#and he has to start lying to her immediately and feels guilty about it

[pinacoladamatata]

another from the archives🥲 She's a menace <3

[mainblogonly]

that boy might be the worst, but damn he looks fine

mdni/no age on blog dni toxic!msby4 x f!reader cw: toxic boys, cheating, lying, empty promises, asshole behavior, they're mean in this okay wc: 500+ each song: boys beware by mad tsai lowercase intentional

miya atsumu — the cheater

"they're not gonna know, sweetheart," he said.

"this is just our little secret," he said.

"it's all part of the fun," he said.

you swore you wouldn't end up here again. you made a promise to the version of yourself that wallows in guilt every night that you wouldn't fall for any of his moves, that you wouldn't end up in his bed. you try to blame it on the alcohol or on the fact that you had a hard day at work, but you both know you'd be lying to yourself. you want to be here, and he knows that.

it feels so right, doesn't it? he cages you in with his strong arms and your body slots under his perfectly. he knows exactly how to hold you, tease you, fuck you. in another world, you think you'd have made a good couple. actually, no—you wouldn't. you'd probably end up just cheating on each other at some point.

he knows your thoughts are starting to drift. after sleeping together for months, he can tell exactly when you start feeling guilty and when you start questioning your decisions. that's his cue to reach down and rub your clit, to make his strokes even deeper, to kiss down your neck. he knows that if he pounds into you just right, you'll forget all about your little boyfriend. the only thing on your mind would be how good he's making you feel right now.

"c'mon, baby, eyes on me," he says.

"more, tsumu," you whine, doing your best to keep your eyes on him.

"there she is, good girl," he smiles.

he's got you exactly where he wants you, and you know that. you wish he couldn't read you this well, but the silver lining is that he knows exactly how to satisfy you. you wonder if he thinks the same of you or if, deep down, he still prefers her.

you're suddently pulled out of your thoughts when your phone buzzes with the special ringtone you assigned to your boyfriend.

"tsumu— wait— stop," you say.

he pauses, but he doesn't pull out.

"what are we doing?"

"having fun," he says, almost immediately, "a lot of fun, if you're asking me."

"no, i mean," you sigh, "i don't think i can do this anymore."

"babe, we've been over this—"

"i know, but—"

"it doesn't matter if you feel guilty now," he says, moving ever so lightly to push deeper into you, "either way, you know i fuck you better than he does. you'll just be back here the moment i text you that my girlfriend's out, we both know that. so just have fun with me, okay?"

"tsumu, this is really bad," you say, but you can't help but let out a moan at how he continues to stretch you out.

"don't pretend to be an angel now, sweetheart," he says, holding your jaw so you're forced too look up at him,

"because every time you show up here, you're just as bad as me."

⋆.ೃ࿔:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔:⋆

sakusa kiyoomi — the liar

he says the nicest things when you're together. he tells you how much he misses you, promises he'll take you out on a proper date, says you're the only one for him. you almost believe him, but you know better.

"god, you were made for me, princess," he groans, slamming his hips into you.

he has you on all fours, arching your back to drive his cock deeper as your drool drips onto the mattress. the grip he has on your hips is sinful, sure to leave marks that'll remind you of your stupid decision to believe his words again.

"so pretty, g'na spoil you for taking me so well."

"promise?" you whine, trying to look back at him as he fucks you into the mattress.

"of course, love," he says, leaning down to whisper in your ear, "i'll get you a pretty dress and we can go out so everyone knows you're mine. i'll even give you a necklace with my initials on it. sound good?"

you know he won't do any of that, he never has, but you can't help but hope. the way he's holding you right now makes you think, maybe this time will be different. he wouldn't call you this often if you didn't mean anything to him, right? he wouldn't be this close, moaning your name and telling you how he needs you every day if he didn't want something more, right? he wouldn't have memorized every little thing that makes you feel good if he wasn't serious, right?

"please," you plead, and you don't even know what you're begging for at this point. for him to go faster? harder? for him to finally walk his talk? for him to actually tell people you've been sleeping together? to be anything more than his post-game ritual? for him to invite you to meet his friends? to ask you to be his girlfriend?

it doesn't matter—you don't even remember what was going through your head because he hits that spot, and you can both sense how close your release is.

"i got you, darling. want this as bad as you do, don't worry. just be good and cum with me okay?"

you wish he wasn't so sweet like this, that he didn't talk you through your high every time you slept together. it felt too intimate, something that should only be done between people who'd wake up next to each other in the morning.

he pulls you up against his chest, leaning back so you're sitting on his cock, and you reach your high together. when you both finish, he at least has the decency to carry you to the bathroom and gently wipe you clean.

"do you want to get lunch tomorrow?" you ask, some newfound confidence blooming inside you.

"no thanks, doll. that's not the kind of thing you and i do."

"but you promised—"

"promised what?" he asks, and he dares to smile at you,

"i have no idea what you're talking about."

⋆.ೃ࿔:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔:⋆

bokuto koutarou — the ghoster

empty. cold. quiet. disappointing, but not surprising.

you let out a sigh, still half naked in the middle of your empty bed. you have a moment to yourself—quick flashes of denial of what happened and hope for what could still be—before heading to the bathroom. you wash your face, and looking into the mirror, you see every mark he left on you last night.

"god, you're so pretty," he groaned, leaving hickies from your neck to your chest as his hand moved down, down, down.

"missed you s'much, kou."

"you're so wet for me, baby."

you tried not to think about how he ignored your confession in that moment, tried to focus on the pleasure instead of how he never said he missed you. it worked, for a little bit. so long as he fingered you the way you like, preparing you for the size of his cock, you could forget that you wouldn't hear from him the next morning.

"feel good, princess?"

"yes!" you moaned, "wan' you to fuck me, please!"

"eager now, are we?" he grinned, "well, since you asked so nicely," he pushed into you, stretching you out despite the prep. you left scratches down his back, secretly hoping that his next girl sees them and gets jealous. the way he groaned once he bottomed out is straight up pornographic; you want to memorize that sound and replay it whenever you want.

you shake your head to snap out of it.

"stupid, stupid, stupid," you mumble to yourself, looking up into the mirror again, "you deserve more than this! get yourself together!"

you said the same thing three weeks ago, and a month before that, and a couple of weeks before that. your friends keep hounding you to stop showing up for a man who ghosts you every single time, but you just can't. of course, it seems easy to them; they have no idea how he makes you feel.

"c'mon baby, give me one more," he said, pounding into you after your fourth (or was it fifth?) orgasm of the night. he said he'd get you to twelve to match his jersey number.

"too sensitive, kou! can't," you moan.

"yes you can, i can feel how bad she wants this," he begins rubbing quick circles on your clit, "shit, you're still so tight."

"m'close!"

"that's my girl."

his girl? bullshit. you scroll through your texts with him to strengthen your resolve, and it works. you're reminded of how he ignores every single text you send, unless it's a response to his booty call. you can't even call yourselves friends with benefits, not with how he treats you.

and so, much to your friends' relief, you ignore him. for the next few weeks, you don't check his instagram, you refuse to click on his contact, and you actually start feeling good about all this. you think that maybe you'll get over him, and you can start finding someone else.

until your phone dings.

from: DO NOT ANSWER hey babe, game sucked tonight :( can i come over?

⋆.ೃ࿔:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔:⋆

hinata shoyo — the player

you have no idea how he does it, how he makes you feel special. the way he holds you, the way he whispers in your ear, the way he bites your shoulder as he finally enters you—it makes you feel like you're the only one for him.

"how are you still so tight?"

"you're too big, sho!" you whine.

"and you still take me so well, baby," he grins, "that's why you're my favorite girl."

"really?"

"don't believe me? how bout i show you?"

you know you shouldn't be flattered by that. it's just a shallow little compliment to get you exactly where he wants. in fact, you invited him over tonight because you wanted to talk about being his only girl, about getting him to choose. but you were never really good at resisting him, were you?

"come here," he says, wrapping an arm under your back so he can flip you two over, "be good and ride me, yeah?"

you nod, the pleasure too much for you to even speak. you brace your hands on his chest and begin moving, relishing in how his cock stretches you out.

"you look beautiful," he reaches up to massage your breasts and, more than anything, it's that compliment that gets to you.

he's always good with words. he says the sweetest things to take you home and the dirtiest things when you're in bed. he knows exactly when to call you sweetheart, when to call you slut, and when to call you a dirty lil' princess. for a second, you wonder what he calls the other girls, but a particularly deep thrust brings you back.

"that's it, pretty, just like that," he grasps your hips, guiding your movements.

"feel s'good, sho!" you moan.

"me too, gorgeous," he thrusts up in time with your movements, "you're perfect."

he knows that it's sweet talk that'll get to you tonight, and you know he's using that to his advantage. but for now, you choose to enjoy it. you choose to savor the way his chest grumbles underneath your palms as he calls you every synonym of pretty he can think of. you choose to focus on how he fills you up, how he makes you shudder with pleasure. you choose to believe in the fantasy, just for a little bit.

when you're both done, he gently lays you down and lets you use his arm as a pillow.

"that was great, thank god i texted you tonight," he chuckles lightly.

"what?" your heart sinks at the implication, though you shouldn't be surprised.

"i was choosing between a few of you, but you're my favorite after all," he smiles, leaning in for a kiss as if being his fucking favorite was the highest compliment of all.

"what the hell, shoyo?" you push him back "we just fucked and you're already thinking about other girls?"

"sweetheart, you knew from the start you wouldn't be the only one," he scoffs,

"so if you have a problem with that, that's on you."

⋆.ೃ࿔:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔:⋆

[aza-writes]

hi love!! hope you’re doing well!!

i was wondering if i could request no voldemort au, wolfstar!daughter reader where her parents and harry’s parents have been making jokes about her and harry dating, and since then they have seen her slowly fade and kind of just drifting away for a few months, and when her parents, lily, and james talk to her about it she just tells them she likes girls and was really scared of telling them because she felt she was disappointing them bcs she wouldn’t date harry.

thankss, feel free to make any changes on the plot or not doing it if you don’t feel comfortable 🤍🤍

Hey! Sorry this took so long but I've started applying to grad school😭.... This has been a MUCH needed stress relief

Now, without further ado...

The "Father of the Year" Upset

Parents!wolfstar x daughter!reader

Requested: Yes! 

Summary: see request! 

Warnings: homophobia? Kinda, but not really. Implied Darry 

A/N: Omg thank you for the request! I’m so excited! Second request!! If you want more like this, please read my Little Wolf and Little Star series. It twin!reader(s) x dads!wolfstar. Selene is a lesbian icon in that series, and both she and her sister are hopeless romantics!

Y/n was adopted with a built-in best friend… or that’s what she believed. 

Harry was great in many ways: a great Quidditch player, great at transfigurations, a great listener like his mum, and an even better talker (like his dad). 

And that’s the issue. Harry was great… so why couldn’t y/n force herself to fall in love with him?  Worse, why can’t she just admit it? 

Actually… those are stupid questions. The answers are simple. 

Why can’t y/n fall in love with Harry? Easy, he was a boy. Plain and simple. 

Why can’t she admit it to not only herself but to her very gay dads? Because she would be forced to end her da’s, Sirius, and his honorary brother/best friend, Uncle Prongs, dream they’ve shared since they found out they would have kids the same age. 

Y/n was adopted at the age of 18 months, just one week before Harry turned 2, and ever since then, James and Sirius have had a joke that they were gonna make sure their kids fall in love. 

Slowly but surely, it became more than a joke. 

It became a dream, a hope, a desire for their children to fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after. And since y/n is a pathological people pleaser (especially to her dads), there was no way in hell she was going to ruin that dream. 

“Caridad, you’re gonna bite a hole through that lip if you keep chewing on it like that.” Remus lightly teases as he taps his cane on y/n’s shin, a subtle way to point out that it was bouncing out of control. 

“Sorry…” Although y/n’s leg quit bouncing, their ankle started shaking. 

Remus knew his daughter like the back of his hand. He could read her face easier than Sirius’s, and his husband wears his emotions on his sleeve. 

“Sorry for what? Being uncomfortable?” His teasing tone is more sincere yet still light to avoid scaring her off.  “Come on, dove, what’s on your mind? Maybe your da or I can help.” 

“Help with what? You know what, it doesn’t matter. I’m great with advice.” Sirius plops down on the couch next to Remus, his arm instinctively lying on his partner’s shoulder. 

“Miss is doing the leg bounce again.” 

“Ah, so anxiety. School? Friends? Harry?” 

Harry. 

But not in the way he was expecting. 

“Oh? So it is Harry? That’s another point for Da being correct and the best parent in this house. Try to keep up, dear moons. You’re falling behind in the “Father of the Year” contest.”

His chipper mood just makes y/n feel worse, causing her to sink into her seat, which immediately alerts her dad that the issue isn’t something that will be worked out with ease. 

“Caridad, what’s wrong?” Remus sits up, his cane placed firmly on the ground as if he’s ready to jump and solve whatever was worrying his daughter. “You can tell us anything.” 

Y/n knows she shouldn’t feel guilty. She shouldn’t feel shame. Hell, she’s been going to pride events since she was adopted. They would accept her; she knows it… but the look on her da’s face. 

His silly little dream, crushed.

“I’m sorry.” Y/n squeaked out, barely even a whisper.

“W-what?” The color from their faces drained, and only the worst-case scenarios were running through the couple’s minds. 

“I-I’m sorry.” She said a bit louder, her eyes filling with tears. “I really tried.”

“W-what’s wrong? What happened? You tried what?” Sirius was sitting just as straight as Moony, ready to do anything for his daughter. “Did someone hurt you?”

“No! No. I-I’m fine.” Y/n frantically reassured, their panic only increasing hers. 

That small sentence calmed them both, but only a bit. Remus kept his cane firmly planted while Sirius kept a secure hand on Remus’s knee. 

“Tried what then? Darling, please, we want to help you.” Sirius’s gaze was filled with worry, but also love. He hated seeing his daughter upset, and he would do anything to take that pain from her. 

“I’m… I’m not into Harry…” That was the understatement of the year, but it was all she could manage to get out. Why can’t she just bite the bullet? 

“Oh, thank Merlin.” Remus slumped into his seat. “Caridad, I thought the worst of the worst.”

“What? That’s what’s bothering you? Star, that was just a joke, teasing. James and I have caused you this much anxiety?” Guilt was written all over his face. The new knowledge of the amount of anxiety he caused his daughter was causing a knot to form in his stomach. 

“It’s not just that…”

The couple resumes their tense, straight position. Cane and doc martins firmly planted on the ground. 

“I… I don’t like any guy…”

Silence. The tension was somehow rising and dropping at the same time. Remus’s eyebrows hit his hairline before he relaxed completely. 

Sirius, on the other hand, only one eyebrow was raised.

“Not one fella? Ow!” He flinches at a light thwack on the shin from Remus’s cane. “What? What did I say wrong?”

“You’re clueless… don’t be a twp.” Remus grumbles.

“What? How? Our daughter doesn’t… oh.”

And before y/n could register what she was saying, the sentence “Yeah… I fancy girls…” was already out of her mouth. 

“Oh… fuck I’m so stupid.”

“Sirius!-”

“How did I not notice!? Oh I’m the worst. That’s it. Congratulations Moony, you’re father of the year on account of how I’m dumber than a cat.”

“Isn’t the phrase ‘dog’?” Y/n raises an eyebrow, no doubt a trait she picked up from the dramatic da.

“Watch it, Star.” Sirius feaux scolds.

“Sirius, calm down.” Remus rolls his eyes as Sirius dramatically falls onto the couch before sitting up. 

“Calm? We’re two gay men and I didn’t notice how my own daughter is gay! Star, I’m so sorry I’m so stupid. You deserve a better da.” 

Y/n knew he was being dramatic just to make her laugh, and damn it was working. 

Sirius ends the theatrics with a small smile grows on his face hearing his daughter’s laugh. 

“I truly am sorry, Star. I shouldn’t have gone that far with the joke.” 

“It’s alright, I don’t know why I was so nervous…”

“Same reason I was nervous to come out in my friend group even though your pops was already out for over a year. Coming out is scary. You’re being vulnerable.” Sirius moves to kiss his daughter’s head. “But know we love you no matter who you fancy.”

Y/n didn’t hesitate to hug her da. Her arms wrapped around his torso tight and his arms were quick to reciprocate. The hug was completed when Remus joined in. 

“We love you, caridad.” He kisses the top of her head. “More than the moon and stars.”

“Love you both too.” Y/n’s voice was muffled due to the group hug. 

“Good, now, I have a phone call to make.” Sirius wiggles out of the hug to go to the landline. 

“Huh? To who?” Y/n follows her da to the phone.

“I have to inform my culprit that all jokes about the future Potter-Lupin wedding must cease.”

The phone only rang twice before a chipper “Yello” carried out of the speaker phone. 

“James.”

“Yeah?”

“Our dream is officially not an option. It was a fun-”

“How the hell do you know already?”

“What? How do you know?”

“Harry just told me.”

“Harry told you y/n is gay?”

“What? No! Harry told me he is dating a blonde- wait! Y/n is gay?”

“Yeah… how did I not notice? She’s basically a-” 

“Mini Marlene!”

“Mini Marlene!”

Yeah, that made it official. The father of the year award was a tie.

A/N: I thought I had this scheduled for a few Fridays ago… I forgot to hit the save button. Oops.

[lemonlover1110]

𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝

Toji Fushiguro

[Chapter 14] Feelings of Betrayal

← Previous Chapter - Story Masterlist

Pairing: Toji Fushiguro x f!Reader

*It's a shorter chapter but for a reason🥹❤️ Baby is coming up so i made a little form for baby names since I don't have one picked out. If y'all want to submit any names that you really like

*also please send any asks to @tojilover1110 <3

Discord +18 - Twitter - Ko-Fi

Toji’s tapping his foot, growing impatient as he waits for Shiu to show up. He called Shiu, and the man agreed to meet up to talk about everything that’s going on. Toji is convinced that you’re lying to him, not because he thinks Shiu is above that but because you’d say anything to get back at him. 

When Toji first confronted Shiu about the issue, Shiu sounded completely lost. He doesn’t know why he didn’t think of it immediately, you were clearly lying. But he doesn’t want to outright accuse you of lying without getting confirmation from Shiu first. 

There’s a knock on the front door, and Toji nearly runs to get it. He hasn’t been waiting for too long, but for him it feels like an eternity. His thoughts have just been consuming him… The thought of you and Shiu being together fills him with an unprecedented rage. 

“Hey…” Shiu awkwardly greets Toji the moment the door opens, and it answers all of Toji’s questions. Shiu did something with you. He sounds as guilty as charged. It’s not something that Toji usually picks up on, but there’s just something off that gives everything away. Toji stands in the middle of the doorway, making it impossible for Shiu to get through. “So… Are you going to let me in?”

“Did you sleep with her?” Toji won’t let Shiu inside so easily. He fears he’ll have a reaction that will lead to severe consequences, so he’d rather have Shiu outside, somewhere where he can easily slam the door shut.

“What are you talking about?” Shiu’s clearly guilty, even though he tries to play it off. It makes Toji want to strangle the man right there and then, but he has questions that only Shiu can answer.

“You know what I’m talking about.” Toji tries to keep himself calm because he knows he won’t solve anything if he just starts beating the shit out of Shiu. Shiu stays silent, biting his tongue. He came with the idea that he’d be honest with Toji, but he feels different standing right in front of him. 

“We didn’t– But we…” Shiu takes a deep breath, taking a step back to put more distance between him and Toji. “She gave me a handjob but that’s as far as we got.”

Toji’s vision slowly turns red, and he takes deep breaths to calm himself down. His hands go to his pockets as a precaution. Maybe a few months back he would’ve had Shiu pinned down and beaten some sense into him, but Toji remembers one thing over and over again: He’s going to be a father again soon. He’s not going to get into any trouble, even when the matter comes to you.

“Of course.” Toji scoffs. Toji has to look at the ground because the mere sight of Shiu is enough to get him to lose control. “You just couldn’t wait, you had to dig your claws in. Is waiting a year too hard? Or at the very least until my daughter is born.”

“The daughter you don’t want.” Shiu can’t help but point out, because he doubts that he really cares about that detail– Toji is just hurt and willing to use anything to paint Shiu as a bad guy.

“I want my daughter, don’t you fucking dare.” Toji is shaking from the anger that consumes him. He tries to take another deep breath to calm himself down. “Don’t you fucking dare going anywhere near her again, I’ll fucking kill you.”

“She’s allowed to do whatever she wants. You two aren’t together because you were a bad husband to her. You always were.” Shiu says, and Toji’s teeth dig into his bottom lip so harshly he could bleed. “She’s allowed to move on with whoever she wants.”

“Not you, dammit! You’re supposed to be my best friend!” Toji yells, slapping his hand on the door, which makes Shiu take a step back. Shiu puffs out a breath, thinking of what to say next. 

Shiu is one of Toji’s closest friends. He does owe Toji loyalty– But really, who else is there to blame other than Toji? Shiu won’t allow himself to suffer simply because Toji got to you first. Maybe if you had done something to Toji, he wouldn’t allow himself to get close but you didn’t.

“I’m sorry, Toji.” Shiu sighs. “I’m not going to pass up on the opportunity of a great woman just for you. Just because you couldn’t appreciate her doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get a chance.”

“Curse you, Kong. I’ll kill you.” It could be an empty threat, but Shiu will not take his chances with Toji. Not when Toji goes back into his apartment, leaving the door wide open. Shiu isn’t a coward, but he values his life enough to know when to walk away.

When Toji walks back, Shiu is gone, which ends up being the best decision for the both of them.

Toji tosses and turns in his bed at night, too much on his mind which makes it impossible to sleep. This doesn’t happen to Toji, he barely looks at his pillow and he’s asleep. But not tonight. Tonight he keeps thinking about you and Shiu, wondering how this is possible.

You’re allowed to move on (even though he doesn’t want you to) but not with Shiu. And Shiu shouldn’t be doing this in the first place. He doesn’t know what hurts worse, the betrayal from Shiu or the fact that you chose his best friend of all people. He guesses Shiu’s betrayal stings the most since he did nothing to the man to make this happen. 

This is what Toji practically asked for, so he can’t complain. Maybe he should’ve been better, and wiser after everything; perhaps he would’ve had a better fate. 

Toji can’t do much. You’ve made your decision and he can’t force you to change your mind, as much as he wants you to. It fucking hurts that it’s Shiu, but at least Shiu will make a great step-dad. 

Yeah… His priorities have changed. He still longs for you to be by his side on the cold bed, but it isn’t his main focus. The daughter he didn’t want is what he cares about the most now.

Maybe a low blow is all he needed for him to reconsider what he should prioritize. 

Toji sighs, sitting up in bed before turning on his lamp. He won’t be able to sleep no matter how much he tries, he might as well continue working on the baby blanket. Her arrival is just in a few months. 

But he’s gone through this before, she’ll be here in no time.

[loud-mouth-loser]

not him - 3

summary: you meet steven for tea...

pairing: marc spector? x reader, steven grant? x reader

tags: angst, feelings, confusion, miscommunication, tension, cliffhanger, all the good things we hate, an incredible use of italics and em dashes, no marc :(

wc: 2.4k

note: hey...it's been (checks the blog) a year and a few months...hi...

ch. 1 | ch. 2

[an extended author's note is at the end of the chapter to avoid spoilers!]

---

Your POV

Warmth seeps into the pads of your fingertips as you clutch the paper coffee cup in front of you. You initially ordered a medium iced coffee, but when your name was called you were presented with a hot cup of something else. 

You took it without complaint, eyes briefly glancing along the long line by the register before returning to the misspelled name scribbled onto the side of the cup. You’re sure the baristas are overworked, so as long as it’s caffeinated and palatable, you’ll be fine.

Some may call you spineless because of this, but you like to think you’re just…easygoing, flexible �� able to adapt to unexpected changes without too much fuss. But now, with those soft brown eyes staring back at you from across the table, you realize that change is harder to face than you initially thought.

Steven has his usual Earl Grey steaming in a lidless cup next to a pile of tea-blotted napkins. He already found a way to spill his drink on the table before taking a single sip. He mumbled a censored curse, quickly using three folded napkins to soak up the herbal puddle before it could drip to the floor. 

You couldn’t help but watch silently as he cleaned up the mess, his dark brows furrowing as he evaluated the table that separated the two of you. His eyes flashed with a brief spark of harshness directed at the empty space before him, masking over his usual gentle look. You could see the flood of self-reproaching thoughts that rushed through his mind as he pushed the soggy mess to the side. The short bout of frustration painted on his face immediately reminded you of Marc –

And suddenly you're reintroduced to the issue at hand.

Other than the portion of tea on the napkins, Steven’s drink is full, sitting there untouched as he looks back at you like he’s waiting for you to start the conversation. As if he wasn’t the one who invited you out. You’re used to him babbling through the silence, even if the conversation holds no substance.

You fiddle with the cafe’s logo sticker on your cup, peeling it off halfway before pressing it back, an attempt to distract you from looking back up at him. You can feel his stare backing you into a corner. 

Thoughts rush through your mind as an unfamiliar tension surrounds the two of you. 

He doesn’t know, right? 

No, he can’t.

Marc was fronting last night and Steven went to bed early. It’s not like he’d tell him anyway. 

Why would he?

– 

Steven’s POV

“Good day at work?” Your voice comes out softer than he’s used to, hesitant…testing – as if you haven’t heard yourself speak since you left his flat. 

“Work?” Steven takes a sip of his drink — not because he’s thirsty, but to buy himself some time to come up with an excuse for why he missed work today.  He winces slightly from the heat of the tea. He can’t lie to you, but he can try to soften the truth. “Right, I-um…” And the truth was: Marc decided to use one of his rare vacation days to mope around because of what happened the previous night. “...slept through my alarm again today.” 

You finally look up from your cup and meet his stare, eyes rounded with concern. “Steven.” He scratches the back of his neck, feeling guilty for lying to you, but you interpret his sheepish expression as a response to your usual soft scolding about him missing work. “Donna is not going to be happy. You’ve already missed a handful of shifts this month!” Donna, his manager, has always been hard on him – no matter how many extra shifts he picks up or how late he stays, it’s never good enough for her. 

Steven hides his small relieved smile as he watches you fuss over him, murmuring about different ways he could get a better night's rest or the various alarm clocks that you’ve read about. It’s only now that he notices the warm feeling he gets when you worry about him. 

“It’s okay, I just called in sick last minute.” This time he isn’t lying, he did call in once he got the body back, but Donna wasn’t happy to hear about it. But really, when is she ever happy to hear from him?

“This is coming out of your paycheck, Stevie.”

Oh, how he hates that nickname…

But he doesn’t want to think about that now, he’ll deal with the consequences of Marc’s actions later. 

Right now, he wants to deal with…the consequences of Marc’s other actions.

You reach across the table and take his free hand, a comforting gesture you’ve often used in the past to capture his attention whenever you sense his mind is racing with hundreds of thoughts. 

“Alright, but if you want, I could call you in the morning to wake you up? I’m already up at that time anyway.” 

Steven almost flinches when you wrap your fingers around his. He can’t help but stare down at your touch. Your hand is so soft, and warm, his eyes flit to your face, just like your li– 

Wait, what is he thinking? That wasn’t even him! 

You’ve done this countless times before, so why does this feel different all of a sudden?

—

Your POV

You watch curiously as his gaze grows distant, “Steven?” You softly squeeze his hands to wake him up from his thoughts.

“Um, call – alarm?” Steven pulls his hand from yours and fiddles with the collar of his shirt which suddenly feels quite tight against his neck. “No, it’s fine, I just think Marc had a lot to drink last night, that’s all.”

Your eyes widen. Right.

You pull your hands back from where they'd settled on the table, abandoned by Steven’s touch, and rest them in your lap. Fidgeting nervously, you shift your focus to the neglected napkins at the edge of the table next to Steven, eager to avoid his gaze as his alter is suddenly brought up.

“Well…you should tell him to not drink so much when you have work in the morning…”

You can tell that Steven noticed how you retracted from the conversation as soon as you heard Marc’s name, but he doesn’t bring attention to it. He just chuckles nervously in response. 

“I’ll try…” 

The two of you remain silent for a moment. The comforting energy that was once fuelled by your friendship feels distant now, overshadowed by the tense anticipation of the inevitable confrontation. 

He takes a breath before breaking the silence, “Love…I have a question.”

“Okay.” You bite at your bottom lip nervously. 

Here it comes.

“Are we still up for movie night this week?” A weak smile cracks from the seam of his lips as his eyes find yours again. 

…Or not

You immediately cover up whatever anxious energy you are sure you were overflowing with – putting on your usual smile, the one made just for him. The one that always makes him feel at ease. 

“O-of course, Steven. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Oh, okay, good.” 

–

After confirming your plans, Steven went on to ramble about the movies and shows he wants to watch with you.

Of course, he’s already seen each one at least two or three times, but he enjoys watching them with you – seeing your reactions, answering your questions, telling you fun facts… 

You can’t keep up with the conversation.

Your mind is running in circles, anxious about returning to the crime scene and possibly seeing him again. You’re not ready for that confrontation yet. 

You left the cafe feeling worse than when you arrived. 

How are you supposed to keep going on like everything is okay? 

Like your world hasn’t been turned upside down?

—

The warmth of Steven’s flat is comforting. You swear it was designed to be homey – which is why you never understood why Marc always looked so tense in here. The low hum of the kettle on the stove, the faint smell of old books and tea—it’s familiar. Safe. 

But not tonight.

You’re curled up on his worn couch, clutching a fluffy blanket tighter than necessary, trying to focus on the show playing in front of you. You can barely register the actors on screen. Your pulse thrums loudly in your ears, drowning out every word of dialogue.

Steven ended up choosing Sherlock because “each episode is 90 minutes – basically the length of a movie – so we’ll have at least a month of movie nights figured out!” You can tell he has a big fat man-crush on Cumberbatch’s Sherlock…just look at the way his eyes sparkle brightly when Holmes starts deducing – but you don’t say anything. You’re too anxious to tease him tonight. 

Steven sits beside you, a careful amount of space between you. He’s been quiet, unusually so, eyes flickering between you and the TV. You can feel it every time his gaze lingers—soft, curious, hesitant.

Sure, you’re used to this back and forth habit he has when you come over, but usually he’d be chiming in throughout the movie or show with a “you see that?” or “did you know that [insert actor here] was actually [insert fun fact here] during filming?” 

Tonight he’s barely made a peep. 

It’s freaking you out. 

And then, halfway through the episode, you feel it.

The slight shift of the cushions – Steven trying to scoot closer. 

Not boldly, just inching forward like someone dipping a toe into cold water. Your breath catches in your throat. His knee barely grazes yours, and it feels like a shockwave ripples through you.

Again, you’re used to his cuddly side. You’re supposed to be used to it. 

Used to the way he’d lean against you, his head on your shoulder as you both read books in comforting silence. Used to the way he’d intertwine his fingers with yours during tense scenes in a movie, squeezing when the sound effects get too loud – though he’s seen the same scene a handful of times already and should know what to expect (he’s still a scaredy cat). Used to the way he’d let out those soft breaths when he’d fall asleep with his head in your lap, your fingers running through his perfectly messy hair. 

You were. 

But since his confession about Layla, it’s different. Since what happened between you and Marc, it’s different. 

You could hear an intake of breath, signaling that he wants to say something, but before he can get it out, the kettle whistles loudly. He gets up, a bit rattled by the sudden interruption, and tends to the tea. He doesn’t even pause the episode. He always pauses when he has to get up. 

Clearly, neither of you are focused on the show tonight

He comes back with two steaming cups – chamomile because “having caffeine after the sun goes down disrupts your circadian rhythm” – and he sets them on the coffee table in front of you. You’re surprised he can even find enough space for them because the table is usually – 

It’s clear… 

You didn’t even notice how uncluttered his flat is. 

You take a second to look around. There are still overflowing bookcases, excessive amounts of cuddly blankets and pillows, and a couple of mugs out, but otherwise, it’s neat. And that can only mean one thing: Marc is stressed out. 

The one time you’ve seen Marc during the day, by accident and before you really knew him, he’d been grumpily cleaning the flat. 

You could tell that something more was happening behind the scenes, something other than frustration towards his alter for attempting to read 5 books at once, then falling asleep at his desk before being able to put them away. He was antsy, muttering to himself as he meticulously organized the bookshelves by author and subject. 

You assumed it had something to do with his strained relationship with Khonshu, but you didn’t ask. Steven had warned you against mentioning anything Khonshu-related in front of his alter in the past and you heeded to it. Instead, you left the bag of takeout on the kitchen counter and quietly slipped out.

Unfortunately, you’re aware of what’s stressing him out this time. 

“Do you like the show so far?” 

You’re immediately pulled from your thoughts. Steven is back in his seat with his hands cradling his mug for warmth. He’s noticeably further away from you than before. 

“Yeah, I actually can’t believe I haven’t seen it yet.” Your voice is soft as you lean forward for your drink. You take a sip.

You must have been lost in your thoughts for a while as the tea had cooled enough for you to easily drink it. You look down at the tea bag sitting at the bottom of the cup, unsure what to say next. 

You hear Steven sigh before the TV is shut off. Whatever Sherlock was monologuing about is cut off, replaced with the quiet buzzing of the A/C. You look up to be met with an equally hesitant gaze. 

He situates himself on the couch so he’s facing you more directly.

“Steven…?”

“Are you okay?” He finally says, “Because you’ve been distracted all night – Haven’t even said anything about the show, or asked for snacks, or sit in the way you usually do when you use me like a footrest…”

“Um, no, I’m fine.” You dismiss his worries and place your mug back on the table, hoping he’d just drop the subject. “I’m just tired, you know? Had a long day at work is all.” 

“I know that’s not it.”

You turn away from him just to stare at the blank TV, “Yeah? And how would you know?” Your words sound harsh but your voice is soft and unstable. “Aren’t you too busy worrying about Layla?” You regret saying it as soon as it leaves your mouth. You don’t know what drove you to say it, but something about him trying to care is frustrating you. 

“W-what, this has nothing to do with her.” He places a hand on your shoulder to get you to look at him. It works. You hate how the warmth from his hand can instantly calm you and have you itching for his touch. “Look,” He looks at you with guilty eyes before letting it all out, “I know that you and Marc kissed.” 

The warmth between you instantly disappears.

You freeze. 

Your mind races with excuses, stupid ones, and straight lies, but they’re all stuck in your throat – you can’t say anything. 

Steven continues to speak, “I just can’t help but wonder…” He pauses briefly and you watch him roll the words through his mind before taking your hands in his. He squeezes them like he does when he’s watching a thriller movie and it gets too intense – “...were you thinking of me when it happened?”

If you were shocked before, now you’re floored. 

---

author's note:

like I said with the last chapter, i'll have a chapter half written out and left in my google drive until I finally, painstakingly, finish it. 😭

i really want to write a lot and have it out for you guys immediately, but i'm simply not a writer so i can't do that. i don't ever have a plan for these chapters or the story as a whole so if it's messy just know: it's all me, baby :)

i genuinely could NOT write out the confrontation -- but how did you like the twist? or should i say the AUDACITY of steven 😼 (if you hate it, i am sorry 🙏 truly). the reason why i wrote out all of this was so you could get an idea of the dynamics around steven and the reader. i wanted to make some hints at your past friendship and how this situation has ruined it. i know this story is slow asf (and not just bc of my inconsistent posting) but i swear i want to see where it goes just as much as you guys do. unfortunately, i'm in charge of figuring it out.

sorry again for the delayed chapter. 👋 see you in a year i guess...

[chiharuuu22]

Whumpee blinked when he felt someone pulling up the blanket. He saw the Team Leader there, smiling at him.

"Sorry to wake you," he said. "Go back to sleep."

Whumpee seemed to circle the room with his eyes because he felt something was missing.

"Where... where is Caretaker?" he asked in a weak voice.

At first glance, Team Leader looked sad, but his expression immediately changed, "She's a little unwell, so I'll be on guard. When she's well, she'll come here."

Whumpee didn't answer and chose to close his eyes again. Team Leader, who felt a little guilty about lying, could only sit beside the bed in silence.

***

"Whumpee is looking for you," said Team Leader to Caretaker who was sitting alone in the dark hospital lobby, handing her bottled tea.

Caretaker did not answer. Her hand accepted the offered drink. Her eyes looked puffy, as if she had been crying for a long time.

Yes, Caretaker just expressed her emotions. The anger, fury, hatred, and disgust she had been holding at Whumper's trial poured out all at once. Had it not been for the Team Leader and other members to be detained, Caretaker would have wanted to kill Whumper right then and there.

How could it not be? It was Whumper who captured Whumpee during their fight, held him hostage for almost a year, subjected him to experiments, and even harassed him. What's more, Whumper records all of it. The recording was also played in court and made many people sick to their stomachs. In fact, the judge also had to pause it several times. Not just Whumpee, but all of Whumper's victims were killed.

Whumpee managed to survive with great difficulty, even taking strong evidence to corner Whumper. Unfortunately, Whumpee also ended up languishing in the hospital and being critical for some time. Victims who survived also had the same condition; some even had mental disorders.

After seeing everything that happened to Whumpee, Caretaker was unable to meet him. Found Whumpee who was still lying weak and still had to be helped with medical equipment, even just to breathe. Caretaker didn't dare imagine what Whumpee was going through.

"Whumpee didn't say anything, but he noticed you were avoiding him," Team Leader sat down next to Caretaker. "He woke up several times and looked like he was looking for you."

"I don't dare go see him. I can't stand what I just saw, let alone Whumpee who experienced it," Caretaker spoke in a trembling voice. "I'll definitely cry if I see him."

Team Leader sighed, "At least he's safe and still has his sanity. I know you two need each other, and now Whumpee really needs you by his side."

Caretaker downed her drink.

"Go meet him; Whumpee will be very happy to see you." Team Leader patted Caretaker's shoulder to encourage her.

Caretaker nodded.

***

Whumpee woke up again when he felt something soft and cold touch his cheek. His eyes widened slightly when he found the Caretaker beside him stroking his cheek with affection.

"The Leader said you weren't feeling well. Are you sick? Are you okay?" Whumpee asked and slowly trying to get out the sound he managed to muster, his hand reaching for Caretaker's face. "Are you crying? Why?"

Caretaker started to feel a pinch in her heart; she wanted to cry again. "I'm okay. Just... just a little tired. Don't worry. I'm feeling better too; that's why I came here. Why? Miss me?"

Whumpee flashed a weak smile and said, "Yeah. Very."

Caretaker chuckled softly and said, "Don't worry. I'll be beside you."

Whumpee actually realized why Caretaker was acting like that. Whumpee knows today is Whumper's court, and he already expects that the indictment and evidence will be shown there.

"I'm sorry," said Whumpee.

"Why apologize? You didn't do anything wrong," Caretaker kissed Whumpee's forehead gently. "Go to sleep. You need it."

Whumpee squeezed Caretaker's hand. Just for that alone, Whumpee felt safe.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

"Where do you think Harry would live after the war? I personally think he would stay at the Burrow for a while, but I can also see him coming back to Grimmauld Place. I know Harry sees the Weasleys as family, but I doubt he'd want to live there long-term. Harry's an introvert, and the Burrow isn’t the best place for someone who needs time alone. But yeah, it’s my headcanon, so I’m curious about your opinion on this."

I really like the idea of Harry returning to Grimmauld Place, though, I don't think it'll be immediately.

The first night after Voldemort is dead, he sleeps in his bed in Gryffindor Tower:

he turned away from the painted portraits, thinking now only of the fourposter bead lying waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower and wondering whether Kreacher might bring him a sandwich there

(DH)

He might stay in Hogwarts for a bit to help out McGonagall and the others. While they're going through the bodies, preparing burials, until Mrs. Weasley insists it's bad for him, and he should come stay at the Burrow with them.

I actually think Harry would decline because I'm not sure how comfortable he'd feel there right after Fred died. How he could sit there, having died and came back, but Fred just died. He didn't come back. And, I don't think most of the Weasleys would really think it's Harry's fault, but, there will be some tension there. Like, I think Harry would feel really awkward about the whole thing and like when he's upset early in DH and in OotP, he'd want to be alone.

Harry tends to go quite and isolate himself when upset, so I see him finding himself back at Grimmauld with Kreacher, secluding himself from everyone for a bit and disassociating like early in OotP:

On the fourth night after Hedwig’s departure Harry was lying in one of his apathetic phases, staring at the ceiling, his exhausted mind quite blank, when his uncle entered his bedroom. Harry looked slowly around at him. Uncle Vernon was wearing his best suit and an expression of enormous smugness.

(OotP)

Or after Ron left in DH:

She [Hermione] threw herself into a chair, curled up, and started to cry. Harry felt dazed. He stooped, picked up the Horcrux, and placed it around his own neck. He dragged blankets off Ron’s bunk and threw them over Hermione. Then he climbed onto his own bed and stared up at the dark canvas roof, listening to the pounding of the rain.

(DH)

Hary, when upset and depressed, tends to just, shut down. So I can see him going into this state in Grimmauld Place for a bit early after the war. (Except for a few visits to Andromeda and Teddy, since I think he'd take his godfather role very seriously).

That is until Ron and Hermione drop by to drag him to dinner at the Burrow.

During this first time at the Burrow is when Ginny probably corners him about their relationship, how that goes depends on what AU/ship you're writing. But even in canon (with the epilogue), I'm not sure how quickly they get back together. I mean, Ginny still goes back to Hogwarts and Harry would try to find his footing in his life, so, it's up to the writer.

Anyway, I think Harry is more likely to stay most of the time at Grimmauld Place but stop by the Burrow often enough in the year after the end of the war (after that first lunch/dinner Ron and Hermione drag him to).

This guy is going to use Sirius' bedroom again (like in DH) like the traumatized mess that he is.

Now, the question is, where is Teddy in this time?

We know during the battle he's with Andromeda, and I think Harry is going to take his godfather responsibility super seriously, as I mentioned. Harry doesn't trust adults in general, so I think, initially, he wouldn't really know what to think of Andromeda, so I think he'd be more inclined to visit her and Teddy before going to the Burrow — he feels responsible for Teddy and guilty over Fred. And Andromeda I think would feel familiar to him. I think she has the same arrogance as Sirius, she carrys a similar pain to Harry — she, too, lost everyone. They both only have Teddy.

(Yes, Harry has the Weasleys, and as much as he loves them and appreciates how Molly tries to make him feel included, I don't think he really feels like he belongs, yk?

The aftermath of Fred's death shows this well:

The Great Hall seemed to fly away, become smaller, shrink, as Harry reeled backward from the doorway. He could not draw breath. He could not bear to look at any of the other bodies, to see who else had died for him. He could not bear to join the Weasleys, could not look into their eyes, when if he had given himself up in the first place, Fred might never have died. . .

(DH)

And after the war, he skips Ginny and Molly to get to Ron and Hermione:

He spotted Ginny two tables away; she was sitting with her head on her mother’s shoulder: There would be time to talk later, hours and days and maybe years in which to talk. [...] Everywhere he looked he saw families reunited, and finally, he saw the two whose company he craved most.

(DH)

Ron and Hermione are the closest to family for Harry, not all the Weasleys. When he wants to reunite with family, it's Ron and Hermione, not Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys. (And Luna earlier, but that's because she is comforting to him in general, but he doesn't see her the way he does Ron and Hermione))

Eventually, though, he'd probably move out of Grimmauld and to a different place of his own. With who and when is more up to personal headcanon and whether you consider the epilogue canon or not.

[tokutaiseichan]

I’ve pointed this out before but so far, Hotarubi is the only chapter where a Like Dove never made any appearances. Thanks to Taiga, we know that Like Dove is probably some kind of a spying device and everything points to the possibility that its duty is to monitor missions involving ghouls.

Yet it never made an appearance during the course of Hotarubi’s mission. Why is that? At first, I thought it’s perhaps because Taiga had killed and eaten the one that appeared during the Sinostra chapter. In the first place, we never found out if there are more than one Like Dove. It’s an anomaly—and a rare one at that. It might be the only one or maybe not.

But then I started thinking: what if the reason a Like Dove didn’t appear to monitor the ghouls’ mission this time is because they already have an “Insider” involved in the mission?

Zenji is automatically out. My man’s dead and Darkwick doesn't even know his ghost is still wandering around. Subaru? Makes sense since he has already lied to everyone before. What’s another secret? But after all that happened at the Ultio prison and considering his personality, I feel like what he confessed that time was everything he was involved with. Subaru’s awful at lying and hiding things, if he’s the spy he’d be a bit more obvious and feel even more guilty. So hmm… I wonder who we’re left with……

Remember how during that one time MC was trying to escape again, Haku was the one who just conveniently showed up and successfully convinced her to not defy Darkwick anymore?

Sure, we can see it as simply a considerate gesture of a senior looking after his anxious junior. Especially when it's so blatantly implied later that he had experienced the consequences of going against the rules. Still, the timing is just… too perfect…

MC trying to escape → Bumped into Rui who's about to head to a mission → Haku suddenly appeared (Rui: “But Moby said no one usually rides around this time of the day~”) → Haku scolded both MC & Rui一brought up the clause of disciplinary actions if one were to do anything funny during missions and reminded Rui of his standing (Haku: “You know it's even worse if you're the one she's with, right?”) → Haku got MC away from Rui → Haku reassured MC and convinced her to stay at Darkwick to break her curse first instead of running away (like what he did before?)

It's almost as if he was purposely sent there for damage control.

“I'll keep this incident a secret from the Academy,” when the reason MC can't even escape in the first place is because Darkwick already knows what she's trying to do? Yeah, right. If you have tried to run away before, you'd know Darkwick has eyes everywhere.

I also found his responses from chapter 2 of his Personal Story rather interesting.

If MC thanked him → “…You shouldn't put too much stock in what I said, you know.” (He acts like the ever dependable and reassuring senior to MC but when she expressed genuine gratitude, he immediately backed off. Does he feel guilty because of how MC seems to always trust his words now? Because he’s keeping something from her?)

If MC shook her head → “Looking at you trying so hard made me realize how underhanded I am.” (Now he just sounds so bitter here…)

There's also the bait and switch with Hotarubi.

During Sinostra, MC found out the existence of a spy among the ghouls. And immediately at Hotarubi early chapters, Moby told her that the Hotarubi ghouls are hiding something. This planted seeds of doubt in MC一she thought one of them might be related to the spy. But at the end of the book, it was… in a way, disproven.

The secret they kept was Zenji's existence一for Haku & Zenji一and Subaru's mission regarding Lyca and his true stigma. This, ironically, leads up to MC being much more determined to trust the ghouls and be more wary about the Academy and Institute一even more than she originally did.

The reason I brought this up? Because the narrative has now painted Hotarubi as the “innocent” house. They made us (both MC & the readers) think how the ghouls over there are just trying their damn best to protect their friends… so that you'd suspect it the least for housing any spy (whom, in Taiga's words, is supposedly trying to screw other ghouls over). They made it seem like Hotarubi must've shown all their cards by now and gave us a sense of… relief? In a way.

(Obviously, there's still the mystery of Haku's dorm transfer. But that's for another day…)

Last but not the least, I'll bring you Haku's last words he told MC before jumping into the fire:

EN: Sorry, I guess I couldn't be the guy you wanted me to be. Ha ha… Don't look like that. Never lost faith in me, did you?

JP: ……すまんね。おまえさんの期待に、応えられんかったわ。はは……そんな顔しなさんな。最後におれを信じてくれて、ありがとね (Direct, almost word-to-word tl: ……Sorry. Looks like I couldn't meet your expectations. Haha…… Don't make that face. Thanks, for trusting me even at the bitter end.)

“Thanks for trusting me to the end,” are you Implying MC has reasons to lose her faith in you, Mister Haku Kusanagi? 🤔🤨

This is probably just me reaching but, has anyone noticed how “trust” seems to be a recurring theme with MC and Haku in particular? “Trust me. You'll be fine here,” and “If you need any help, I'm always happy to lend you a hand,” but also, “Don’t take what I said too seriously.” Which is it???

Anway, since Obscuary is just around the corner, I just wanna say that: 

1) If a Love Dove doesn't appear then it means I'm just looking too much into things and that the reason it doesn't appear is simply because Taiga has killed the one during Sinostra. And everything I wrote up to this point are hogwash.

2) If a Love Dove does appear again, I'll add +1 sus point to Haku.

“Why are you so suspicious of Haku anyway?” Years of watching anime and reading manga/visual novels/etc has taught me that you should always be wary of the sawayaka oniisan type. =w=)b

If you read until this point then thank you for giving my 2 a.m. rambles a chance! But please keep in mind that they don't call me Detective Reaching #2 for nothing. 🤧 For now, I'm going to log off so 🫡 Ciao!

[missglaskin]

Hi I had a question have you ever considered writing for ACOTAR and what do you think about the series and who would be the worst? Yandere to have if you could do a ranking this is not a request. I just wanna know your opinion. I hope you have a good day or night. 😊🥰❤️

I didn’t make a ranking but I did rate them (1 least worst, 10 being pretty bad) hope you don’t mind

Feyre only wants what's best for you, at least that's what she thinks. She feels a great deal of guilt when her mind wanders to dark places. Feyre doesn't like lying or deceiving you, but she always tries to justify herself. She is extremely protective and fiercely loyal, going to great lengths to keep you safe; the end always justifies the means. Everything goes well with Feyre as long you don't struggle against her and just let her take care of you. 6/10

Elain seems harmless at first, lost in her own world, spending hours daydreaming about you rather than approaching you directly. She's shy in approaching you, but her infatuation with you grows steadily and soon enough you start seeing her more often. She does not resort to violence like the others but pretends to be your friend while subtly isolating you from everyone else. You realize a little too late that Elain is scheming to keep you all to herself, not when she gives you that sweet girl. 4/10

Nesta appears cold and distant at first, often trying to push or avoid you altogether. Unaware it’s Nesta’s realization of her intense feelings and maybe it was her way of trying to protect you. But in moments of jealousy or danger, Nesta’s possessiveness becomes glaringly apparent. She does not want to chain you down, but she fiercely wants you all to herself. Desiring to have you solely for her own gaze and touch. You should just trust her and let her make all your decisions on your behalf. 6/10

Mor's danger lies in her manipulative nature and her relentless desire to get what she wants. The second she set her eyes on you; she wanted you. Mor takes the role of your friend, gaining your trust and coaxing you to confide in her. Letting you reveal your deepest secrets and positing herself as your savior to ensure you feel indebted to her. You can never point the finger of blame to Mor, she’s always one step ahead even when you find yourself isolated and powerless to make your own choices. 7/10

Amren is not someone who immediately raises suspicion, but there's an air of uneasiness. Not interacting all that much with her at first. But you'll feel eyes watching your every move yet when you turn to look, nothing is there. She in a way positions herself as an ally, subtly guiding you in the way she wants, all to assert control over you. As time passes, her tendencies begin to surface and she can no longer conceal her possessiveness. Finding yourself isolated and confined to a little place all alone with her. 8/10 

Rhysand is charismatic and not even you are immune to his charms, despite your better judgement. He's so good at pulling the strings, steering situations to his advantage. You could accuse him of an act that you know he has done, but he'll turn it around, making you feel guilty for doubting him. When Rhysand senses you're slipping away from his gasp, he won't hesitate to resort to extreme measures. You're trapped with no allies and no means of escape leaving you no choice but to depend on him. 9/10 

Cassian's intense loyalty and protective nature may seem his best traits, but it's a means of suffocation to you. Cassian is convinced he knows what's best for you, stubbornly insisting on his ways even if you push him away or outright reject him. His impulsivness guides his actions, causing him to raise his voice or grip you too tightly, but Cassian always apologizes afterward, you must forgive him right? Cassian is nice to have if you never resist and simply allow him to do as he pleases. 7/10

Azriel doesn't approach at first, preferring to watch you from a distance, meaning all the time. His shadows are tasked at keeping him informed and ready to protect you from any impending danger. When Azriel involves himself in your life, he becomes the center of it. Bid farewells to your past connections as he demands your full attention, confined under his very control. You may be allowed some freedom if you comply, but resist or fight back, it won't bode well for you. 8/10 

Tamlin is a storm that's looming, ready to engulf you. His protectiveness and possessiveness are like a chain around your neck; suffocating. He's controlling and has a desire to keep you by his side at all times. No matter how much you fight back, Tamlin believes you'll come around eventually, time is all he has. Sometimes, his temper flares and he lashes out, destroying things in his path, and seeing your fear brings him back to his senses where he apologizes profusely, promising it won’t happen again. 9/10 

Eris is intensely jealous and controlling, viewing you as his and his alone. There's a high likelihood he'll keep you trapped, unwilling to let you go. But beneath all his possessiveness, Eris is somewhat desperate. He long for you to just open yourself up to him, to surrender to his touches. With everything he went through, Eris doesn't wish to inflict harm on you. Why must you force him to restrain you, to him it's so simple, why not just give into him, a life where he shows you devoted love and loyalty. 7/10 

Lucien is aware of his tendencies and has tried to avoid you, but keeps finding himself drawn back to you, unable to resist gazing at you from a corner. He's consumed by his obsession, devoting himself to you completely, and Lucien finds himself unable to fight against it. He never wishes to harm or trap you; he has seen the damage it caused. He hopes his charms and time will be enough to win you over, and become so entwined in your life that you can't take him out of it. 5/10 

[ninyard]

how do you think andrew and aaron’s relationship changes after the trial?

(i’m so annoyed i wrote a really long detailed answer for this and then stupid tumblr mobile got rid of it so lemme try again)

i think that after the trial andrew and aaron’s relationship changes for the worse, for a while, until both of them are in a place to make it better.

aaron disappears for a while after the trial - he goes away with katelyn, maybe staying with her parents or in some hotel in a state far away from south carolina. they spend some refreshing time together without the crushing weight of the trial haunting their every second. he cries a lot, that week or two, every now and again hit with the relief of freedom and the guilt of knowing he did kill someone, at the end of the day. he may not be guilty, he may be free, but a man died by his hand. it’s so fresh as well, everything having been recounted over the past week and a bit. but it’s the first thing they do when he gets home after they receive his not guilty judgement; they leave, and he doesn’t talk to anyone other than her for however long they go for.

before that, during the trial, aaron breaks down after andrew’s testimony. he knew it would be hard but hearing it out loud, so detailed, so monotone. andrew doesn’t fuck around with the lawyers. he says it like it is, he states the facts. aaron was expecting him to be a nightmare on the stand, but no, he’s perfect, he’s telling them everything, oh god he’s telling them everything. it destroys aaron. he’s wrecked with guilt, thinking about how much andrew has done for him in his life, how little he feels he’s given him in return. and he can’t stop thinking about everything all at once; remember the way andrew sleeps? with his back to the wall and a knife under his pillow? how he can’t stand those certain words, how he can’t be touched? how he was when you met him for that first time? how he was when you started living together?

it reframes his entire relationship with andrew, his entire view of him as a person, and it kills him to think about how his brother actually went through this. he’s not lying because he thinks it’s funny, he’s telling the truth. after andrew testifies, until the end of the trial, aaron is a numb emotionless mess. every second of his days are spent thinking about andrew andrew andrew. the guilt he feels over causing this, causing andrew to talk about his past, the past he kept well hidden for an obviously good reason. he can’t look andrew in the eye, not because he necessarily views him differently, but because it hurts him so badly to remember the words that left his lips on the stand.

andrew is the same, in some ways. he already isolated himself for a week before the trial, staying in wymack’s place, not talking to anyone for fear the sickening feeling in his stomach would escape. he takes to the stand, and he’s shaking, but he can’t look at anyone other than the lawyer. he can’t look at aaron, who sits with his mouth ajar beneath a hand that covers it in shock. he can’t look at neil, on the right side of the room, trying his hardest not to react to the excruciating details. he can’t look at cass, on the left side of the room, her husbands hands intertwined in hers, a tissue in her free hand blotting the leaky eyes she’s had since day one. he can’t look at the jury, judging him for his criminal record, for his mental health, for his sexuality and his past.

when he leaves, he doesn’t even talk to neil. he gets in his car, he drops them all off at fox tower, and he immediately drives to reddin. he doesn’t say anything to betsy, either, but he sits next to the window in her office and smokes his way through a packet of cigarettes for an hour or two before he’s able to bring himself to leave. he still goes to the rest of the trial for aaron’s sake, but every time he hears a whimper from cass on the other side of the room, he feels sick. everytime he hears drakes name, he hears the lawyers trying to pin a murder charge on his brother, it twists him up inside. he has as much anxiety about the verdict as aaron does. he feels guilty about what he has caused, too, fearing aaron going to prison because he was protecting him. because he killed the man andrew had been dreaming of killing for years.

the trial ends, and andrew stays with wymack for another few days until he’s ready to return, and he speaks to betsy in some manner every day for a week or two, whether it be via a phone call or an emergency session.

when aaron comes back, they avoid each other unintentionally. mostly unintentionally, anyway, but neither have anything to say. there’s no words that’ll be enough. aaron cancels their next few sessions with bee, and andrew doesn’t seek him out at all. i think for a while after the trial neither of them can stomach looking the other in the eye, and it’s not just because of andrew’s testimony, either, it’s everything altogether that causes this terrible drift they’d been working hard to repair.

the first time they talk to each other again is six weeks later in bees office, where andrew finally looks at aaron and says, i’d do it again to keep you here. and aaron loses it. he sobs, apologising and melting down, and andrew hates it, but bee steps in to stop him from stopping aaron. it’s not enough, it never will be, nuts it’s the first step on a looooooooong road they have together. but they understand each other that little bit more, and in the end i think it makes them closer. it just takes a very, very long time to get there.

[yes-i-write-fanfiction]

I remember seeing this cute ask in another blog, how would the TFP Bots react if their sparkling started hugging them before they went on a mission, when they ask why their sparkling says they don't know if this will be the last time they see their mom/dad

-Optimus immediate reaction is one of utter heartbreak. He has always been so aware of the impact the war has on his sparkling yet this simple admission, that they never know if he will return from missions and want one last good memory, it fucking breaks him. The fact that his sparkling has to think about this, has prepared themselves for the fact that he might one day not return... Optimus gathers his sparkling up in his arms and hugs them for a long time. He feels so guilty, blaming himself for putting them in this situation.

-Listen, Ratchet knows he is old, knows that he is not as strong of a fighter as some of the younger bots. That's why he mostly stays at the base. He had quickly noticed that his sparkling always hugged him before he left and he had a good idea why. But hearing his thoughts confirmed makes his spark squeeze uncomfortably. Because of his advanced age, Ratchet knows that even if he somehow survives this war, he will die long before his kid does and it's a thought he's tried to come to term with. He tries to ease his sparkling's fears about him dying on missions and remind them that he rarely leaves base.

-Bumblebee feels terrible about it. He goes on missions a lot and it's not like he can just stop, he plays an important part in the team and they need him. He wishes he could promise his sparkling that he will always come back but he's well aware that one day, he might not, and Bee could never lie to his kid. These hugs become much more important to him after this, as he recognizes that it's a way for his sparkling to feel in control. It also makes him even more aware of the time he has with them and he aims to make the most of it, wanting them to feel more secure.

-Oh, buddy. Bulkhead would gather up his sparkling in his arms and hold them close. He tells them that they don't need to worry, that he's always going to come back from a mission. You know why? Cause he's a Wrecker and Wreckers are the best there is at fighting. That's why you gotta keep your chin up and believe in him, ok? Bulkhead knows that he's technically lying to his kid, that one day he might actually bite the dust on the field, but he wants them to hold on to their hope, to not worry about him.

-Similar to Bulkhead, Arcee tells her sparkling that she will always come back. However, unlike Bulkhead, she fully believes it. Because nothing would be able to stop her from going back home to her kid. She will fight and do anything to fulfill this promise, to see her sparkling again and provide them the security and love that they deserve. She needs her kid to know this, needs them to know that she defies death for them.

[aajjks]

Can I request a toxicbunny!noona where she accuses jungkook of something she knows he didn’t do but punishes him as if he were guilty just because she loves seeing how desperately he sobs on his knees for her that he’s her good boy 🤍

wärníngs: yändêrê, mänïpülätïon, öbsëssïön, töxïc!noona, cryïng, unhëälthy rëlätïönshïp, trïggërïng thëmës.

note. 1 done ☑️, share thoughts, send in asks for toxic noona!!!! Gif not mine, cr to Pinterest.

The urges he has triggered inside you are unhealthy, toxic.

Jungkook has changed you, you weren’t like this, oh no. You used to be normal, you weren’t sadistic like this, no, you weren’t so hungry for power like this.

You weren’t so toxic like this.

You didn’t crave control like this, you didn’t.

But now, all you want to do is control him, make him so dependent and obsessed with you that he’d rather die than leave you.

Even if you hurt him in the worst ways possible.

“I can’t believe you, jungkook.” You scoff, looking at his trembling body up and down, your gaze travelling, you can see the globes of fat tears well up in his orbs.

Oh you’re feeling so excited. It should feel so wrong but damn it feels so fucking right. “I can’t believe you were flirting with that whore right in front of my eyes.” You tsk. The hybrid looks at you with his wide eyes, you can see the fear in them.

“I-I was not! I really wasn’t noona!!! How can you even t-think that!” You roll your eyes at his defence, “stop! You’re fuckin lying jungkook. You were literally undressing that bitch with your eyes!” You raise your tone, biting the inside of your cheek.

Oh it’s so fun to mess with him.

The expression he makes at that, almost makes you coo at him, almost pity him. He looks so confused, so helpless.

You love it.

“You need to be punished!” You glare at him, his body is shaking. You can see his legs tremble.

“I-I’d rather die than look at another woman like that noona! P-Please you have to believe me!” He falls down to his knees immediately, you look at his messy long hair, the red eyes filled with fresh tears.

God, he’s so pathetic and pretty.

You tilt your head away and tear your eyes away from him because if you look at him for another minute you’ll start to feel guilty.

“L-Look at me! Noona please!” He grabs your legs, taking you by surprise. “You know I didn’t! B-But if you felt like I was being flirty with that woman then you can punish me! I’ll accept any punishment but p-please look at me!” He’s crying, sobbing at this point.

His grip on your legs tighten and you gasp at the force, you put your hands on his shoulders to support yourself, “stop.” You roll your eyes, turning your head towards him.

“Pathetic.” You swipe your tongue against your lips, “so fucking pathetic, Jungkook.”

“Do you think your tears will prove your innocence? Huh? Fucking pervert!”

“O-ONLY FOR YOU NOONA- I-I’m telling you you have a misunderstanding!” He nuzzles his face between your thighs leaning his face into the soft skin, his hot breath fans over your legs.

“I-I love you! Only you! I want you! Y-You can hit me but please don’t leave me! I swear on my love for you that I wasn’t flirting or lusting over that woman! I-I don’t even know her!”

He looks up at you, you try your best to not break character, “why would I!?!? I only think about you noona!” He presses a kiss onto your thighs, his lips touching the fat and you visibly shiver.

“I only love you noona.”

[nebulablakemurphy]

Total Eclipse Of The Heart (Part 9)

Jacob Black x Vampire!Swan Reader

This has been in my drafts for over 2 years 😂Proceed with caution, steamy make out session and some blood drinking.

Series Masterlist

It has been ten minutes…maybe more since Y/N was taken into the Cullen’s meeting room. It’s been radio silence, since Bella and Edward came back from their honeymoon. When Y/N does emerge, Jacob knows immediately, something is very wrong.

“Jacob,” she reaches a hand toward him. “Come with me?”

Jake moves to stand, twining their fingers and allowing the vampire to lead him out the front door, down to his bike. He leans against it, expectantly. “You gonna tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“Bella’s pregnant.”

“With what exactly?” Jacob grimaces.

“Carlisle isn’t sure, they’re…we’re trying to figure it out.”

“So make them take it out of her, he’s a doctor.”

“Jake,” Y/N shakes her head, “she doesn’t want it out.”

“What?”

“It’s her choice and I won’t take it from her.” She knows what it feels like.

“This is different.” This is fucked.

“She thinks Carlisle can turn her at the last minute.” Y/N fidgets with his fingers as she speaks.

“Can he?” The wolf clears his throat.

“It’s possible.”

“But not probable.”

“Baby,” Y/N frowns, “I don’t want to fight. I need you to help me, help her.”

Jacob sighs, “what can I do?”

————————————————————————

Charlie is not so easily swayed, he knows Y/N knows something. He watches his eldest daughter intently at breakfast.

Bella is sick with some kind of bug, currently recovering at a luxury facility in Sweden. Or so the story goes.

The sheriff eyes his oldest daughter over the morning paper.

Y/N catches him, meeting his eye with an awkward smile as she forces a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

“When did we start lying to each other, kid?” Charlie asks.

“When it became necessary to keep you safe. I think it’s the same on your end.”

Charlie is taken aback by this. It’s the most honest answer he’s got from her in months. “If you’re in some kind of trouble, or Bella is-”

“It’s not the kind of trouble you can help me with.”

“Wish you’d at least talk to me about it.”

“I wish I could, Dad.” Y/N admits.

“But you can’t. For the sake of my safety?” He knows this game.

“All of ours.”

Charlie sighs. “Do you know anything else about Bella? How she’s doing?”

“I know she’s alright.” For now. “That’s all I know.”

————————————————————————

Days pass in a blur, Bella withering away as her belly grows.

“How’s dad?” She asks Y/N, curling both legs up under her, on the couch.

Y/N tosses her a blanket. “He’s alright. He misses you though.” She can’t imagine what he’ll be like when they actually…leave.

Bella nods. “How are you?”

“I’m ok.” Y/N lifts a shoulder. She has to be. “The baby could be here anytime now, I need to hunt so I’ll be gone for the day.”

“That’s fine.” Bella’s teeth chatter, she is so cold.

“I’ll leave Jacob with you, he can be your personal hot box.”

“N-no.” Bella forces out, “you don’t have to.”

“I’m not letting you suffer anymore than you already are, Bella.” Y/N mutters, bitterly.

Jacob is leaning against the doorframe, with his arms crossed, waiting for his queue.

Y/N makes her way over to him, feeling his arms encircle her waist, crushing her to him. She nuzzles into the crook of his neck. “Will you stay with her?”

“Yeah,” his words are lost in her hair.

She presses a kiss to his jugular.

“I would let you.” Jacob whispers, “if you want to try, so you don’t have to leave her like this.”

Y/N pulls back, searching his eyes. “No, Jake.” It’s come up before. Bite me.

“I’m not affected by your venom unless I’m already injured.”

“No.”

“It’s no different than you drinking from an animal. I heal fast, it won’t be an issue.”

Y/N opens her mouth to protest.

“I can feel you,” Jacob reminds her. “There’s nothing to feel bad or guilty about. I want you to.”

“Are you sure?” Y/N doesn’t want to further complicate their relationship.

He nods, “come on.” They find an unoccupied room in the Cullen’s home. Jacob flops down on their cream colored sofa, patting his lap.

Y/N eyes him, warily. Climbing to sit over top his thighs, facing him.

Jacob brushes Y/N’s hair over her shoulders and out of the way. Kissing her lips, her forehead, her nose, “bite me.”

She finds a spot on the side of his neck, peppering his beautiful skin with her kisses, breaking it with her teeth.

Jacob groans, turning his head to give her better access.

Y/N whimpers as his blood fills her mouth, trickling down to ease the burning in her throat.

“You’re ok.” He swallows and she feels it against her tongue. “I love you.”

Fuck. Y/N rolls her hips against his. “I love you.”

“I know,” he guides her back to the opening on his neck. His heart beats faster at the pull of her sucking swallows, he hopes she never stops. Jacob sighs contently as she takes her fill of him on the Cullen’s sitting room couch.

Her lips are on his, the moment she’s finished. His bitter blood in her mouth, it’s not as good as the animals she’s accustomed to feeding from. The only thing making the taste bearable is the knowledge that it’s his. Jacob’s blood fueling her, filling her. Belonging to him so wholly.

Jacob tastes the blood and kisses her anyway. The wound on his neck has already begun to heal, he pulls her closer. He never wants her to drink from anything but him again.

Perhaps it’s the imprint, or the reincarnation, maybe it’s just love. Whatever the culprit may be, they are in it now, too deep to ever surface.

Only one thing could steal them from revelry now. The sound of Bella’s tortured screams. The baby is coming.

Part 10

Series Taglist: @vxidnik @remembered-license @itscheybaby @cole22ann @the-tryhard-twihard @zheezs14 @adaydreamaway08 @xcastawayherosx @moneteguiza @stinkii-boii @theatrechic26 @sylum @irrelevant-86

[lemonlover1110]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

Satoru Gojo

[Chapter 7] The Secretary

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Pairing: Satoru Gojo x f!Reader

Discord +18 - Twitter - Ko-Fi

You’re a bit shaken up when you get off the elevator, perplexed by his words. A surge of emotions flows through you. You’re fighting back a smile while your blood boils. Of course he has the audacity to say that. He doesn’t have that right. 

When you’re back at your desk you take a moment to breathe. You can’t believe it. How dare he? He should’ve stayed quiet because he doesn’t have the right to speak to you in any kind of way– To even comment on your looks. You’ll be thinking about this for the entire day, it’s hard not to, considering how fast your heart beats.

Too lost in your own thoughts, you don’t notice when Shoko walks up to your desk. She taps on your desk, and you look up at her. She raises her brows, tilting her head before commenting, “Caught you off guard. What were you thinking?”

You shake your head, before sheepishly smiling at her. You clear your throat before telling her, “Nothing.”

“Did Satoru do something?” She asks and you shake your head. You’re definitely not going to tell her about Satoru’s comment. You do have a question though.

“Shoko… Is Satoru fucking his secretary?” The question that leaves your lips leaves the woman wide-eyed. She then furrows her eyebrows, she lightly shakes her head.

“How would I know? I don’t exactly keep up with him. I literally found out just the other day that he has a son.” She answers. She puts her index finger up before saying, “In his defense, he doesn’t know it either.”

“So you don’t know. Thanks.” You respond, rolling your eyes, and she ends up shrugging before walking into her office. The thought of his secretary and what he said to you lingers on your mind. How does he even say that when it’s so clear that he’s having some type of relationship with her? Not even that, he’s married. He’s fucking married. You never thought that Satoru was the type of man to cheat but you know that look in his eyes all too well. Maybe you just didn’t know him as well as you thought. 

It hurts you to know that Satoru is not the man you thought he was– Well, he had shown himself but you thought that at the very least he’d make a good husband. However, he has proved you wrong. Maybe it’s just a figment of your imagination, perhaps you’re overanalyzing and dramatizing a simple look and a smile.

You doubt it though. 

Like clockwork, a rumor goes around the office that there’s something going on with Mr. Gojo, the new president of the company, and his secretary. You don’t start such a rumor though, another employee does. You immediately know it’s true.

Shoko asks you if you made up the rumors, and you deny it. You don’t gain anything from it, and while she thinks you’re lying at first, she believes you. You really don’t benefit from it, maybe they’re just rumors that happen to be true. Maybe an employee caught them. There’s many possibilities. 

In the end, it’s none of your business.

“Satoru.” Mrs. Gojo barges into the office, finding her son mindlessly reading a report in his hands. He looks up from it to find his mother enraged. He sighs, rubbing his temple since he feels the headache that’s coming. “Would you care to explain what I just heard?”

He closes the report and tosses it on the desk. He crosses his arms before asking, “What did you just hear, mother?”

“Are you fucking your secretary?” Her tone is more accusatory rather than curious, and while Satoru would like to argue with her for not trusting him, she isn’t exactly… Wrong. But he isn’t going to admit it. He ends up shaking his head, but that obviously isn’t enough. He looks guilty. “Fire her.”

“Why?” Satoru asks, making her scoff. She crosses her arms, her index tapping on her arm. She can’t believe he’s asking that stupid question. She opens her mouth, about to speak, but Satoru speaks again, “If it bothers you so much just move her somewhere else. You were so bothered about my ex yet you hired her to work for you. By the way, why did you do it? I swore that you hated her.”

“Why I hired her is none of your business, Satoru. Plus, I don’t hate her.” She answers, making Satoru sigh. That doesn’t answer any of his questions. But he knows that he can’t push his mother, he knows better than anyone how she is. “I told you to fire that woman, and that’s what you’ll do.”

“Give me a reason.” Satoru says, and she raises her brows. Her nails dig into her skin before she opens her mouth to speak,

“My reason is that because of me, you’re sitting in that chair. You want to live a magnificent lifestyle and have your prestigious job? You follow my orders.” Her words make Satoru purse his lips together. He’s about to argue with her, but she says, “I can turn every board member against you, they weren’t even sure about giving you the presidency. Follow my orders.”

Satoru bites down on his lip. He takes a deep breath. He wants to say something else, but he really can’t. He really can’t say anything else but, “Yes, mother.”

“Good. I’ll get Shoko’s assistant working here while you find a new one.” Satoru doesn’t catch on quickly, but when he does, he knows that she’s doing it on purpose. He sighs before he nods.

“C’mon, Ren. Finish your veggies.” You have to tell the young boy that refuses to eat the broccoli and carrots that are on his plate; he’s become picky lately even though he used to love broccoli and carrots before. You assume that the older he gets, the more picky he becomes. He shakes his head, which causes you to sigh. “You won’t get any kind of dessert if you don’t finish your veggies.”

“I don’t like them!” He claims, pushing his plate away from him. You pinch the bridge of your nose. You don’t have the energy to argue with him, you’re simply too exhausted from the work day. You hear as someone unlocks the front door, and when you’re about to pick up Ren to hide because you assume someone is trying to break into the apartment, you hear her voice when she enters the apartment.

“Where are you?” It makes you sigh. You tell her where you are, and when Mrs. Gojo is at the dinner table, Ren’s eyes light up. He stands up on the chair to hug his grandmother, and she picks him up before kissing his forehead.

“Grammy, I’ve missed you.” Ren says, and you nearly roll your eyes. You know immediately that she’s the reason Ren is refusing to eat his vegetables; while a grandmother’s job is to spoil her grandchild, she must also respect your wishes but she doesn’t. She just enables Ren, disregarding you.

“Ugh, I’ve missed you too, my sweet boy. I’ll be visiting you more frequently, I promise.” Mrs. Gojo tells him. You look at Ren’s plate of unfinished food, and you stand up from the chair and pick it up. Now that Mrs. Gojo is here, you know that the plate will end up uneaten. You begin to clean up, rolling your eyes at the sound of Ren interacting with his grandmother. You can’t stand her.

“Hey, I came here to tell you something.” Mrs. Gojo walks into the kitchen, holding your son in her arms, and you turn off the faucet to completely focus on her. You dry off your hands on your pants before you put your hands on your hips. “You’ll be working with my son until he finds a new secretary.”

“Were the rumors true?” You mindlessly ask, and she furrows her brows and squints her eyes.

“You don’t get to ask questions.” She responds, and you click your tongue before you turn your attention back to the dishes. Too focused on the veracity of the rumors, it doesn’t hit you that she told you that you’ll be working with Satoru. Not until you hear,

“You have a son?” Ren quite doesn’t understand how his grandmother is his grandmother– He just knows he adores her, and it’s quite shocking to know that she has kids. Ren knows why your mother is his grandmother but not this woman…

“Yes, dear, your father.” She says nonchalantly, and your eyes widen. Ren’s eyes light up in excitement and he smiles– So he does have a father.

“Can I meet him?” He’s quick to ask, and you suck your bottom lip in. You take a deep breath, but it’s her situation to handle. She’s the one that brought it all up. When you turn to see what she does, she does nothing but shake her head.

Then it hits you, you’re going to be working with Satoru. You can’t stop your tongue, “What the hell do you mean I’m going to be working with your son?”

“That you’ll be working with him. That’s that.” She puts Ren down on the floor, while the little boy points his hands together. You nearly burst into tears as you watch him beg his grandmother,

“Can I please meet my daddy? Please? Pleaseeee?” 

“No, Ren. And that’s final.” She says, and he crosses his arms. He pouts as he walks away, too mad at his grandmother to even look at her. She’s the one that always says yes, so why is she saying no to this? Instead of paying attention to the boy, she looks at you and tells you, “You’ll be reporting to Satoru tomorrow, so don’t bother going to Shoko.”

“And what if I refuse?” You respond. You already agreed to so much, but working directly with Satoru is the last thing you refuse to accept. You wonder what she’d do if you refused.

“You see this luxurious apartment that you’ll never be able to afford?” She begins, and you sigh. Of course. You also know that she’ll take Ren– Maybe not give him to Satoru, but make a nanny raise him. “Do I need to finish? It’s just for a short time, dear. It’s not worth the fuss.”

“Right.” You sigh before turning back around and focusing on the dishes. She stares for a moment before turning around, and going to Ren. 

He has a short-term memory for the people that have wronged him so it’s no issue for her to interact with her grandson yet again.

It doesn’t surprise you that when you arrive at the office the next morning, Satoru calls you into his office. He doesn’t let you settle into your desk first, he doesn’t want to waste any time. You stand across from him, while he sits comfortably on his chair. You expect him to be personal, to talk about your previous relationship. It’s shocking when he doesn’t.

“I expect you to be here earlier. You’ll be working with me, not Shoko, therefore you’ll have a different schedule.” Satoru tells you, and you deeply inhale before exhaling. “I expect you to be competent. Leave anything personal at home. You can be professional, right?”

“Satoru–” You begin but he interrupts you.

“Mr. Gojo.” He corrects you.

“Mr. Gojo, I assure you, unlike your previous secretary, I am extremely professional.” You smile at him, and his eyebrows raise. He rolls his eyes. You find yourself irritated at the fact that he expects professionalism from you after the comment he made in the elevator– And you’re shocked to see how fast his attitude has changed. Satoru is not the same person he was five years ago.

“There’s no way you believe those stupid rumors. I thought you out of all people would be smarter than that.” Satoru comments and you shrug in response. You look around the office, looking for a single picture of his wife, but there is none. 

“I mean… I saw the way you looked at her. I’m not dumb, Mr. Gojo.” You tell him, and he bites his tongue. He can’t argue with that. You smooth out your skirt before weakly smiling at him and changing the topic, “Would you like to start your day with a coffee or tea, sir?”

“Coffee.” He answers, and you nod in response. You turn on your heel and you begin to walk out of the office, until his voice strikes you and it causes you to freeze. “You know, you don’t have to act like you don’t know me. You’ve always known that I like to drink coffee in the morning.”

“I beg your pardon, sir?” You look at him, tilting your head. “We don’t know each other, how am I supposed to know that you drink coffee?”

“I–” He opens then closes his mouth. It feels strange for a woman that’s known him for twenty one years to say that– A woman that he got to know for sixteen years, a woman that he was in a romantic relationship from eighteen to twenty one. But he doesn’t know why he expected anything different, even when he knows that you know him better than anyone.

“Everything okay?” You ask him.

“Everything’s fine.”

[baffledandbewildered]

We've been waiting so so long to reveal this oh my gosh (gay fic under the cut)

I want you to kill me.

It started with those words, so long ago. It was a cruel thing to ask, maybe, but it’s true. Betty wants, a fierce desire that stuns her if she thinks about it too much. She wants it to be Sin. 

Sure. There’s other reasons for it - the ten hearts in her hotbar, the statistics saying 0 deaths, they haunt her more and more these days. I feel death creeping closer and closer and closer and I can’t cheat it forever I’d rather die to you than anything else because there is no one more important to me than you and giving you my life feels like devotion made physical - She wants it to mean something when she dies.

There’s also the desire to mess with people - what will they think? How confusing can they be? And she’s always loved a challenge. 

But the main reason could probably be described as devotion. There’s something thrilling about it - it’s the most extreme version of a trust fall, maybe. It’s a promise. It’s not like she wants the heart back, after all. The idea of one of her hearts alongside Sin’s own - it's a good thought.

I want it to be you over anyone else.

Quite a bit of time passes before they actually do it. Betty doesn’t want to press - it’s a lot to ask of Sin. She can wait.

Then Pantheon build an angel at spawn. And Betty’s never exactly been known for her good decision making skills, so while it’s nothing more than an obsidian box she climbs to height limit and - well, most people know how that story ended.

But that’s not… exactly good for her continued safety. So she’s not really surprised when Sin messages her about their plan a little while later - she doesn’t know if he’s thinking the same as she is, but she’s not going to argue. She wants this.

It seems wrong to do it just in a random cave somewhere, so she plants sunflowers around them. Symbolic, maybe. Her flower, sunset flower, it means something to her, to them both.

So they face each other in the darkness, and she laughs, giddy, because this is what she wanted and it's amazing to see a sword in Sin’s hand and know it’s for her and not be scared. She’s been scared of dying for so, so long. It’s freeing, to stare death in the face and smile. Maybe it’s a bit fucked up, but this is the safest she’s felt in a while.

It makes sense to her. It doesn’t matter what other people think.

“You ready?” Sin asks.

“Yes.”

Dying doesn’t hurt as much as she expected. She lingers in the darkness for a little while before respawning - it’s peaceful. 

There’s an emptiness in her chest. First death, first heart lost - it makes her a little giddy to remember that it’s Sin who owns that heart now. Betty would be lying if she said she didn't like it - there's a lot of confusing thoughts racing through her head about the whole dying thing, but that one remains static.

She's so glad it was Sin to kill her.

But she can’t stay here forever, so she respawns in their base and runs back to Sin. They talk - they don’t really have a plan with all this, not yet. Sin logs off, and Betty goes back to spawn - there are lavacasts to clean up. (She feels a little guilty about those, even if she knows they were inevitable.)

She’s expecting to see people at spawn. She’s not expecting Cogmented, which - to be honest, is a mistake on her part. It has questions - so does everyone, really, and it was fun at first but suddenly she’s realising that confusing people isn’t so smart when they don’t really have a story to imply, so she blurts out something stupid and - well, it’s not wrong. Her death was kinda to do with the carts? She doesn’t want to lie too much - this is meant to be confusing, not -

It’s a dumb thing to say and she realises immediately. Too late for that, though. Five minutes later he kills her, and the last thing she sees is the blue ground at spawn.

That death hurt, and for a long moment she hugs herself in the cold room of her respawn point, waiting for her hands to stop shaking.

The first thing she does is message Sin. The second thing she does is message the global chat - it’s not a great situation to be in, but she can use it, right? She can - make people feel sorry for her, maybe. 

She wishes they’d planned this out more beforehand.

Making people feel sorry for her works better than expected. She meets Void at the parkour and he gives her back her sunset shield she’d thought lost. He gives her carrots and an enchanted axe and she’s so incredibly grateful because - she isn’t lying when she says she has no gear, unenchanted diamond and raw meat meagre protection against monsters, and two hearts down she feels so incredibly fragile right now. He tries to convince her she can fix things - she doesn’t feel bad when she lies and claims it’s unfixable. 

The guilt comes later.

Then she’s left alone, digging herself into a tiny cave on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere, and with shaking hands she draws out her communicator. They need to explain to Deli - but Betty’s too - fragile, panicked, she doesn’t really know what to say or think or do, so she just says something about Cog’s theory being wrong but it’s fine if they go along with it, not realising it doesn’t explain anything.

But she’s not exactly thinking straight right now. She looks back at her communicator, messages from earlier -

It makes her laugh weakly. Sin’s protective, not just possessive he wants her to be safe and happy and oh gosh it’s only been a few hours but she misses him so much, misses the warmth of his wings around her, misses just being in his presence - this hurts but it’s fine, it’ll be fine, they’ll work something out from this and it’ll be awesome - she’s just gotta wait -

When she thinks of Sin, the ache in her chest from her first death warms, a fierce, comforting burning - she'd noticed, soon after the first death, that the scar was… strange. It doesn’t look like a sword-scar, nearer a burn, star-shaped, heart shaped, and it glows gold - Sin’s colour.

Yeah.

She’ll be fine. Betty thinks of her heart, beating in Sin’s chest all those miles away, and the scar on her own skin - it’s a physical reminder of devotion. A promise. She’ll be fine.

[octopus-punching-union]

so we see in ch 2 that mc ability according to sho made him feel relief and he said his stigma wasn’t working suggesting that mc also can make ghouls stigma not work. This is interesting as mc have done both 1-they made Jin use his stigma when he couldn’t anymore for some reason, 2- made sho stigma not work. It is interesting tho a lot of people now think maybe sho was lying do you think that can be a case?

Yeah, I think Sho was lying. But I also think it's a major turning point for his character. He realizes that messing around could've gotten MC killed, and he also stands up for her. (But Leo either doesn't get it or doesn't care, so this is also showing that Sho and Leo are growing apart.)

Earlier, we see Sho and Leo making plans to sabotage MC by pretending that her stigma enhancing ability has completely failed. They intend for Sho to fight off the ghost despite her failure. Sho's not too enthused about it, but he agrees to do it. Then, when they're actually there, things immediately get out of hand, MC is attacked, and Alan has to come rescue both of them.

Afterwards, when Leo is harshly blaming MC, Sho doesn't follow their plan. He keeps up the story about his stigma not working at first — he doesn't want to get himself or Leo in trouble — but he also defends MC despite Leo's attempt to get him back on script. Instead of saying that it completely failed, Sho says his stigma only stopped working for a moment and came back stronger than before, and that thing about feeling relieved. If MC's ability truly didn't work (and if he didn't feel guilty about what he did) he would have no reason to say any of that.

Hell, if her ability didn't work, that's even more reason for him to be harsh to her, to keep her out of harm's way. But he defends her and her usefulness instead.

At the start of the chapter, Sho is pretty apathetic about most things and only really seems motivated when Leo challenges him to something. He doesn't want responsibility and isn't interested in training or missions. By the end, he's taking things seriously and starts training with Alan. He starts actually trying to befriend MC. He starts up the food truck. And Leo doesn't like it. I'm really interested to see how this develops. (I don't think it will go well for anyone.)

As for the feeling of relief Sho describes— I'm not sure what exactly Sho's stigma does except that it's useful in a fight (please let me know if I missed it). But I think it has a negative effect on him, too. He says, "even though I was about to use my stigma, it felt like a weight was off my shoulders." No one else has described their stigma as that kind of burden. Maybe it's literally heavy, or maybe it's particularly stressful or has some other emotional effect.

So I think, in addition to enhancing stigmas, MC has the ability to lessen the negative effects (maybe also Subaru's exhaustion, Haru's susceptibility to injury).