countered.

“Then you get a second chance at life; not many people get that,” Derek said, trying to stay positive.

“I don’t want a second chance,” Stiles said, his voice quiet. “The life I had sounds pretty good.” He glanced at Derek, feeling shy as he added, “You sound great.” He blinked back his tears, his voice broken as he said, “I want that life back.”

“I know it must be frustrating, but we’ll give it a few days and see if there’s any change, okay?” Derek said, craning his neck to look Stiles in the eye, lovingly and reassuringly.

Stiles met his gaze, feeling the waves of anger and anxiety wash away. The weight in his chest lightened as he let out a calming sigh and nodded. He picked his phone up again and began to scroll through the photos.

There were photos of friends that Derek named for him, a lacrosse team, and a photo of four of them: Stiles, Scott, Lydia, and a young girl with long dark hair.

“That’s—”

“Allison,” Stiles said quietly, interrupting Derek.

Derek looked at him with a mix of confusion and hopeful excitement.

“Allison,” Stiles turned the name over, pulling on the tangled thread of memories.

He remembered her smile, her laugh. He remembered the way she held a bow and arrow with strength and unwavering composure. He remembered the sound of her hand hitting the ground—he hadn’t seen it, but he’d felt it. He remembered slowly returning to consciousness as he and Lydia stumbled out of the darkness and into the cool night air. He remembered the moment his heart broke when he saw her lifeless body cradled in Scott’s arm, her unmoving hand fallen aside.

There was a glimmer of a memory in the corner of his mind. He reached for it; the image of Allison’s silver necklace – a family heirloom in the shape of a crest with a rampant lion in the corner.

It was like a row of dominoes; one crashed into the other and the floodgates burst open. Waves of memories crashed over him.

“Stiles?”

Derek’s voice drew him back to reality.

Stiles looked up at him.

“Gerard,” he said.

“What?” Derek asked.

“Gerard Argent,” Stiles replied. “He’s the one who did this to me.”

“Gerard kidnapped you years ago, Stiles,” his dad said

“No, I remember. He drove me off the road and when I woke up again, I was in some kind of basement. My hands were in chains and I was hanging from the ceiling,” Stiles explained.

“Are you sure you’re remembering what happened a few days ago?” Derek asked.

“Titus,” Stiles said abruptly. “The dog we adopt, he’s a black Great Dane and we were going to call him Titus. I wanted that name because it’s the name of Damian Wayne’s dog from Batman comics and you agreed because it’s a reference to Shakespeare. You also wanted to adopt the German Sheppard at the shelter but we had to see how he goes with other dogs first. We were going to call him Achilles. But I also saw the way you looked at the Australian Sheppard, the old boxer, and the Bernese. And if we’re both being honest, we know we’re not leaving with only one or two of them.”

Derek just stared at him, stunned.

Stiles turned to his dad. “Whenever you order take out at the station you always order a beef burger with onion, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and ketchup, but Parrish always orders you a salad as well because you’re meant to be looking after your heart health after you were injured eight years ago. Your full name is Noah John Stilinski, but you’ve always gone by John because Noah was your father’s name. My given name is Mieczyslaw – after my maternal grandfather – but I could never pronounce it right so Mum would always jokingly call me ‘Mischief’—although the nickname got more fitting as I got older. And after you and Mum had a falling out with her family, you hated calling me by that name, so you came up with ‘Stiles’ and you’ve called me that ever since.”

He turned back to Derek. “Every morning, you make me a cup of coffee. I never ask for it, you just do it because you love me, and I love you. Your favourite book is The Little Prince because your dad used to read it to you every night when you were little—I got you a hard-cover version of it for your birthday last year.”

He looked between the two of them.

“I remember,” he insisted. “I can even tell you where I hid the ring I was going to propose to Derek with.”

“You were going to propose to me?” Derek asked.

“The night I went missing,” Stiles admitted.

Derek let out a quiet laugh.

“What?” Stiles asked.

“I was going to propose to you that night too,” Derek confessed.

Stiles couldn’t help but laugh.

John stepped out of the room, but from the hallway Stiles could hear his dad call in a police search for Gerard Argent.

“So… Out of curiosity, if I had proposed to you, would you have said yes?” Derek asked hesitantly.

“Without hesitation,” Stiles said, smiling at Derek.

Derek let out a sigh of relief.

“I am still going to propose to you,” Stiles told him. “Just in a more romantic setting than this.”

Derek leant forward and pressed a soft kiss to Stiles’ bruised cheek.

“About the dogs,” Stiles started slowly as Derek sat back in his chair.

“You only want one?” Derek asked, heartbroken.

“Oh no,” Stiles replied. “I want all of them. Including the really old Great Pyrenees and the wrinkly little bulldog puppy.”

A bright smile lit up Derek’s face. “Deal.”

[calebdumes]

kanera prompt from @opalknight “Things you said at 18, 28, and 38″

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

fandom: star wars rebels

relationship: kanan jarrus/hera syndulla

rating: n/r

word count: 1.4k

~

18 Years Old

"I can't do this." Hera said with a groan, rubbing at her temples. From across the holotable, Kanan smiled at her wickedly. She furrowed her brows and looked down, heat blooming across her cheeks. "You're cheating aren't you? There is no way you can win this many times."

Kanan leaned back in his seat, his teal eyes gleaming. "Just admit that I'm the better player."

Hera bit her lip to stop herself from smiling back at him, her stomach swooping pleasantly. Kanan had been a member of her crew for a few months now, proving himself to be more than just an extra hand to help out around the Ghost. He had a tactical driven mind that had saved her life more than once and was always ready to reassure her when the mission seemed hopeless. He was a shameless flirt but Hera was finding that it didn't bother her much. In fact, she was almost afraid to admit that his flirting was starting to make an impact. 

Kanan was handsome, there was no question about that, with his blue green eyes that sat beneath his thick brows and amber skin wrapped around lean muscle. But he was funny, and kind, and a bit of a dork and that had Hera's heart leaping in her chest whenever he walked in the room. But there was one thing that was becoming increasingly clear, Kanan Jarrus was a cheat. 

He was still looking at her with a cocky grin on his face, waiting for her to make the next move. She glanced down at the board in front of her. There was nowhere left for her to go. Any move she'd make would spell out her doom. So Hera leaned forward and flicked the table off, their game dissolving into nothing.  

"Aw c'mon!" He cried as she stood. "I was about to win!"

"You mean you were about to cheat to win." she huffed. 

"Honestly Hera I am both hurt and surprised that you would think that of me." He said with mock resentment.

"Then how do you explain winning five games in a row?" She asked, folding her arms across her chest. 

Kanan stood, towering over her as he leaned forward with a smirk and said. "I guess I'm just that good." 

Hera rolled her eyes and pushed him playfully in the shoulder. "Right and I'm blurrg's daughter."

Kanan captured her hand in his, his thumb stroking over the pulse point on her wrist. "Well then you are the prettiest blurrg that I have ever seen."

He was so close now, his breath ghosting over her flushed cheeks. All she had to do was lean forward just a little bit and she would have him. She wanted to - goddess help her, she wanted to - but she knew that the second she gave in, it would all be over and she wasn't sure she was ready for...whatever this was with Kanan. 

So she took a step back, her heart beating furiously in her chest. "I can't." she whispered. Kanan just smiled, giving her wrist a gentle squeeze. 

"Well next time you want to try again," he said, those brilliant eyes of his sparkling. "Just let me know."

He let go of her arm and walked out of the lounge. Hera bit her lip and wondered when she would be ready. 

~

28 Years Old

"I can't do this." 

She was numb, the world a grey haze before her. Distantly she could hear Chopper beside her, grumbling about something but she couldn't bring herself to care. They were gone. One moment she had them both in her arms and now there was nothing but empty air. 

Hera curled up on her bed and stared blankly at the wall. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. 

Ezra was gone.

Kanan was gone. 

A tear slipped down her face. Hera closed her eyes. 

When she opened them again, Sabine was crouched down next to her, concern written across her young face. Hera wondered when she would lose her too.  

"Hera." she said softly. "You need to eat."

"'m not hungry." she mumbled, hiding her face in her sheets. If she could just go away for a little while maybe when she got back, things would be different. They would be here and there wouldn't be a gaping hole in her chest where her heart should be. 

"I know you're not but the doctor said you need to." she paused, placing a hand on Hera's shoulder. "For the baby."

Another tear escaped the corner of her eyes. 

"I can't." she whispered. "Sabine, I can't do this without him."

Sabine pulled her close, her armor sharp against her arms. She let Sabine hold her as she cried. Tears she had thought had long since dried up came flowing out of her in raw, angry sobs. How could they do this to her? How could they tear this family apart? 

How was she supposed to fight without them by her side?

How was she supposed to raise her child without them to help?

How was she supposed to go on living when Ezra was missing?

And Kanan. How was she supposed to breath without Kanan next to her?

Sabine gripped her tightly, rocking her back and forth. "It's okay Hera, it's okay." she whispered. "I've got you. It's okay."

"I can't do this." she cried. "I can't do this without him."

"I know. I know." Sabine's voice was thick. "But we have to."

Hera tightened her hold, desperation lacing her words. "I can't."

"We have to Hera. I know it hurts but we have to." She pulled back, her hands still firm around her arms. "For them. For the baby. We have to keep moving."

Hera nodded mutely, her lekku falling heavy over her shoulders. With a monumental effort she took the bowl Sabine offered her and took a sip. The broth burned down her torn throat and landed heavy in her stomach. She did it again. 

Once the bowl was empty, Sabine left with a soft promise to return. Hera watched her go with swollen eyes. She sat there on the bunk resting her hand on the barely there bump of her belly. For just a moment she could feel Kanan's hand on hers. She held the feeling close to her chest. 

She couldn't do it. Not right now. But maybe in a little while, she'd find her strength to move on.

~

38 Years Old

"I can't do this." Hera threw her tool down on ground, wincing at the loud clatter it made as it fell. She sat back against the bulkhead and breathed deeply through her nose, trying to disperse her frustration. It was a beautiful day on Lothal, one of those perfect cloudless evenings that made the endless grassy plains shine like gold. She looked back at the underside of the Ghost's main dashboard and sighed. This just wouldn't be fixed today. 

She pushed herself to her feet, her knees popping with the motion. Goddess she was getting too old for this. Following a bright peel of laughter, Hera climbed down the ladder into the hold. Zeb sat at the foot of the ramp, his greying fur glimmering in the bright sun. Out in the little patch of land that sat behind their house she watched as Ezra tossed Jacen in the air without touching him, the Force keeping her son aloft. 

"I see Jedi training is going well." she laughed as she sat down next to the Lasat. 

"You know Ezra," Zeb chuckled. "Everything's a game to him." he paused looking down at Hera's grease stained hands. "You get the Ghost all fixed up?"

"I can't, not today. I'll have Chopper look at it when he gets back."

"You have any idea what Sabine plans on making?"

Hera groaned. "Not a clue."

Zeb echoed her sentiment before pushing to his feet. "Maybe I'll be too sick to eat tonight." He said as he shuffled back towards the house. 

Hera smiled. Her gaze drifted back out to the swaying field where Jacen was listening to Ezra with rapt attention. She saw herself in the dots of green on his skin, the hallows of his cheeks, and the arch of nose but everything else, that was all Kanan. Her heart ached with the familiar echo of grief but she blinked it away. 

"You would love this." she whispered softly. "I don't know if you can see it wherever you are but, he's so much like you. They both are."  

Off in the distance she heard the familiar whine of Sabine's speeder. She stood and called out, "Ok Master Jedi, training's over! Come inside and wash up for dinner please!" 

There was a chorus of groans from behind her as she stood and locked up the Ghost. She couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips. Some things never changed.

[themeowsticvigilante]

Orpheum's Tales: Music of the Night

[featuring the Shaymin crew from @shaymincafe ]

A morning breeze sweeps along the quiet forest of Floarama Town, Orpehum's usual abode when he is alone by himself. After all, the town was special to him, a second home. This town is where his constellation appears first every night.

The bard plucked a few strings from his lute, a morning routine he so regularly performed. A good note would be a blessed day but a bad one would be a tragedy … an omen even. Fortunately, the Victini deity would smile upon him as the lute produced a perfect note.

He sighed a breath of fresh air, relief overcoming him as the day would proceed as normal, for him at the least. Donning his trusty bard hat, off he went to meet someone, another Shaymin as he was taking flight towards the rendezvous.

The gentle breeze made the journey quite refreshing, after all … no one would knowingly dwell into turbulent weather, especially a deity like him. As he took flight, he was in the form of a wisp, vibrant green with wings similar to a Yanma for he wouldn't just reveal himself to mortals just like that.

Moments passed before he could finally see the rendezvous from afar, vaguely sensing someone waving towards him. Realizing it was a familiar face, he immediately went in and landed in front of her, giving her a bow as soon as he returned to his Shaymin form.

"Orpheum! Glad you could make it!" A Shaymin in a vibrant pink hue gleefully greeted the bard with a smile.

"Good morning, Rosemary. I too am glad to be here." He nodded to himself, his face a vibrant glee, and looking around the place. "So this is your ... what was the word … Cafè? Sorry, I have been too accustomed to the word tavern."

"Yes, it is! Shaymin Cafè~ not the most subtle name we can think of but it does attract quite the crowd." She giggles and motions for him to follow her. "Come! Let's introduce you to the others"

"Right now, you say?" He looked a bit nervous, his audience usually consisted of only one but to a few 'mon of his kind? He isn't used to that kind of stage but he internally reigned in his thoughts and smiled. "Sure! I am excited."

~~~

The doors to the cafè opened, immediately getting the attention of everyone inside. Rosemary was the one to enter with Orpheum following close behind, his lute perched on his back as an archer would their quiver. There was silence as the rest of the Shaymin staff immediately averted their attention towards Orpheum.

"Everyone, meet Orpheum! Better give him a warm welcome because he is a special Shaymin~" Rosemary broke the silence as she winked at them and gave him an introductory pat on the back.

"Greetings! Greetings!" He gave them a bow and a huge grin trying not to break the otherwise momentum that Rosemary had set. "Orpheum the Blossoming Bard, at your service!"

One of the Shaymin finally took interest, narrowing her eyes as she approached Orpheum. She circled around the bard as if to do a thorough inspection. "A bard, aye? … sing a song for us why don't cha." Shiso, the purple one, commanded as she crossed her arms and looked at him intently.

"A song? Yes yes of course! I actually have a short one I made en route here … it's supposed to be about this cafe." Orpheum's ears perked up, immediately getting his lute and clearing his throat a bit. "I hope all of you enjoy~!"

"Go ahead. We'd love to hear it!" Rosemary smiles, eagerly waiting to play his song as the rest of the staff.

"Okay here goes …" He plucked a few notes and began to slowly gain momentum as he started to sing the piece he created.

Come one, come all!

There is a place for all!

Come one, come all!

Everyone is welcome, big or small!

Smiles, smiles are all abound~!

With happy thoughts all around!

We are always ready to serve you.

For we treat you as family too!

Come one, come all! The cafè is open!

A place to bring family or a friend!

Come one, come all! It's a party!

When you join us at the Shaymin Cafè!

He gave a bow after he sang as he always did with every performance he made. Just before he did, he can already hear applause from the group, one even cheering gleefully.

"Woooh! Great song, dude!" Chicory, the blue one blurted out, eagerly waiting to request an encore.

"Impressive. Looks like you're an a-okay then." Shiso shrugs smirking as she hugged Pumpkin, the orange one next to her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Pumpkin here seems to like it too." She looks over at Pumpkin with a nod of approval.

"Simply wonderful, Orpheum! Bravo!" Rosemary cheered gleefully, enjoying the performance wholeheartedly like the rest of the staff.

"Thanks, everyone! My heart is filled with joy knowing all of you enjoyed my song." He says, visibly blushing at his newfound audience. "It isn't new that I get applause but it always is overwhelming for me."

Rosemary stood up from her seat, looking like she was about to say something important. "Alright, everyone! Cafè is opening in half an hour, be sure to make this ready for the customers like you always do!"

The staff immediately started tidying up the cafè, with Rosemary on her way to put the specials on display outside and putting the open sign but not before she looked back at Orpheum with a reassuring smile.

"Welcome to the Shaymin Cafè"

He smiled for a bit while looking a bit conflicted on something as if pondering upon a certain thought that's been on his mind. He followed Rosemary and called out to her. "Rosemary!"

The pink Shaymin immediately turned to face him, looking confused at his sudden urgency and wanting to know what was up. "Yes, Orpheum? You need anything?"

"I was just thinking if I can take a stroll for a moment? Perhaps, more than a few moments to be precise?"

"Sure but … is everything alright? You maybe need some tea to help calm yourself down?"

"No no, please save it for your patrons. I may need some time for myself, worry not … I'll be back before you know it~" He gave her a reassuring smile as a small gust of wind blew around him.

"Okay if you say so. Guess I'll see you around." With Rosemary's wave, Orpheum immediately turned into a wisp and rode along with the wind, letting it carry him towards someplace else.

~~~

It was now nightfall, as the cafè was still bustling with patrons but no sign of Orpheum anywhere. Admittedly, Rosemary was getting concerned for him but she kept that to herself while she worked the tables and managed the patrons like the rest of her staff.

"Psst hey, Rosemary. Where's that hotshot Shaymin you were talking about?" Vetle was there as always, raising an eyebrow as he asked Rosemary about the supposed 'guest' she was advertising just outside of the shop. "I'm just waiting here."

"He'll be here soon, Vetle. Don't you worry." Her smile was hiding that concern still bubbling inside of her as she silently scanned the room for at least a teal-colored wisp. "Just sit back and rela- huh?"

She felt a gentle breeze going through her fur as she turned around, trying to spot someone from the crowd of patrons in the various tables laid around but there was still no sign of Orpheum. She can only do nothing but hum her worries away only, why does it feel like her hums had a rhythm to them? As if there was something or someone playing?

It seemed like she wasn't the only one that would notice it as a small crowd would soon form as almost everyone was turning their heads toward what seemed like someone plucking the strings of a lute effortlessly. Rosemary went towards the crowd of patrons and staff alike to see what was going and that's when she saw them.

A stranger was there playing a teal-colored lute with black-gloved paws as the crowd watched on in awe, daring not to say anything during the performance. They wore a black Venetian mask that covered the upper part of their face, while their body was adorned in a turquoise long coat laced with lacey green accents along with teal pants and black boots.

The stranger was just sitting by themselves on one of the tables and somehow inconspicuously slipped out of sight and started playing as if to make a dynamic entrance of sorts. Either that or the people were too busy minding their business to notice a well-dressed musician enter the shop and take a seat.

After a while, the stranger seemed to stop playing presumably because they were done with their tune and had a mysterious smile as he got up from his seat and bowed to the newly formed audience.

"Greetings, greetings! I am Favonius, Bard of the Blossoms! I'm sure you have been waiting for more than a moment for me but now … I shall now begin~"

It took a few seconds for Rosemary to realize what she should be doing but she immediately got up to the front of the store and called the attention of the patrons.

"Yes! Please settle down, everyone, and sit tight. Service will still continue while the performance is going on. Hope you all enjoy~"

Immediately as everyone did settle into their seats, all eyes were on Favonius as a mix of expressions gathered within the audience. Most were of course intrigued by his presence after all, if that initial introduction was what's to come what more could he show for a full performance? Favonius smiled as soon as they were now eagerly waiting for him in silence and with a single strum of his lute, he now started to a tune to which he would sing.

Lucete, Lucete Stellae …~

Our hearts flutter each night and day.

Lucete, Lucete Stellae …~

Beckoning to us the hallowed way.

When the night is cold and barren still,

With dark hearts of ill will.

Something within us will start to burn,

Igniting for what we really yearn.

We have triumphed, every one of us,

Our trials never left us in the dust.

Our stories, written in our memory,

As it was always meant to be.

Bless the light, as the torch ignites,

To our journeys and fights.

From within our grasp to far off lands,

Making every victory grand.

Even when fear looms and doubts arise,

Triumph comes at a well-fought price.

Even when we ourselves have faltered,

Sacrifices will be honored.

Lucete, Lucete Stellae …~

May the light bring us the way.

Lucete, Lucete Stellae …~

To brave the night and seize the day.

The room filled with praise from the audience as Favonius made a solemn bow, holding his hat to his side right after strumming the last tune to his song. He definitely felt satisfied knowing he would make everyone's night.

"Thank you, my fabled patrons. Thank you! I hope you all enjoyed the show for tonight but for now, farewell and have a good night."

Favonius immediately exited the stage and disappeared into the cafè exit giving everyone a swift wave and flew off towards somewhere else. A few patrons were able to witness Favonius exit but all they saw outside was a wisp that sort of disappeared into the wind.

~~~

Soon enough it was time for the cafè to close while the patrons were still talking about the performance earlier on their way out the exit. Rosemary and the other Shaymins were just cleaning up after such an eventful night as they too were talking about the performance but more importantly, Favonius themselves.

"Man, that thing earlier was pretty unexpected! Even my boyfriend agreed it felt almost like a dream …" Chicory exclaimed while he was sweeping the floors looking towards Vetle, a teal-colored Shaymin leaning against a wall. "But still, that was pretty cool! How did you even contact them, Rosemary?"

Rosemary was just as confused as Chicory when she was asked that, she was by herself and looking towards the windows when she was snapped out of her pondering. "Huh? Oh … you know, I have some connections." Rosemary smiled nervously knowing that she had no idea where he came from.

"Hmm …? You don't look so sure … was he just a stranger? Because it's not usual for you to just invite someone willy-nilly like that …" Chicory raised his eyebrow, stopping what he was doing as he was really eager to know.

"Umm you see … I …" Just as she was about to say something, a gust of wind blew into the inside of the cafè, the very same gust of wind that alerted them to a familiar presence but no tune was to be heard. This time, there came a knock on the cafè door followed by a greeting.

"Greetings, fellow Shaymins. May I come in? I hope I am not interrupting closing hours …"

"Not at all, Favonius. Please come in!" Rosemary breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to at least ask them about what happened, and crossed her arms. “Take a seat … you have some explaining to do.”

“Ohh … my apologies for the commotion earlier, madam~” He bows his head and removes his mask revealing who was behind it all this time. “I … tend to be nervous in front of a large crowd.”

“O-Orpheum!?! All this time, you were Favonius? Wh-why didn’t you told me …?” Rosemary was utterly shocked at the revelation, so was Chicory and the rest of the Shaymin present. “Wh-why did have to hide like that ...? Explain yourself.”

“W-well you see, I’m not really adept at showing my face to a large audience … and your establishment attracts such a crowd. I’m afraid I must don an outfit to appear mysterious. Otherwise, they will eventually know that I’m a deity…” Orpheum stammered in his words, really hoping that his act wasn’t a grievous fault.

“Wait am I hearing this correct? You’re a god!?!” Chicory was barely listening to Orpheum’s whole explanation and instead focused on the part where he mentioned he was a deity. “Are you kidding me!?!”

Chicory’s excitableness did make Orpheum at least for at least a little bit as he smiled. “Yes, I’m a deity. Perhaps it is time to let all of you know. Rosemary was the only one who knew.” He looked over at Rosemary as she gave him a reassuring okay gesture. “But if I did show my true face to a large crowd, there would be consequences. I hope all of you understand why I did that earlier …”

Rosemary would then put a hand on his shoulder and smile. “Of course it’s fine! Let’s just let be our little secret. Right, guys? Especially you, Vetle. Don’t you go around and spill the beans.”

“Yes! Me and my boyfriend here are 100% in it for this little secret! Right, Vetle?” Chicory piped in as Vetle gave a shrug, presumably as a way of approval. “Yeah yeah, whatever. I won’t tell if it means I get the front row seats.” Vetle added with a smirk on his face.

“Me and my girlfriend also agree. Your secret’s safe with us.” Pumpkin also added to the conversation as Shiso gave a nod. “Don’t you worry a thing.”

“See, Orpheum? You’ll be just fine. After all, Shaymin’s gotta stick together.” Rosemary then smiled, Orpheum shedding a tear and let out a sigh of relief.

“Thanks, everyone … truly this has been an eventful day. But I am grateful for every one of your understanding. But alas, I must take my leave for now. Have a good night. It has been a pleasure meeting all of you.” With that, the Shaymin bard exited the café but not without giving a wave from his hat and letting the wind carry him back towards the forest.