#and it was like my dream self let out an annoyed sigh and just went | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

jiliansky-blog · 4 months ago

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How to love a dream. Chapter 5. Cinema

Pairing: Morpheus x FemaleReader

Rating: PG

Words: 2000

Morpheus

“Is everything good?” asked Hob, when I returned to his home. “Are your plans for today still valid?”

“Yes, I suppose I have one more friend,” I said.

“That’s great!” Hob was really glad. “See, that is what I wished for you. To have more friends. But don’t attack her for her curiosity.”

“I just… It was irrational of me,” I sighed. “I apologize for my behavior earlier.”

“You should apologize to her, and you already did,” he smiled. “She really doesn’t mean any harm. Believe me.”

“Still I don’t want her to be another Burgess or Constantine,” I admitted.

“And the second one helped you, remember?” he asked. “Y\N doesn’t possess any magic as far as I know.”

“And how can you know for sure?” I asked. “She doesn’t know that you are immortal, because you hide it. It can be another way around.”

“Point taken,” Hob shrugged. “But do you agree with me that she is not a threat to you? She is just human, after all.”

“That is right,” I agree.

You woke up with a strange feeling the next morning. You’re going to the cinema with Morpheus. It's almost like a date, but it’s not. You’re friends. Friends can go to the cinema together. Nothing romantic won’t happen.

You had a quick breakfast, then lunch. After the breakfast, your friend called you to ask about the movie. You were annoyed by her question.

“I didn’t go yesterday,” you admitted.

“O, I’m so sorry you couldn’t go,” she said. A little bit of guilt was there in her voice.

“But I’m going today,” you replied.

“Alone?” she asked.

“No, with Morpheus,” you said.

“Are you two…dating?” she asked. “And you didn’t tell me anything.”

“We aren’t dating,” you said. “We’re friends.”

“Yeah, I see,” she replied.

“You know what?” you asked. “I don’t need time for that. I’ve got to go. Bye.”

Definitely, romantic literature that you’ve read played jokes on you. Because you couldn’t forget how attractive and charming this man was. Also, a little bit asshole. But then he changed to his polite self again. God, it was confusing.

He came even earlier than you arranged. But anyway, you were glad to see him. You choose a blue dress. And he seemed to like it.

“I didn't see people wearing dresses to the cinema like to the theater,” he smirked.

“I like wearing dresses,” you replied. “You are early.”

“I decide that it’s better to come earlier than late,” he said.

He looks like usual, and you let him in. He also wasn’t annoyed, which was already a good thing. You smiled at him.

“Do you know what the film is about?” you asked.

“No,” he said.

“It’s about vengeance,” you said.

“Oh?” Morpheus said.

“Yes, and about the power of love,” you smiled. “Are you ready?”

“I’m intrigued,” he nodded.

“Then let’s go,” you said.

And you left your house and went to their theater. You saw that a lot of people were looking at you two. Or were they looking at Morpheus?

“When did you visit the cinema the last time?” you asked.

“I don’t remember,” he replied. “Anyway, I preferred theater.”

“Oh, I didn’t remember when I was there for the last time,” you admitted. “It feels…uneasy to go there alone.”

“Then I will go with you,” he said suddenly.

“What?” you asked surprisingly.

“I think you should visit the theater with me,” Morpheus replied seriously.

That man is full of mystery. At first, he was against you coming to the dinner. Then he went with you to the cinema. And now this.

“You are something else,” you admitted.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“You aren’t like the rest of the people I know,” you said. “And definitely not like other men. It’s a good thing.”

“Good, I think?” He looked so confused.

“Yes,” you smiled.

“Yes, definitely good,” you admitted.

When you came to the cinema, he put out money from his pocket. And then he caught you watching him.

“Hob financed me,” Morpheus said. “And I am going to buy both tickets.”

“You shouldn’t,” you said.

“I know,” he said. “And I insist.”

“Is it your way to apologize?” you smiled.

He frowned and avoided your gaze.

“Perhaps,” he just replied.

“You are sweet,” you smiled.

“I’m just polite,” he refused.

When you were already sitting in front of the screen, it still felt like a date for you. Morpheus on the other side was calm.

“You are sitting so straight right now,” you admitted. “You can relax already. Everything is going to be fine.”

“Are you saying that I’m being nervous?” he asked.

“Yeah, you looked so,” you smiled.

He didn’t have time to answer. The movie began. You were excited to see one of your favorite movies on the big screen with a good image. Morpheus looked interested too. And you were glad he came with you.

At the end of the movie, you were almost sure that you saw tears in his eyes. And his lips were trembling vulnerably. You wanted to ask if he was okay but decided to do better than wound his pride.

“Did you like it?” you asked instead.

“Yes, I feel some…familiarity,” he said. “It was about love that was worth vengeance. And the power of truth.”

“And justice,” you smiled.

“Yes, that’s right,” he nodded.

“What now?” you asked. “Are you going back to the professor?”

He looked at you like a very offended cat. You were confused. What now?

“I thought we could have a coffee,” he said finally.

“I won’t say no to that,” you smiled.

You took him to the café nearby. And you felt almost proud for being with this handsome man. Everyone thinks that you are a couple, perhaps. You were afraid to ruin this.

“Did you like the cinema?” you asked.

“Yes,” he nodded. “Especially that there weren’t many people.”

“You don’t like crowds,” you admitted.

“Not really,” he nodded again. “Don’t worry about that.”

“But we’re in a crowded place now,” you said.

It was true. There were a lot of people at that time of the day. And it was a weekend. You were considering going to another place.

“We can go elsewhere,” you said.

“No, it’s alright,” he said and chose the table.

“You are so a gentleman,” you said.

“It’s simple politeness,” he shrugged. “Do men in your…town so rude?”

“Not rude, but chivalry long gone,” you replied.

“Then good that you’ve met me,” he smirked.

“Definitely,” you said.

You ordered coffee, but Morpheus insisted on paying for you again. You didn’t know how to react to that.

“That is why I said that you’re different,” you smiled.

“I see now,” he said seriously.

“What else brought you here?” you asked.

“Cinema?” he asked.

“I mean to this town,” you replied. “I know, you came to visit your friend. But is there something else?”

“Perhaps I wanted to find myself in something else than my work,” he said after a few minutes of thinking. “My sister said that I need to find a hobby.”

“You don’t have a hobby?” you asked, surprised.

“I like reading and sometimes feeding the birds,” you said.

“That’s I got,” you smiled.

“Sometimes I like watching other people,” he said. “To know his dreams and hopes. Or walking my place of work.”

“Is it good to watch every time?” you asked.

“Yes, definitely,�� he smiled genuinely. “You would like it.”

“Then I hope I see it some other time,” you smiled.

“” Perhaps, one day,” he smirked. “Or one night.”

“Night?” you asked. “Are you working during nights?”

“Mostly,” he avoided your gaze again.

“Tell me about the place,” you smiled and didn’t push this topic. Morpheus doesn’t want to talk about it, for sure.

“It’s beautiful,” he said with a soft smile. “It is like a place of your dreams. There are a lot of nature and wonderful buildings.”

“Sounds interesting,” you noticed.

“Yes,” he nodded. “I hope…to show you one day.”

“It would be great,” you smiled.

You felt warm sitting next to him. It wasn’t like yesterday dinner. He wasn’t hostile and annoyed. He was calm and actually sweet.

“Thank you for this day,” you smiled.

“It hasn’t ended yet,” he smirked.

“But I thought that you wanted to return to Hob after the cinema,” you mentioned.

“I can return later,” Morpheus said. “We still have time. And I am going to visit the theater so I can find out what they can offer.”

“Alright,” you replied.

“Will you go with me?” he asked.

“Of course,” you smiled.

“Then let’s go,” he said.

You showed him the way to the theater; even so, he told you that he remembers it. But you felt inspired by him.

“What can you say about “The Nutcracker” ballet?” he asked inside.

“I like the idea,” you smiled.

“Very well,” he smirked. “Because I have already bought tickets. For tomorrow evening.”

“You’re impossible,” you said.

“I am going to fulfill my promise,” he said seriously. “And I want to make for yesterday. I… I am not usually like this.”

“I know,” you said. “I’m not mad at you.”

“Perhaps you will be mad at me in the future,” Morpheus replied. “Everyone is holding a grudge and leaving. They say that I cruel, and I’m too much.”

“Everyone has their own flaws,” you said. “I can assure you, no one is perfect. And your flaws don’t define you.”

“I used to think otherwise,” he said, looking away.

“Don’t listen to those people,” you smiled. “Everyone can change. And everyone makes mistakes. Don’t worry.”

“You are wise, just like Hob,” he admitted.

“That’s my therapist,” you smiled.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit,” the man replied.

“So are you,” you said. “What now?”

“I can walk you home,” he said. “And more than that, I insist on walking you home.”

“Alright,” you nodded. “I won’t say no to that.”

It was something…magical about the way you two talk. You felt like you knew him for a long time. And you didn’t feel angry anymore.

“Thank you for your company,” you smiled when you arrived at your home.

“You too,” he replied. “Then I meet you tomorrow after your lessons. I don’t want you to distract from your studies anymore.”

“So gentlemanly of you,” you smiled. “You can visit me at the university.”

“I will keep it in the mind,” he smiled back. “Until then.”

He nodded and went away. What a mysterious man! And charming. And handsome. Oh god, I am so doomed.

Morpheus

“How was the evening?” asked Hob during the dinner.

“It was good,” I replied. “Sufficient. Tomorrow we are going to the theater.”

“Oh?” he asked. “You are quickly to court her.”

“It is not. Courting,” I refused.

“And your blushing says otherwise,” the man grinned. “You don’t need to worry about. I would be glad for both of you.”

“I just…” I said, strike with a thought. “I didn’t think about her in that way. And it wouldn't be a good idea.”

“Why not?” Hob asked.

“Because it is forbidden for the Endless and mortals to be together,” I said. “It will lead to destruction.”

“Oh maybe not,” he said suddenly.

“What do you mean?” I frowned. “The last time when I got involved with a mortal, her kingdom was lost, and she killed herself.”

Memories of Nada were always painful for me.

“And when was that?” he asked.

“Ten thousand years ago,” I replied.

“Ten thousand, yeah?” he smirked. “A lot of time passed since then, don’t you think? I want to say that everything could change.”

“I didn’t hear about that,” I said.

“Why, then, your family wants you to find someone here?” Hob asked. “They may know more than you are.”

It didn’t occur to me before. Hob might be right. What if something changed? But what if nothing changed? Then I will ruin everything again.

“Look, I don’t say that you shouldn’t be careful,” he said, looking at me. “Just don’t give up hope if you like her.”

“I will be careful,” I said.

“But do you like her?” he asked.

“You already asked that,” I sighed. “I know her less than a week.”

“And you’re courting her,” he admitted.

“I am not,” I refused.

“When was the last time you asked someone out?” Hob asked.

He was right. But I didn’t want to agree so easily.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said.

“It does,” he said. “Anyway, I wish for you two good luck tomorrow.”

But I could only think about what my sister may know.

@shadowqueen1322 @mypsychoticlove @justathirstyhoe @ladymoztaza @sapphireonline @deniixlovezelda

#morpheus x reader #dream x reader #sandman x reader #the sandman #sandman fanfiction

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gachawolfiebloom · 7 months ago

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Two Hearts In The City of Love

Chapter 16: Trust Issues

Four was the first to wake up this time. He looked down to see Three slightly snoring and he was still holding the teddy bear that his friends had gotten for him. He smiled as he put the bear on the bedside table and snuggled in closer to Three, wrapping his arms around him. Right on cue, the sun dripped in as Four blocked the light with his arm and groaned. Three woke up when he felt the touch of someone holding him. He looked down to see Four cuddling him as this was so adorable. "Honey, it's morning~" When he tried to sit up, Four whined with some yawns "Noooo I'm not ready. Keep me warm and let me hold you." Three sighed, scooting in to hold Four dearly. Once his guard was down, Three picked him up and threw him off the bed. "There. Now you're ready."

Four rubbed his head and said "Why'd you do that!? I was getting comfy!" Three shrugged and said "I still like messing with you time to time." Four grunted and crossed his arms. "You need to cut that out!" Three playfully rolled his eyes and said "You like it don't you?" Four professedly blushed as he asked "S-Should I..?"

Three tackled him to the ground and said "Well I enjoy this so I say yes!" Four laughed cutely as Three began tickling him "S-S-Stop it! I-I can't breathe!" Three felt so fortunate in this moment as he heard Four's cute giddy laugh. He sat there and admired his boyfriend while he thought "I'm so lucky that he's mine. He means everything to me. I won't let anything hurt him."

"Alright, fun time's over. Got to go meet the others." As Three let go, Four thought about his friends and how worried they must have been when he was sick. He quickly grabbed his clothes and asked "Can I get changed first? I want to go say hi to the crew since they haven't seen me in a while." Three didn't put up a fight and let Four get ready first. Once he was done, Three grabbed his clothes as Four went to go downstairs and blew a kiss to his lover. Three caught the make believe heart and said "Go down already sappy sam." Four chuckled and waved as Three held his hand over his chest and smiled.

...

Down in the lobby, everyone was excitedly talking about their next trip. Mario couldn't wait to go on his first visit with Mr Puzzles and he wouldn't shut up about it. It was so annoying that the TV man covered his non existing ears with his hands. Mario then stopped when he saw Smg4 waving at him, looking better than ever. "SMG4!?" The entire lobby heard him as Mario jumped over Mr Puzzles' screen and squeezed his best friend. "Ugh Mario! Keep your filthy self away from my screen!"

"SMG4! MARIO'S MISSED YOU!" Four pulled him away and said "Relax man. It was just one day." The others came up with happy expressions as Meggy was the first to speak. "I'm glad to see you up and moving Four. You look much better."

"Yeah. It's all thanks to Three." Four blushed endlessly when he said that, daydreaming as Tari whispered to Meggy "Those two seem really close with each other now. They really care for one another." She nodded and said "You're right Tari. They would make such a cute couple."

Mario snuck in between the girls and said "What if they're already a couple?"

"Huh? What do you mean Mario?"

"Mario knows they are so gay for each other, but they are super close now. Blushing, cuddling, holding hands! Mario's dreams are finally coming true!"

"YEAH. ARE YOU BLIND OR SOMETHING? THOSE TWO ARE DEFINITELY FRUITY! THAT SICK DAY WAS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR THEM TO GO FULL SUCKERONI ON EACH OTHER!"

As Four kept blushing, Mr Puzzles scooted towards him while trying not to make it obvious. Four soon noticed and snapped out of his fantasies. "Uh...hi?" Mr Puzzles awkwardly waved back and said "Smg4, I wanted to tell you something yesterday, but I couldn't because Smg3 wouldn't let me."

"Okay? What did you want to tell me?"

"Well...I.."

"OI! Get away from him!"

Everyone turned to see Three standing there, looking angry at his boyfriend's interaction with the enemy. "Ah! Three you're here!" Four put his hands up like he had just been placed under arrest. Three stormed up and pulled Four behind him, yelling out "You stay away from him!" Mr Puzzles scrambled in nervousness to say "No! It's not what you think!" He looked over to the others for help as Four tried to say something to intervene.

"Three I'm okay. He's not-"

"I don't care what you say! Until we are on trustworthy terms, you will not do, touch, or say anything to him! Understand?" Mr Puzzles itched around until he looked down and said "Yes...I'm sorry."

"Hmpf!" Three took Four by the hand and walked away with a snooty look. Mario saw how miserable Mr Puzzles was and said "Mario's gonna go check-a on him!" He cautiously approached and placed a hand on his back, rubbing it. "Is TV man okie?"

"No. It seems no matter how hard I try, I will never be a friend. Nobody will ever forget what I've done. Especially him." Mario didn't know how to comfort him so he just said "Well...Mario trusts you."

"What difference does that make if the whole world doesn't love me?"

"Don't worry about those stinkies! If they give you any trouble, they'll have to answer to Mario!" He did a bunch of silly karate moves as Mr Puzzles snickered and said "Alright then Mr tough guy. Let's get going." He playfully hit Mario's shoulder as the two went outside with their friends.

Today, they were walking to the Arc de Triomphe since it wasn't too far from their hotel and Luigi insisted the fresh air was good for Mario. As Three and Four walked, the blue one said "That wasn't necessary Three. He just wanted to tell me something." He frowned and said "You're being too nice. Who knows what he's planning."

"He sounds genuine Three! Remember how he brought me soup."

"Mario just convinced him to help."

"THREE!"

He sighed and brought Four's chin up to meet his eyes. "Please Four, it would break my heart to see you get hurt. I'm just trying to protect you." Four's annoyance vanished as it felt so sweet that Three was doing this for him. He kissed his cheek and said "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." Three kissed his cheek back and said "I know. I know. But I still worry."

The girls looked up ahead at the absolutely adorable sight beholding them. "AWWWW my heart's going to explode!" Meggy agreed, but wondered "Why did Three kiss Four? Even if they are getting closer, he wouldn't just show affection to Four like that unless-" She stopped mid sentence. "Meggy? Are you okay?" Tari waved her hand in front of Meggy until she quickly pulled the blue haired girl aside and said "I think they are!"

"They're what?"

Meggy saw Mr Puzzles and Mario catching up when she whispered "Psst...Mario." The two of them stopped as Meggy wavered a hand for them to come over. "What is it Meggy? Do you have any spaghetti!?"

"No! I think Four and Three are...dating."

She had looked over to make sure the boys weren't listening when she said that last part. Mario's face lit up as he started squealing and jumping around while cheering "YIPPEE! THE GAYS ARE HERE! THE GAYS ARE HERE! SMG34 IS FINALLY CANON!"

"Mario hush!" Meggy whisper shouted as Mr Puzzles scratched his head. "Dating? Those two are boyfriends now? How do you know?" He studied them carefully as they held hands, but when he thought he saw Three looking back at him, he quickly spun his head around. "I saw Three kiss Four's cheek. There's no way he would do that to him unless they were in a romantic relationship."

"Good point. But what should we say about this? I can't go spilling about this to the others or Smg3 is going to kill me!" Meggy put her hands up and said "Woah woah! Slow down! We never said we had to tell anybody." Mario stopped jumping around and asked "We're not?"

"Of course not! We have to respect their privacy! If they really are dating, then they must have a good reason for not telling us." Mr Puzzles steadied himself as he said "Thanks Leg- I mean Meggy." They ran up to join the group and carried on the rest of the walk without a mention of the possible couple. Mario did look like he was about to pass out from holding it in though.

~A while later~

The crew had made it to the giant, wide archway which you could see upon first glance why it was such a popular tourist destination. Four eyes gleamed as he said "Wow! I've seen pictures online, but it looks even more beautiful in person!" Three nodded and brought his hand up to his lover's face. "Not as beautiful as you blue." Four was taken aback in affection. Before he could say a flirty compliment back, he reached into his pocket in excitement. "H-Hold on! Can I get a picture? I don't want this moment to slip by!" Three frowned as he said "You rely on technology too much. Spend these moments with us instead of trying to capture them all."

"I am...just..give me a sec." Three crooked his head as Four handed him the phone. "Now you want me to help you take the picture? Can't you just-" He didn't get a chance to finish as Four rested his chest on Three's and his mind immediately went to freeze. "Guh! I uh..." He realized what Four was trying to do and looked around to see if anyone noticed. The coast was clear. Three raised the phone up as Four looked at the camera with a genuine smile. Three soon did the same, holding onto Four with his free hand while his other snapped the picture of them with the monument in the background.

Meggy asked the rest of the group "What do you want to do first?" Bob took Boopkins and said 'YOU FIGURE IT OUT WHILE ME AND HIM GO CHECK OUT THE GIFT SHOP." They zipped away as Meggy raised an eyebrow. "Uh...okay then?"

Bob rushed inside, shutting the door and turned to the small fish. "OKAY. IT'S TIME TO CASH IN ON THAT FAVOR YOU OWE ME." Bob blushed and looked away when he said that. "Bob...are you okay?" He covered his face with his blade and muttered "I...WANT TO GIVE A GIFT TO...BIRDO."

"Birdo!?"

"I CHECKED HER ACCOUNT AND SHE'S HERE IN PARIS. I'D REALLY LIKE TO ASK HER OUT ON A DATE." He expected Boopkins to ridicule and laugh at him, but the fish supported him like the good friend he was. "Absolutely I'll help!"

"REALLY? I MEAN I KNEW YOU WOULD SAY YES."

"Yeah! I have a few present ideas already."

"I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU PULL OUT YOUR ANIME CRAP-"

It was too late as Boopkins took out his box and opened the lid for them to be buried in strewnly drawn pictures and waifu pillows. "So this is my Miku pillow, I cuddle with her a lot. And this is my own original story for-"

"MAYBE THIS WAS A MISTAKE..."

Mr Puzzles wasn't sure what to do with all these people walking around. Usually, he knew how to address the big crowds, but after that big failure on screen for all the world to laugh at, he stuck out like a sore thumb. The only person he could get advice from now was Mario. He walked around whispering "Mario...Mario where are you?" The fat Italian sprang out of the bush that startled Mr Puzzles so badly that he fell over. "Don't do that!"

"Sorry TV guy, but Mario is spying on the gay couple." He took out some binoculars and pointed to the boys taking a picture together. "Why? Isn't that kind of boring?" Mario gave him an offended look and shot back "Hek no! Mario has been wanting to see them get together for years!"

"Well...I'm getting nervous with all these people gawking at me. Got any solutions?"

Mario rubbed his mustache until he offered "Wanna come spy on the boys with Mario?" He stared redundantly at the idiot before sighing and stepping into the bushes. "Ugh...make room."

The two sat there behind the bush. Mario kept happily smiling at him while Mr Puzzles avoided eye contact. Since the two of them said nothing after that, Mario shrugged and went back to his important business. Mr Puzzles was getting bored and eventually crawled over to join him. "Hand me the binoculars Mario. I want a turn." Mario pulled them away and said "No! These are Mario's! Get your own stinky!"

He started getting irritated as Mr Puzzles snatched them away and said "Quit being a brat! I just want to see them for a minute."

"Mario has been awaiting this forever! He basically created the ship!"

He reached out to take the binoculars back when Mr Puzzles stood up and dangled them, taunting Mario has he jumped up to reach them.

"Gimmee!"

"Ha look who's the shortie!"

"Stop teasing Mario!"

"What's wrong? Can't reach your toy little munchkin?"

Mario clenched his fists and tackled Mr Puzzles into the dirt as they tussled around. "Ah! I just cleaned that screen you brute!" Mario found the TV man's weakness as he stuck his gloves into the dirt and began wiping them on Mr Puzzles's screen. He spit the dirt off (not like it was effective or anything) and finally gave in. "Okay fine you win! Here!" He scrambled to grab the binoculars and tossed them to Mario. "Ha ha! Mario is number one!"

He swiped back his spying tool and smugly watched as Mr Puzzles wipes his cheek with his sleeve and dusted himself off. His digital cheeks puffed up as he said in an annoyed tone of voice "...You got my nice suit filthy you stupid idiot." He crouched down to Mario's level and rested his head on his hand, being forced to watch from afar. Just then, Luigi walked up, calling out for his brother. "Mario!? Bro where are you?" Mr Puzzles felt stress and panic settle over him as he jolted upwards. Mario started complaining "Hey! Mario was watching the gays! Get out of the way you-"

Mr Puzzles grabbed him and covered his mouth as Mario squirmed around. When he saw Luigi starting to look in their direction, he dove down into the bushes with the Italian. He nervously waited for Luigi to move on. "Hmmm...maybe Bob and Boopkins have seen him." Once the coast was clear, Mr Puzzles sighed and flinched when he looked down to see himself on top of Mario. He took his hand off as Mario pinched his nose and complained "Ewww you need to take a shower stinky!"

"Hush Mario! You're gonna give us away!"

"Nah. Smg4 and Smg3 are too caught up in their gay fantasies about each other to notice."

"No...I mean Luigi."

"Luigi? What's so important about that bum?"

Mr Puzzles stares blankly at him and starts counting off his fingers. "Okay first, he's your brother and second, he doesn't know about them yet."

"What? Smg4 and Smg3 being a couple?"

"No. My secret pasta recipe...OF COURSE SMG4 AND SMG3 YOU IDIOT!"

"Ooooo you have pasta!?"

Mr Puzzles facepalmed himself and slid his hand slowly down his face. He tried to dumb it down for Mario.

"Luigi, Bob, and Boopkins don't know about those two being boyfriends right?"

"Yep."

"And we know."

"Yep."

"We promised not to tell the others since they want to keep it private and if Smg3 found out we told Luigi he'd sell me for scraps and take away all your spaghetti."

"That makes sense to Mario."

"So zip your lip alright."

"What about spaghetti again?"

Mr Puzzles began twitching and his screen turned bright red. With no regard for the trouble he would possibly endure, he pounced on Mario.

"YOU DIMBULB! SHUT UP OR I'LL RIP YOUR ARMS OFF!!!"

Boopkins kept pointing to everything in the store and Bob just kept dismissing him.

"How about a bobble head?"

"NO."

"How about a t-shirt?"

"NO."

"Coffee mug? It says it's 1% off."

Bob's eyes changed into dollar signs before he shook himself out of it and sat down on the cold floor. "IT'S NO USE. WHY WOULD BIRDO EVER WANT TO BE WITH A LOSER LIKE ME?" Boopkins was surprised. He had never heard Bob doubt himself before. "That's not true Bob! Why would you think that?"

"BECAUSE SHE'S SO COOL AND PRETTY WHILE I'M JUST A HOBO IN RAGS WHO CAN'T EVEN COMPARE TO THE LIKES OF HER."

"Don't say that Bob!"

Boopkins sat down next to him and said "I think you are the coolest friend I've ever met. You started your own rap career and have really helped us over the years. I'm glad you are my best friend and Birdo will be really lucky to have you." Bob's eyes began to tear up as Boopkins handed him a tissue. "Sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry!"

"I-I'M NOT CRYING! Y-YOU'RE CRYING!" He took the tissue and quickly dabbed away the water from his eyes. "BUT...THANKS. YOU'RE NOT AS ANNOYING AS I THOUGHT." Boopkins offered him a hug as Bob quickly pulled away. "BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I'M A HUGGER SICKO!"

Luigi soon walked in and said "Hey guys! Have you seen Mario? I haven't seen him since we got here." Boopkins shook his head and replied "I haven't. Sorry Luigi. Although, I haven't seen Mr Puzzles either."

"HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW. THEY'RE PROBABLY SMOOCHING WITH EACH OTHER LIKE SMG4 AND SMG3!" Luigi started nervously panicking, saying "I'm not worried! Who said I'm worried? It doesn't bother me at all that Mr Puzzles is getting close to my brother."

Boopkins says "Here. We'll help you look. I'm sure it's fine." The three of them head outside the gift shop and just so happen to run into Tari and Meggy. "There you are. We were wondering where you ran off to." Meggy noticed two of their friends were missing. "Where's Mario and Mr Puzzles? We thought they were with you."

"We were just about to go looking for them. Where's Smg4 and Smg3?"

"Oh they're up at the monument. Let's ask them."

The crew went back up to the Arc de triomphe where the boys were giggling and teasing each other. They were about to lean in for a kiss when Meggy's voice startled them. "Hey you two! I had a feeling you were up here." Three huffed "Don't do that to me squid! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry. Have you seen Mario or Mr Puzzles anywhere? We haven't seen them anywhere."

Three didn't bother to say anything, but Four said "I could have sworn I saw them come up here. Maybe they're-" Four didn't need to make an assumption because he then heard grunting sounds from the bushes. They all looked over to see some bushes shaking with the voice of a fat Italian and pissed off TV. "Found them." Three sarcastically pointed. Luigi became curious and walked up with the others. He pushed away the bushes and everyone jumped back to see Mario twitching while Mr Puzzles was trying to choke him.

"TOLD YA. SMOOCHING."

The two of them stopped and looked over at the others, who had busted them. Mr Puzzles quickly got up and said "Heyyyy we were just having a little fun here."

"UH HUH." Bob nodded his head seductively as Mr Puzzles blushed bright red and said "Ewww Bob! We weren't doing....whatever it was you were thinking about."

"Mr Puzzles was strangling Mario's neck!"

"Shut it Mario. You'll just make it worse." Mr Puzzles hissed. Three stared at him with suspicious eyes and asked "What were you even doing in there."

"KISSING EACH OTHER. WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WERE DOING!? YOU'RE JUST AS FRUITY AS THEM."

"I am not fruity! Stop saying that!"

"Bob I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding." Meggy advocated.

"OPEN YOUR EYES SQUID. THEY WERE HIDING IN THE BUSHES BECAUSE THEY WANTED QUOTE UNQUOTE PRIVACY!"

"Wait...Mario and Mr Puzzles were kissing?"

Mr Puzzles couldn't handle this. The alleged "relationship" with Mario made his lose control of what he said next.

"NO MARIO! WE'RE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP! AND NO WE WEREN'T KISSING BOB! MARIO WANTED TO SPY ON SMG3 AND SMG4 BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW DATING!!!"

Mr Puzzles immediately realized what he just said and covered his mouth with his hands. Everyone's jaw dropped and all eyes pinned right onto Three and Four. "Is...Is this true guys?" Boopkins asked. Both of them felt severely nerve racked as they knew there could be no excuse that could explain their behavior better than the truth. Four turned to Mr Puzzles and stuttered "H-How...How did you know about that?"

Mr Puzzles started backing up as he racked his brain for a way out of this. "I...I...well you two seemed more close than usual and some of the others might have known." Three swiveled his head and yelled "YOU TOLD OUR FRIENDS!? WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT!?"

"No! It wasn't me! I swear!" He turned to the girls and said "They told me! Right Meggy!?" They turned to Three who was looking back at them with boiling rage, then back to Mr Puzzles. "No...we didn't." He looked to his last hope and pleaded "Mario! Please tell him!" The Italian felt the concern and slipped away to the group. "Sorry...Smg3 is pretty mean when he's angry."

Mr Puzzles felt so betrayed. His friends were pinning the blame on him and now he took all the credit for spoiling the news. Smg3 had heard enough. "YOU MEDLED IN OUR RELATIONSHIP, DRAGGED MARIO INTO SPYING ON US, AND TOLD EVERYONE WHEN YOU KNEW WE WEREN'T READY! I KNEW YOU HADN'T CHANGED!!!"

Mr Puzzles clasped his hands together and dropped to his knees to beg "No! I didn't mean to spy on you! And it just slipped out! Please believe me! I'm trying to change...honest!"

"FORGET IT! IF YOU LIKE MESSING WITH PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT, THEN GO DO IT SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY FROM US! YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME! LEAVE!" Mr Puzzles raised a finger to say something, but gave up and hung his head. "Well...I hope you all enjoy the rest of your vacation without me."

He trudged off, looking for a new place to stay while Mario watched him walk away, sulking. Four stood there, shaken up from the whole experience. Three went over to check on him as his lover whispered "Why...why would he do this?" Three held him in his arms "I don't know. But I hope this doesn't change anything about us. I won't let that busted piece of crap harm you again."

...

Mr Puzzles walked down the streets in silence. He shivered from the cold, but he deserved to feel that chill down his back. "I guess I really do hurt people for my own selfish gains. I just wanted people to like me, but who could ever like a villain like me? Even Mario turned his back on me. What have I done?"

"What has Mario done?" He kept looking down the same direction that Mr Puzzles walked away from. What was he thinking? Letting Mr Puzzles take the fall for him. Sure he might have spilled the secret because his emotions got the better of him, but that didn't mean Mario didn't have something to do with this...sort of. He ran up to the girls and yelled "Meggy! Tari!" They stopped as Mario ran after them. He was so out of breath that he needed a minute. After dramatically wheezing a few seconds, he said "We really messed up! Mario convinced TV man to spy on the bois and you two told us about the gae."

"Hey!" Meggy retorted before Tari got between them and said "No no. We're all partly to blame. We should have just told the truth from the start." Meggy sighed and said "You're right. But what do we do now? Smg3 is still upset and Mr Puzzles is probably long gone by now!"

"Not for Mario!" He pointed to his nose and said "Mario's super sniffer can detect TV guy's scent in no time!" The girls blinked quizzically at him. "What? Mario knows all your scents. How do you think he knows where to find you?" Meggy wanted to say something, but replaced it with "Never mind. First thing's first, we owe some of our friends an apology."

...

Mr Puzzles was losing track of his surroundings. He didn't know what to do anymore. Losing his friends, no longer on top, alone and humiliated. It brought back those awful memories from childhood. Those screaming voices in his head echoed through his TV box.

Ha! Why would I ever be friends with a weirdo like you?

You're pathetic and such a disappointment. Why were you even born?

Can't you do anything then waste time in front of that stupid TV!?

"Stop it. Stop it! Just stop it!" His breathing increased as he caught himself on the edge of a building. These memories. This trauma. It was happening all over again. And it was made clear to him that it was all his fault.

"Smg4! Smg3!" They were about ready to head back to the hotel when Mario and the girls stopped them. "We need your help to find Mr Puzzles!"

"Why should we!? He exposed us and played us like fools!" Four nodded and said "I'm sorry...but I agree with Three." Meggy said "It wasn't his fault Three! Me and Tari noticed how close you were getting and figured out you were a couple. We didn't want to say anything because you wanted to keep it a secret but....we might have also told Mr Puzzles and Mario."

Tari continued. "We're very sorry! We should have came to you in the beginning, but Mr Puzzles is really trying and we have to get him back!" Four felt regret as he said "I...didn't know that. And it's okay that you didn't tell us. I just didn't want to rush it." Three still needed more convincing as he said "I'm still not looking for him. He brought this on himself." Mario stomped over to Three and yelled angrily "LISTEN HERE SMG3! YOU MAY NOT CARE ABOUT MR PUZZLES BUT MARIO DOES! NOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND HIM AND IF YOU'RE NOT COMING THEN MARCH YOUR FAT*** HOME!"

Three stood in shock and was even a little scared. "Dang Mario...I didn't know you could be so snappy." Four told him "I think we should do it Three. Everyone's given him a chance except you. Don't you think you should too?" He sighed and rubbed his temples as everyone awaited his answer. "Fine. I hate it when you lecture me like that Four." He gave him a grumpy look before softening and said "But that's why I love you honey~"

"Thanks. I love you too."

The crew decided to split up to look for him in pairs of two. They went around the city, calling out for Mr Puzzles, even Smg3. He didn't want to admit it, but Three was actually very worried for the TV man. However, the most concerned for their lost friend was Mario as he felt this was all his fault.

It was now night and Smg4 and Smg3 went down a dark alleyway that was just asking for some shady guy to pop out and ask the couple "Would you like some drugs?" Eventually, Three couldn't take the darkness anymore and took out his phone to turn on the flashlight. He waved it around before noticing Four looked a little tense and scared. Three took his hand and gave him a smile that Four soon returned.

Soon enough, they heard the sounds of crying and saw a strange shadow up ahead. Four began shaking again and stuttered "Is...Is it a m-monster?" Three pieced together the shape of the figure and slowly reached out to touch it, only for the thing to flinch and swivel it's head around. He quickly shined his cellphone light on it before the boys jumped back to see a sorrowful Mr Puzzles. His screen showed tear marks below his eyes and his clothes looked crusty. "Mr Puzzles!?" Four's fear vanished and he said with a concerned smile "We're so glad we found you. I'll tell our friends right now!"

He took out his phone and texted everyone in a group chat they had created that was titled "Missing TV Search" so they could keep the others posted. Everyone had a flood of questions, but Four summed it up that Mr Puzzles was alright and safe, just a little bent up from what happened earlier.

Three showed a little relief to see him as he got closer, but then the TV's expression changed and he turned back around, refusing to face the man who burst out at him. He mumbled "What are you doing here? Don't you have better things to do then come looking for me?" Three sighed and said "Look...I didn't mean to burst out at you like that." He looked back at him, unimpressed. "You've been insulting me all day."

"Touche."

Mr Puzzles swiveled around and said "Just leave me alone. I know you just want to pester me some more for what I did." Three started getting annoyed and raised his voice "We've been walking all over the city for you! Do you know how worried Mario is for you!? How worried our friends are!? How worried I was!?" Mr Puzzles stopped slouching and wiped his tears. "M-Mario is worried? And y-you were?"

"Yes! I know I said some stuff I regret back there, but that doesn't mean you have to go hanging out in a dirty alleyway!" Mr Puzzles felt himself tear up again when Four put his phone away and eyed the conversation. He came over and knelt down, not really knowing how to comfort him. Three didn't really know either. "No...This is where I belong. I can just stay here for the rest of my life. That way I won't be a burden to anyone!"

"You're not a burden to us!" Four said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Not you...them." Three and Four looked at each other with confusion and then back at him. "Who's them?" Mr Puzzles croaked "My parents, those kids, everyone I ever knew in my childhood. That's why I didn't have friends. That's why I was so cruel and ambitious. That's why I watched TV all day. And that's why..." Mr Puzzles didn't dare finish his sentence and instead pointed to his TV head.

Four said "I'm so sorry you had such a tough childhood." Three was taken aback as well. It was just like when everyone assumed the worst in him. Now he was doing the same with Mr Puzzles. His eyebrows softened and he said "I...I'm sorry too. It wasn't your fault what happened back there." Mr Puzzles eyed him carefully as Three continued. "Mario and the girls told me what happened. You didn't mean to tell everyone. We were just putting too much pressure on you. I only overreacted because I love Four very much, but we're still getting used to being a couple."

"Awww honey~" Four gushed and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Three cleared his throat and said "The point is, we...I think you really have changed and we want you to come back." Mr Puzzles sniffed and said "Really?" Three offered a hand and Mr Puzzles gladly took it, standing up. He tapped his index fingers and asked "So does this mean we're friends now?" Three offered his fist and Mr Puzzles exchanged the fist bump with him like he did with Mario. "Sure."

"There they are!"

The boys looked behind them to see the crew with relieved expressions. Mario pushed through and ran up to tackle Mr Puzzles in a great big hug. "TV man! Mario missed you so much!" He stood there in shock for a little until a small smile formed and he embraced the Italian back. Meggy spoke up next. "We're so relieved you're safe! You had us scared to death!" Luigi still felt a little uncomfortable seeing his brother showing affection towards Mr Puzzles, but he pushed it aside for the reason that the TV man was okay.

"Thank goodness you aren't hurt!" Tari said. Bob asked in a questionable tone "WHAT WERE YOU EVEN DOING IN THIS DUMP ANYWAY?" Mr Puzzles looked up from the hug and over to Smg3. "...Just reflecting." Mario cried into his chest "Mario is so so sorry he left you like that!"

"It's..oka-"

Mario then slid Mr Puzzles away and confessed to the boys "Mario was the one to convince TV guy to spy on you! Don't kick him out pleasseeee!" Three rolled his eyes and said "Relax Mario. We made up. He's not living on the streets." When Three said that, Mr Puzzles noticed how dirty his suit was. He didn't even really notice that much and that was saying something from the guy who cared a lot about his image.

Mario cheered and took Mr Puzzles by the hand, dragging him back to the hotel. "Mario can clean your stinky self without getting your TV wet. OOOOO and you can take Luigi's side of the bed!" The green Italian then burst out "What!? I never agreed to that!" He ran after them down the street, leaving the rest of them to witness what just happened. It was pretty late so they followed the goofy guys back to the hotel (how did Mario know which way to go). It seemed everything was back to normal.

...

As the boys settled into their bed, Four kept looking at the picture they took with a cute smile. Three was writing in his notebook, but still felt tense. "Four...I know this is all new for us and I don't blame you for being mad at me, but I just want you to know that I really do care about you." Four eyed him with perplexion. "I never said I was mad at you. Of course this is new for us, but that doesn't mean you did anything wrong." He looked down at his phone and said "I made some mistakes too. You're right. I should have just cherished the moments instead of trying to capture them all."

Three set his notebook down and stared at the wall in exhaustion. Four decided to put his phone away too and crawled over to rest his hands on Three's shoulders. "What are you doing?" He asked with accusation. "I'm cherishing the moment." He rubbed Three's shoulders softly as he soon eased into the touch. "I love you so much..." Four giggled and said "And I care about you even more." He then looked down to see Three sleeping on his chest. "Heh...cute." Four carefully got them under the covers while trying not to wake him up. It was nice for him to be the one comforting Three this time.

Chapter 17: Dancing Under The Stars

#smg4 #smg3 #smg34 #smg43 #smg4 x smg3 #tari #tsundere #love confession #luigi #mario #meggy #paris #romance #comedy #mr puzzles #marware

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goldeneyedgirl · 4 months ago

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Ficmas24 Day 10: Demon Jasper

And we're right back on track. Well, ficmas-wise. I'll let y'all know when my life begins to look less like a Collection of Clowns and Buffoons.

Tonight, we've got the bewilderingly popular Demon Jasper (I feel like maybe I flew too close to some Booktok tropes with this one, lol). The sequel actually has a pretty intense plot lined up, and some of that is kind of hinted at in this section. Demon Jasper loves an opportunity to Emote, so he went wild in this little section.

And we have one more night unfilled at this point, so the Ask box remains open. If there is any verse that hasn't had it's moment (or I've promised something and forgotten), now is your time to mention it. We've got 3some-verse and STLAU P.2 still to come, so any other 'verse than those.

I hope you enjoy and have a grerat night!

warning some very vague sexual content. We're here for the sexual vibes not the content tonight.

Over the weeks, the need to sleep haunts him. It’s something that makes him slow and sluggish, makes the darkness bubble up from that void in the back of his mind. He tries to put it off, tries to stay awake longer, pouring over the books that Alice acquires for him.

She watches, but stays silent. He hates that she’s so good at giving him space, at letting him dictate the rules and boundaries of their relationship. He wants someone who pushes and annoys and bothers him, so he can yell and rage and threaten. He wants to be able to scare her away from him.

He only gives in to sleep when his demon form seeps out uncontrollably, like ink spreading down his arms, and the cracks begin to form along his biceps and jaw. It’s his body demanding recovery, and it’ll break him into pieces to get what it wants if it must.

So he gives in.

He dreams of her almost every single time and he hates every moment of it.

Pale and beautiful and willing. Who kisses him like she’s begging him. He dreams of them tangled up in bed together; of tracing every joint on her body with his tongue as a vampire and as a demon. The picture his brain paints is glorious, of his black tongue lapping at the bone-white of her skin.

She doesn’t flinch away from his form in the dream. She begs him to come closer.

(He knows that it’s just the void in his being that summons these dreams. It’s like having a second thing living inside him, a shadow-self that knows every iota of him and uses it all against him.)

Alice breaks him in the dream. A pretty pout and whispered negotiations as she rolls her hips against his. Anything you want he tells her reverently, and the bloody runes of creation rise on her skin as soon as he agrees to remake her. There’s no pain in the dream, no horror; just all the blood that sustains her spilling from those wounds around them. It smells like her, like flowers and ink and tainted honey, beneath the metallic tang of blood.

She’s going to be perfect. She is perfect. She was always meant to be this creature. The devil in his head whispers reverently.

He closes his eyes as she moves above him, trying not to make a sound even when his hips stutter against hers. But her name slips out, a hiss of pleasure and relief and adoration. Alice.

“Jasper.” There’s an answer in a sigh of delight, her face buried against him before she pulls away, leaving him cold.

When he opens his eyes, she’s smirking down at him; eyes blackened and rotting outwards, her lips welling with blood as she rejects the change and begins to die. Three days of slowly curdling and breaking down until there’s nothing left and he has to burn her.

That’s when he wakes up, when the hopelessness feels like it’s choking him so bad it’s a noose around his neck. At the realization of his weakness and what the wreckage could look like. That anything he looks at, he’s going to destroy. That the evil and the power inside him, the thing that Maria made him into, will swallow everything and anything that might bring him peace whole.

He can’t look at Alice after those dreams. The shame is too much.

(Not just the change and the death. The way he pictures her bare and laughing in his bed; the way his mind has conjured up how they would touch each other, how eagerly she accepted his touch… it’s not right. She’s been good to him, she doesn’t deserve that kind of disrespect.)

“I keep dreaming of you being remade like me,” he says gruffly, and she freezes before carefully sitting down beside him. He’s still not used to the way she dresses at the house; when he still dwelt in human society, everyone was covered up. But Alice, she wears garments that leave her arms, legs and stomach bare unless she’s hunting. He hates that it’s so distracting to him; it’s like she’s walking around missing a layer of vital armor to protect her from the rest of the world. And he hates, so very much, the idea that she trusts him enough to let her guard down in such a way. That he’s someone she can show this version of herself to. He’s seen her dress and leave for hunting or to stock up on the few regular supplies they need. Jeans, sweaters, jackets, boots that give her a couple of extra inches. She looks like an entirely different creature, a different woman, when she goes out into the real world.

There’s a thin scar, shallow, on her right thigh. She teases at it for a moment, as they sit in silence.

“You don’t have to worry, Jas,” she says kindly, and he’s oddly touched at the use of a nickname. “I know it’s hard for you to believe me, but I don’t want that. I don’t need that. That’s never something I’m going to ask you for.”

He wants to believe her. But if there’s nothing else that he’s learnt over his long life, it’s that everyone has a price. Everyone has a point where they forget their ethics and morals and beliefs, and they finally say yes. It’s just that some people come cheaper than others.

“Every single time, it goes wrong,” he says, as if she hasn’t spoken. “Every single time, I watch you get remade and you are perfect, you are gorgeous, and you’re the only thing I want. That…that piece that’s missing, that every single cell in my body and my mind is determined to find.”

He hears her breath catch but he doesn’t acknowledge it. “It’s…sublime. And then I look at you and it’s… I’ve destroyed you. I got it wrong and you’re already going bad and I either have to watch you breakdown and go rabid and rotten for three fuckin�� days, or I put you down myself. Because it does go bad, Alice. There are the ones that don’t make it through the process, that don’t even make it fair enough to be changed.

"And then there are the ones that do, they hold it together long enough to become this but they’re all wrong. The darkness chews them up, there’s nothing left of them. I’ve put down more than a few people who ended up like that. Not just Maria’s people. Strays, forgotten bodies, abandoned projects. They aren’t meant to last longer than three days, but sometimes they hold themselves together. There’s no way to save them, you understand? They’re already dead, and it’s just… evil squatting in a corpse.”

Her hand rests gently against his, and he’s surprised it is actually comforting.

“Of all the people that have ever come looking for me, you are the only one that does not deserve that fate,” he finishes hoarsely.

“Oh, Jasper.” Alice is looking at him with wide eyes, and he can feel the sadness leaking out of her. She’s still holding his hand. “Did I ever tell you how I found you?”

“You told me that you left your family to find me,” Jasper looks at her, and maybe he shifts his hand and curls his fingers slightly to almost-hold onto her hand. She’s wearing a ring; silver with a blue stone. It’s a colour that he associates with her; many of her clothes are a similar shade.

“I did. It took me years. I had to do a lot of research because I couldn’t see you and I didn’t know how to use my gift to find you. Thirty years of going from place to place, looking for a clue to find you. Anyone who knew me before would be shocked that I could live out of one bag for that long, somewhere the Cullens have all my things in storage.” She smiles at that to herself. “I went everywhere, and it led me to two places - the Vatican, where I wasn’t even going to attempt to gain access. I couldn’t even see if I would find what I was looking for, which makes me very curious about what they have in those archives.

“And Volterra.”

He tenses at that, dread sinking in. Volterra.

“Aro kept me busy for years and had a surprising amount on the subject of demons. A lot of them were partial accounts, especially around the rituals of creation and summoning.” Alice let out a sigh. “But the anthropological information was thorough. I know about the rituals and how badly they can go. I know that there is a level of fear, a level of pain, a level of evil I cannot comprehend. But you cannot surprise me with the depths of what you are. I know. And I was never afraid, because it wasn’t my world and it’s never going to be my world - ever since I woke up, I’ve never, ever seen myself as a demon. Even after I found you, that vision has never changed. You have me as I am. I have you as you are. That’s how it’s going to be, and I don’t care how long it takes you to understand that.”

She rests her head against his shoulder for a moment.

“Thanks for calling me gorgeous.” The strand of mischief runs through her, and he scoffs.

“You’re a monster, that’s what you are.”

“But your monster.” She looks up at him, her eyes a burnished amber colour, and her lips twisting into a playful smirk.

And that’s it. That moment with her smiling at him. That’s his girl, his sublime horror, his missing piece. The girl who will kiss him like the only man she’s ever seen in her life, who lets him sweep her into his arms and his bed and never flinches at the sight of his monstrosity.

It feels like, in that moment, the world has cracked open and he doesn’t know what to do. She doesn't have to be anything more than she is to be that missing piece, if you let her.

It felt easier to hate her and mistrust her than it does to love her.

He sees it out of the corner of his eye; his second-sight, the one that only usually kicks in when he’s transformed. Just for a second, but it was enough to make his blood run cold.

Alice, stretching as she walks through the house, her t-shirt riding up a few careless inches. And it’s there, a wound (time is ephemeral in his second-sight; it could be past-present-future. It simply Is.) A wound from one of his kind, incisors having sunk into her side. The bite is easily as wide as his hand, the scars dead and angry grey, with venom seeping outwards in black strands.

The sight is gone in a second and Alice is fine. She hasn’t noticed anything.

(She wouldn’t See it coming either; the shape of the incisors means someone on the spectral side of the demon pantheon, who are known for their ability to hide. He doesn’t understand how one of them would get close enough to her to bite like that. They aren’t easily provoked, something Alice says or does… or knows will trigger their rage.)

His chest feels tight. It won’t kill her, he knows that - he won’t allow it. But she’s going to suffer. She’s going to be hurt. And he has no idea how to stop it.

#ficmas24 #my fic: demon jasper #alice cullen #jasper hale #jalice #demon/vampire #just going to casually make the vatican a place of enormous relevance and the source of evil for shits and giggles #jasper: oh no i caught feelings that might be made a problem for future jasper instead of me #not at ALL casually wondering if resume can be made the antichrist sacrifice in this fic AT ALL

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lina-unchained · 1 month ago

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Chapter One: Let the Mind Games Begin (18+)

Pairing: In-ho x Gi-hun

Series: Fallen Angel (18+) | Masterlist

Summary: After failing to capture the Front Man, Gi-hun shifts to Plan B by rejoining the games. In-ho couldn't be more intrigued by player 456's unexpected return. But he's also unexpectedly aroused by the thought of challenging Gi-hun in a psychological battle as player 001.

Release date: 17/03/25

Words count: 3K

Warnings: sexual arousal

Notes: Sorry it's taking a bit too long for me to deliver my fics but don't worry, they're all coming 😭

I've mentioned a certain number of years that In-ho has been the Front Man which is made up for the series

I’m not a native English speaker, so there might be spelling or grammatical mistakes

Taglist: @solarpotato ; @frontwomann

Chapter One | Chapter Two (upcoming) | -

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

Intrigued and a little annoyed In-ho was pacing back and forth in his room.

‘That man’, he scoffed. ‘Why is he being like this? He won. The game. The money. His life. Why did he care about the game runners? Why did he care about all the other people dying in here when they are nothing more than trash and a plague to society? Why would he want to save them?’

He scoffed again and sat in his chair, poured a glass of whiskey and looked at the big screen. The game was going to begin soon. While the masked guards were taking the players to the field In-ho’s mind wandered once again towards player 456.

Seong Gi-hun. A low class individual with no future and ambitions. Nothing more than a bottom feeder. A weakling that got lucky and made it out alive.

And yet he was so unique in his nature and state of mind. Oddly intriguing, yet ridiculous and silly. Somewhat selfish, yet kind-hearted and loving. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, yet highly emotionally intelligent.

Player 456. The one who refused the big prize at the doorstep of success and was ready to go back to being a bottom feeder, just so he could save player 218’s life - an unworthy fraud who betrayed everyone around him with no remorse. ‘What did player 456 see in him that was worth saving?’ In-ho couldn’t wrap his mind around it. In his eyes player 218 deserved to die. But somehow in Gi-hun’s eyes he deserved to live.

Abrupt gunshots brought In-ho back to reality. People were screaming and running on the big screen while bullets were flying in each direction. The number of players drastically dropped. The announcer repeated the rules of the game.

In-ho sighed and took another sip of his whiskey. It’s been a month since player 456 managed to locate and remove the tracker from his body. It was low-key driving In-ho crazy. He loved and frankly needed to be in control of everything and Seong Gi-hun on the loose unobserved didn’t sit right in his stomach. In-ho wanted to know his every move, his every action, where he went, what he did. He needed to know everything about Seong Gi-hun. He wished he could cut open his head and slid into his brain. Swim in his thoughts, study his behavior, strip down his emotions.

That impossible man fascinated In-ho beyond reason. Reminded him of himself as the wretch who once also joined the games as a player and won. In a way Gi-hun was like In-ho’s past self which was one of the reasons he was so interested in player 456. Because for the same reason they had both gotten into two completely opposite directions. And In-ho was painfully intrigued to find out what made Gi-hun tick.

But there was more than fascination mingled in In-ho’s thoughts and emotions. He just didn’t know it yet.

***

Gi-hun was staring at the dead body in front of him. Once again he was put in a position to play a deadly game. And once again he had won.

Two years down the drain? Two years of tireless search for that man. That devious man that had taken over Gi-hun’s mind. His dreams at night. His thoughts at day. His every fiber of existence.

And there he was, lying on the pink chair with his brains all over the wall. And ironically on the board with the plan of how to find him. A psychopath so caught up into his own game that he was ready to pay the full price at the cost of his own life. It wasn’t like he didn’t deserve it but Gi-hun secretly wished he was the one that had pulled the trigger. But only after he had used him to get to his master and had torn the entire organization from the top down.

Gi-hun sighed. This wasn’t the plan. That man was merely a pawn. Their fateful dog and nothing more.

“I’ll take care of the body Mr. Seong. Don’t worry,” Woo-seok said. “I’ve done this many times”

Gi-hun nodded. Woo-seok gave Jun-ho a look of disapproval and left the room to get the needed gear.

Gi-hun also gave Jun-ho a side eye. Woo-seok kept on insisting that they shouldn’t trust a cop but Jun-ho seemed to be the only real ally Gi-hun could have. After all, they both had been to the island and had actually witnessed the horror there. And Jun-ho was looking for his brother. One could only assume his brother had died during the games which meant Jun-ho was searching for vengeance and therefore was ready to go to the end of the line. This was enough to earn Gi-hun’s trust.

Gi-hun looked at the card in his hand which he found at the recruiter’s pocket. There was a date and location written.

“We’ll go there,” he said.

“What do you think we’ll find?”

“Him”

Jun-ho was confused. “Him?”

“The puppet master,” Gi-hun said with disgust and nearly squished the card with his hand.

Woo-seok stormed back in the room. He gave Jun-ho one more look of disapproval and began with the task of removing the recruiter’s body.

In-ho was getting dressed. The mask was quietly lying upon the table. He put on his grey outfit and zipped it to his chin. He was looking at himself in the mirror. It was time.

In-ho already knew that a special man was going to attend the staff meeting. No other than player 456 himself - Seong Gi-hun.

In-ho had spent the last three years often thinking about the unexpected winner of the 2020 games. The way he initially refused to even touch the money he had won, the fact that he let his daughter fly away with another man as her father and the complete detachment from society.

It was still unclear to him why Gi-hun was so stubborn about stopping the games instead of moving on with his life as he deserved. But deep down within him In-ho had hoped that Gi-hun would find his way back to the games and therefore back to In-ho. He hadn’t realized it yet but he was burning with desire to meet Gi-hun again. That man had taken over In-ho’s mind so often in the past three years that it really drove him crazy when Gi-hun removed the tracking device and disappeared from their radars. For two years In-ho had no information about player 456 whatsoever and imperceptibly tension had built up.

A soft knock on the door. “We’re ready sir”

In-ho looked at himself in the mirror again and reached for his mask. He put it on alongside the hood. It was time for a special meeting.

He sat at the front of the limo and they left for the club. In-ho didn’t notice but his pulse accelerated a little bit. Some excitement arose in him and he even smiled underneath the mask.

‘Player 456,’ he thought to himself and sighed.

Gi-hun, Jun-ho and Woo-seok arrived at the location. The streets were full of youngsters dressed as different monsters, witches, vampires, famous movie villains, and all sorts of scary creatures.

“What was that holiday again?” Woo-seok asked confused.

“It’s Halloween,” Jun-ho clarified. “People dress up scarily”

“Hmm,” Gi-hun scoffed. “That’s pretty clever actually. They’ll blend right in”

Gi-hun’s palms got sweaty. He had waited for this moment for so long that he was afraid that it was all a dream and that soon he’d wake up in his bed at the motel empty handed. “Let’s go,” he said and got out of the car more ready than ever.

His pulse accelerated. He could feel the Front Man very close, yet very far away. Gi-hun knew he’d be heavily guarded assuming he was even there. But he had brought his own little army, so the chances of success were pretty high. At least that was what Gi-hun thought.

“He’s walking Seong Gi-hun towards the limo,” one of the masked guards said over the radio. “His companion was eliminated”

In-ho smiled. ‘Let the mind games begin’.

Gi-hun sat in the limo and they drove off. He took a deep breath wondering where they were taking him.

“Player 456,” suddenly he heard the familiar voice. It seemed to come from the mini piggy bank in the middle of the limo. “Do you remember? We once spoke in this car”

Gi-hun stared stupidly at the speaker. He really thought the Fron Man would have had the courtesy to meet him in person. ��Coward’, he thought to himself.

“I sincerely had hoped you would have had a good life,” the voice continued. “Forget about everything and be happy”

To the side observer those words might have sounded hypocrite, but In-ho was genuine in his sayings. He had gone through the same – he joined the games in hopes of saving a loved one, spent almost a week literally fighting for his life, survived hell, and rose from the ashes like a Phoenix… only to get home and still lose the person he had done it all for like none of his exertions mattered. Something like this could crash a man. But In-ho did really rise from the ashes and he genuinely hoped that all the latter winners would achieve this, as well. Gi-hun most of all.

“I didn’t know you cared about me so much,” Gi-hun hissed somewhat disgusted.

The tone in his voice affected In-ho. He actually meant it.

“You should have gotten on that plane. It was the best choice you could have had”

“I haven’t forgotten what you said to me then,” Gi-hun replied through teeth. “That’s why I wanted to meet you again”

In-ho’s heart jumped a bit. He also had wanted to meet player 456 again. “Now that we’re here, say it. What do you want?” his heartbeat accelerated even more. He really didn’t know what to expect to hear.

“Stop the game!” Gi-hun ordered.

In-ho’s pants became a little restless. He didn’t realize it on a conscious level, but Gi-hun’s voice tickled his ears in an arousing way. So imperious, so sexy.

“The game?” In-ho played the fool. He still had a position to maintain.

“The game you’ve been playing. The game that is still going on to this day,” Gi-hun spoke angrily.

“All we did was creating the game. All of you joined and participated by choice”

Gi-hun got even angrier. “Don’t give me that shit. You manipulate people who are at a dead end. You drive them to their deaths and enjoy it,” the reason he was so agitated was the fact that he was one of those said people. Manipulated. Tricked. Closely observed in his weakest moments. “You think that if you just call it their choice, your game will become some sort of a charity event?”

“They all simply just lost. Trash that got eliminated from the game. A ton of new trash is being poured into this world as we speak,” despite his once righteous mind In-ho had delved into new believes and now the world seemed hideous to him. “You still don’t see it, do you? The game will not end unless the world changes”

“’That’s how the world is, so shut up and accept it?’ That’s a story created by people like you,” Gi-hun was on end of his seat just a few breaths away from smashing the piggy bank speaker. “You think people are just horses in a race and you own the horses”

“Your way with words has improved,” In-ho said that partly because he wanted to affect Gi-hun and partly because he genuinely thought it. Player 456 definitely didn’t shine with much brain capacity when he was in the games. “So, is your plan to convince the horse owners to stop the race?

Sudden commotion arose in Gi-hun’s earpiece. He overheard the commander of his little army saying there was a sniper aiming at them and that their cars were stilled.

“Or were you going to kidnap me?”

Gi-hun could almost see the Front Man’s smirk. See him laughing at Gi-hun whose plan now seemed ridiculous and futile. But none of that mattered when he overheard Jun-ho saying “They got me. I’m losing the limo”.

An actual panic arose in Gi-hun. Suddenly, was all alone against them.

“Stop the car!” he shouted as he took out his gun and fired a few shots. But the partition seemed to be bulletproof.

“Do you think you can stop the game with a pistol?” the voice said almost mockingly.

Gi-gun slowly lowered his gun and accepted his defeat. But that was merely Plan A. It was time for Plan B.

“Put me in the game,” he said unexpectedly.

“You want to be in the game?” In-ho was surprised and excited at the same time.

“Put me back in the game,” Gi-hun was persistent.

“Weren’t you just telling me to stop the game?” In-ho was most intrigued in this sudden turn of events.

“If I’m back in the game those fat cats that you’re serving will find it funny for sure,” Gi-hun had to say anything convincing. He was bargaining for his life and for the success of the mission. “So, take me back to the games”

Jun-ho was tensely listening. He also knew this meant Plan B which he had hoped they wouldn’t have had to pursue.

A long pause followed. In-ho was secretly cheering. He also had waited two years for this moment.

“What are you hesitating for?” Gi-hun asked and leaned towards the speaker even though he didn’t know whether there was a camera or not. But it was the closest to looking at the Front Man as he could get. “Are you scared? That you might lose to me like Oh Il-nam? He didn’t want to admit it until the moment he died. He knew that someone had come to help the homeless man, but he refused to look out of the window. But when he stopped breathing I’m sure he knew that he had lost”

“Have you seen The Matrix?” the voice said just as unexpectedly. “They could’ve lived in peace if they took the blue pill. But they still chose the red pill to play the heroes. Do you also think you’re a hero who can change the world?” In-ho was enjoying the psychological game a bit too much.

Gi-hun sat back in his chair. “I’ll show you that the world doesn’t always go the way you want it to”

In-ho was most pleased. “If that is what you want have it your way”

Sleeping gas slowly filled the vehicle. Gi-hun clenched his fists and his jaw. He also had hoped they never would’ve gotten to Plan B. He tried to fight the gas even though he knew it was futile.

The partition lowered and In-ho looked back at Gi-hun. Through the thick fog he could barely see Gi-hun who was leaning to his left falling unconscious.

“Player 456,” he said. “Welcome back to the game”

Just before he closed his eyes Gi-hun did in fact witness that. He saw the Front Man appearing. ‘So he was there the entire time?’ Gi-hun got even madder for that half a second before he fell unconscious. But he was helpless. The only thing he could have hoped for was the rapid rescue from Jun-ho and his little army.

In-ho continued staring at Gi-hun for a little longer. The fog was clearing up and he could see his face better. Gi-hun looked tense even though his mind was currently gone. In-ho was smiling. Player 456 was finally back under his control. The world was a better place.

“Drive towards the boat,” he ordered to the masked guard and sat forward.

“Yes, sir”

The limo was sailing upon the boat towards the island. In-ho was sitting at the back of the limo with a drink in his hand. He was watching Gi-hun who was still sleeping.

‘Why is this man so much different from the rest? Why is he so fascinating?’

These thoughts wouldn’t give In-ho a rest. Gi-hun looked so helpless and defenseless as he lied unconscious in the limo just a few inches away from In-ho. So close that he could touch Gi-hun within the stretch of his arm. In-ho felt an urge to do that. To check whether this impossible man was actually real. To make sure that he wasn’t just a fantasy of his wicked imagination. In the six years he had been the Front Man there had never been another contestant like Gi-hun. And In-ho felt really itchy to find out what differed him from the rest of the trash out there and inside the game.

The boat arrived at the island. The masked guards came to take Gi-hun away and put him with the rest of the players. In-ho closely observed as they carried player 456 away. He smiled without realizing. He had already decided to join the games as player 001 and mess with Gi-hun’s mind in every possible way. To make him see the reality and cruelty that arose among everyone when a handsome prize of money was sitting and waiting for them. The way that everyone was ready to betray their own flesh and blood for the chance of catching even a bundle of that money.

In-ho’s pants started to get tighter. He didn’t realize it at first but the thoughts of the mind games with Gi-hun had actually aroused him.

In-ho cleared his throat and hastily walked out of the limo. It was still dark, so he put down his mask and let the cool breeze hit his face and clear up his mind. He had gotten a bit too hot.

Suddenly, In-ho felt a presence. He abruptly turned around and saw the leader of the masked guards.

“We’re ready for you sir”

In-ho put his mask back on and they both walked to the management room for the final preparations.

#001 x 456 #456 x 001 #in ho x gi hun #gi hun x in ho #front man x gi hun #gi hun x frontman #457 #inhun #player 001 #player 456 #hwang in ho #seong gi hun #001 #456 #squid game 2 #fanfiction #my fanfiction #my post

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topazshadowwolf · 1 year ago

Note

Will Lyra still be helping out with the boys when they’re older or…?

does dream know?

HNBD Lyra considers the boys Nightmare's sons. Regular FuzzyNight Lyra knows the boys are Nightmare's sons and figures she is adopting them into her life by forming a relationship with her NightStar. Gooptales Lyra let Nightmare play the single father of a group of small children for a while, but no more. She will stay and help him raise his boys and continue to stay with him long after they are adults again. She will be their mother. ... And will likely cry when they first call her "mom."

As for Dream...

---

Nightmare stood outside of the cottage, permission to be in the OmegaTimeline given by Core when Lyra asked. It was a surprise visit. One that Lyra set up without telling Dream that he would be there. Also, without telling the positive skeleton there were four tiny skeletons with them.

Not that Dream was unaware of the condition of his... his sons... But the Guardian of Positivity was not informed on how they went from henchmen who acted like sons to just... sons. Nor, were the children aware they had an uncle. An Uncle that Lyra was insisting the children needed to get to know.

She knocked on the door as Nightmare shifted, unsettled about being here after... well... that day. Each tiny skeleton child with them was held off the ground and protectively by a tendril. He could feel Dust's subtle breathing as he slept, Killer's excited wiggling, Horror's stillness as he passively watched, and Cross's hand as he gently petted the limb holding him. Nightmare was about to back down when the door opened.

"Lyra," Dream greeted with a smile, but he then paused as he looked at Nightmare. "And Nighty... I will be honest, I did not think I would see your... well... them again."

Nightmare folded his arms and frowned, "I had not planned on you seeing them either." A light elbowing from Lyra made him sigh and add, "But I know I can not hide them away forever... And as my... as they are mine, Lyra has reminded me that they also become part of your family." After a moment, Lyra nudged Nightmare one more time, and he knew what she wanted him to say. With a long-suffering sigh, Nightmare finally added, "And... they may benefit from having their... Uncle Dream in their lives."

Dream's eye sockets and eyelights grew, stars forming within as he struggled to contain his aura as he was filled with annoying positive emotions. "I'm an uncle?" He asked, excitedly, then quickly moved, "I am sorry, please, come inside."

---

As the children play with Blue and Stretch, their self-declared cousins, Nightmare would explain what happened. Dream would have the scientists he knows there look into finding a cure too, but no luck. They reach the same conclusion as Sci.

Still, Dream is more than happy to watch the boys for a while... just a while. They are a handful! An adorable handful, but no wonder Lyra and Nighty bring them over now and then. One, they are trying to build a relationship and need to have a moment to themselves now and then, aka date nights (Dream hopes he is invited to the wedding). Two, at times, the two need a chance for a good long, sleep. A good rest in which they don't have to worry about kids waking up before them and getting into mischief.

And the best part of being an uncle? Spoiling the kids and then shipping them back off home to their parents once they start to get unruly.

#growing up gooptales #gooptales #nightmare!sans #dadmare #dream!sans #Lyra!toriel #Balance!toriel #FuzzyNight

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sofiawonders · 3 months ago

Text

𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘯𝘦

by @sofiawonders

Two Hours Before

I haven’t had my first kiss, and I’m 21, which normally wouldn’t bother me—until my cousin starts bragging about it and the whole family chimes in with things like, “Chica, y tú? ¿Cuándo te das un beso?” or “Lo que necesita es un novio.” It gets pretty annoying after a while. It’s not that I don’t want to experience it—it just hasn’t happened yet. I guess it could be that I have high standards, maybe because I’m always buried in a book, dreaming of the day I meet my own Peeta Mellark or Aaron Blackford. I’ve always romanticized the feeling of falling in love—the eye contact, the butterflies, the smiles, the little flirty moments—things I dream about but have never really experienced.

I find it kind of ironic that all my friends come to me for advice on love, even though I haven’t been through it myself. My mom likes to joke that it’s because I was born on February 14th—“El día de los enamorados”—and that I was a gift of love to spread love.

“So, Monica, would you help me get him something? I have no idea what to buy, and it's our first anniversary!” my cousin exclaimed, frustration evident as she paced back and forth through my messy room.

“You’re asking me, as if I’ve been the one dating him,” I shot back, munching on a chocolate strawberry.

“You read romance books and watch movies with cheesy plots,” she retorted.

“You watch them, too, so stop criticizing my taste, chica.”

She let out another frustrated grunt and plopped herself down in the middle of my room. It was then I remembered I needed to clean up all the discarded cardboard and miniatures from my final project.

“Could you please not get your snot on my materials? I’d really appreciate that,” I said, standing up from my one and only love—my bed—and walking over to her to save my stuff from her dramatic self.

“For an interior design student, you sure have a messy, ugly room,” she teased.

I gasped dramatically. “I’ll have you know, I’ve been going through a rough finals week. I haven’t had time to care about what my room looks like.”

“But you had time to watch 27 Dresses,” she shot back with a smirk.

“Deja de joder”

So, listen—I’ve probably watched 27 Dresses more than a couple of times... okay, maybe three, but that’s beside the point. It actually helps me concentrate while I work. I love that movie more than I love myself, and I’m pretty sure I can quote it by heart. Can you blame me? Not only is it hilarious, but I also see a bit of myself in the main character. She prioritizes others over herself, works hard to achieve her goals, and believes in romance with all its drama. Kind of like how I am before I find my own love story. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

The truth is, I might have watched it a few too many times instead of, you know, decorating my room or getting rid of all the old stuff I’ve had since childhood. I have a vision for how I want it to look—it’s just that I haven’t had the time to fully commit to it yet.

“I don’t know what to get him. I want to give him something meaningful, not just random stuff I find at the local store from down the street,” she says, sitting up and hugging her knees.

I sigh, then sit in front of her. “Okay, then,” I begin. “Tell me about what he likes. What was the first place you two met or went on a date?”

I hug my knees just like her, waiting for her to respond.

“Andrea, háblame para ayudarte,” I say softly. Talk to me so I can help you.

“I honestly feel so lucky to have him. He’s incredibly passionate about music, and it’s like it’s a part of who he is. Watching him get lost in a song or share new music with me just makes me love him more. He’s so kind, always thinking of others, and he knows how to make me feel special every single day. I know I can count on him no matter what—he’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met. And the way he values his family? It just makes me admire him even more. He’s always there for them, and that warmth and care extend to me, too. I can really see a future with him—he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner.” The way she talked about him was so beautiful it almost made me jealous of how someone can mean so much with just being them, I admire that.

“Okay, well… that was deep,” I tilt my head. “But amazingly beautiful—”

“That's because you're a hopeless romantic,” she said, teasing.

“¿Te callo yo o te callas tú?” I said, my tone playful but sharp.

“As I was saying before someone interrupted me—” I gave her a sidelong glance. “I might know how to make a small vinyl cardboard craft where you can write your favorite songs on top. Or, you could also make a scrapbook about him?” I say it more as a question. “What I mean is, you could include different pictures of him with important moments from his life—things he values, like family moments, hanging out with friends, his passion for music... and, of course, you! Duh.”

She nods as she thinks about the ideas I gave her

“In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you give him, as long as it’s from the heart. And besides, the guy is head over heels for you—I'm sure he’ll love whatever you get him.” I reassure her

A bright smile on her face shows “I think that’s a great idea. Gracias, Moni”

“Always and forever,” I reply with the same smile. “I have to head to the store this afternoon to grab some materials for an upcoming project. If you want, you can tag along and I'll help you with getting the material”

“Dale”

One Hour Before

It's a bad idea to come to the store with Abuela and Andrea—not because I don’t enjoy being with them, or because Abuela takes forever checking out every item on the shelves, or because Andrea randomly disappears and then comes back with some random thing asking if she should buy it, as if I’m the one who’s gonna pay for it. No, those aren’t the real reasons I should have rethought my decision when they first said, "We should find Moni a novio" as soon as they got into my car. Big red flag there, screaming ABORT, ABORT, but nope—now I'm stuck with these two metiches.

"Mira, 'buela, I think he looks charming," Andrea said, with a so-so look on her face. "Uy, no, Andrea, se ve... no!" Abuela exclaimed, shocked.

I could hear them talking behind me as I was looking for cardboard and glue in the craft aisle.

"I brought you two here because, for one, I need help finding materials for my living room project for class, and two, because you—" I turned to Andrea and pointed at her. "—need material for your jevo," then I looked at Abuela. "And you said you needed ingredients for the coquito and tres leches."

My grandma smacks her lips while swaying her hands back and forth.

“We’re just playing, Moni, don’t be so serious. We’ll help you, and then we’ll help firecrackers over here with her love life situation.”

I hear my cousin dramatically gasp, which makes me let out a soft giggle. My sweet grandma continues, patting my back in that familiar, loving way.

“What class is your project for? So I know what to look for,” she asks in our mother tongue.

"In my design class," I started, "we were assigned to create a living room with a modern vintage vibe. I’ve still got some paper and fabric swatches at home, but—" I glanced at the miniature house figures. "I’m stuck on picking the furniture and colors."

Both Andrea and Abuela nodded in understanding, scanning the shelves for inspiration.

"Do you have, like, a mood board or whatever you call it?" Andrea asked, looking through a shelf of paint samples.

"Yeah, both terms mean the same thing," I said, pulling out my phone to show them the mood board I'd put together.

Based on my mood board, I've designed a modern-vintage living room (12ft x 18ft) that blends earthy olive green, chestnut brown, and beige tones to create a cozy yet stylish atmosphere. The space features a green velvet mid-century sofa paired with a walnut coffee table, while oak shelves display a collection of vinyl records. Framed album covers, retro brass lighting, and soft throws in mustard and plaid add warmth and character. Dark hardwood floors and a patterned rug tie the look together, balancing vintage charm with modern comfort.

Andrea frowned, confused, as she analyzed my board, while my grandma was admiring some very nice, I must say, miniature sofas that paired perfectly with my vision.

“¡Anormal! Esto no es un board,” she said. Was she shocked? Surprised? Annoyed? It was hard to tell. “This is a whole plan! You’ve got the whole thing down. Why are you complaining that you don’t know what to do?!”

My grandma pinched Andrea’s side to stop her from talking so loudly. “Andrea, baja la voz. We’re not in the park, Zangana.”

could hear her scoff softly. “Fine,” she mumbled, which made me chuckle a bit.

Yes, I know I said it was a bad idea to come to the store with them, since they can be a little extra and start trying to play matchmaker. But I won’t lie—when they mentioned that guy earlier, I have to admit, he was quite… charming? That’s the word Andrea used. But my love story is already written, and sooner or later, it will come true. I just have to be patient and wait for the right moment. Either way, it’s always fun going anywhere with them because we always have a blast together. Whether we're scaring Grandma until she hits us with whatever she can find or embarrassing Andrea by pretending to fart next to strangers, I always know it’s going to be a good time with them.

Anytime Now

We got everything surprisingly quickly, including Andrea's materials for her boyfriend's anniversary gift, and even added a few extra things to the list. But, hey, it never hurts to buy a few snacks for later. We walked back to the car, and it was probably around 7:30 p.m.—maybe? Anyway, I opened the trunk so Andrea and I could load the groceries in while my grandma went to start the car.

But somehow, I had this gut feeling that something was going to happen—not a bad feeling, but just something that made my hand tremble a bit. Weird, I thought to myself, but I shrugged it off as I walked the grocery cart back to the corral. Andrea had already closed the trunk and sat in the backseat.

I walked back to the car, sat down in the passenger seat, and glanced at my grandma. She had this determined, almost mischievous look on her face.

“You both wanna have a good laugh?” she asked, rolling down my window.

“Sure?” we replied, both puzzled by her sudden question.

She turned toward my side of the car and waved her hand. “Hey, kid!” she yelled out to someone.

I turned to see who she was talking to and came face-to-face with the "charming guy" Andrea and my grandma had been whispering about earlier. And, of course, his car was parked right beside us. Great.

“Are you single? Because she is,” my grandma said with a bright smile, pointing directly at me.

The charming guy leaned on my window, locking eyes with me. I could hear him chuckle, "Yeah, I'm single." His voice was warm—no, calming—like the kind of voice you could listen to for hours, discussing the most random topics. FOCUS, MONICA!

I swear, my heart stopped. I couldn’t remember how to breathe. My grandma had just asked a stranger about his relationship status—for me? Or just for the sake of a good laugh? I could hear Andrea gasp softly in shock while I sat there, frozen, with nowhere to hide.

I wanted to cry from embarrassment, but there was no way I was going to tear up—not now, not in front of him. Instead, I quickly covered my face and slid down in my seat, as though doing so would make me disappear.

"But I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment," he said politely. "But you are beautiful, so don't hide." He directed the last part at me. All I could do was nod out of sheer embarrassment and give him a thumbs-up with a mumbled, "Thank you."

I needed the ground to swallow me up, to make me disappear from this moment. Better yet, God, I think it's time for me to leave. I didn’t care what it took. I just needed to get out of there—and now.

#own writing #own post #original character #lost in translation #puerto rico #japan #discover #writers on tumblr #own writer

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can-of-pringles · 2 years ago

Text

King and Lionheart - Chapter 5

Rating: Teen and up audiences

Warnings: Nothing that's not in the series.

Word Count: 3k.

Summary: Dream follows Death along while she works.

Also Read On AO3

Dream glanced down at the pigeons pecking the ground where he’d thrown some bread crumbs. He sat by himself at a park bench, occasionally watching people in the park minding their business and clearly looking like they were enjoying the day more than he was.

He noticed the sound of a soccer ball being thrown in his direction and easily caught it. The person who had thrown it came over to retrieve the ball.

“Sorry, man. Nice catch, though.”

Dream silently handed the ball back to him.

The man said thanks and walked away, only noticing near the end that a woman dressed in black was glancing at him as she walked towards Dream.

“Come on, Franklin. What you waitin’ for?” His teammates got his attention, and he soon joined the game.

Death sat down on the bench next to Dream, initially looking around at the scenery before looking at him; smiling.

“What are you doin’?”

“I’m feeding the pigeons.” He didn’t look up.

She nodded. “You do that too much, you know what you get?”

Dream slightly shook his head.

“Fat pigeons.” She grinned.

Despite her joke, he continued to sulk.

“That’s from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?”

“No,” he spoke.

A little girl ran by, scaring away the pigeons and leaving Dream looking mildly annoyed. Death’s reaction was instead a smile. Despite his sister’s cheerful mood, he couldn’t help but stay focused on his negative emotions. He frowned.

“Okay, so what’s the matter?” She instinctively picked up on it.

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell something’s wrong. I mean, look at you.” She gestured vaguely. “Sittin’ here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It’s not like you.”

Dream held back a sigh. “No. Perhaps it isn’t. I don’t know what’s wrong, but… you’re right. Something is the matter.”

Death frowned and furrowed her brows. She leaned back, preparing to sit for a while and listen.

Dream took a moment to collect his thoughts, still looking upset.

“When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance. It wasn’t as satisfying as I’d expected.”

Death slightly tilted her head, listening patiently.

“Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart. My tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did. I’m now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet…” He paused.

Death leaned forward, glancing at the loaf of bread. “Here you are, feeding the pigeons.”

“You see, until then, I’d had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and… I felt disappointed.” He furrowed his brows and squinted. “Let down. Empty. Does that make sense?” He looked at her. “I was so sure that once I got everything back, I’d feel good. But in some ways, I feel worse than when I started. I feel like… nothing.” He glanced back down once more, clenching his jaw. “There.”

She looked at him.

“You asked.” He looked away again.

Death placed her hand on his knee, trying to comfort him. Dream looked at her.

“You could have called me, you know,” she admitted.

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

Death rolled her eyes and sighed. “Oh, I don’t believe it.” She stood up and looked down at him. “Let me tell you something, Dream.”

He looked up when she took the bread loaf out of his hand.

“And I’m only gonna say this once, so you better pay attention. You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane,” she exclaimed.

Dream couldn’t help the surprised expression on his face.

“Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven’t got the balls to go out and find a new one. You’re as bad as Desire.”

Dream stayed silent.

“No, worse.” She chucked the bread back at him and he caught it.

“Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?” She frowned.

“I didn’t think you—”

“Exactly. You didn’t think.”

He went silent again, not meeting her gaze.

“I really thought sending that girl to you would help,” she muttered.

Before Dream could respond, a ‘heads up!’ interrupted and a soccer ball went flying towards them. Death caught it and the same guy as before came to retrieve the ball.

“Wow. You’re as good as your… friend there.”

She tossed the ball back to him, and he caught it.

“He’s not my friend. He’s my brother. And he’s an idiot.”

“I’m just feeding the birds,” he murmured, looking down at the ground.

Death smiled and turned her attention back to Dream. “Look, I can’t stay here all day. I’ve got work to do.”

The man left, briefly glancing back at them.

“You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk.” Death offered.

Dream stayed silent as he thought it over.

“I’ll come with you, I suppose.”

Death nodded and smiled slightly. “Well, don’t do me any favors.” She tilted her head.

Dream looked up at her before standing and following. Before they could go, the man walked up to Death again.

“Sorry, before you go, um, could I maybe see you again?”

“Sure, Franklin. You’ll see me again.” She gave him a slightly sad smile.

He raised his brows. “Seriously?”

She nodded. “Soon.”

Franklin quickly nodded. “Okay, cool. Yeah, let me just get your number and…” He turned around and threw the soccer ball down. Once he realized, confusion showed on his face, and turned back around. “Wait, how did you know my…”

He paused and looked around, growing more confused when they were nowhere to be seen.

“Come on, Franklin! Are you playin’ or not?”

---

Now joining her, Dream walked alongside Death as they passed the small shops. A fresh fruit stand caught her eye.

“Look!” Death looked over all the fruit. “Yum!”

She talked to the seller, pointing to the apples. “Okay, two, please.”

“None for me, thank you,” Dream added.

“They’re good for you.” She pointed out.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You can just have it later,” Death continued.

Dream stayed silent, slightly giving her a look.

She looked back at the seller. “Just one. Thanks.”

He picked one and gave it to her. “There you go. It’s a gift.”

“Aw. Thank you.” She smiled and then glanced at Dream. “So nice,” she spoke before taking a bite out of the apple. “Mmm. That is delicious.”

They started walking side by side again.

“You are good with them,” Dream said.

“Apples?” She furrowed her eyebrows.

“Humans.”

She hummed in acknowledgment and held the apple in front of him. “Bite?” Her tone was slightly playful.

“No, thank you,” Dream sounded lighthearted as well.

“Hmm. Have you seen any of the others since you’ve been back?”

He shook his head. “Have you?”

She took another bite of the apple and gestured vaguely.

“We did have one family dinner when you were away. The twins were in high spirits. Hmm, Desire was, anyway.”

“With me gone, I have no doubt.” He ignored his frustration inside.

“I don’t know. I think Desire missing having their usual sparring partner across the dinner table,” she remarked.

He glanced down for a moment before looking at her again. “Any word of the prodigal?”

She shook her head. “No. Still missing. You were both missed.” She nudged him with her shoulder.

They continued walking in silence as Death ate her apple. She glanced at him, giving him a look as if she was waiting for him to say something.

“‘How are you, sis? How have you been keeping?’” She gestured with her apple. “Aw, I’m well, Dream. Thanks for asking.”

He tried fighting the urge to smile but lost, allowing a slightly amused smile on his face. He looked at her. “How are you, my sister? How have you been keeping?”

She gently hooked her arm with his. “I’m worried about my brother. And I’m enjoying this apple.” She held the apple up.

Death’s facial expression changed, furrowing her brows as she remembered something. “Oh, by the way, how’s Lee doing? I was curious how that was playing out. We have a deal, y’know.”

Dream refrained from sighing. “She’s acting like her usual self and always insists on speaking her mind. Quite stubborn…”

“Sounds like someone I know.” She gave him a teasing grin.

Dream looked at her, mildly frowning. “Lee Quinn and I are nothing alike.”

She shrugged and took another bite of the apple. Her pace slowed, and she looked up when she heard the sound of a violin.

“Can you hear it?”

He glanced up as well. They stopped and spotted the building where the music was coming from. Dream glanced back at her.

“I know this piece.”

Death nodded, smiling. They both looked back up.

“I haven’t heard it in 200 years…” he sounded wistful.

Death looked at him, placing her hand on his back. “Come on.” She walked forward and left him to follow.

---

The music grew louder as they entered the flat. They watched from the door as an old man played the violin. He paused, coughing slightly.

Death walked into the room. “No. Don’t stop, please.” She smiled, referring to his playing.

He looked up at her. “Uh, sorry for the noise.”

“It’s not noise. It’s Schubert. Keep going.” She encouraged.

Dream stood in the doorframe, watching and keeping silent.

“I can’t. He never finished it.” The old man chuckled. “All we have is a fragment.”

Death had a small smile on her face.

“Oh, forgive me, I… I am Harry.”

Death gave him a sad but knowing look on her face. “I know who you are, Harry.”

He tilted his head.

Death moved closer, kneeling more to his level where he sat. “Do you know who I am?”

After a moment, a look of realization showed on his face. It morphed into an upset expression.

“No. Not yet. Please.” He pleaded, shaking his head.

She gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s time.”

Harry nodded eventually.

Dream watched from the doorway, keeping his usual neutral expression. Though his mind wandered for a brief moment, thinking about Lee. Had it been like this when his sister had come to take her? Thinking about her being distressed made him feel more uneasy than he’d thought it would.

“Can I just… There’s something I have to say. If that’s all right,” Harry said.

“Of course.”

He nodded and placed the violin down, beginning to pray in Hebrew. When he finished reciting the prayer, he looked at Death. She stood up and reached her hand out for him to take. He accepted it and slowly stood up from his chair.

“I’m glad I said the Shema. My old man always said it would guarantee you a place in Heaven.” He pointed up at the ceiling, gesturing to Heaven. He shrugged. “If you believe in Heaven. Hmm?”

He and Death glanced back at his body.

“I look so old. So empty,” he remarked.

She turned her attention to him again.

“So, I’m dead. Now what?” He asked, accepting his fate.

Death responded. “Now’s when you find out, Harry,”

She led him away, prepared to take him to the Sunless Lands. Dream turned away from the door, already moving to leave. He glanced at an old photo on the mantle as he waited for Death to do her job.

“You ready?” She stood in the doorway, smiling.

He looked back up at her, and they left the home together.

---

They walked outside again, taking a route on a bridge.

“I thought he was sweet, didn’t you?” She asked.

“Sweet? I don’t know. Perhaps,” his tone was light.

Death looked at the scenery, her hand trailing the bridge railing.

“My sister…”

“Yeah?” She didn’t look up at him, still focused on following the rail.

“When I was captured, it wasn’t me they were looking for.”

That got her full attention. She looked at him, furrowing her brows and frowning.

“It was you,” he said.

She came to a slow halt and they both stopped walking. She nodded.

“Yeah. I know,” her tone was sad.

He looked at her, squinting and furrowing his eyebrows. He frowned before his expression changed to surprise. Death placed her arm around his shoulders and sighed. His confusion grew when she started taking her shoes off.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking my shoes off. You should take yours off too. It’s good to touch the Earth with your bare feet. It��s grounding.” She explained.

He stared at her, mildly baffled.

“Come on, I don’t want to miss the next one.” She started walking again, carrying her shoes.

Dream watched her for a second before following again.

---

Now at a popular vacation pond spot, Death looked through the crowds and moved towards the next person she had to take.

“Hi, Sam,” she spoke.

He looked back at her, confused.

Death smiled.

“Oh.” He chuckled nervously. “Hi. I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

She went through the same routine of waiting for him to realize. It didn’t get easier with time.

“Oh, no.” Sam looked at the pond before looking back at her. “No, no. I need to talk to my wife for, like, one second.” He begged.

“Sam…”

“You don’t understand. All our flight information is on my phone. I just need to give her the code,” he stammered.

“I’m so sorry, Sam.” She grimaced.

“But we’re on our honeymoon.”

His tone made her chest ache. “Your time is up,” she continued.

Sam stared at her in disbelief. He turned his head when he heard his wife calling his name. He watched as she stood up from her chair and walked toward the water. She continued to call him, not being able to see his spirit or Death.

“Come on, hon.” Death reached her hand out for him.

He hesitated and glanced at his wife before ultimately deciding to take her hand. She began to lead him away.

His wife kept looking out at the water. Dream watched the scene, seeing her horrified reaction as people in the water pulled Sam’s body up to the shore. She shouted his name and ran toward the people. He watched and ignored the stinging pain in his throat he felt, seeing her kneel at her husband’s lifeless body; sobbing and repeating his name.

---

“How do you do it?” He asked his sister as they walked side by side again.

“Do what?”

“This. Be there, for all of them?” He refrained from frowning.

She started to speak before pausing, slightly shrugging and gesturing with her arms. “I have a job to do. And I do it.”

He looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

“When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I’ll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and… lock the universe behind me when I leave.” She explained. “And I’m not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie. And then there’s your ongoing project. How’s he faring up after all this time?”

“Who? Hob Gadling?” He asked.

“Hmm.”

“I don’t know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.”

“Well, I’m sure he’d love to see you. They’re never too keen to see me, though,” Death remarked.

“Does it not bother you?”

She shrugged. “I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, did you?” He lightheartedly teased, slightly smiling.

“They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear,” she said.

He wanted to interject and mention something about the nightmares but held back.

“And yet I am far more terrible than you.”

She chuckled before looking forward again. “I don’t know. Miss Lee hasn’t sent me any complaints, and she’s still keeping the deal.”

Dream didn’t speak, instead furrowing his brows. “Why did you send her to me?”

“She wanted the choice.” Death shrugged. “And… it seems like maybe having her around is a good thing?”

He thought over her words.

“Perhaps…” he muttered, eventually.

She smiled before getting back to answering his original question. “It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.”

“But you continued.”

She nodded and then hesitated.

“I thought about giving up. Walking out.” She confessed, walking ahead of him.

He stood for a moment, thinking about what she said. He watched as she walked towards another home.

“This was a long time ago, long before this world.”

---

“It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside.”

They were in the house now, stopping to talk.

“I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die.” She held back a sigh.

Dream looked at her, listening.

“But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.”

Dream redirected his attention when he noticed another voice. He saw a mother leaning over a crib, talking sweetly to her daughter in the other room. The baby fussed slightly, and she turned to leave to get her food.

Death slowly walked towards the crib. She looked down at the baby, listening as she babbled. Death gently picked her up, cradling her. Dream hung back, watching from a distance.

“Yeah, I’m afraid so,” she spoke softly to the baby.

Dream stared, his eyes betraying his emotions. He frowned lightly.

“That’s all there is, little one. That’s all you get.” Death continued to comfort the infant.

She walked away, carrying the baby and preparing to take her to the Sunless Lands.

Dream paused before deciding to move forward, looking down at the empty crib. It was getting harder to ignore the pain he felt inside. He remembered how Orpheus’ crib looked, similar in design.

Death walked back into the room, the baby no longer in her arms. She looked at Dream and he managed to focus on the present, glancing at her.

“We can go.” She whispered, her expression mournful.

They both started to leave, hearing the mother still talking in the background, unaware of what happened.

---

“I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.” Dream asked.

“People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance.” She explained. “At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.”

---

They walked together in a park shaded by the huge trees.

“It’s funny looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself,” Death started.

“But you do,” he replied.

“No.” She shook her head. “At the end, I’m there with them. I’m holding their hand and they’re holding mine.”

He looked at her, feeling curious.

“I’m not alone when I’m doing my job.” She glanced around for a bit before looking at him again. “And neither are you. Think about it.” She gently touched his arm, and they stopped walking. “The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We’re here to serve them.”

He looked at her before glancing at the surrounding humans.

“It isn’t about quests or finding purpose outside our function.”

They continued walking again.

“Our purpose is our function. We’re here for them.” She gestured. “Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me.”

“I’ve seen so many cool things and people and worlds.” Death grinned.

They were back in the spot where they’d started, walking with their arms linked.

“I’ve learned so much. Lots of people don’t have a job they love doing, do they?”

He looked at her again.

“So, I think I’m really very lucky.” She added, smiling before it faded once she remembered her schedule. “Listen, I’ve got to head back soon.”

They stopped their walk. Dream moved to stand in front of her, holding her hands in his. She looked faintly surprised.

“You’ve taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.” He had a small smile on his face.

She smiled back. “Aw.” She glanced down and then back up at him, nodding. “That’s what family’s about, little brother.”

Her attention was focused back on the man from the beginning, Franklin. She sighed. “One last appointment, then I have to go.”

There was the sound of tires screeching in the background and a crash soon after.

“I, too, am late for an appointment,” he said.

She tilted her head and smiled. “Tell him I said hello.”

Dream smiled.

There was commotion in the background, sounds of people rushing over to an accident, and someone calling Franklin’s name.

“I have to go,” she spoke in a hushed tone.

Dream nodded before leaving.

Death turned her direction toward Franklin.

“Hey.” He ran towards her, holding the soccer ball in his arm. “Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.” He gestured, putting his thumb and finger close together.

“This close, huh?” She copied him.

“Yeah.”

“Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something.” She took his arm and led him away.

“Okay,” he hesitantly agreed.

She turned her head to look back at Dream, waving goodbye. “See ya, Dream.”

He glanced back at her.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

She started to walk away with Franklin, witnessing the accident he was in.

---

Dream wandered on his own to his late appointment. He walked down a busy path, passing people by. A man walked out of a store and ended up making eye contact with him. In an attempt to be more like his sister, Dream gave him a short, polite nod.

The man backed up, taken aback by his appearance. Dream felt disappointment building up inside as he continued.

He finally made it to where he and Hob Gadling used to meet. However, over time, it had been abandoned. Tall fences were blocking it. He looked and felt puzzled, trying to figure out what to do next. He glanced down and noticed a long arrow in spray paint on the fence. There had been words in spray paint as well.

‘The new inn’

Dream turned and began to follow the arrow.

Now at the new building, he watched as people hung around it. There was a sign on top of the building that read ‘The New Inn’. Same as the paint.

He walked inside, looking for Hob. Finally, he saw him sitting down, writing something. He looked up and saw Dream standing there.

He smiled. “You’re late.”

Dream chuckled softly and smiled. “It seems I owe you an apology. I’ve always heard it impolite to keep one’s friends waiting.”

Hob smiled again.

Dream pulled out the chair in front of his table, sitting across from him. He leaned back and prepared to listen to the man’s stories. He smiled.

---

“Attend, sweet sibling. It is I, Desire.” They were trying to summon Despair of the Endless. “I stand in my gallery and I hold your sigil.” They held her hook in their hand, carefully kissing it.

“Our brother has found a way out of his cage. Our plan has failed. But don’t worry. I have a new one.” They smiled and walked away from the row of sigils.

#off topic but can i just say how pretty death is like omg #the sandman #the sandman netflix #lee quinn #the sandman oc #sandman oc #dream of the endless #morpheus #death of the endless #the sandman fanfic #the sandman fanfiction #sandman fanfic #sandman fanfiction #hob gadling #desire of the endless #my writing #pringles writing

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fayeelikefairie · 2 years ago

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♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ.the start of bright star episode:7!♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ.

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:

"Softness and understanding"

01:57 ━━━━●───── 02:55

◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ↻

TW:Mentions of not eating,self harming behaviors,crying,cigarettes,neglect,the normal brightst☆r stuff,mentions of calories

Akira walked home,80s music playing in her headphones as she walked the small distance to her mother's apartment. Guilt filled her as she thought about things,the music being drowned out by her thoughts. "Why am I like this? It's just a cheesecake slice? Im so stupid. I probably concerned one of them." She thought as she opened the apartment building door going up the stairs and unlocking her mother and aunts apartment,and entering. With a pet greeting to her cat, Mimi she held him "awww!! Did you wait for mee?" She said petting the cat who purred "awww so sweett!" She put the cat down. Hearing her phone buzz she took it out of her pocket,seeing it was Sora she was confused.

Why did Sora care? What would Sora need from her? She went to her room,awnsering. "Hey Sora! Ya need something?" She asked,smiling.

♫⋆｡♪ ₊˚♬ ﾟ. Sora felt worry in her heart as she heard Akiras voice "uhm...yeah." she said,trying to sound stotic as always "are you alright? You look sick as hell." She heard Akira let out a deep breath "yep,just.. uh.. tired.." she said with a shaky voice,Like was about to cry. "You sure? You sure you don't have any problems? You seemed nervous about eating,is something up with that?" Sora asked,her worry becoming more and more obvious. Akira felt annoyed,why did she even care "i..I said I'm fine,don't fucking worry about it." She said. Sora heard the sadness in her voice,the tears. "I'm not gonna sit here and let my friend just hurt themselves!" Sora yelled at the phone "I know we only know eachother through tutoring,but talk to me. Please." She begged.

Akira let out a sniffle,a sign she was crying. Sora frowned she hated yelling and doing that to her friends but she needed to make her point. "Y..you . W..why will you tell anyone?..." Sora sighed, a concerned one,not annoyed "nope. I promise you." Akira took a deep breath "o..okay but if you tell.someone.. just.. please dont." Akira begged with a tearful voice. "Hey,hey calm down,okay.. I wont,just tell me.." Akira took another deep breath "okay... uh.. I don't like myself,I don't like my grades,or my brain... I don't wanna eat,I don't Wanna be okay.. food has so much c.." she stopped,Sora listened. "I.. understand in a way.. I don't like food either,. It has to much,I agree. But we shouldn't be counting it. That's harmful,and it'll fucking kill you or hosphospitalize you. You don't deserve that Akira."

Sora said,genuinely "i.. " Akira just cried over the phone. "Let me help you out.. I've been where your at. It sucks. I know it does,and you never wanna get better. But If you wanna live past 16 you have to. You have dreams don't you" Akira replied, "y..yeah to be in a band.. to be famous.." Sora hummed In response. "If you want to be able to do that you have to get better. In all honesty.. I have that dream to,.. we can work to that dream together,yeah?" Sora tried to assure her. Akira let out a small,soft,shaky "y..yeah.. hey.. can you stay on call with me.. I'm sorry if it's all to much.. i..I understa-" Sora replied with "im okay with that. Your not okay and in a right mindset right now. Let's change the topic to something more bright,okay?" Akira said "o..okay uh.. favorite show,honestly.." she let out a soft laugh.

"Promise not to laugh at me?" Sora asked,embarrassment in her tone, Akira hummed in response "mhm.." Sora laughed a little "okay.. okay.. Magical mayaki.." Akira felt herself smile,she gasped "you know that show!? Oh my gosh! I love that show so much!"

#project sekai #project sekai oc #brightst☆r #project sekai fanfic #project sekai fangroup #hastune miku colorful stage #oc x oc #canon x oc #leo/need

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thunders-warcats-stuff · 13 days ago

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Wolf snaps at StarClan cats part 2 (bok: self insert au)

Goosefeather, Moonflower, Stormtail

“Okay, Goosefeather.” Wolf sighed. “Let me start by saying that I’m sorry for what you were given to work with. You should have never been apprenticed like you were. The adults in your life should have handled things differently. It wasn’t fair to you at all.”

Wolf could hear water flowing from a nearby stream with how quiet it was.

“That’s true enough. Cloudberry always wished she could do more for the poor tom. His childhood was… unstable, to put it nicely.” Brambleberry informed the others.

“What?” Goosefeather breathed. “What do you mean? The cats around me did what they could.”

“They should have done more!” the River healer offered coldly.

“Damn right!” Wolf agreed. “You weren’t treated well. You didn’t get to grow up like your sister and the rest of your denmates. You weren’t allowed to be a normal kit.”

“I wasn’t a normal kit.”

“It shouldn’t have mattered! Your family should have fought for you! I’m sorry your life happened the way it did.

"But.

“Here we go.” Goosefeather sighed, looking defeated.

“You hurt Bluestar a lot with how you treated her.” Wolf insisted. “You weren’t the only one. Stormtail also has a lot to answer for, but pushing a prophecy on her was not the answer.”

“It was hers to fulfill.”

“You could have done it differently. You could have helped her understand what your ancestors wanted her to do and why. You could have let her live her own life instead of trying to live it for her.”

“She wasn’t living her life, though.” Stormtail scoffed. “I remember Bluestar was a wreck as a youngster. She only completed her training because Sunstar took pity on her.”

“Then you should have done better to, oh, I don’t know, actually be her father!” Wolf roared furiously. “Instead of padding after some cat half your age for the second time in your life, deal with the situation you were given! You have no right to call yourself anyone’s father, much less Blue or Snow!” Wolf snapped.

“Why, you little-!” Stormtail snarled as he lurched to his paws.

“Do not,” Shellheart spat. “touch this kitten! Him knowing about your failures does not mean you get to hurt him for it.”

Here, Shellheart turned to face Wolf.

“Although I have to say, you’re getting into things you might not understand the nuance of.”

“His mate died in a battle that was ridiculous from the start because no one protected her. I dunno about you, but if you knew someone was set aside for a specific job during a battle, wouldn’t you want to keep close to them? Or at least try keeping an eye out for them? Get someone else to help them if you can’t?”

“I personally would,” Hailstar mused. “but that’s thinking like a leader. Not his job. Besides, battles are confusing and even the most trap-proof plan can fall apart in a fray.”

“I’ll consider that.

He also may or may not have set a fox on a kitten when he was an apprentice.

He wasn’t really around for either of his kids in my dreams.

I’m surprised he even got to live here just hearing that first bit, but I suppose he wasn’t particularly evil, just an asshole.”

“A what?”

“Human equivalent of calling someone a fox’s butt.”

“Why would you ever?!” Several cats were laughing and Wolf couldn’t tell who spoke.

“Sometimes a cat is being a fox’s butt and they deserve to know.”

“Fair enough.” The cat said, touching off another round of laughter.

Wolf spoke again when it tapered off naturally.

“Now, Goosefeather. You were pushing her like you were pushed. Did you actually like how your life went when cats wanted you to do certain things but didn’t listen to you when you warned them?”

“No.” Goosefeather grumbled, eyes sliding to the ground.

“Then why would you do that to someone else?!” Wolf burst out, annoyed. “And for the love of the Stars, ‘Fire must burn without bonds?’ Did you lose your mind or were you just trying to make sure she lost hers?!”

“That’s what the prophecy said!” Goosefeather objected.

“To clarify, you’re saying that StarClan ordered you to threaten her kittens?” Wolf asked, forcing a level of calm into their voice that they weren’t sure they felt.

“The cats who watch over you all wanted three kittens to leave the colony badly enough that they would make you threaten-?

"Oh wow, that sounds familiar. Nevermind, they absolutely would. They’ve done it before.”

“That’s what the prophecy said!” Goosefeather insisted. “She wouldn’t have been able to fend off Thistleclaw if her kits remained in ThunderClan.”

“So you made sure they didn’t…” Echomist breathed, horrified. “and one of them died for it! Goosefeather, how could you?!”

“I did what the ghosts said! I did what StarClan wanted!”

“Are you sure what the ghosts said was what StarClan wanted? That your dreams were always sent from StarClan?” Hailstar wondered. “I can’t imagine my ancestors at that time being so cruel.”

“They were!” Goosefeather insisted. “There was no way for her to become deputy and later on leader otherwise.”

“Fair enough. I mean, StarClan also told Pinestar to kill his own son, so….”

“They what?!”

“Yeah, they also got a Thunder cat called Mapleshade and her three kittens kicked out for associating with RiverClan during wartime.

"The kittens died on the way. Wartime Rivers rejected her because why the hell wouldn’t they? And she went on a murder spree that included the healer that made the call and the father of her kittens.

"Your ancestors are a bunch of fuckers and I dare any of those bastards who made those ridiculous decisions to tell me what the fuck they were thinking?!”

“Quite the challenge, kid,” Roachstar snorted. “You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t wish to see any of these cats face-to-face. You’re almost guaranteed to get mauled and I happen to like what you’re doing amng the living.”

“Oh please, I’m not here at the whim of any of your ancestors and nobody can make me go or stay anywhere I don’t want to be.

"Least of all any of the bastards who decided babies were an acceptable sacrifice to their altars multiple times!”

Silence reigned in the wake of Wolf’s snarling.

“Anyway,” Wolf snorted. “There really wasn’t any good choice here. Moonflower, even if someone else offered her a second chance or help, wouldn’t have lasted long after that. Goosefeather’s entire life was likely planned from start to finish. What the hell could either of you do?”

“Nothing, apparently.” Goosefeather grumbled.

“Been nicer, to start with. Or at least more understanding of and helpful to Bluestar. She had a very small support system and lost more of it by the day. I’m genuinely surprised she hasn’t snapped and run off to be a loner.”

“I, for one, am very glad she stayed. She’s a good friend to Storm and Oak.” Brambleberry offered. “Although her life was definitely one tragedy after another.”

“So was Mapleshade’s. Then again, she actively made her situation worse, so they don’t have much more in common than your ancestors being assholes to them in particular.

"Fucking rejecting babies. I don't give a shit if it's wartime, you yourselves still consider them children! You said yourselves they weren’t allowed to fight before a certain age! Why wouldn’t they be immune to the war? They're fuckin babies, man! Or toddlers or whatever.”

#warrior cats #burden of knowledge the self insert au #wolf yells at starclan

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