#and some that I've only listened to. you guys wish you had my power.

[surielstea]

First Impressions

Pairing: Rhysand x Fem!Reader

Summary: Rhys is a bumbling buffoon when it comes to meeting his mate for the first time.

Warnings: awkward tension, reader lives in the hewn city

A.Note: not totally proud of this one since it’s hard for me to write first meeting stories with a concluding ending, but I hope you guys enjoy :)

Word count: 4.8k words

The scratching at my door had me sitting up in an instant, my back pressing against the cold stone wall as my hand slid beneath my pillow, fingers curling around the worn hilt of my dagger. My breath came shallow, controlled, as I listened—waiting for another sound, another shift in the air that might give away whoever had decided to test their luck tonight.

Life in the Hewn City never allowed for restful sleep. Not when shadows slithered in every alley when cruelty pulsed like a second heartbeat through its streets. And especially not now that Morrigan was gone.

Her father's estate had been far from a sanctuary, but at least the sheer power Keir wielded had kept the worst of the monsters at bay. Here, in my apartment on the outskirts of town, I had no such protection. Only thin walls, shattered locks, and neighbors who wouldn't need a reason to break into a young female's bedroom—who wouldn't care that I was High Fae, not when my magic was little more than a flickering candle in the wind.

A shiver danced down my spine as I gripped my dagger tighter, pulling it free just as the handle of my door twisted. My breath stilled.

Wards should have held. I'd watched Mor herself etch them into the worn wood, her golden power laced with every careful stroke. And yet the door creaked open, the darkness beyond bleeding into my already shadowed room.

I made myself as small as possible, the blanket of night cloaking me enough to fool a drunk—most in this wretched place were—but if they stepped inside if they came closer...

A head popped through the gap.

Gold hair caught the dim light.

My breath punched from my lungs. "Morrigan."

I tumbled out of bed, my dagger forgotten as I all but threw myself at her. She caught me effortlessly, her arms wrapping tight around my waist, solid and real, her familiar scent washing over me.

"Oh, I've missed you," she murmured, holding me as if she'd been gone for years rather than two unbearable weeks.

I pulled back just enough to take her in, my hands framing her face, my eyes darting over her features, searching for any sign of injury. My stomach knotted at the gauze wrapped around her waist, but otherwise, she seemed unharmed.

"I thought you got out safe?" I whispered.

She smirked. "Forgot some things."

There was something reckless in her eyes, something sharp and unyielding.

My stomach tightened further. "Mor—"

"I'm getting you out of here."

Her grin was edged with mischief, with certainty.

—

I had heard the rumors—the hushed whispers exchanged between patrons in dimly lit taverns, drunken murmurs of a secret city our High Lord kept hidden from the rest of us. A place untouched by the cruelty of the Hewn City, a myth spun to keep fools hopeful.

I never believed a word of it.

But Velaris was real.

"The City of Starlight," Morrigan had said, her voice breathless with something I hadn't seen in her since we were reckless, ignorant children. She'd smiled then—wild, unguarded. And I had known, in that moment, that every whispered legend had been true.

The city thrived even in the late hour. Laughter and music curled through the streets, golden lights casting soft glows against dark stone. I had never dreamed a place like this could exist, not outside of bedtime stories and half-formed wishes. And yet, Mor guided me through its winding paths as if it were the most natural thing in the world, showing me pieces of the Night Court I had never dared to imagine.

Until, finally, she led me to a small cabin at the edge of a quiet clearing.

Warm light spilled from its windows, shadows dancing against the wood as the hum of conversation and bursts of laughter leaked into the night. It was a thrilling sound—carefree, safe.

Mor stepped onto the porch, her fingers curling around my wrist as she turned back to me with a smirk. "I've been living here for the past few weeks," she hummed, as if it were no great thing. "And I decided I missed my roommate."

Her words barely registered over the clatter of voices inside. I could hear the easy teasing, the playful shouts.

I hesitated.

"It's Rhysand's cabin, but—"

"The High Lord's?" I whirled on her, my stomach clenching.

Mor blinked, as if I'd said something absurd. "He's my cousin, you know?"

I did know that. Of course I did. But the knowledge didn't stop the shiver that traced my spine.

I had seen Rhysand twice in my life—twice was enough.

Both times, I had been convinced I would die right there on the spot, crushed beneath the weight of his power. It exuded from him like a second set of wings, dark and monstrous. The ground itself seemed to quake beneath his steps. To say he was powerful was an insult to the very meaning of the word. He was terror incarnate, the nightmare that lived in the dark corners of every court.

I had heard the stories—of him reaching into minds and shattering them from the inside out, twisting their own fears into weapons sharper than any blade. He did not need to lift a hand to kill.

My throat went dry. "He's not in there, is he?"

The words were barely a whisper, but Mor only shrugged, far too casual. "Sure he is."

I nearly choked. What?

"Mor—"

She didn't give me a chance to protest.

Her fingers curled around mine, firm and unwavering, and before I could think to dig in my heels, she had pulled me forward—up the steps, through the doorway, past the foyer—until I was standing in the heart of the house.

The moment we entered, the conversation stopped.

Four sets of eyes locked onto me.

Hazel. Silver.

And then—

A violet gaze, piercing and unrelenting, dilated with something unreadable.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Rhysand.

The High Lord of Night. The male who could level entire armies with a flick of his wrist, who could peel apart minds like flower petals and leave nothing behind. The nightmare whispered about in every corner of the Hewn City.

And he was staring at me.

His lips parted slightly, as if words had caught in his throat.

Mor, of course, was entirely unaffected. "Gentlemen," she said, grinning as she strode deeper into the sitting room. "And Amren."

The silver-eyed female merely flicked a gaze over Mor before cutting straight to me, a sharp, assessing glance that made my stomach twist.

I was still trying to school my expression into something other than imminent death panic when Mor gave my wrist a final squeeze and released me.

"I'd like you all to meet—"

"She's my mate."

Silence.

Utter, perfect silence.

Then—

A choked sound came from the male lounging in an armchair, wings draped lazily over its sides. He had dark hair, hazel eyes gleaming with delight, and an unmistakable aura of shit-eating amusement. That one must be Cassian.

Next to him, another male, shadows curled at his feet like living things, merely blinked—slowly, deliberately—before glancing at Rhys and murmuring, "That was subtle." And there's Azriel.

Rhys, for all his legendary cunning, looked like he wanted to launch himself into the Sidra.

"Mate?" I rasped, my stomach flipping over itself.

No. No, surely not. That was—impossible. I would've felt something.

Or have I all along?

"You must forgive our dear High Lord," Amren drawled, sipping from a glass of something dark. "He usually has more tact when announcing these things."

Rhys finally seemed to snap back into his body, straightening his spine with something like composed horror.

"What I meant to say," he amended, his voice dropping into something far smoother, far silkier—too smooth as if he were compensating, "is that it's a pleasure to meet you."

Cassian snorted. "You just said she was your mate."

"Yes, thank you, Cassian."

Azriel's lips twitched. "I think she got the message."

My head was spinning, my throat tight. But my body had stilled—not from fear, exactly, but from something else. Something coiling in my chest, something aware.

Rhys's gaze flicked to mine, and his expression softened instantly, all humor melting into something devastatingly gentle.

"It's late. You must be exhausted." His voice had dipped, his usual charm tempered with something achingly sincere. "Let me get you something to eat. Or drink. Or—are you warm enough? I can get you a blanket—"

Cassian was shaking with silent laughter. Azriel merely watched, like he was filing this away for later use.

Amren, however, had no such patience. "Oh, for Cauldron's sake," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "She's not a wounded animal, Rhysand, stop circling her like a mother hen."

"I just want her to be comfortable," he argued, flashing her a glare before turning back to me with something so devastatingly earnest that I nearly forgot who he was. What he was.

He liked me.

No—he wanted me to like him.

Rhysand, the most powerful High Lord in history, was tripping over himself to win my favor.

And somehow, that was more terrifying than any of the rumors I'd ever heard.

—

I wasn't entirely sure how I ended up sitting on a plush couch in the middle of the High Lord's cabin, wrapped in a ridiculously soft blanket that I didn't remember agreeing to. A cup of tea—also not requested—was placed carefully in my hands, steam curling in the dim candlelight.

Rhysand hovered nearby.

And I meant hovered.

He was standing at an awkward, not-quite-close, not-quite-far distance, shifting slightly as if debating whether he should sit or stand or vanish into the floor. His normally easy, fluid grace had been utterly abandoned, leaving him looking... well. Uncertain.

Cassian, sprawled in the armchair across from me, was barely keeping it together. His wings twitched every few seconds, his lips pressed tightly as if physically holding in his laughter.

Azriel, seated beside him, was far more composed—but the slight upward tilt of his mouth betrayed his amusement.

I took a sip of my tea, trying to make sense of all this.

The High Lord of the Night Court—the terror of the Hewn City, the most powerful male in existence—had declared me his mate. And then proceeded to fall apart before my very eyes.

I was still trying to process it when Rhys spoke.

"Would you like more pillows?"

I blinked. "What?"

His violet eyes were very, very wide. "You look like you could use more pillows."

Cassian made a strangled noise.

Azriel coughed into his fist.

"I—I'm fine," I said slowly, watching as Rhys's shoulders sagged in relief.

Too fast. All of this was happening too fast, I couldn't keep up.

"Are you sure? Because I can get more."

Cassian let out a wheezing breath, eyes shining with unrestrained delight. "Yes, Rhys. More pillows. That's definitely what she needs."

Rhys shot him a withering glare before turning back to me, smoothing his expression into something intended to be charming, but coming across as deeply, deeply desperate.

"Or food!" he blurted. "Have you eaten? I can make you something. Or, well, I can't make you something, but I can get someone to—"

"She has tea, Rhys," Amren cut in dryly. "You shoved it into her hands two minutes ago."

"I did not shove—"

"You definitely shoved," Cassian confirmed, barely containing his cackle. "I thought you were going to spill boiling tea all over your mate."

I flinch slightly at the term as Rhys shoots back with, "I was being thoughtful."

Azriel hummed, taking a slow sip of his own drink, the amber color telling me it was something much stronger than tea. "Is that what we're calling it?"

I had absolutely no idea what to do with any of this.

Rhysand—the charmer, the schemer, the legend—was unraveling at the seams in front of me.

Because of me.

"I can make my own food," I finally said, mostly just to say something.

Rhys visibly straightened. "Of course! Yes, I knew that. I just—" He ran a hand through his hair, his usual ease nowhere to be found. "I want you to feel at home."

Cassian grinned. "I think she'd feel more at home if you stopped looming over her like a lovesick bat."

Rhys's glare could have melted stone.

Azriel just leaned back in his chair, shadows curling lazily around his shoulders. "I don't think I've ever seen you like this," he mused.

Rhys turned his attention back to me, clearly trying to regain some dignity. He attempted one of his infamous smirks. "You must forgive them. They're not used to seeing me flustered."

Cassian clapped a hand to his chest, eyes sparkling. "Oh, it's a gift, truly."

Azriel nodded solemnly. "We should savor this moment."

Rhys looked seconds away from throttling them both.

I just stared at him, still gripping the cup of tea like it was the only solid thing in the world. "Are you okay?" I asked before I could stop myself.

His breath caught.

And for a moment, the amusement, the chaos—it all faded. His eyes softened, something raw flickering behind them.

"I'm fine," he said, voice lower now, steadier. "I just... I wasn't expecting this."

Neither was I. But still, something shifted in my chest at the way he looked at me—like I was something precious.

I wasn't ready to name that feeling.

But for the first time since I'd arrived, I didn't feel like running.

Slowly—mercifully—Rhys seemed to remember how to function again.

He settled into the chair across from me, still watching me with those impossibly violet eyes, but at least he wasn't hovering like I might vanish if he so much as blinked.

Not that he'd relaxed entirely.

No, because the moment I so much as shifted—adjusting the blanket, setting my tea down—he twitched as if preparing to leap to his feet and fix something.

If I asked for anything, I had no doubt he'd be up and fetching it before I could even finish the sentence.

But at least he was sitting.

Amren, on the other hand, was done with the entire situation.

With a long-suffering sigh, she stood and stretched. "Alright. That's enough of this."

Cassian perked up. "Of what?"

She shot him a withering look. "The two of you sitting here, watching this disaster unfold like it's a theatrical event."

Cassian grinned, utterly unrepentant. "Oh, but it is."

Azriel just sipped his whiskey, but the small smirk on his lips said everything.

Amren turned her glare to them both, then pointed at the door. "Out."

Cassian gaped. "But—"

"Out," she repeated, already making her way toward him.

Cassian barely had time to dodge before she grabbed his arm, yanking him up with surprising strength for someone so small. "Azriel, move," she barked.

Azriel, for all his shadows and lethal grace, barely managed to stifle a chuckle before obeying.

Rhys, looking very much like a male clinging to the last shred of his dignity, just sighed. "Amren, I hardly think—"

"Oh, please." She shot him a knowing look. "You want them gone."

Rhys opened his mouth. Closed it. Then glanced—too quickly—at me.

Cassian cackled. "Oh, this is so good."

"I hate all of you," Rhys muttered.

Cassian just grinned, throwing an arm over Azriel's shoulder as Amren shoved them both toward the door. "Love you too, brother!"

The door shut behind them then silence settled.

I exhaled slowly, my mind still spinning from all of this—this place, these people, Rhysand, sitting before me and looking as though he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

Mor, still seated beside me, gave a soft, reassuring smile. "Ignore them," she said. "They're menaces, but they mean well."

I nodded, unsure what to say.

She nudged me gently. "You doing okay?"

I hesitated.

Then, quietly, "I think so."

Mor's smile warmed. "Good." She stood, stretching. "I'm just down the hall if you need anything, okay?"

I nodded again. "Thanks, Mor."

She winked. "Get some rest."

And then, just like that, I was alone. With Rhysand.

Who, despite his best attempts to seem relaxed, looked about two seconds away from combusting.

The silence stretched for a beat too long before Rhys cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "So," he started, voice smoother now, steadier, "what do you think of Velaris?"

I exhaled, my grip loosening on the blanket around my shoulders as I glanced toward the window. The city lights still twinkled beyond the glass, mirroring the stars above.

"It's..." I searched for the right word. Magnificent."

His lips curved. "It is." He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "Not what you expected?"

A soft huff of breath left me. "In all honesty, I didn't even expect it to be real."

Rhys chuckled, low and warm. "Most don't."

I looked back at him. "How long has it been hidden?"

His expression turned thoughtful. "Since the war." His gaze flickered to the window, a distant look in his eyes. "My family—my court—has fought to protect it for centuries. It's the one place in all of Prythian untouched by war, by cruelty." He met my gaze again, and this time, there was something softer there. "Now it's yours, too."

Something shifted in my chest at that. The way he said it like I belonged here. I swallowed. "And the court?"

His smile returned, easy and knowing. "You've already met the worst of them."

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "I don't believe that."

"Oh, you should." He smirked. "Cassian and Azriel? Winged buffoons. Mor? Chaos incarnate." He placed a hand on his chest, feigning solemnity. "And me? Well, the stories you've heard don't paint me in the best light, do they?"

A teasing edge now, that sharp, clever humor creeping into his voice.

I tilted my head. "No, they don't."

He grinned, but it softened as he glanced back outside. "You'll see for yourself, though." He hesitated, then added, "You'll be here for Starfall."

"Starfall?"

His eyes lit up, and suddenly, it was as if the shadows in the room no longer existed.

"You've never heard of it?"

I shook my head.

Rhys leaned closer, his voice dropping to something conspiratorial, enticing. "Once a year, the sky does something extraordinary."

I raised a brow, peering out the large arched window to look at the galaxy of stars just outside. "More extraordinary than usual?"

A chuckle. "Much more." He sat back again, watching me with a quiet sort of delight, as if he already knew I'd love it. "The stars don't just shine that night. They fall."

I blinked. "They fall?"

"Mmm." He traced a circle on the arm of his chair. "Not like shooting stars—though it looks similar. The souls of long-lost beings drift across the sky, shimmering trails left in their wake. It's..." He trailed off, searching for the word.

"Magnificent?" I supplied, unable to help the small smile tugging at my lips.

Rhys gave a slow, approving nod. "Very."

Something warm settled in my chest. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

And then, finally, I allowed myself to really look at him.

Not the High Lord. Not the nightmare. Just Rhysand.

And gods, he was handsome.

The kind of handsome that made the room feel smaller, the air feel warmer. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, those impossibly violet eyes that seemed to catch every flicker of candlelight. And the way he looked at me—like I was something precious. Like he already knew me, in some deep, unspoken way.

I cleared my throat, shoving away the thought. "It sounds magical."

He grinned, and for the first time, it wasn't the grin of a High Lord, or a male who held the power of nightmares in his hands.

It was just a smile. For me.

A slight yawn slipped from me, Rhys was instantly moving.

"Mother above, I've kept you up too late—" He was already leading me toward the hall, his steps brisk, his hands half-lifted as if he wanted to guide me but thought better of it.

I barely had time to keep up as he strode toward a door across from Mor's, gesturing to it like it was some grand reveal. "This is yours—of course, if you don't like it, we can find you another room, or a different house entirely, or—"

"Rhys—"

"I really should have let you rest earlier, I can be insufferable when I ramble, and—"

"Rhys."

"I hope you find everything comfortable, but if you need anything—extra pillows, a softer mattress, a different view—"

I pressed my palm to his chest. He froze.

His breath hitched, just barely—but I felt it beneath my hand, the sharp inhale, the slight stutter of his heartbeat.

His eyes locked onto mine, the violet darkening, blazing.

I had only meant to stop his spiraling apologies, but now... Now the air between us was thick with tension.

Something unseen curled and tightened, coiling like a living thing beneath my skin.

Rhys exhaled sharply through his nose. Slowly—reverently—his hand lifted, covering mine where it lay over his chest. His fingers curled just enough to hold me there, as if... as if he couldn't bear to let go.

Something between us shifted and I didn't have time to decide if it was for the better or not.

A pull, deep in my ribs. An ache that hadn't been there before.

Rhys went completely still.

Like he was waging some great internal war, fighting against a force that neither of us had yet spoken aloud. But I felt it.

The way his fingers tightened just slightly over mine. The way his lips parted like he was about to say something, only to think better of it.

The way his eyes—those star-flecked, devastatingly beautiful eyes—searched mine like they held the answer to something he'd been waiting for.

I should have stepped back.

I should have moved.

Instead, I stood there, heart pounding, fingers twitching against the soft fabric of his tunic.

Rhys swallowed, his throat working around the motion, but he said nothing. Did nothing. Just stood there, his chest rising and falling beneath my palm, his fingers flexing ever so slightly over mine like he was grounding himself—like he needed to hold on. I knew I should step back.

We had only just met.

Yet that fact seemed irrelevant, insignificant compared to the weight of the moment curling between us, thick as smoke.

Because I could feel it—something pulling me toward him, that bond deeper than attraction, sharper than longing. It was in the way his breath came uneven, in the way his gaze dropped, just briefly, to my lips before snapping back up to my eyes, a flicker of something raw, something wanting, breaking through his carefully placed walls.

His lips parted, like he might say something. Like he might stop this before it went too far.

I didn't let him. Didn't give myself the chance to second-guess, to think, to reason.

I surged forward.

Rhys barely had time to exhale before my lips met his. Soft. That was my first thought—how soft his lips were, warm and parting against mine as if in stunned surrender.

And then he was kissing me back.

A sharp inhale, his hand sliding up my wrist, curling around it like he couldn't quite believe this was happening—but wouldn't dare let go, either.

His other hand found my waist, light, hesitant, his fingers pressing in just enough to ground me, to anchor us both in the storm of whatever this was.

It wasn't desperate. It wasn't hurried. It was slow, tentative, a gentle exploration.

His nose brushed mine as he tilted his head, his lips parting wider, and I felt the way he breathed me in—like I was something to be savored, something he hadn't known he was starving for until now.

A small sound left me—something between a sigh and a whimper—and Rhys shuddered, his grip tightening ever so slightly, his fingertips pressing into my skin like he needed to remind himself this was real.

We lingered there, caught in something we didn't have a name for, something neither of us had expected but couldn't seem to pull away from.

His thumb brushed along my wrist, slow, reverent, as our lips moved together in a rhythm that felt achingly natural.

Like we had done this a thousand times before. Like we would do it a thousand times more.

When we finally parted, it was only enough to breathe, our foreheads pressing together, breaths mingling.

Rhys's fingers flexed at my waist.

"I—" His voice was hoarse, rough with something unspoken. He swallowed. "We should stop."

I exhaled shakily, my hands still fisting the fabric of his tunic.

"We should," I admitted.

His thumb traced slow, lazy circles along my wrist, like he was memorizing the shape of me, the feel of me.

And then, softer—softer than I'd ever heard anyone speak my name—

"But I don't want to."

I barely had time to whisper, "Neither do I," before he kissed me again.

His lips were still on mine, still moving, still taking, even as he rasped against my mouth, "We can't."

But he didn't stop. Didn't pull away.

If anything, his hands tightened at my waist, fingers pressing into my skin like he was anchoring himself—like he was fighting a losing battle against whatever force was unraveling between us.

I gasped as his tongue slid against mine, slow and thorough, like he was trying to memorize me, like he was desperate to learn every piece of me with nothing more than his lips, his hands, his breath.

"Rhys," I whispered, not knowing if it was meant to be a plea or a warning.

He groaned, his forehead pressing against mine, his breath coming out in short, uneven pants.

"I want to know you," he said, his voice so raw, so gutted that it sent a shiver down my spine.

Then his lips were on mine again, harder, deeper, like he was proving it, like he needed me to believe him.

"I want to know everything," he murmured against my mouth, between kisses that left me gasping, left me trembling, my fingers still tangled in his hair. Another kiss, this one rougher, hungrier. "Everything."

I whimpered against his lips, barely able to think, barely able to breathe with the way he was consuming me, the way his words were carving themselves into my ribs.

He groaned, like the sound was being ripped from him. "I—" He shuddered. "Tell me to stop."

I froze beneath him, blinking up at him, my head spinning, my lips swollen from his kisses.

He swallowed hard, his breathing uneven, his hands flexing at my sides.

"Tell me to stop," he repeated, voice ragged, "because I don't think I can on my own."

His words hung between us, raw and trembling, his breath fanning against my lips. I could still taste him, still feel the imprint of his hands at my sides, as if he had branded himself into my very skin. My heart pounded against my ribs, my body warring between the pull of the bond and the sliver of hesitation curling in my chest.

I slipped my hands from his hair, brushing my fingers along his jaw, feeling the tension coiled beneath his skin. "Rhys," I whispered, my voice barely a breath.

His eyes, dark and blazing with emotion, searched mine. I saw the restraint there, the war he was fighting within himself, the way his hands trembled against my sides.

I swallowed, forcing myself to find the words through the haze of want clouding my mind. "I'll accept the bond," I murmured. His breath hitched, his entire body going utterly still. "I just need some time."

A heartbeat passed. Then another. And then—he exhaled, his forehead pressing against mine, his entire frame shuddering. His hands skimmed up my sides, gentle now, reverent, like he was memorizing every inch of me before letting go.

"You could take centuries," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple, featherlight. "Beyond that, if you wanted. I'd wait for you, always."

Something in my chest ached, something too big to name. I closed my eyes, breathing him in, the warmth of him, the endless patience laced in every word.

I tilted my head up, pressing the softest of kisses against his lips—nothing like the desperate, fevered ones from before. Just a promise. Just a thank you.

His hands lingered on my waist, like he wasn't quite ready to let go, but he didn't stop me as I pulled away. A small smile tugged at my lips. "Goodnight, Rhys."

His eyes softened, something almost wistful in them. "Goodnight, my love."

With a final glance, I turned and slipped into my room, closing the door behind me. And even then, I could still feel him—like a shadow, like a promise—waiting.

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[potatoesandsunshine]

don't underestimate me i can cry about anything

[kiame-sama]

Would Papa Hades mind if I rant to him my frustration over how people always make him a ‘Bad Guy’ in our world?

Whenever Movies that have Greek Mythology in it, it always pissed me off when they make Hades the Villain (I feel like it’s just because Hades is the God of the Underworld that automatically makes him ‘Evil’)

Literally out of ALL the Greek Gods, Hades is actually the NICEST of the Gods (He was willing to let a mortal man take his wife out of the Underworld but he must not look at her because she’ll be sent back during the journey until they leave his realm) and was never unfaithful to his beloved Persephone

There was a myth that he had ONE lover, but that was BEFORE he met his Beloved

Would Papa Hades appreciate that I don’t see him as evil just because he rules over the Underworld? (Because since he’s one of the Great Seven so he’ll naturally be feared for his powers and authority)

Warnings: Papa Hades in his 50ft form, comforting ancient Shinigami, daily allotted sunshine/shade garden time,

For reference, this is approximately the current height difference:

~~~~~~~~

"-but I mean, why do they always have to make Hades out to be bad? I don't think my Hades is bad and I don't think you're bad either. You're probably the only one I've met in this world who didn't immediately try to make decisions for me. You haven't collared me, or taken me away from where I want to be, or tried to control me in any way. You're even letting me sit on your shoulder and talk your ear off in the garden because I wanted some time away from it all!"

The giant Shinigami was leaning his cheek on his hand, listening attentively to your every word. You both were seated upon a shadowy throne he had summoned in the stone and briar garden of Ramshackle. It was a good distance away from the building itself and no one was willing to tell the Shinigami he couldn't protect you.

Deep in the shadows, watchful eyes thought better of challenging a being of myth and power. Some were dissuaded from the prospect altogether, seeing such an ancient being so casually attending the soft Human prize. Not all who hunted sought harm, but even the insane knew better. Smaller predators will almost always give space to a bigger predator. No need to die this day.

The giant Shinigami was enjoying the history lessons from your world, curious that your own history had beings so similar to him that even shared his name. He also appreciated the fact you were so passionately defending his doppelganger in your world. Truthfully, the similarities between him and the Hades of your world was not lost on him. Perhaps the Humans of your world were originally from Twisted Wonderland and simply forgot over time after crossing to a different realm. If that were the case then he had much to consider.

Still, he appreciates how relaxed you are around him, now trusting in his willingness to act in your best interest. He had always afforded all of the Humans under his protection the ability to choose. The only difference now was he had to keep a closer eye on you than he did the Humans leaving his isle.

"I'm glad to be living up to your expectations, Little One. So long as it is your wish to stay here, I will aid you however I can. Young Idia has updated your phone to contact me directly should you ever have need. I must say, it is nice to hear of your home, you speak so little about it. I'm sure you have your reasons, so I won't pry. I'm thankful you trust me enough to share all of this with."

"Well, it's hard not to trust you. You've kind of been amazing."

It soothed the wounded depths of the old Shinigami's heart to hear such earnest words. You truly did trust him and he treasured that more than you would likely ever know. The mourning shawl had adorned him many long centuries. Those centuries were some of the most painful for him, yet that pain was lessened and balmed by your simple trust and affection. He treasured that.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Deuce Spade - Platinum Jacket Vignette

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Deuce: This museum really has a ton of paintings. Not that I really know how to act in quiet places like this…

Deuce: Oh, but I can't use that as an excuse. I'll have to be a good supporter for the museum, just like any honor student would!

???: Is this dome… a teapot cover? Why would the Card Soldiers be carrying tea?

Deuce: Huh, you don't know, Sebek? Cool, then I'll tell you about it.

Deuce: This painting shows a scene of a trial from one of the Queen of Hearts' legends…

Deuce: And those Card Soldiers aren't actually carrying tea, but a witness for the case: a tiny mouse!

Sebek: Hmph, what's with that smug look? Well, fine, never thought there'd be a day that you'd have something to teach me, I suppose.

Deuce: Heheh. I'm a supporter for the museum, so it makes sense that I can explain something like that.

Deuce: Since I'm a student of Heartslabyul, I made sure to study extra hard all the tales related to the Queen of Hearts or her Card Soldiers.

Sebek: Is that so? Still, did it require two of them to transport a single small mouse?

Deuce: According to the story, it was a crucial witness, so they wanted to make sure it got to the Queen safely.

Deuce: Ah, that reminds me… We had something similar to this painting go down at Heartslabyul just the other day.

Deuce: Though, it wasn't a witness that was getting brought in…

Sebek: What, was there some lout breaking the Queen of Hearts' laws?

Deuce: Yeah. There was this one student who'd been breaking the rules over and over again, and he was finally being brought before Rosehearts-ryōchō for a stern reprimand…

Deuce: When the two guys tasked with hauling him in came to bring him to the Housewarden, that rule-breaker ran.

Sebek: Why do you even have people tasked with hauling others in…? You folk in Heartslabyul have far too many strange duties and rules!

Sebek: But that transgressor is also a coward, fearing reprimand and fleeing without taking responsibility for their actions.

Deuce: Right? He made his bed, he's gotta lie in it.

Sebek: Judging by your manner of speech there, am I right to assume that you helped to secure that transgressor?

Deuce: Yeah. I ran after the guy and caught him in a flash.

Deuce: Not like I've been training my legs or working on quick, explosive power in my sprints while in the Track and Field Club for nothing!

Sebek: Oho, so you captured them. And what were those two that were supposed to have brought him in doing?

Deuce: The guys on duty were apparently so shocked when the rule-breaker ran away that they couldn't move quick enough.

Deuce: But once I brought him back to them, they firmly took hold of him on both sides and brought him to the Housewarden, though.

Sebek: I see. So perhaps the reason why it isn't considered overkill to have two people on duty for such a thing is in case something unexpected occurs.

Deuce: Maybe…? I guess so.

Deuce: Ah, but listen to this. After he finished reprimanding the rule-breaker, Rosehearts-ryōchō praised me for a job well done.

Deuce: "Not only did you capture the transgressor without a moment's delay, but you showed good judgement in allowing the students on duty to do their job as assigned," he said!

Sebek: True, normally you'd do something brash like bringing that offending student directly to Riddle-senpai after capturing him.

Sebek: An unusually calm and mature judgement, coming from you.

Deuce: Hey, nothing "unusual" about it! It's not strange that I was able to think that through.

Deuce: Because, I'm on my way to becoming an honor student!

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Sebek: Oh, this painting… It looks as though it's based on the legend that speaking a wish into a well would make it come true.

Deuce: Yeah, so if you make a wish into a well, it sends your voice back out. I remember that well, 'cause I always thought that was odd.

Sebek: It's merely an echo. What is so odd about that?

Deuce: Huh, an echo?

Sebek: You didn't even know that? I'm speaking of the phenomenon in which sound bounces off of water or walls and is reflected back.

Deuce: Huh… Oh, so is that the same sort of thing as when sounds reverberate in a tunnel?

Sebek: That's right, as tunnels are also primed for echoes.

Deuce: Oh, okay… That actually brings back memories.

Deuce: Whenever I'd be riding through long tunnels, I'd put the pedal to the metal and rev it up so loud.

Sebek: You'd rev what? Are you talking about some kind of music?

Deuce: No, no. I'm talking about a blastcycle, not any instruments or whatever.

Deuce: The engine can make different sounds based on the body of the blastcycle, or even from the way it's ridden.

Deuce: It can make heavy thumping sounds, or low, rolling sounds…

Deuce: And it can be really fun to change up my driving style just to hear those different sounds.

Deuce: Whenever I ended up alongside another driver who knew how to make their own engine sing,

Deuce: It was easy to just end up competing to see who could make their engine rev louder.

Sebek: And what is so fun about that? It just seems to be a cacophony of noise, based on what you're saying.

Deuce: YOU DON'T GET IT AT ALL! It's great because I can feel it to my core.

Deuce: And, it feels sooooo amazing to feel the vibration of the engine echoing off the tunnel walls!

Deuce: AND PICKING UP SPEED IS THE BEST PART!

Deuce: The faster I go, the higher the pitch of the engine…the more that sound echoes in the tunnels…

Deuce: By the end of it all, the only sound I can hear is the blastcycle engine… I just can't get enough of that feeling!

Sebek: Shh, Deuce. You're being too loud, lower your voice. You're going to bother everyone else trying to enjoy the silence.

Deuce: Ah, sorry… Actually, kinda feels weird to get told by you of all people to lower my voice.

Sebek: Why is that? I don’t raise my voice like that unnecessarily.

Deuce: Eh… You seriously saying that right now?

Sebek: Obviously. At any rate, I don't really understand what you were saying about those blastcycles, but…

Sebek: You shouldn't cause a ruckus while riding, unlike what you did just now.

Deuce: Well, obviously I try to ride so I don't bother others on the road… At least, now I do…

[Land of Dawning – National Museum of Art]

Deuce: Oh hey, it's the Lord of the Underworld. I like how brave he looks flying through the sky in this painting.

Deuce: And on top of it all… He's way too cool, rushing to the front lines like that to save his captured comrades!

Sebek: Right. The Lord of the Underworld must have been a truly capable fellow, able to take on even the most difficult missions by himself.

Sebek: One would require proper deliberation and competency to achieve positive results.

Deuce: Urgh… That hits a sore spot…

Sebek: A sore spot…? Ah, you are talking about what happened last week.

Sebek: I remember seeing you, Grim, [Yuu]… and Ace, if I recall. It was while I was heading back from flight class.

Sebek: All four of you were standing like idiots in the hallway, being scolded by Trein-sensei.

Deuce: URGH!!!! You saw that!?

Deuce: I-I didn't plan on it ending with us getting in trouble! It wasn't supposed to end like that…

Sebek: I'm sure it is a ridiculous story… But why not, I'll listen to whatever excuses you come up with.

Deuce: At the start of History of Magic class, Trein-sensei told [Yuu] to read out loud a passage from the textbook.

Deuce: But that page was completely ruined by drool, since Grim fell asleep on it the night before, so it was impossible to read.

Deuce: So, I raised my hand, offering to read it instead.

Sebek: So why did that end up with you all being sent out to the hallway?

Deuce: …I forg… …xtboo…

Sebek: I can't hear you, speak up.

Deuce: I… I'M SAYING I FORGOT THE NECESSARY TEXTBOOK!!!!

Sebek: So you tried to step up, even though you didn't have the textbook… You're a fool who has gone beyond help.

Deuce: Ace was saying something like that, too. Both him and Grim were laughing at me for that.

Deuce: Even though it was really Grim's fault in the first place!!

Deuce: [Yuu] even pointed that out to them, but they wouldn't stop, so…

Deuce: We ended up arguing… Which then got us sent out into the hallway before long to deal with the consequences of our actions.

Sebek: So that's why you were in the hallway. However, I don't understand. Why did you do such an unnecessary thing?

Sebek: Even if Grim or [Yuu] were to be reprimanded, that has nothing to do with you.

Deuce: Nothing to do with me? Come on, there's no way I can let my friends flounder like that.

Deuce: I mean, Grim aside… [Yuu]'s helped me out a ton before, so.

Sebek: Hmph. Then I guess at the very least, next time you should act after you've determined whether you have your textbook or not.

[Sebek walks off]

Deuce: YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!

Deuce: Geez, and he walks off after one last parting shot, huh… Ugh. Guess I'll try to shake off this funk by checking out some of the other exhibits.

Deuce: Oh, this is a painting of a girl singing with flowers. She looks like she's having fun, but according to the story…

Deuce: If I remember correctly, she was described as vulgar, rude, and weedy...

Deuce: Doesn't matter where you are, or who you are, everyone has to follow the rules. Not a shocker to me that those who can't follow 'em end up in sticky situations.

Requested by @farfalla049.

[anmoll]

Where am I?

TWISTED WONDERLAND FIC WITH YUI KOMORI GETTING ISKIED PART 1

TW: CRINGE

"Dear God please please get me out of this hell hole. I hate it here. Why is it that your punishing me? Please they bite me, touch me i feel dirty. Please I did everything I was supposed to! I just want to leave... I'LL DO ANYTHING! P-please..." Yui prayed. But maybe her one wish will finally be done. She'll leave this place. Exactly how she wished...

It took me some time to realize I wasn't in my bed... Instead I was in a coffin!? Before i could process anything the coffin door was open by a weasel? No its a cat! "A kitten!?" Yui said with curiosity before the cat started yelling at her! "EXCUSE ME? I AM NO ITTY BITTY KITTEN I AM THE MIGHTY SORCERER GRIIM!" Wait did the cat just TALK! Before she could reply he started talking again "UGH whatever! Just give me your robes!" The cat said, "I-I'm not giving you my robes!" "If not your going to regret it!" the cat said. How could a cat hurt her? But she didn't want to take any risk! I mean she didn't even know where she was! Speaking of which shouldn't she be panicking!? But her instincts are yelling at her to take her legs and run for it while she can! So she did. She ran as fast as she could. She took a moment to look at her surroundings. How did she end up in a library? Just as she was catching her breath she heard that squeaky voice again. "Did you really think you can run form me!! Stupid human!" The cat yelled out angrily. She froze. Where did she hear that before? She knew someone said something said something similar. But her memories seemed foggy...?! "Now if you don't wanna get hurt take that robe off before i-" The cat thing yelled. Before she could respond the cat fell to the floor "ME YEOW!! THAT HURTT! WHAT GIVES?!" he cried out. She saw a man dressed in attire she never really saw anyone wear. It looked really weird he even had a bird mask. "Its tough love" The strange man spoke. Just then the guy turned towards her. "Ah I've finally found you! Your one of the new students correct? But I shall have you know that having poorly trained familiars are a violation of the schools rules." The guy said. "Oh I'm sorry sir but that's not my fam-" Yui was speaking before she was rudely interrupted. "IM NOT HER FAMILIAR! i WOULD NEVER SERVE A LOWLY HUMAN EVER! LET ME GOO" The cat said. " I shall let this go just this once. Ah aren't I so benevolent! But your orientation has already begun! Let us return to the mirror chambers." The man said.

"So uhm do you know where i am at? And what do you mean by Mirror chambers" Sir?" Yui said. "Well since you woke up in a coffin the magic mirror chose you. So you are now going to go to the mirror chambers again so it can pick a dorm for you and then you'd be a student at NRC!" The man said. "Uhm i think your mistaken! Im not supposed to be here-" She was trying to explain but she was shushed. "Shh you caused enough trouble. You can explain everything later!" The guy said. What was up with this people constantly interrupting her. She felt ignored.

Sooner or later. They finally arrived at the mirror chambers. "You are the only one who hasn't been assigned a dorm. So step up to the mirror and state thy name." He said. Following his instructions she walked up to the large mirror in the center of the room. "My name is Yui Komori" She said in a hesitant tone. I mean no one was listening to her and she doesn't know where she is!

"The nature of this soul is unclear to me." The mirror said in a monotone voice . "I'm sorry what?" The guy said. Oh great... what is going on! The dark mirror continued " I sense no magical power from her. Soundless, Colorless, Shapeless. Vacant." The students started to mutter. It felt as if they were mocking her... "how could have this happened!"

(I'm getting lazy so I'm going to skip the rest. But in the next part of the story we'll see Yui getting settled into Ramshackle)

[lexosaurus]

From Goth to Ghost (part 2)

Here's part 2 to my @ecto-implosion fic for @blonchie's incredible art! Check out both of their pieces HERE!

Characters: Sam, Danny, Tucker Tags/warnings: No Warnings, Halfa!Sam (temporarily) Summary: The last thing Sam expected to wake up to was her body frozen on her bed. But unfortunately, thanks to a certain jock's midnight ponderings and the interference of one wish-granting ghost, that was exactly how she started off her morning.

[read on ao3]

[part 1]

****

Somehow, through sheer force of luck, and—well, actually, no, it was all luck—she managed to survive the school day with little more than a bruised knee.

But at least no one saw her fall!

Is what she would have thought if that were true. Unfortunately, everyone in her history class had seen her spectacular tumble to the floor. And yes, most of them had also laughed.

Which was the icing on the cake.

But, she supposed it could have been worse. She could have been like Danny who'd infamously dropped forty-two beakers and cost the school so much in damaged equipment that he was banned from ever handling fragile objects again.

Unlike Danny, however, she actually had a brain. And some impulse control. So perhaps that was why, unlike him, she managed to stay mostly on her feet.

She had to be nice to him, she reminded herself. He was the one who was going to teach her how to use these powers. She wasn't allowed to make fun of him for being a butterfingers—she wasn't going to say a word.

Of course, that promise lasted all of a minute after the final bell rang. 

Actually, she wasn't sure she'd even made it off the property before she was smugly rubbing it in Danny's scrawny face that unlike him, she actually managed to keep her shit (mostly) together during school. That it was obvious that in this competition of who could be the better halfa she'd only just invented, she was winning by a mile.

And no, his protesting and whining didn't change a thing. 

"Face it, Danny, I'm just better at being dead. What can I say? It's the goth in me."

"No way! I'm so much better at being dead. Skulker even wants to skin me and turn me into his rug because of how good I am at being dead!"

"Please! Skulker will turn anything that moves into a rug. You're not that special."

"You both are fantastic at being dead. Happy?" Tucker asked.

"Only after I get all this energy out!" Sam looked around, confirming that they were alone in the treeline of the park. Her heart pounded slightly, but her excitement won out. She barely contained her grin as she turned to Danny and asked, "Here?"

"Sure," Danny said. 

"How often do you come here again?" Tucker asked. Beside him was a tree with marks running along the bark that suspiciously resembled ecto-burns.

"Now? Almost never. But especially when I first got my ice powers, I was here a lot. The sudden shift in my core energy was pretty intense at first. You guys remember."

Tucker snorted and leaned back against the trunk, folding his arms. "Oh yeah. You nearly froze half the city over!"

"It wasn't pretty," Sam agreed, then faced a tree. "So what, I'm just supposed to blast it? I don't wanna hurt the plant!"

"Yeah, Danny, plants have feelings too!" Tucker agreed with a shit-eating grin.

One that Sam definitely knew wasn't sincere. "Oh, shut up, Tucker."

Danny face-palmed. "You won't hurt the tree. I've done this plenty of times." Then, he paused, adopting that aloof expression that so-often had Sam throwing her combat boot at his head. It was an agonizing pause before he finally opened his mouth and forced Sam and Tucker to listen to him say, "Or, I guess you could say I've done it plant-y of times." 

Sam had never felt so disappointed in him in her life. But he didn't seem to notice, instead facing them with a proud chuckle as he continued the torture, saying, "Hah, get it? Plant-y? Get it? Like plenty but with plants?" 

He bent over, clutching his knees with his hands as weak chuckles forced their way up his throat and desecrated the natural air around them.

"My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined," Tucker responded.

"I agree," Sam said.

"Well I could leaf you two right here!"

It took two full, long, painful minutes before Danny could stand upright without bursting into another fit of giggles. By the end of it, Sam was pretty sure that if he laughed over his awful puns one more time, she was going to use him for target practice instead of the tree.

"Okay, okay. I'm good now, I promise," Danny said. "I'm not going to branch out into a new—"

It was with Sam's deepest regrets that the last of her restraint failed her and she ended up blasting the ground at Danny's feet, causing him to leap into the air with a yelp and reflexively throw his hands out as if to defend himself. Except, what he'd forgotten, was that he didn't have a ghost core anymore, and thus couldn't do things like fly or blast Sam back, and he ended up with his ass on the ground.

Of course, Sam apologized from the bottom of her heart. It was incredibly convincing, which she knew because Danny totally didn't roll his eyes and "yeah yeah" her when she was done.

Once everyone got back on their feet, the real work could begin. Except...

Sam crossed her arms. "I'm still not blasting a tree. We need trees for the environment, Danny."

"I told you! They're fine. They like being blasted!"

Sam glared.

"I don't know, you're the tree whisperer! Do any of these trees look like they're dying?" Danny asked.

Other than the minor, surface-level burn marks she saw on a few trees, she couldn't see any significant damage. 

"Fine, but only because there's literally nowhere else for us to practice in Amity Park," Sam conceded. "So, how exactly do I do this?"

Danny’s face lit up. "So you feel that cold spot in your chest?"

Sam touched her chest. She could feel it, and with the growing anticipation of being used, it had began silently humming like a songbird. It was gentle, but excited all the same. "Yeah, I do feel it."

"Grab it. That should trigger your transformation. From there, it's just a matter of taking the energy and directing it. The more electric feeling ones are the blasts, and ice is colder."

Sam mentally poked at the core, and it almost jumped back at her, desperate to be brought to the forefront. She took a deep breath, steeled herself, and this time when she mentally poked it, she didn't back away.

The transformation felt like being dunked in the Arctic Sea. Cold energy zapped through her spine as bright light overtook her vision. The rings split and traveled apart, and she shivered as she felt the energy course through her body like a charged magnet. It was spiky and tangy, and yet strangely smooth and right. 

She closed her eyes as the rings washed over her face and sizzled into her aura. Her body lightened, and her feet left the ground. She threw her arms out to the side and took a moment, feeling every sense heighten—her ears, her nose. It was as if she could hear every rustling leaf and smell each blade of grass. When her eyes opened, the world had sharpened, and she could see tiny details in the distance with more clarity than she thought possible.

"Whoa," was all she could think to say. 

"I know, right?" Danny smiled.

"Wow. I had no idea this is what your vision was like." Sam glanced down at him. "It's like putting on glasses or something. That's insane."

Tucker whistled. "You pull off the goth-ghost look pretty well! A little too much Danny, though. Too bad!"

Sam had nearly forgotten that her appearance had changed. She swiveled around—a little clumsily, she wasn't used to this whole flying thing—to face Tucker who had his phone already prepped and raised on camera mode. Leaning forward, she saw herself. Her previously black hair, like Danny's, had turned white, and her hair elastic holding up her half-ponytail glowed ectoplasmic green. Her eyes too had taken on that acid green color from their previous violet. Her suit was very much the classic Phantom suit with its black body, white gloves and boots, and the white DP logo on her chest. The only minor difference was unlike Danny's straight-lined white loop at the waist, hers was shaped like a V.

She backed away from the phone camera slightly, twirling so she could see more of herself. Sam had never particularly been one for appearances, and she certainly always scoffed at the way the A-Listers like Paulina liked to make their appearance the center of the Universe, but even she had to admit that yeah, she really did pull off the ghost look well.

Well, if that wasn't an extremely goth thing to think, Sam didn't know what was.

"I'm stealing your look, Danny," she joked.

He returned her grin. "Careful, and I might have to steal yours right back."

Tucker laughed. "Yeah, I'd love to see you in a skater skirt."

Sam rolled her eyes. Boys. 

"So, what, I just direct the energy into my hands and then that's how I blast things?" she asked.

"Yup! Try it out."

"Just don't hit me!" Tucker called, retreating back to his tree trunk where he settled down on the grass and leaned back to return his attention to his phone.

"Just for that, I'll hit you twice!"

"Go for it!" Danny encouraged.

"Shut up!"

Sam steeled herself, facing off against the tree. Even if logically the ectoplasmic blast wasn't going to hurt it, the thought of blasting a tree was a little much for her. So, gathering her energy, she decided to get a little creative.

The chill covered her body like a blizzard, and she'd seen Danny do this enough times to know that her eyes were glowing blue. It surged forth, propelling down her arms and through the tips of her fingers until there was nowhere for it to go but out. 

Ice billowed into the open air with more force than she was expecting. Like a blizzard, it wanted to commandeer the woods and fill every inch of the ground with spikes. She strained her fingers, forcing them to flex toward her palm. The ice followed her direction, collecting in one singular mound rather than fanning out. It wasn't smooth or delicate like she'd envisioned, but it worked. 

Eons later, but it was likely only a few seconds, she finally let go and the last of the power dwindled from her fingertips. She'd been pushed back slightly, and she drifted back toward Danny and Tucker.

"Not bad!" Danny said, bringing his hands down from their position shielding his face. "A little rough around the edges, but overall that's pretty damn good!"

Sam looked to her creation, the mound of ice that didn't really have much of a shape, but it existed and she'd made it. Pride surged through her, and she raised her fists in the air with a triumphant cry. "Fuck yeah!"

"An ice show? Now she's really stealing your style, dude," Tucker said.

Invigorated by her small win, Sam whirled around and tried again, this time picturing a shape. Something simple, she thought, like a box. 

Actually making her vision come to life was more difficult than she'd anticipated, and she wasn't exactly perfect. It resembled more of a rectangular shape than the cube she'd been picturing, and one of the corners was definitely jutting out—not to mention that big ice spike sticking out right in the center—but once again, she'd done it! 

And then, now with a target that wasn't a living plant, she switched her core over, tapping into the icy hot, tingly acid that dominated her senses. Like the ice, it was more than happy to respond, lighting her body with what she could only describe as pure and unfiltered energy. Her hair stood on its ends, and she could see her aura’s glow intensify as she raised her green palms and let out a singular blast.

The whiplash was intense, and she flew back, her spine hitting a branch behind her. The blast hit its target—not perfectly, of course, but with all her practicing with the ecto-gun, she had been at least confident that she wouldn't miss.

The semi-cube splintered, and the jutting corner that she'd hit fell into the ground and shattered to pieces. 

Sam pushed herself off the tree, a giggle of adrenaline crawling up her throat. "Holy shit!"

Danny stared at her, mouth agape.

"Guys!" She lowered herself, her feet touching down on the now-frosted ground. "Did you see that? How cool was that?"

"That was fucking awesome!" Danny said, nearly jumping over to Sam with bright eyes. 

"Right? It was so insane! How do you control the power level? It all came out in a giant flood, I could barely see! And you can make low-powered ones? How the hell do you do that?"

"Ah, yeah." Danny rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I'm not sure? I just kind of dial the power level down. Like, in my core, I mean."

"Wow, Danny, you're so helpful!" Despite her excitement, she managed to get the sarcasm across.

"Hey, don't look at me! I haven't had these powers for that long, you know."

"Like over a year! And you haven't even sat down to study them at all?"

"Has it really been a year?" Danny asked.

"Yes, space-case!"

"Superpowers, ice blasting, blah, blah! You know what else is cool?" Tucker cut into their bantering, tapping away at his phone. He paused to wave it in the air. "Yo, lovebirds! Ember was spotted downtown!"

Sam and Danny froze, eyes glancing between each other and Tucker's phone.

Sam was the one to first break the silence. "Alright, let's go!"

Danny reeled back. "What do you mean, let's go?"

"I mean exactly what it sounds like. Let's go! Ember's downtown and is probably hypnotizing a bunch of people right now, so we have to go save them! Let's go!"

"Wait, wait, back up," Tucker said, holding his hand out. "You're gonna fight her? Ember?"

Sam huffed. "Well, duh! Who else? Danny? The one without ghost powers right now?"

"Well, I do have more experience—"

"Fighting with ghost powers, you do!" Sam retorted. 

"Hey, I have some experience fighting in human form too, you know! Vlad's shorted out my powers plenty of times..." He broke off, grumbling.

"Okay, well, I'm the one with the firepower right now, unless you forgot. So let's go! Seriously, I'm not gonna wait around for you two if you want to stay here thinking about it. The sooner we get there, the easier it'll be to take Ember down."

Danny stood here, brow furrowed and hand rubbing the back of his neck for another beat until he finally relented with a sigh. "Fine," he said, holding out his arm for flight. "Go on!"

Actually figuring out how to get the three of them into the air invisibly was harder than Danny had been making it look. In her defense, he didn't start flying the three of them together until over a month after he'd first acquired his ghost powers, and Sam was out here trying to do it on day one. 

Especially since she found that unless she was constantly paying attention to the invisibility, it had a bad habit of shortening out.

Which it did. Twice.

And that was where the phone call came from.

It was her mom, of course, who'd been watching the news and had seen flickers of Danny and Tucker being "kidnapped"—as she'd so elegantly called it—by Phantom. Now, her mom was entirely convinced that the three of them had been kidnapped or brainwashed or both by Phantom, and would not let Sam explain that she was safe and sound.

Especially since Ember was currently downtown. Where Phantom had been spotted with his equally captive audience.

"Shit," Sam swore, hanging up her phone and stuffing it into her backpack that Danny was now holding. "I don't know what to do! My mom is on her way down here to come rescue me!"

"Then turn back into yourself?" Tucker said. 

Sam heard a scuffle, and she peeked around the dumpster to glance down the alley they were hiding in, but fortunately, the source of the sound was only a squirrel. 

She turned back to her friends. "I can't! I have to go stop Ember. You saw the crowd she'd already amassed! That busking performance is going to turn into a mob before we know it."

"Sam's right," Danny conceded, surprising Sam. He held her gaze, and his eyes were steel. It was an expression she'd only seen come out when Phantom was involved. "She can't go home. As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think I can stop Ember in human form. Sam has to be the one to fight her."

"Okay, then who's fighting Mrs. Manson?" Tucker asked. "Because that woman can be a freaking force when she wants to be."

"Easy!" Danny snapped his fingers. "We’ll just do the old switcheroo!"

Sam and Tucker looked at him blankly.

"The what?" Tucker blurted.

"You know! Like you guys did for me!" Danny opened the small front pocket of Sam’s backpack, and before she could protest, he brought out a little black hairband like it was some sort of prize. To her utter confusion, he began pulling the longer strands of his hair back and forming something of a messy half-ponytail. "Ta da! How do I look?"

"Danny, what the hell?" Sam asked deadpan.

"I told you, didn't I? You steal my Phantom style, and I'm going to steal yours."

Tucker guffawed. "Oh man, I was joking before, but are you really about to put on a skater skirt?"

"Not unless you want to. But something tells me Mrs. Manson won't be convinced if you try to be Sam."

"It's my eyes, I know," Tucker bantered. “They’re just too beautiful to be Sam’s.”

"Definitely your eyes," Sam agreed, then turned back to Danny. "You're being for real right now? You're cool with pretending to be me and letting my mom chase you around town while I deal with Ember?"

"Listen, my stamina's gotten pretty good fighting ghosts."

"My mom does crossfit."

"I thought she did pilates?" Tucker asked.

"She does that too."

Tucker tsked his tongue. "Oh shit, Danny, you're screwed. You can still back out, you know."

Danny rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine! Being chased by ghosts all the time has built me some endurance, you know."

“Some?” Tucker asked.

“More than you have, anyway.”

"Alright, let's do this," Sam agreed.

Her boldness only lasted so long, unfortunately. The clothing swap was just as awkward to do as it sounded. Tucker, laughing maniacally, was forced to stand guard facing away from them as Sam transformed back into human form, they swapped outfits, and uncomfortably redressed behind the smelly dumpster. Only when they'd both given the verbal consent that they were decent again did they turn around and survey each other.

Sam felt as ridiculous in her new attire as she was sure Danny did in his. While she was normally used to her tighter, dark clothing, she felt like she was swimming in his baggy, bright white T-shirt and blue jeans. 

"You guys are good?" Tucker yelled.

"Yup!" Danny called back. 

"Hang on!" Tucker said, rushing over to them with a speed he hadn’t even reserved for gym class. As soon as he caught sight of them, he burst into laughter. "Oh, man! Oh my god, I gotta get a picture of this!"

"Tucker!" Sam stomped her floppy red feet. "Danny's doing me a solid right now!"

Tucker ignored her, pulling out his phone and not being subtle about the way he'd begun pointing it directly at the two of them. "I know I said I wanted to see you in a skater skirt, dude, but I never thought it'd actually come true!"

Danny took it in stride, putting one hand on the back of his hair and the other on his hip to strike a model pose. "As I said: Sam steals my style, I'm taking hers!"

That sent Tucker into another fit of giggles.

"You're sure about this?" Sam asked, watching as Danny bent down to lace his combat boots.

"Totally!" He gave her a cheesy smile from his crouched position. "I got this! You go get Ember!"

"Right!" Sam touched her core, and this time the transformation washed over her with easy familiarity. At once, her body felt light as gravity became optional, and she levitated into the air, inhaling a deep breath despite being keenly aware that she didn't really need to anymore. 

Her aura settled around her skin as her veins became rich with ectoplasmic power, and when she opened her eyes to give one last look to her friends, she did so with determination in her eyes. 

"Okay, I'm ready."

"Hell yeah, you are," Tucker agreed.

"You got this!" Danny said.

She nodded to them both once more and then took off, shooting down the alley and swooping up into the sky. She climbed the air high until she spotted Ember's rapidly growing crowd, and then with acrobatic ease, dived down in the direction of Ember's glowing figure.

As she approached, the crowd that hadn't seemed too large from the sky suddenly looked much more intimidating up close. She stopped above them, surveying the sea of chanting faces.

"Ember! Ember!" 

No one had noticed Sam yet, too entranced by Ember’s spell. And there was Ember herself at the center of the crowd, twirling to wave to the crowds all around her. 

"Thank you, everyone! Thank you!"

"Ember! Ember!"

This wasn't good. If they fought here, Ember would have a never-ending energy supply from the crowd's chanting. Like most ghosts, fighting Ember was a battle of endurance, and here, Ember could endure for hours. Meanwhile, Sam...had no idea what her limits were. 

She probably couldn't last that long, based on Danny's early fights.

So, Sam needed to get Ember away from her adoring fans. But how?

The first time Danny had to fight Ember, they used Tucker's ear-bleeding singing voice to snap the crowd out of their hypnosis. And...she'd left Tucker in the alley. 

Shit!

Okay, so she couldn't use Tucker. Turning invisible, she flew lower, scanning the crowd to see if there was anyone else she recognized who probably had an equally terrible singing voice.

And...there! Perfect.

Ember's back was still to Sam, and she was still too distracted by her narcissism to notice Sam creeping forward, at first slowly, closer and closer until she was just fifteen feet away from Ember.

And that's when Sam saw it—Ember's shoulders stiffened. She'd noticed the chill of Sam's aura, and so before Sam could think, she shot forward, ripping the microphone from its stand at the same time as Ember whirled around. 

Sam regained visibility and darted back triumphantly, a whoop at her lips.

"You—" Ember stopped, her fierce brows melting into an expression of pure confusion. "Wait, you're not the dipstick!"

Sam didn't respond, instead flying down to greet her future savior: Kwan.

"Do you love Ember?" she yelled into the mic and then held it to Kwan's face.

"Yeah I do!" Kwan answered.

Behind him, the crowd roared in approval.

Ember's face pinched in confusion.

"So why don't you show us how much you love her by singing one of her songs?"

Kwan snatched the microphone from Sam's fingers, his eagerness overtaking all sense of reason. At the same time, still in the center of the crowd was Ember, who—based on her shifting facial expression—was just now catching up to Sam's master plan.

But she was too late. Because as soon as Kwan opened his mouth, Sam had already won.

"Ember! You will remember!"

If Sam Googled the definition of tone-deaf, she was pretty sure Kwan's name would appear as the first entry. For as athletically inclined and blessed with powerlifting genetics as the teenager was, his musical skills were....well, not even lacking, they were nonexistent. It was as if Kwan had never tried to sing before in his life. But, either through Ember's spell, his general affinity to being a total airhead, or a combination of both, he was so invested in belting out every approximation to a note that he could muster that he didn't notice the instantly dulled crowd around him as people began snapping out of their hypnosis.

"What happened?" a girl muttered nearby.

"Why does my head hurt?" a boy said.

"Ugh, what's that awful sound?"

"Ember! One thing remains!"

“I think that boy is dying.”

“Should someone call an ambulance?”

"No!" Ember screeched, her legs disappearing into a ghost tail as she abandoned all pretense of acting human and clawed at Kwan.

Sam raised a hand and blasted her away.

Ember recovered swiftly, pulling up midair and grabbing her guitar off her back. "You!" she bellowed, and then strummed a note, sending shockwaves crashing into the crowd that Sam couldn't dodge.

"Ah!" Sam was forced to kneel under the pressure of the soundwaves. Around her, people screamed.

She activated her ice and used it to push her body upright. Gripping onto one ice tower for support, she raised her other hand and sent a blast of ice Ember's way. 

Ember dodged smoothly, but the movement had taken her hand off her guitar, and thus interrupted her torturous playing.

Sam steadied herself with the reprieve. Beside her, Kwan groaned, now waking up too after Ember’s attack.

"Ugh…where am I?"

"Don't worry about it," Sam hissed. Then she spun around, grabbing the microphone from Kwan's hand to address the crowd. "Attention everyone! The ghost Ember is targeting this area! Go home or run to a safe zone!"

"You little twerp!" Ember screeched from above.

Meanwhile, the crowd was looking at her blankly. 

"Wait...since when is Phantom a girl?" Kwan asked.

Ah. That would be why.

Sighing, she raised the microphone back to her lips. "Yes, everyone, I'm Phantom's...sister. Yup, I'm his sister! He's, uh, on vacation right now and asked me to cover for him! Hello, nice to meet you all. Now please RUN!"

And with that, the crowd took off, running in every which direction. It was chaos, but the people were leaving and that's what Sam wanted.

She dropped the microphone and turned around to face her foe. "Hey, Ember!" she called, her voice catty.

"You're not Phantom's sister. Who the hell are you?"

Sam floated into the air until she was at eye-level with the rocker ghost. "I'm Sam! Remember me? I'm Danny's best friend."

"I thought the geeky weirdo nerd was his best friend."

"I'm the other best friend!"

It took a moment before recognition dawned on her features. Her green eyes widened, and the blue flames on her hair somehow sharpened as she leaned forward, eyes narrowing and lips curving into a smile as she said, "Ooh, I remember you. You were the one who ruined my debut!"

Sensing the challenge, Sam flared her aura in kind. "That's right! Now I've returned."

“Since when were you a ghost?”

“Don’t worry about it!”

"I’m not. I'm gonna make you pay, dipstick number two!" 

Ember raised her purple pick to strum just as Sam hoisted her glowing hand up. The two released their powers simultaneously and their energies clashed in midair, sending ectoplasm and sonic booms crashing all around.

Below them, people screamed and ducked down, cowering as the blasts showered over them.

Sam blanched, but barely had time to take in the damage before she saw Ember's hand raised again, her guitar poised for another attack.

"Shit!" Sam raised both hands this time, pushing more energy into the countering blast. But she missed, and Ember's wave hit her like a semi truck. 

She was catapulted down, slamming onto the pavement which cracked under her. Pain blossomed on her head, and she thought her vision may have flickered for a second.

But while this kind of injury would have certainly sent her to the emergency room as a human, as a ghost, all she could feel was the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She rolled over and shot out to the side, narrowly dodging Ember's next attack. The edges of the sonic blast still hit her, but she was able to push through the pressure and climb back into the air.

She couldn't fight Ember here. Not so close to all these people. 

When Ember raised her hand again, grinning wickedly, Sam shot a blast of ice over to her. Though this time, aiming for the strings of her guitar.

It was a risk, but it paid off. The ice met its mark milliseconds before Ember's pick landed, and at once, the guitar strings were covered in a layer of ice.

Sam laughed. "It's my first day as a ghost, did I forget to mention that? How does it feel to be beaten by a newbie?"

Ember's face darkened, cheeks flushing with green. "Why you little asshole!"

"Oh yeah?" Sam goaded. "Why don't you say that to my face?"

Without waiting for a reply, Sam took off in the other direction. She had the thermos, but Ember wasn't weak enough yet for it to trap her inside. Sam had to wear her down first.

"Get back here!" Ember shouted, but Sam paid no heed, racing down the street and twisting between buildings. 

The wind whipped across her body, stinging her exposed cheeks. Cold tears welled at the corners of her eyes, but she made no move to wipe them away. Ember was gaining on her. She needed to fly faster, fly faster.

She pushed her core more until it was at its limits. Street signs, LED lights, and the shapes of people blurred into one. She'd never moved this fast in her life, and like driving down an icy road, she could feel her control slowly slipping away. Panicked, she called forth her intangibility.

Fatigue was beginning to bubble in her chest, but she batted it away. It was too early. She couldn't give up yet.

Ember screamed behind her, hurling fire from her hair. It licked Sam's spectral tail, and she yelped, rolling sideways and narrowly avoiding the brunt of the attack.

She shot down an alley and out the other side into a residential neighborhood. Looking around, she didn't see anyone out and about nearby.

Perfect.

She stopped in the air and whipped around just in time to see Ember throw another fire blast her way. 

Sam raised her hands, forming an ice shield. The fire melted it instantly, and she tried to form another, but she wasn't quick enough.

"Shit!" Sam yelled, ducking down as the fire sailed over her head. She could feel the heat singe the tip of her ponytail. Too close. 

"That's right! Cower, dipstick! Just lie down and give up!"

Sam straightened, firing another ectoblast back at Ember, who dodged it by a hair's breadth. "The only person cowering here is you, hiding behind all those fake fans!"

Ember glared, her eyes burning with rage. "They're my fans and you took them from me!"

"You hypnotized them! They were never your fans to begin with!" Then she paused. "Well, Tucker might have been your fan anyway, but still!"

That didn't seem to quell Ember's rage, who sent a gust of fire that Sam only barely had time to counter with a blast of ice.

"Just admit it! You've lost!" Sam said. "So why don't you pack up and go home?"

"I can still get them back!" 

Sam had to refrain from rolling her eyes hard enough to send them flying off her skull. "No, you can't. I won't let you!"

"Like you're the boss of me!" Ember geared up to shoot more fire at Sam, but then out of seemingly nowhere, a blast of green nailed her shoulder.

Sam spun around, the question dying from her lips the moment she saw who was behind her. 

Tucker stumbled out from between two houses. He coughed, half hunched over from panting so hard, half cheering with a single-raised fist. "Booya!" he gasped, sucking in air in between each word. "And that's...what I...like...to call...a sneak attack."

And with that, he collapsed on the ground in a sweating heap of gaudy orange and yellow clothing.

"Tucker!" Sam shouted, reaching out as if to save him.

"Who?" Ember asked.

"Sam!" came another voice from Tucker's hiding place, this one filling her with relief.

Well, until he stepped out into view and she remembered how entirely ridiculous he looked in her black skater skirt, purple leggings, and black crop top.

She grinned. "Danny!"

"I'm all good!" Tucker craned his head up from the sidewalk. "Don't...don't worry about me! I'm gucci here!"

"I'm so glad my mom didn't kidnap and murder you!" Sam said.

Danny smiled mischievously. "Your mom spotted me as planned, and then I ran in the other direction. Managed to shake her off somewhere between Elmer's Park and the Nasty Burger. As far as she's aware, we got out of downtown safely! Though, she might ground you later for ignoring her when she was following you."

"She was....so fast..."

"And persistent," Danny added.

"That...too..."

Sam face-palmed. "Oh man, I'm so grounded later."

"Yup! You are." Danny said, seeming far too cheery for the torturous news he'd just delivered to Sam.

"Okay, okay. Pause." Ember held up her hands in the universal time-out gesture. "What the fuck is going on here, exactly?"

"Oh, hey, Ember!" Danny said as if noticing her for the first time. "How's it hanging?"

"How's it hanging?" Ember guffawed. She pointed to Sam. "Well, your sister just ruined my evening, so pretty shit, actually." 

Danny didn't look at all remorseful as he responded, "Oh, bummer! Well, I'll just have to let this supposed-sister handle the rest of it. As you can tell, I'm really not dressed for the ghost-fighting occasion!"

He turned to Sam, offering her a thumbs-up as he said, "You got this!"

Sam smirked, folded her arms, and turned back to Ember.  "Yeah, I do got this."

"For sure!" Tucker added, though he still sounded far too on the verge of passing out to offer any sort of confidence. 

"So, Ember, you wanna go for round two?" Sam asked.

Ember blinked, gaze swiveling between Sam and Danny, and then again, before she threw her hands up and cried, "No, seriously, what the fuck?"

"I ask myself that same question every day," Tucker said.

"It's called an outfit swap!" Danny said, sweeping his hands over his outfit. "It's all the rage with us teens nowadays."

"You look fucking insane, you know," Ember said.

"You mean I look gorgeous."

"I didn't."

"I think Sam pulls off the ghost look pretty well, though. Don't you think?" Danny asked.

"It's totally goth," Sam agreed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Then, summoning some ectoplasmic energy to her palms, she added, "I think the green really suits me, too."

"It does!" Danny said.

"I'm so confused."

"Aren't we all?" Tucker said.

"You know what? No." Ember threw her hands up. "Nope! Fuck this shit. Listen, I don't know what the hell is going on, but I refused to be sucked into your weirdo shenanigans tonight. I'm out of here!"

Sam's brows raised in shock. Was confusing Ember really all it took to get her to go back to the Ghost Zone? "You're being for real?" she asked.

"Yup!" Ember pivoted around until her back was to the trio. "I'm going back to the Zone. I'm tired. See ya!"

And with that, she disappeared.

The three of them waited a heartbeat, and then another. But then, Sam felt it: the telltale coolness of her chest receding as her ghost sense ceased detecting Ember around her.

Tucker struggled to his feet. "Are we sure she's actually going to the Ghost Zone?" 

"Yeah, she will," Danny said, unconcerned. "When she gives you that look, you know she's over it."

"Wow, congrats then, Sam. You beat Ember!" 

Celebratory giddiness washed over her, and she didn't try to fight the smile that overtook her lips. "Wow. Yeah, guys, I did it! I beat Ember!"

Above them, a window slid open. Then, a voice boomed out into the open air, filling the street with a cry so insane, that Sam could have sworn her head exploded right then and there. 

"WHOA! PHANTOM! IS THAT YOU?"

Danny cringed, ducking down into his hands while Sam plastered a smile on her face and turned around to meet who could easily turn into her greatest foe of the evening: Dash Baxter.

"Uh, hi," Sam said.

He gasped and leaned so far, he nearly fell out his window. "IT IS YOU! MY WISH CAME TRUE!"

"Your...wish?" Sam asked.

"YEAH! I WISHED PHANTOM WAS A HOT CHICK INSTEAD OF BEING A DUDE, AND THEN BA-BAM! YOU TURNED INTO A HOT CHICK!"

Below them, Tucker guffawed. Thankfully, Dash seemed too preoccupied in his fanboying to notice.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE MY WISH CAME TRUE! THANK GOD! IT WAS TOO WEIRD CRUSHING ON A DUDE, YOU KNOW?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Danny slowly make his way back between the houses and, thankfully, out of Dash's eyeline. 

For as exhausted as Tucker was, he quickly followed suit.

"Well...um...thanks? I guess?" Sam looked around as if to plan her escape. But unfortunately, she couldn't see one. It would have been so much easier if Ember had lied and instead of returning to the Ghost Zone, tried to attack her right here and now. That might have been preferable to whatever the hell was happening in front of her.

When the silence turned from awkward to entirely painful, Sam jabbed her thumb over her shoulder and said, "Uh, I'm gonna go now."

"WAIT!"

"What?" Sam asked, internally admonishing herself for responding.

"WILL YOU BE MY GHOST GIRLFRIEND?"

She heard a choke of laughter sound from behind the house, and she shot a glare to the two idiots in hiding.

"Thanks for asking, but...sorry, I have to say no. I'm very busy fighting ghosts, you know."

Dash nodded with more empathy in his eyes than Sam had ever seen him display in his life. "I UNDERSTAND. THANKS ANYWAY AND ENJOY THE TITS!"

Sam would have loved to say that she maintained Phantom's pristine people-pleasing image by giving grace to every single citizen no matter what.

But, of course, Dash was a fucking moron. And as far as Sam was concerned, morons like him deserved to have their face punched in every once in a while.

So, shaking the bruise from her knuckles, she rejoined her friends. Danny's face was beet red, while Tucker, on the other hand, was wheezing laughing so hard, his airy gasps of, "I'm going to piss myself" took about five tries to sound intelligible.

"No funny, Tucker!" Sam glared.

"Are you kidding?" His eyes were wet with tears. "That was hilarious! Dash has a crush on both of you! Oh my god, that was the single greatest thing to ever happen in my life!"

Danny fell to his knees and raked his fingers over his face. "I'm never living this down, am I?" 

"Never!" Tucker howled.

"I want to go back to a time where I never had to hear Dash speak," Sam mourned, then she flexed her fists, brightening slightly. "Though, punching him felt pretty cathartic!"

"Wish that were me," Danny bemoaned.

"He'll probably blame you for it anyway, so consider it done."

Tucker doubled over, rasping in uncontrollable laughter all over again. "Oh man, and you punched him! You actually punched him!"

"Hell yeah I did." Her eyes glinted over to Danny, who was still growing redder by the second. "Call that payback for getting me grounded."

"Fair," he said.

"I can't fucking believe you punched him, and that he has the hots for y'all—this is the greatest day of my LIFE"

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up!"

"You know," Sam said, cutting the boys off, "at least we learned something."

"Yeah, we did," Tucker giggled, clearly not thinking along the same lines as her.

Sam zapped him with her finger and ignored his subsequent yelp, continuing, "We learned that he wished for you to change! I bet you anything Desiree was the cause of this."

Danny perked up. "Wait, you're right! If Dash wished this, that definitely means Desiree was involved."

"So, what? We just find her and wish ourselves back to normal again?" Tucker asked.

That was, in fact, exactly what it meant.

The trio searched high and low for any unusual wishes that had come to light, but unfortunately for them, it seemed that Desiree had practiced laying on the down-low since her last escapade into the Human Realm. That also meant she was incredibly difficult to find.

So difficult, in fact, that despite searching for her for another two hours and Sam receiving a text from her mom stating that if Sam didn't get her ass home right now, missy, then the cops were going to be called, they didn't actually find a single wisp of Desiree at all. 

Well, not until in a moment of complete and utter exasperation, did Tucker throw in the metaphorical towel and shout into the air, "Ugh! Where is she? I wish Desiree would just show herself already so we could finally go home!"

The wind picked up, and a transcendental feminine voice graced the air, saying, "And so you have wished it, and so it shall be...."

Danny—now back in his normal attire—stared dumbstruck at Tucker. "I can't believe none of us thought of that earlier."

"Oh my god, guys, we're idiots," he agreed.

Sam could do little more than nod numbly as stray leaves and twigs gathered gently in the air, spiraling until the graceful form of Desiree, dressed in her blue and purple Persian attire, appeared before them. Her thick, black hair flowed down her back, fading at the ends midway down her spectral tail. She raised a silver-bangled hand, her glowing green skin standing out in the night air, and said, "Hello, you three. I had a feeling I would be seeing you soon."

"Yeah, you think?" Danny asked. "What gives?"

"I was merely granting a wish." Her red eyes trailed over to Sam, hovering at the ready just in case. "Though, it seems that you've already caught on."

"You could say that," Sam answered.

Desiree clasped her hands together, looking almost like a ballerina as she did so. "I'm assuming you would like me to set you right again?"

"Yes," Danny said readily.

"Please. I'm so tired," Tucker agreed.

Sam tilted her head. Despite the rocky start to her day, she'd done pretty damn well as a halfa if she did say so herself. And now that she was starting to get the hang of these ghost powers, they were very fun.

But in fairness, they weren't really her ghost powers to begin with. As fun as they were to borrow for the day, she knew she had to return them to their rightful owner. Even if it pained her to do so.

"Alright," she relented. "You can take them back. It's not like I'm going to be able to use them with how grounded I'm about to be, anyway."

"I'd be surprised if your mom didn't put surveillance in your room after this," Tucker said.

Yeah, she'd be surprised too.

Danny stepped forward, head held high as he commanded, "I wish my ghost core was back in my body!"

"So you have wished it, so it shall be!"

The air picked up around them, and Sam felt her body rise as an invisible blanket gently wrapped itself around her and hoisted her into the air. Her aura glowed like a thousand lightning bugs illuminating at once, and she shut her eyes, letting it take over. The core in her chest stirred, and her body was plunged into a snowstorm as it seemed to expand, growing stronger, stronger, until Sam was sure it would burst. But just before it became unbearable, like a marionette on a string, it was gently guided from her chest.

She gasped, her breath freezing in her lungs as the glowing orb of pure ectoplasmic energy exited her body. Her eyes flew open, and she watched as it slowly drifted to Danny who was floating across the way. 

As soon as it entered his body, she felt the liquid ice that had been a constant in her veins since she'd woken up begin to recede as her enshrouding aura began to pull toward Danny. As the last strands of it left her fingertips, she was tenderly lowered to the ground. 

Heat rushed into Sam’s body, filling in the gaps where the chill had abandoned her. A shiver crawled up her spine, and then her body settled, the heat dispersing around her torso, spreading out to the tips of her fingers and toes. It felt…strangely right, somehow, even as her chest was missing that persistent core.

There was a moment of silence where the world seemed to hold its breath, and then Danny raised a timid hand to his chest, and a grin spread across his lips. “I’m back.”

“Thank fuck!” Tucker cheered. “Now I can finally go home and sleep!”

“Congrats, Danny.” Sam offered a small smile, flexing her now-human fingers. Without the cold, all her bruises were beginning to hurt. At least the one on her knuckles was for a good cause.

“Thanks for keeping this safe for me,” Danny said.

“No problem.”

Desiree brushed the invisible dirt off her clothing. “Well, now that my work is done, I assume I’ll be off.”

“To the Ghost Zone, right?” Danny flashed his eyes at her.

It was a challenge, of course, that she picked up on instantly, giving a wry smile in return. “But of course.”

Danny insisted on accompanying her to the portal, which while he claimed was only because he wanted to be polite, Sam knew fully well was because he didn't trust her as far as he could throw her, even if their relationship had improved since their first few encounters. But true to her word, Desiree took the directive with grace, going through the portal to the Ghost Zone with little more than the tilt of her head Sam's way. 

They watched the swirling green fizzle out from where Desiree had left them, and with a final sigh, Danny closed the portal doors behind her.

Tucker nearly slumped over his chair. "Oh, thank god. I thought this day was never going to end."

"Right?" Sam yawned, fatigue washing over her. "I'm beat."

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about not having the ghost powers anymore. 'Cause after this, your mom is definitely going to kill you."

Her stomach dropped. "Oh, fuck. I'd forgotten about that."

"At least you won't have to feel Dash's disappointment at being punched by his hero tomorrow." Danny slumped over.

"You could punch him too, you know. There's nothing stopping you," Sam pointed out.

Where she thought he would argue with her, he just tilted his head, as if weighing the options. "You know," he started, speaking slow. "I guess...yeah, I mean, I could punch him. It's not like I haven't already gotten enough detentions. One more wouldn't hurt. Or, do you think they'd suspend me?"

"Are you kidding?" Tucker snorted. "Dale and Austin were swinging at each other last week and they were sent back to class an hour later."

"Fair point." 

"Alright, I better go home before my mom calls SWAT. Danny?" 

"On it!" Danny sauntered over to them both, transforming. "Let’s get you guys back home."

"I've never heard such sweet words come out of your mouth before," Tucker said.

"Oh, shut up."

Sam wrapped her arm around his cold body, and instead of the ominous chill she normally felt around ghosts—even Danny, though she'd never tell him—this time, it felt oddly familiar. Comforting, even.

"I did pretty good today, admit it." She smirked at him.

"Don't get cocky now." He returned the grin and took off into the air. This time when he turned invisible and intangible to shoot through the basement, it was almost nostalgic to her skin. And when the air rushed over her face, she felt herself preen like a peacock in its gusts.

"But yes," Danny said, leaning into her once they leveled out over the air. "You did awesome."

She already knew she had, but the validation still made her feel warm all the same.

Well, until she had to step through her front door, at which point the click of a high heel and a screeching "SAMANTHA EMILY MANSON" pierced her ears.

And thus, her second death of the day commenced.

[wereprinxe]

People say I am a big brain. Idk about any of those things but to that I say: have one more again. This one is weaker but you get it, same thing as the ones before

Jax's Personality Swap AU (4)

Pipeline: Elliott > Morgan > Vega > Regulus > Caelum > Camelopardalis > Hush > Elliott

Elliott > Morgan

Hopeless Seer

- ok but childhood friend seer cooks

- Morgan is a deeply caring person

- Seer Obscura gets a nickname: Dreamer

- "dreamer... I've been calling you that for ten years. maybe more, heh."

- the softest boy ever, he is a walking teddy bear

- "I've realized... we will never reach the future, but we will always live in the present. it's the time, that changes. the time changes us"

- slow burn perhaps? But...

- "dreamer... i... I'm sorry, it's just... You're so warm and... i wish to hold you. please."

- he is alone in this world. it's just you, that keeps him alive. he doesn't have hope for this planet, but you are his world.

- he sleeps, eats, walks on the path, that was established for him since he was born. But you... You became his future...

- he craves you as a lover, but is afraid to lose you as a friend

----

Morgan > Vega

Melancholic Demon

- sigh trademark

- "... what do you want, warden? Cant you see im grieving for my pet?"

- you ask many questions, but barely get any answers around of him

- he only talks to you out of everyone

- "why? heh. Dumb question, warden."

- you still ask anyway. he laughs. full of pain

- "did you kill my pet, warden?"

- what? What is he talking about? And why would you do that...

- vega turns his back to you. Until you confess, he says

- he has been in here for a long time. maybe it was someone from the past and he can't live in the present.

- he wants his pet back. he wants noone else but them. but you dont know who that was...

----

Vega > Regulus

Raging Fallen Daemon

- he is pretty pissed i imagine

- "if i can't have you, no-one can."

- OH HE KIDNAPS YOU

- he is angry, upset, but never alone. Now that he found you.

- everyone is looking for you two

- "precious, don't leave"

- you try to resist, but he is in your head now

- and you dont. You listen. You are now his company. He never stops holding your hand.

(jax note: this specific swap might be edited or completely reworked later)

----

Regulus > Caelum

Self-claimed Prince Daemon

- Was Polaris' greatest student, perhaps that got into his brain a bit,,

- this is a headcanon fun bit of what if Regulus wasnt fallen and was Leo constellation, so enjoy!

- he is all huffy and puffy at first

- "hey! Wake up! You do not sleep on Caelum like that!" owie! Did he just hit you by a pillow??

- "you are awake. Good. Now up! We have so much to do!" god what is this flying pipsqueak?

- "pipsqueak?! I beg your pardon?? I am Caelum, an empathy daemon and now, you are my charge! Simple to understand, now chop chop! Clean your face and ugh... Please, wear some clean clothes, looks like you didnt change for three days. We have to fix that! Coooomeeeee ooooonnnnn!!" okay he is pulling you from the bed. You cant win here freelancer

- he sounds like a spoiled brat and he maybe is, but slowly by time, you get to know him more and see that he is just a little guy with a job and heart on the right place. His methods can be dramatic, but he means well

- he says that you are ready for D.A.M.N., that the hidden talent in you is more than just your powers.

- "i think Gavin will help us here. He is a bit stupid, but he always gives me cookies!" blunt much, Caelum?

----

Caelum > Cam

Bubbly Serenity Daemon

- always so curious about human culture, both old and modern

- he especially likes bubbles

- "wow, how fascinating... this is truly wonderful!" he loves colors too

- "e-ehm, pardon my, uh... excitement. My name is C-Cam-Cam-Camelopardalis and i am your today's... wait, no, that doesn't make sense... does it?"

- he is a very polite, kind guy. he tries to always help, he just had a problem put words to the correct order (me fr)

- he loves walking outside in the sun. He is like a cat - he likes sunbathing and is kinda afraid of water (hmmm)

- he is a very tall guy, always hits himself in the head, god bless,,,

- he just stands out by how pretty and tall he is

- he writes little notes about his clients, mostly positive ones with stars and hearts! Perhaps mostly about you

- the walls of his office are full of fun stuff, like globe, astrology maps of constellations, dreamcatchers, oil paintings, etc.

- "i... i cant believe i found a friend between humans... thank you."

----

Cam > Hush

Soothing Entity

- you dont know who he is, what he is, but he is following you for days like a lost cat. Something about you is... attracting him. He wants to be near you.

- he is always sitting in your window, watching, but never daring to take a step inside

- "what are you doing?" he finally asks, after days of just watching you.

- "you're always here. And im always waiting" but for what? You ask

- "i dont know, doctor." and he goes to rest.

- you believe thats not true and you might be right. He seems to be hiding.

- there are demons around your place, around Dahlia. It drives you insane. You feel afraid. What are even those guys doing here? You did nothing wrong, right?

- and with hush, it got worse...

- "please, dont be afraid of me, doctor. I'm here for you. Please, doctor."

(jax note: this one might be changed too)

----

Hush > Elliott

Unknown Dreamwalker

- you didnt have to do any of this. You could've just leave him there, you could've had a normal life. Normal in rubbish and loneliness, but...

- just look at him. He is not normal. He is a fucking... superhero?? Supervillain??

- "sunshine..." oh yeah and that dumb nickname. Better than a nightmare, but... why does he looks at you that way??

- "I'm grateful." yeah yeah

- apparently, those guys are from some department he escaped. He was always an orphan, somehow sneaked into a normal orphanage and got adopted, but a mess happened and now... You dont understand any of it

(jax note: i just didnt have more ideas but take it as Elliott being mysterious /j)

[billysjoel]

ttpd thoughts

for the record, i'm not trying to be like. purposely hateful or anything, i'm just so deeply disappointed with her. this last year has been a mess and she's repeatedly acted in ways that, at the very least, rub me in the wrong way and at their worst have disgusted me and made me lose so much respect for/faith in her. miss americana has become a piece of performance art rather than any sort of meaningful activism.

she made a very public display of dating/hooking up with a bigot and basically said "fuck you, i do what i want" in response to valid criticism and then tried to smooth it over by working with one of the women he'd called slurs. almost every time she spoke this year, whether in an interview or through tree, she reinforced my worry that she views herself as untouchable and that any sort of negativity or criticism directed toward her should be discounted because she's an "underdog" and a woman, despite the fact that there are very real issues with her words and actions. and don't get me started on everything with football guy and his trump-loving ass.

she is absolutely allowed to do, say, date, fuck, etc. anyone and anything she wants. she can write songs about all of it. she can do damage control and pr and control the narrative however she chooses. she can run smear campaigns and drag names through the mud while maintaining she's the perpetual victim when she's arguably the one with the most power in any given situation. i can appreciate that fame presents a set of challenges that i will never experience or fully comprehend.

but i'm also allowed to have my opinions on it, especially when so much of it is so heavily publicized. there is so much we will never know and there is also so much we do know that we never should have. pretty much since eras was announced, she's become so deeply oversaturated and it went from being cool to see so much hype and getting a new album and new re-recordings to feeling like everything is about money and breaking records. it's become a machine, a content factory, and so many decisions feel rushed, incomplete, and incongruent. it doesn't feel like there's been real thought about the material itself and instead it's become about aesthetics and sensationalism.

i think that's why i'm so frustrated right now and it's highly likely that these albums will grow on me or at least some of the songs. i've been listening to the 12 songs i liked on repeat since i finished my initial run through each album and i already like them even more. but i wish that it could truly just be about the music for me. that's what's always been most meaningful to me about taylor is her lyricism and the stories she tells through her songs. but knowing everything i know and having seen everything i've seen over the past year, it's tainted my perception of the albums and the songs on them.

i think that taylor has a lot of growing to do as a person. i've heard people say that sometimes celebrities are frozen at the age they became famous and i think that really shows in taylor's case. the irony of a song being titled "so high school" was certainly not lost on me. a lot of her phrasing feels very juvenile, just as her treatment of joe and everything surrounding the end of their relationship has been. i never really had feelings about him one way or another, and as i mentioned above, there's a lot we'll never know about what happened between them. but she's been pushing her victim narrative so hard and the only thing i've seen from joe is his support of palestine. actions speak a lot louder than words. it changed so drastically from the initial news of their breakup being amicable to turning him into yet another villain. i have no doubt in my mind that taylor has been treated very poorly by a lot of the men in her life, and joe is likely not an exception. but i'm to the point where i have to take everything she says with a heaping tablespoon of salt.

at the end of the day, taylor's music is her own and i understand why she's said that she wants her work to be about the music and not about the men. i can see how it would feel invalidating to have her songs picked apart and attributed to the men they're written about. and i'm not even trying to do that here. but i can't recall a time when she's been so public about her relationships? in the past, it's felt a lot more like speculation, but jesus, between ratty and tk this past year, we've just been inundated with so much that unless i was an extremely casual fan that managed to escape her face on every news show, billboard, and social media website, i can't fathom not knowing what she's singing about on these albums. she can't have it both ways.

i still have all the music that came before ttpd, and like i said, with subsequent listens, ttpd will probably grow on me a bit, but idk man, i'm over it. and i think it's important to be willing and able to criticize or at the very least analyze your favorite media, whether it's music or tv or film or literature or whatever else. your favorite thing probably sucks in one way or another and pretending it doesn't doesn't make you a better person than someone who acknowledges it. these are complex, extremely nuanced things i take issue with and when it comes down to it, i will never know taylor personally and be able to talk to her about these things and get her point of view and her thoughts. that leaves me to say my piece, which is what this post is.

as a recovering swiftie, i'm just so very tired.

[scariusaquarius]

the ghost on the shore.

Nixie! Leon Kennedy x Fem! Reader

Summary: After the sudden death of your nephew, a sudden detail about that strange lake within the woods piques your curiosity. Unable to withstand the temptation, you decide to see if the legends of the lake were true. Do you wish to reap what you sow?

-

A/n: LOOK I KNOW I WAS GONNA WRITE A LUIS SERA FIC BUT I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF. I've been dying to write this and since I have motivation (i always do when i'm not at my house for some reason) I was finally able to just sit down and power through this. I hope you guys like it!! and yes, john and jack are from red dead. sue me.

also i listened to this as leons violin music <3 and this

-

Genre: Folklore, Horror, Angst Rated: Mature Warning: Death, Drowning, Child Death, Cursing, Nudity, Graphic Depictions of Death, Suicidal Thoughts, Slight Gore, idk what else

-

Author: ScariusAquarius

-

The water was still.

Sunlight filtered into the lonely forest as twilight entered the realm, covering the trees and floor of the woods in a bittersweet golden jade glow. The birds did not sing, the trees did not whisper, and the animals did not dare make a step as the man played his violin.

He was sitting atop of a mossy and algae-covered rock in the middle of the large lake, his slender fingers skillfully sliding and pressing upon the frets as his rosined bow glided along strings. His music was melancholic; despondent in its tune yet haunting all the same as the sounds bounced off the water and into the air.

Despite the sad melody, he always did enjoy playing his violin for the earth, even though it would often bring unwanted guests to his lake; his home.

He knew he was being watched.

The man, if the divine could call him that anymore, could feel eyes upon him from just beyond the shore. They had been standing there for a few minutes now, enchanted by his violin just as he intended.

He knew it would not be long until the unsuspecting child would give into the whisper within his youthful mind to wade into the waters, and the second his little feet would grace the top of the lake, the man's beautiful song would have to come to an end.

The man turned to the boy on the shore, looking at him with his bright blue eyes, quietly beckoning him to come closer. Listen to my song.

Poor little boy, the man had to think as the boy began to walk into the water, he would not last very long. As the water rose to the boy's chest the closer the child got, the more excited the man's music became. Instead of the haunting melody it had been before, now there was a playful; almost jovial tune beginning to cut through the light of twilight.

The water was up to the boy's neck now, and the man's toes were beginning to curl in excitement as he continued to quietly beckon the child. How much longer would it take? How much more patience would he have to extend to the little child whose little feet could only move so fast in such frigid waters?

The little boy was under the surface of the water now, slowly swimming his way to the rock in which the man sat, little arms flailing as the boy swam the best that he could. The man's music gradually went into a crescendo, going back to that haunting tune, but this time, his melody spelled out disaster.

Tragedy was afoot, and the second the boy placed his hands upon the rock and broke the surface, gasping for air, the man couldn't help but to smile. Allowing the boy to sit with him, the man was almost vibrating with anticipation. The very second that his song came to an end, the man placed down his violin before grabbing the boy by the neck and diving deep down into the water; dragging him down into unnatural depths unusual for a lake.

The water slowly rippled.

-ONE WEEK LATER-

The tears still had yet to dry as you sat on the edge of your bed. Within your hand was a picture, the edges frayed from how much you had been handling the memory, and you bit your lip as you stared down at the boy smiling so widely at the camera.

Your nephew had only been 6 years old.

It had been a complete accident, your brother told you. John had been out in the woods hunting mushrooms with his son when he had decided to make camp since it was getting dark. Jack had claimed that he needed to go to the bathroom, and when he didn't come back, John had tried to search for him. Nightfall, however, came so fast that John was forced to wait until morning.

And then John found Jack's boots by the shore of the lake, and he knew what had happened. When they pulled Jack's clothes out of the lake, John was in so shocked and upset that the medics forced him to go to the hospital.

He'd begun drinking ever since.

When John told you the news, you had been devastated. You had just seen Jack that day, and you could still remember how excited Jack had been to go camping and mushroom hunting with his father. God only knew how much Jack liked being able to spend time with his dad when John wasn't too caught up on work.

Jack's funeral had been earlier in the day. Friends, family, and many of the townfolk who knew and loved Jack had attended. Nobody said a word about John's intoxicated state as he stood before the preacher and the grave, swaying and fiddling with his flask. Eyes ringed in red, bags beneath them, stinking of body odor and cigarettes, John hadn't spoken a single word.

Nobody blamed him.

So, now you sat within Jack's bedroom, looking at all the books that still had bookmarks in them that Jack wouldn't be able to finish, all the model boats and hunting gear his father had bought for him, taking in the scent of the vanilla cookie wax melts Jack always begged John to buy because of how 'yummy' they smelled, as he had said it.

You missed him terribly.

There was a shuffle within the doorway, and you looked up to see John standing there, nursing his flask and swaying as he tried to blink the bleariness of his eyesight away. He couldn't even look into the room, staring down at his muddy boots, and you felt an urge to suddenly cry as you stared at your brother.

"They keep saying the man in the lake got the boy."

His gruff voice was bitter, his grey eyes dark as he glared down at the floor and shifted to catch himself as he suddenly lost balance, and you shook your head. John was quiet for a moment before he whispered, choking up as he held a hand to his mouth.

"I looked away for a second...let him go to the bathroom like he wanted to and he was gone."

"John..."

Your voice was small, confused on what exactly to say, and John shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut as tears filled his eyes.

"I hadn't even noticed Jack was gone for too long...had I been more diligent...god, it should have been me."

John fell to his knees, sobbing, and you gathered your brother up into your arms, sniffling as his tears invoked your own. You whispered, not trusting yourself to be able to hold back any sobs alongside John if you spoke any louder.

"It wasn't your fault, John. They said his foot got caught on a fallen tree beneath the water."

"It was the man in the lake, (Y/n). He got him. He has my son."

Legends in the town spoke of a spirit that lived within the lake. Sometimes, he appeared as a man playing the violin, and sometimes, he was a beautiful and majestic stallion that would allow his victims to climb on before dragging them to their watery deaths. Many children and women had gone missing when visiting the lake, but there was never an explanation for why.

One minute, they were there, and the next, they vanished; never to be seen again. Nobody really knew if the legends were true, but the bodies of the missing were never recovered. Only some personal belongings here and there.

That's why Jack's death was so hard. There wasn't even a body to bury. Just an empty casket filled with stones to give a false sense of human body weight.

But even you could tell the casket had been too heavy while pall-bearing.

John was sobbing for a minute before suddenly, snores wracked his body, and you couldn't help but to clutch your brother tighter. Using all your strength, you lifted the broken man up and laid him down on Jack's bed, taking his boots off for him before quietly shutting the door.

Making your way down the stairs, you could see a few of the townsfolk standing in the kitchen, all of them nursing a few drinks and snacks that you had made for after the funeral. They were whispering to themselves, but you could hear the words coming out of their mouths.

"I'm telling you, it was the man in the lake. That boy got enchanted and he got him."

A woman, a lady that you recognized to be the owner of the public library in town, shook her head.

"Daniel, you know there ain't no such thing. Jack probably wanted to go swimming, but you know he hasn't learned how to yet. He was supposed to start lessons with his aunt next week."

A much older fellow that owned the gunstore just beyond the library curled his lips into a grim expression. He was nursing a beer, courtesy of John after he filled the refrigerator with the alcohol.

"Leah, I've been in this town long before you both ever saw the sunrise upon this place. Children, women...they've been disappearing for years...every single one of them...that lake is cursed...has been since this godforsaken town began."

When they noticed you, their expressions of grim secrets and fear was washed off of their faces only to be replaced with looks of sympathy. You swallowed thickly, suddenly angry as they all began to open their mouths to speak, and you couldn't help but blurt out.

"Keep that shit about the man in the lake to yourselves. My nephew is dead, and now my brother is ranting and raving about the damn thing. Jack drowned. No man in the lake got him. The boy fucking drowned. That's all there is too it."

Your voice was shaking, small despite the bite to your words, and you couldn't even bother to wait around to hear what the people had to say. At the moment, you couldn't even care. You couldn't care what any of them had to say.

All you cared about was Jack and your brother.

Sighing heavily when you got out the door, you ran a hand over your face and felt the urge to scream at the top of your lungs. You were trying so hard to hold it together, but it was so hard. For years, you were the one to keep a level-headed mindset. You were the oldest sibling, so it was by design that you were the one to stay calm in dire situations.

But being strong suddenly didn't feel good anymore.

Would it have been different had you been there with them? John had asked you to go, but you had already picked up an extra shift at work to make a bit of extra money so you weren't so worried about being able to pay John's rent that he was behind on to help him out, let alone your own rent.

Biting your lip, you shook your head and glanced at your shoes. They were a bit dirty from walking through the muddy grounds of the cemetery for Jack's funeral, and so you decided that it would be best to call it a night and go home to clean them.

You would think more in the morning.

-TIMESKIP-

It was noon the next day. Your shirt was sticking to your back from all the sweat that was running down your spine as you moved boxes off of the delivery truck and into the shop that you worked at in town with your brother, the hot summer sun beating down on you as you unloaded the vehicle.

The auto shop was fairly empty, save for a few mechanics that weren't on-call and instead working on the vehicles parked inside that still had yet to be fixed. Nobody would speak. It was almost as if they were afraid that you were surrounded by glass and any word they would speak would shatter the box and shatter you next.

You were actually thankful.

Less speaking meant more time to focus on doing your job, and more focus meant you got the job done faster and were able to go home. The sound of the door to the front office opening caught your attention, and you looked over your shoulder to see the boss, a man named Chris, walk in. His brown eyes were firm, steely in his reproach as he made his way to you.

To the rest of the people in the shop, it would look as though Chris was angry, but you knew that expression of worry any day of the week.

"How are you doing?"

You almost grimaced as the words left Chris' lips.

"Doing just fine, I suppose. Just...trying to work and get through."

Chris was quiet for a moment before he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Listen, I know that you usually just deal with things and don't give yourself any real time to process stuff before you go ahead onto the next shit, but I think you should take some time off. I know how much Jack meant to you."

You frowned heavily, stating firmly.

"Chris, I can't just take time off of work. I have bills to pay."

"I'll make it paid leave. I just don't want you to drown in work after what happened with your nephew and the man in the lake."

The man in the lake. Ever since that day, that's all you ever heard. It was hard to bite your tongue and not give your boss any lip, but in the end, you knew it would be futile. Chris was as stubborn as a mule. Whatever he set his mind to, he did it with no second thoughts nor hesitation.

Hell, you were sure he would punch straight through a boulder if he really wanted to, so you just set the last box down onto the dolly and slammed the door shut to the delivery truck before silently walking away.

As you walked down the street towards your car, your eyes caught attention of a newspaper headline from the paper one of the older business owners always read during his mornings in the diner.

MAN IN THE LAKE STRIKES AGAIN: CITY COUNSIL SEEKS ANSWERS

You were certain that you drove 90 the whole way home. When you arrived, John was sitting on the couch in a pair of shorts and a tank top, nursing a beer as he sat in front of the TV. The news was on, the news anchor speaking solemnly.

"Locals are petrified once more as the Man in the Lake strikes again. Tragically, six year old Jack-"

You shut the TV off with a furious click of the remote, John's drunken eyes glaring at you as he slurred out.

"What the fuck. I was watching that."

You shook your head, throwing the remote down onto the coffee table haphazardly, the back of the remote falling off and the batteries rolling onto the carpet below.

"I don't give a shit, John. You're drinking yourself into a grave next to Jack's if you keep going on like this."

John scoffed, muttering as he took another deep drink.

"It'd be best if I did. I'm a piece of shit father that should have never taken him out there."

You grabbed the beer from his hand, giving the man a harsh look.

"Johnathan. I know losing Jack was hard. I'm having trouble even trying to keep it together, but drinking yourself to sleep every night won't bring him back."

John looked angry, opening his mouth to speak, and you sat down in front of him, forcing his hands into your own as you added.

"I miss him. I miss his laughter, his reenactments of whatever fairytale he was reading at the moment, and his cute nose...I miss him being excited to see me when I got time off of work to come hang out with him...I miss watching him devour ice cream like he hadn't eaten in days."

John was quiet, staring at you as tears welled up in his eyes as you sadly laughed, clutching John's hands tightly as you whispered.

"I miss him too, John...and there's a part of me that feels like I'm to blame too because I didn't go on that trip with you guys. Had I been there too, maybe it would have been different. He'd be here with us, watching his cartoons while stuffing his face with your nasty excuse for spaghetti."

John couldn't help but to snort before he began to suddenly sob, clutching your hands as he ducked his head low, stringy hair falling into his face and hiding his expression from you.

"I feel like such a piece of shit, (Y/n). I wasn't a good father, but I tried to be. Ever since...ever since she left, it's been hard...I just didn't think I'd fuck up this badly."

"John, it wasn't your fault. None of this was your fault. He wandered off when he knew he wasn't supposed to, fell into the lake, and you and I both know that he didn't know how to swim."

John shook his head, his voice so quiet that you almost didn't hear him.

"I know it was him, (Y/n). I know he took my son and killed him. They never found Jack's body."

You knew what he was referencing. The man in the lake. The evil spirit of the water. The fictional legend the town made up to soothe their grieving hearts. It was almost futile to even tell John that it wasn't real, so you simply sat there with John as he cried, his grip so tight that your fingers had started to go numb.

You'd worry about the ache within your chest in the morning.

Instead, when John had passed out from the drunkenness and the tears he had cried, you had laid him down again and wrapped him up in a blanket. It was hard to watch him become the shell of a man you once knew, but grief was never easy. Jack wasn't your child, so you'd never truly understand the pain, but your heart was just as broken.

You were just trying to stay strong for your little brother.

Settling into your bed, you sighed as you stared up at the ceiling. Sleep was hard to come by nowadays, but you could feel the exhaustion finally catching up to you. Your eyes closed, and you were suddenly dreaming.

You dreamed of water, of hands pulling you under, of cyan eyes that glowed with malice within the murky waters of the lake.

A violin was playing.

The water was still.

-TIMESKIP-

You didn't tell John about the dream. In fact, you didn't tell anybody about it knowing they would stir up a ruckus about how the 'man in the lake' was now coming after you or something stupid like that. You chalked it up to being exhausted and from how much you've been hearing about the damn legend since Jack's death.

Sighing into your cup of coffee, you bit your lip as you stared out of the diner window. The place was busy for a Sunday, most of the customers coming in from the Church down the street, and you could hear a couple talking to each other from behind you. The second they mentioned the legend, your ear automatically tuned in.

"It won't be long until another poor soul goes near that lake, James."

The old man named James sighed, pausing to either take a bite of food or drink his coffee before speaking again.

"None of the youngsters in the town believe in the legend. They haven't been around long enough to know. I keep telling the mayor to put up warning signs, but he won't budge."

The woman scoffed, muttering bitterly.

"That old crone never believed either. The first few deaths, he reported them as being bear attacks!"

James huffed.

"They just don't know any better, Loretta. The man in the lake isn't seen by anyone and lives to tell the tale, so they just don't know."

Your coffee cup was empty, food already eaten, and you were beginning to grow irritated. You were about to ask for the check when the woman named Loretta asked James.

"Do you think the boy was having dreams? Rose said that her little girl had dreams about the man in the lake before she disappeared."

The man hummed deeply, replying lowly.

"We probably won't ever know. God knows the boy's father and aunt are too distraught to think of such a thing, and I've heard from Daniel that the aunt don't believe."

When the waitress came, you silently gave her the money and left, chair screeching from how fast you had stood up and tried to get out of the diner.

You hated small towns.

You hated that everyone knew your business, that everyone you passed gave you such sad and sympathetic eyes, and you hated that everyone was blaming some dumb legend for Jack's death. In a weird burst of determination, you were eager to prove them wrong. You were eager to prove the town that there was no such thing as the man in the lake.

So, you decided that you would make your way to the woods. Sending John a quick text about how you were running some errands and would be back soon, you shut your phone off, got into your old beat-up pickup truck, and began driving towards the forest.

The whole time you drove towards the forest, your knuckles were white from how taut the skin was pulled over bone as you gripped the steering wheel. Man in the Lake this, man in the lake that, why did it always circle back to that dumb man and the lake?

Slamming the truck door shut, you left your phone in the truck, grabbed a pocketknife, a small flashlight just in case, and some granola bars. The lake wasn't too far, but just far enough that you would probably get a bit hungry on the way there.

Weaving in and out of the trees, ducking beneath leaves and long branches, hopping over fallen logs, you were a woman on a mission. You weren't exactly sure what time it was when you began to near John's camp, but the trees were beginning to block out the sun, the forest surrounded within the light of twilight.

It was odd for lunch time.

John's tent had been packed up, his and Jack's personal belongings already recovered, but you could still see the blackened sticks and logs of an old campfire. Looking around, you began to wonder where exactly the lake was located.

Deciding to go with your gut, you took a right and began to walk, a strange sense of foreboding coming over you. The birds did not sing, the trees did not whisper, and the animals did not dare make a step. It was as if the forest had frozen over, keeping itself still as the sudden tune of a violin began to echo through the environment.

It was...beautiful. To you, it sounded sad; a tune of sorrow that had your skin pricking with goosebumps. Who would be out here playing the violin? Maybe one of the townsfolk who didn't believe in the man in the lake was playing for Jack.

The closer you got, the more relaxed you started to feel. The notes soothed you, filled you with a sense of serenity, and you found your feet to be moving on their own. When you arrived at the shore of the lake, you were shocked into such a stupor that you could not move.

A man was sitting on top of a large rock in the middle of the big lake.

Water dripped from his legs, his toes just skimming the surface of the water, and his skin was deathly pale. HIs hair was brown and long in the front, cropped slightly short in the back in the style of a 90's fringe. His eyes were closed as he played his violin, his fingers skillfully pressing and sliding against the strings of his haunting instrument, and you were almost dumbstruck by the way his cupid lips parted to let out a small breath.

He wore no clothes, simply in the nude and thankfully facing to the right so you didn't see anything more than you needed to. His music became slightly louder, and you could hear the slightest whispers in your mind to come closer. Listen to my song.

Your feet dipped into the water, and the water was so cold that you were shocked completely out of the strange trance the man had placed you under.

His eyes finally opened, and they were the most beautiful shade of blue that you had ever seen.

The man turned to you, brows furrowed as his music suddenly stopped, and you were frozen from the fear as his eyes glowed just the slightest within the light of twilight. The two of you stared at one another for a very silent moment, and the wind suddenly blew, making you shiver.

Your voice was soft and shaky as you whispered.

"So they're true?"

The man was silent, simply staring you down with an expression of irritation yet curiosity. He began to play his violin again, the tune more foreboding and disastrous, and you could feel another whisper against your mind.

Come closer. Listen to my song.

Your feet would not move. Something kept your feet planted firmly in the ground, and the man finally turned towards you, his violin becoming angry. The wind picked up, but the water of the lake did not budge. It stayed deathly still, as if it only wanted to ripple if you stepped into it, and you swallowed thickly.

You were strangely unable to speak as if something was keeping you from interrupting the song. Fear rippled through you as well as a strong temptation to get closer. Your eyes were beginning to water from the need to blink, but you were so worried that if you blinked, he would disappear.

The man was growing confused and frustrated.

Why weren't you coming closer? Why wasn't his music entrancing you? You should have been next to him already, enchanted by his song and under his complete control. The man could feel that there was a part of you that was his, but there was another part; an unreachable part that refused to become trapped beneath his spell.

Why were you different?

It scared him. In all the eons that the spirit had lived, he'd never been refused before. Why now? Why were you suddenly an enigma? What made you so special? The man slowly made his song come to an end.

"Do you not like it?"

His voice was frustrated, almost sounding water-logged and vibrated as if he was under water. Within those blue eyes, you could see the confusion and...fear. You spoke to him, feet still planted firmly on the ground though they still felt tempted to move forward.

"It's beautiful...but I didn't come here to listen to your song."

The man looked startled, taken back as your words registered, and he hissed.

"Why are you here then? What makes you different?"

Different? Did he mean that in such a way that you weren't entranced by his song? You frowned and stated.

"I'm here to find out what you did to my nephew. Where is Jack?"

The man's eyes lit up slightly as he spoke, head tilting almost robotically as his words carried through the wind.

"He's with the others."

But where was that? The man almost chuckled as he sensed your confusion and he brought up his violin again, playing a sadder tune that almost had you closing your eyes. You could feel him digging his nails into the tresses of your mind, desperately trying to pull you in, but you shook your head and clutched at your temples.

The music was so loud, it was almost as if he was next to you, and you could hear his voice within your head repeating the words over and over like a mantra.

Come closer. Listen to my song.

Come closer.

Come closer.

Let me hold your broken soul.

You took a step back, gasping in air, and you were disoriented for a moment. Your head was pounding, heart racing within your chest, and you swore that you hadn't been breathing for a while.

The music was gone.

And so was the violinist.

The water slowly rippled.

[END PART ONE]

TAGGING: @backseatmary

[doodles-arts]

I Promise, I'll never hurt you.

Itadori Yuji x Reader 2/3

part: 1, 3

Description: Your a Jujutsu sorcerer who can manipulate memories and emotions. Its a curse that has been placed upon you, where no matter what the emotions of others has been placed upon you. There is an obvious condition to this tremendous power, however. Yuji, being a vessel is pretty immune to all things that may tamper his soul… could this be a match made in heaven?

Genre: Friends to Lovers. Short story

warnings: Body Talk (female x reader)

A/N: Hey guys thank you SO MUCH for the love on my last post for this and im so sorry that I've been SO inactive. But I've been moving recently and will be moving again in the next 3 weeks! wish me luck as I try to find some time to write as much as possible.

oh! before I forget.... I got married! To a Handsome guy who would move mountains for me. We'll call him Yhervi for now

Don't forget to reblog!

You were no stranger to a guy paying you extra attention, in contrast, you enjoyed it. But it being a fellow student at Jujustsu High, made you uneasy. Sure, he was an underclassmen and it meant you could boast about being a students favorite senpai. But you weren’t a normal schoolgirl, not some person who could hang out with the other cursed users, like the elders once said- ‘until you control yourself, you may as well be a danger to others.’ How long ago was that? 

Never mind, you had more important things to think about, like a certain underclassmen who was attached to your hip, and fed you compliments when you least expected them. 

After training, he’d ask you to go out to lunch with him, and sit and talk. Your leg would bounce nervously, not used to being around someone this long. You had relationships before, but once you realized that they were all ending the same way because they’re normal humans, blessed with the ignorance of curses, you stopped trying. Sure you slept with someone every now and then at your university, but you never did more than that. Not like it lasted that long anyway, or that you enjoyed it so much that you’d do it again. 

This was the second time you had left the school grounds with Yuji. He beamed at you when you said yes, and when it got silent between you two, that’s when he’d compliment you, “you’re so pretty (y/n), I’m sure lots of people tell you that.” Sometimes you’d wake up early for a run, and when you reached the field, there was Yuji, waiting, a tired look on his face. You didn’t know how he knew, but he did and there he was, waving energetically when your eyes met. He was much faster than you, but he made you giggle whenever he passed you with a goofy remark. “Say! You’re pretty fast, you finally finished that lap after my third!” He’d joke sarcastically. 

No one was as athletically gifted as Yuji. 

You had turned him down on other casual hangouts at first, you were afraid that he’d be affected by you. But then he kept insisting and there were only so many excuses you could come up with, so you guessed it was alright after some time. It wasn’t like you avoided people, you just wanted to do what was right for others. And the more you indulged in his little requests to see new attractions in Tokyo, the more you felt your self sinking in a thick pool of sand. He was always excited and always included you in his excitement, he listened to all the things you’d inform him about. The things you learned when you first came. 

It was like you were the only person next to him, when he walked, people cleared the way for his tall statue and boyish charm. You didn’t miss the staring and jealous glares. Itadori Yuji was more than than just handsome. And you’d be deceiving yourself if you said he didn’t have a perfect body. You walked through the city together as the sun started setting, and when you passed by a train station, you grabbed his waist innocently to prevent you two being separated. Yuji may know where he is, but he’d still get lost in the sea of people, you knew this because he had told you. You found it deliciously cute. How foolish of you to grab him so possessively, you were guiding him through the people, but all the same your head was swarming with images of that could be hiding under his shirt. 

His baggy choice of clothes on this casual outing, depraving you of any imagination before hand. But now, you were drinking him in, the way his arm held onto you by your shoulders. You started to wondered when you had gotten so close to each other. You swore he had pulled you in closer, and you the sinking feeling pulled you down faster. There was a warning you usually followed that was being drowned out by the vibrations of yuji’s energy. It was a dangerously catchy beat, almost sounded like a mix of techno and pop…..

You made it through, quickly unwrapping yourself as your cheeks grew hot, a bad habit, pulling away from others, he linked his arm with yours with a wolfish grin. You stared at him, confused as to how someone could be so naturally sweet. How could you remember you were cursed when he looked at you like that, the sun was setting but when he smiled at you like that, you could feel your cheeks being sunburned. ‘God damnit’. 

The two of you were like a pair of walking magnets, you always found yourself someway, somehow linked together.

So while you walked back to your parking spot, which was ridiculously far, you walked together with your arm tucked nicely in his. 

After that, Yuji became more and more attached to you. Any time you weren’t on a mission, he found you. You swore he had some kind of tracking device on you. On your days off, you dedicated them to reading and catching up on shows that you meant to watch; now your days off consisted of a pink haired boy knocking on your door, begging you to take him somewhere new, or asked to watch some new ridiculous movie. And how could you say no to a face like that? 

The sinking feeling you were desperately fighting was reaching you at your hips. You could no longer pull your feet out to try and fight it. 

. ˚ · • . ° .

He had successfully been able to pull you out of your isolation cocoon. He saw the way Maki smirked at him, he had assumed it was a thank you, for pulling you out of your selfless endeavor. At least you weren’t alone. And Yuji wasn’t complaining, you were so fun to be around, he felt at ease around you. So on an afternoon that you had made it to Jujustu tech high after a mission, he treated you to dinner in the common space. Where he couldn’t help but say, “Your the best company to have, (y/n)-senpai!” You flushed proudly, you could get used to hearing that~

And when he asked you to take him to Tokyo Tower the next day, the main attraction he had hoped to see one day in his outskirt town, you jokingly declined, until he begged. Yes- ‘begged’ on his knees, gripping your legs, and at the time he thought it was funny, until he breathed in your scent and it made his head swoon. He brushed it off when you laughed and pushed his head, “Ok! You can count on me! Now get off.” He did so eagerly, a second longer and he would have lost it. 

So what, so what he thought you smelled nice and looked so pretty in your uniform, that you always looked so pretty, so approachable. Many individuals stopped you for directions, especially tourists, maybe it was because of your americanized style? He wouldn’t dwell on it too long, it did things to him. He thought it was your curse building on his feeling of friendship. What he didn’t know was that your curse wasn’t that interested in Yuji, like it wasn’t affecting him………..

The leggings you wore with those cute oversized shirts that you tuck in the back in your bra to accentuate your figure. Showing off your toned legs from training and your curves ever so evident for everyone to see in the warming spring. Your hair pulled back in a slicked way to round out you face and make you look younger. He gave you a closed eyed grin, not able to keep looking at you, he’d burst in to flames if he did. You were attractive, so what, he wouldn’t make you uncomfortable. You were too precious.

But you were too focused on his own body to think of the possibility of him doing the same. And so what, he was attractive, you held no shame. He deserved the attention. 

Your style was americanized, maybe that was why tourists found you so approachable, asking for directions. Especially the Americans, and they’d rejoice when they heard you reply in English to their butchered Japanese. He liked how easy it came to you to help others. And he thanked you internally for giving him your time as well.  Traveling on the train wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

You took him to Tokyo Tower and guided him through it, the whole reason it was so famous, the history to it and taking him to the main deck, and when you brought him up to the top deck, pointing to all the places you knew. He noticed the goosebumps on your skin since you had no sleeves and he shed his oversized coat on you, wordesly placing it on your shoulders. You didn’t ignore the sweet gesture, you just smiled at him as he leaned forward on the railing with you and continued to point to places and ask you what they were. Thanks to the clear skies on the spring afternoon, you noticed that Mount Fiji was in view and pointed to it for him.

He was mesmerized, and watched the entire city in silence, taking it in, he pressed his shoulder against yours, and you didn’t move. Not wanting to break the blissful moment with Itadori Yuji. Watching the clouds move and taking in the breeze that carried both of your scents. 

You both didn’t want to move before it was time, but the breeze got stronger as the afternoon sun begin its descent. You both made your way down the crazy long tower, and headed to Shiodome, where there was an “Italian town” by Hama-rikyu Gardens you knew he’d love. And he had. 

For the first time in a long time, you received a call from Satoru-san, and when you looked down to your phone, you hadn’t realize the time. ‘Oh shit, I’m gonna hear it now.’ 

G:

“Why haven’t you come back? Did you at least go out with another second year?”

Y/n:

“I actually gave Yuji a tour of Tokyo Tower, sorry, I hadn’t looked at the time.”

G:

“Hm, okay, tell him I say hi. Have fun, let me know when you get to your dorm.” 

He had ended the call cheerfully, ‘what the hell.’ Yuji was watching you attentively, “was that Gojo-sensi?” He asked softly, you nodded. “He wanted to know when I was coming home.” Yuji took his phone out to look at the time and hissed when he saw it said 10:46. 

“Oh gosh, I hadn’t realized the time, we should probably get back.” You giggled and waved your hand to relax him, “Were both free tomorrow, he wasn’t telling me to go home, just checking in. He said to tell you Hi, actually.” He grinned and agreed there was no harm. And with that you both walked the combed gardens while finding your way. The night was peaceful, you found your arms linked together again, how? You had no idea, but they were, and you weren’t going to pull away if he didn’t. 

“What was America like?” He asked as you sat at a bench together. You had convinced him that taking the subway later would be calmer. He didn’t protest to more time with you. You hummed and clicked your tongue on the top of the roof of your mouth while you thought. “It was suffocating sometimes, they hold so many useless ideals unlike Japan. But I do miss it sometimes, the language, the music, the dumb class clowns.” You had picked up on the cultural difference between Japan and America about a month in. America had so many useless laws and ideals, Japan was much more comfortable, but you’d be lying if you said that you didn’t miss certain things. Japan had a way of slowly reminding you that you yourself were a foreigner, like with the traditional Japanese names and writing characters, you still struggled with them. 

He noticed it too when you sometimes refrained from saying Megumi’s full name, addressing him as ‘gumi’, instead. He was jealous for not having a nickname. But he pushed it down, deep down. “Do you ever think about, I don’t know, going back?” You leaned against him, shoulder to shoulder, delighted to feel him lean in too. “Sometimes, but then I remember, there’s nothing or anyone waiting for me. I like the family I have here better.” His heart fluttered to hear you say family, did that include him too?

You both spoke of your childhoods, it was peaceful, engulfing the two of you in a blissful stop, where everything else was secondary to the person sitting next to you. It wasn’t long until you stood and stretched with his much too big jacket on your frame, announcing you were gonna head back. He flushed, you were still wearing it, and it was adorable, his heart pounding. He might be in some trouble after all. He tried to build up the courage to grab you hand, but chickened out to link your arms once again, as he had done the whole day. He smiled softly when you pulled him closer and leaned your head on his upper arm. He might ask for more one day, but this would suffice if you never wanted him the way he did, ‘wait, what?’ He thought. He was definitely in trouble. 

You both walked and waited for the subway, to get to the outskirts of the your school. These were the quiet moments he missed, he didn’t have them anymore now that Sukuna was in the way and always pitched in to his thoughts. Something he just placed to together he hadn’t heard from Sukuna all day……

His huge jacket and the quiet lulling swaying of the train was making you sleepy, something you hadn’t been able to achieve until Yuji began consuming your thoughts. You wondered how long this fantasy would last until your curse would force you to loose this ray of sunshine in your life.

‘Maybe i’ll be little selfish for a while longer’. You felt the sinking feeling continue to consume you, all the way up to your chest, your arms didn’t even move to claw yourself up.

You had fallen asleep too quickly to stop yourself, and Yuji grinned and chuckled as he wrapped an arm around you and leaned you against his shoulder, his heart beating too quickly to register his own tired state. Despite it being a little ways over midnight, he’d been asking so much of your time, he’d push through and give you this small moment of peace. He’d take care of you now. 

You made it home and walked to your dorm, that he had walked you too on the 2nd years side. 

“Goodnight, Yuji-san.” You said sweetly, he hummed and leaned forward, your eyes widening. It was like he had been asking for a goodnight kiss. Not knowing what else to do, not wanting to sink any further, you pulled him into a tight hug, instead. He sighed inwardly, he had been lulled into your adorable face by his sleepy mind, attempting to kiss you. But this was fine too. As you pulled away, dashing into you room, back against the door, your heart pounding. Something Yuji hadn’t glossed over when you had hugged him. 

He couldn’t help the grin on his face as he leaned on to your door, arm of the door and felt your heartbeat and said, “Goodnight (y/n)-Senpai.” You didn’t hear him walk away for a few moments, heart pounding in your ears making you think he had. 

But when he did, you fell on your butt, back still against the door. ’This is bad. REALLY bad’, you thought. After a few moments, you had to hold back a scream when your door knob turned and tried to fly open, only to be stopped by your back and head. “At-ti-ti-ti” you groaned while holding your head and moved out of the way, there stood Maki, face stoick as always, until she found you on the floor, with Yuji’s jacket still on, cheeks flushed all the way to your ears. She smirked. Walking over to your bed with a proud look. Sitting with legs crossed and leaned forward.

“Cougar”, she jabbed. 

You knew you weren’t getting any sleep. You’d have to tell her every detail. Or else. 

˚ · • . ° .

Though Itadori had taken you out another couple of times, and gotten more brazen, holding your hand when walking through the city and thru the last Tokyo attraction you’d both had been too, he also saw how much more flustered you’d become. You never pulled away, never stopped him when he hugged you, or put an arm around your shoulders. You just flushed and looked away, peeking over at him and quickly look away again. You realized that the others had also picked up on how you and Yuji were subconsciously flirting. 

Panda had already teased you about it, which Yuji had noticed, but you huffed and took your leave for a shower. Panda then teased him about, “oii, Yuji~ what do you prefer? Boobs or butts!” He probably choked before he even picked. Panda snickering before patting his shoulder, “come on, don’t be shy~!” The smug grin on the cursed corpse edging Yuji to answer.

He thought deeply, he wouldn’t lie, he did like a plump, round “-butt.” His senpai huffed pervertedly, chuckling while patting on his lower classmen’s shoulders. 

You had left and Yuji, would have lied if he said that he didn’t watch you walk away. 

He’d wait for you, however long it takes. There was something there, and he’d wait. But for now, he’d focus on getting stronger. 

So for the rest of the afternoon, He’d train,with Gojo….

-After a couple days. (You and Maki and Nobara were sitting in a park, with your speakers, exploring American music.)

During a training break where he sat on the floor, watching panda and Toge train now as Megumi went to get some drinks. He spaced out for a moment, thinking of you, and that sun dress you had worn a few days back, going for a food run, to which he invited himself too. The mini fridge wouldn’t stock itself. And besides, you weren’t really allowed to leave the grounds of the school on your own, due to your curse and all. But mostly because it was Gojo’s request, so you were totally okay with him tagging along. 

He watched the way your skin, that was usually unexposed, drank up the sun from the early summer days. The way your legs glimmered, they looked so soft. He wondered what else was soft- His train of thought was thankfully stopped by the ringing of a phone next to him and to his surprise it wasn’t his own. When he glanced down, the caller ID was Nobara and he assumed the phone belonged to Megumi. But what he was greeted with, took him by surprise:

Y: Hey Nobara, Megumi’s in the bathroom-

N: (nobara speaking) Oh come on, between the three of us, you’re telling me you’re not getting any action? Even with Yuji floating around you like that? 

He heard all three of you giggle. And he swore he was going to hang up, but the conversation kept peeking his interest. *especially since he heard his name….

N: ((y/n) speaking) It’s nothing like that, Itadori is better off keeping his distance. I’m the one being selfish. Besides, if we ever get to that point, I might never be able to look at him again if he’s affected by me. 

You sighed and turned on some English music. It was clear that Nobara had either did this on purpose or butt dialed Megumi by an accident. 

N: (Maki speaking) Don’t try and to act innocent you cougar, (y/n) is just afraid that he’ll either be the best experience she’s had in bed, or just the same as the rest. 

Nobara tried to stifle her laugh, unsuccessfully. And at this moment, Yuji thought he felt guilty for listening, but he knew himself better than that.

N: ((y/n) speaking) MAKI! Don’t embarrass me like this! I’m only a year older than him! BESIDES, even if I did imagine something happening between us, at the end of the day, sooner or later, he’ll grow to resent me the more his body is exposed to my cursed energy.

You sighed, getting quiet again. Itadori felt his chest heaving, turning to make sure Megumi was no where near. 

N: (Nobara speaking) Oh come on, Yuji is too soft to ever do something like that. You should know how he is, I don’t think he has a bone in his body with malice. He more of a walking airhead.

There was a pause, only the strange English music that Yuji was printing into the back of his mind to search up and add to your playlist he created. He never wanted to forget the next words that escape your mouth through the phone. 

N: ((y/n) speaking) You’re right, I can’t change how I feel, and I can’t change the strange feeling that something bad will happen. I’m sure Maki will flick my forehead for this - there was a pair of chuckles - I’ll just be selfish for as long as I can and let him decide. I am still his favorite senpai~

With that- he hung up the phone call, his fluttering heart and burning ears under the warm sun not allowing him to to listen to another word, without exploding.

He placed the phone down and pulled out his own, rushing to the search engine on his own phone, writing down the few lyrics he understood in hopes of finding the song that would only serve to further drive his desires and hopes. 

“Sunburn by The LivingTombstone.” He murmured as he was successful in finding it. His friend passed him a water bottle, silent as he sat down. Yuji- still flustered by everything he had heard slowly grasped it. “Ah, thanks a lot Megumi.” Though Yuji felt that he was thanking his friend for more than the water bottle that he guzzled down. 

Megumi thought Yuji had lost his mind when he threw the rest of the water he didn’t drink on top of his head, it soaked through his hair and trickled down his temple to his chin. 

˚ · • . ° .

By the end of the day, he had memorized the strange tune from the song that he had no idea what they were saying. He also hadn’t heard the song playing on your speaker, or phone when the two of you were together. His eyebrows knitted together as he laid in bed staring at the song, the wonderful graphics of the animated music video. After it played for about the 7th time, he looked up the lyrics translated in Japanese and his heart started swooning. 

Turning to lay on his toned chest, digging his face in his pillow as he shut his eyes. Highschool crushes were the worst, they had a way of pulling the strangest reactions from you, the only thing in the world that made Yuji feel like he had to hold on to this one thing with the strongest grip in the world. So he wouldn’t loose you like he had lost so many others, he tried his best to ignore Sukuna and his quips about how he pursuit was futile. How you’d grow tired of his insistence sooner or later. 

All his focus was on the lyrics that caught his attention, the words swirling around and pulling his heart with it. 

“I’m losing myself. You smile, and I get sunburn.” 

He hoped that this song was recently added to your playlist after meeting him. He prayed to whoever was listening, that this was how you felt about him, and only him. 

You were no stranger to a guy paying you extra attention, in contrast, you enjoyed it. But it being a fellow student at Jujustsu High, made you uneasy. Sure, he was an underclassmen and it meant you could boast about being a students favorite senpai. But you weren’t a normal schoolgirl, not some person who could hang out with the other cursed users, like the elders once said- ‘until you control yourself, you may as well be a danger to others.’ How long ago was that? 

Never mind, you had more important things to think about, like a certain underclassmen who was attached to your hip, and fed you compliments when you least expected them. 

After training, he’d ask you to go out to lunch with him, and sit and talk. Your leg would bounce nervously, not used to being around someone this long. You had relationships before, but once you realized that they were all ending the same way because they’re normal humans, blessed with the ignorance of curses, you stopped trying. Sure you slept with someone every now and then at your university, but you never did more than that. Not like it lasted that long anyway, or that you enjoyed it so much that you’d do it again. 

This was the second time you had left the school grounds with Yuji. He beamed at you when you said yes, and when it got silent between you two, that’s when he’d compliment you, “you’re so pretty (y/n), I’m sure lots of people tell you that.” Sometimes you’d wake up early for a run, and when you reached the field, there was Yuji, waiting, a tired look on his face. You didn’t know how he knew, but he did and there he was, waving energetically when your eyes met. He was much faster than you, but he made you giggle whenever he passed you with a goofy remark. “Say! You’re pretty fast, you finally finished that lap after my third!” He’d joke sarcastically. 

No one was as athletically gifted as Yuji. 

You had turned him down on other casual hangouts at first, you were afraid that he’d be affected by you. But then he kept insisting and there were only so many excuses you could come up with, so you guessed it was alright after some time. It wasn’t like you avoided people, you just wanted to do what was right for others. And the more you indulged in his little requests to see new attractions in Tokyo, the more you felt your self sinking in a thick pool of sand. He was always excited and always included you in his excitement, he listened to all the things you’d inform him about. The things you learned when you first came. 

It was like you were the only person next to him, when he walked, people cleared the way for his tall statue and boyish charm. You didn’t miss the staring and jealous glares. Itadori Yuji was more than than just handsome. And you’d be deceiving yourself if you said he didn’t have a perfect body. You walked through the city together as the sun started setting, and when you passed by a train station, you grabbed his waist innocently to prevent you two being separated. Yuji may know where he is, but he’d still get lost in the sea of people, you knew this because he had told you. You found it deliciously cute. How foolish of you to grab him so possessively, you were guiding him through the people, but all the same your head was swarming with images of that could be hiding under his shirt. 

His baggy choice of clothes on this casual outing, depraving you of any imagination before hand. But now, you were drinking him in, the way his arm held onto you by your shoulders. You started to wondered when you had gotten so close to each other. You swore he had pulled you in closer, and you the sinking feeling pulled you down faster. There was a warning you usually followed that was being drowned out by the vibrations of yuji’s energy. It was a dangerously catchy beat, almost sounded like a mix of techno and pop…..

You made it through, quickly unwrapping yourself as your cheeks grew hot, a bad habit, pulling away from others, he linked his arm with yours with a wolfish grin. You stared at him, confused as to how someone could be so naturally sweet. How could you remember you were cursed when he looked at you like that, the sun was setting but when he smiled at you like that, you could feel your cheeks being sunburned. ‘God damnit’. 

The two of you were like a pair of walking magnets, you always found yourself someway, somehow linked together.

So while you walked back to your parking spot, which was ridiculously far, you walked together with your arm tucked nicely in his. 

After that, Yuji became more and more attached to you. Any time you weren’t on a mission, he found you. You swore he had some kind of tracking device on you. On your days off, you dedicated them to reading and catching up on shows that you meant to watch; now your days off consisted of a pink haired boy knocking on your door, begging you to take him somewhere new, or asked to watch some new ridiculous movie. And how could you say no to a face like that? 

The sinking feeling you were desperately fighting was reaching you at your hips. You could no longer pull your feet out to try and fight it. 

. ˚ · • . ° .

He had successfully been able to pull you out of your isolation cocoon. He saw the way Maki smirked at him, he had assumed it was a thank you, for pulling you out of your selfless endeavor. At least you weren’t alone. And Yuji wasn’t complaining, you were so fun to be around, he felt at ease around you. So on an afternoon that you had made it to Jujustu tech high after a mission, he treated you to dinner in the common space. Where he couldn’t help but say, “Your the best company to have, (y/n)-senpai!” You flushed proudly, you could get used to hearing that~

And when he asked you to take him to Tokyo Tower the next day, the main attraction he had hoped to see one day in his outskirt town, you jokingly declined, until he begged. Yes- ‘begged’ on his knees, gripping your legs, and at the time he thought it was funny, until he breathed in your scent and it made his head swoon. He brushed it off when you laughed and pushed his head, “Ok! You can count on me! Now get off.” He did so eagerly, a second longer and he would have lost it. 

So what, so what he thought you smelled nice and looked so pretty in your uniform, that you always looked so pretty, so approachable. Many individuals stopped you for directions, especially tourists, maybe it was because of your americanized style? He wouldn’t dwell on it too long, it did things to him. He thought it was your curse building on his feeling of friendship. What he didn’t know was that your curse wasn’t that interested in Yuji, like it wasn’t affecting him………..

The leggings you wore with those cute oversized shirts that you tuck in the back in your bra to accentuate your figure. Showing off your toned legs from training and your curves ever so evident for everyone to see in the warming spring. Your hair pulled back in a slicked way to round out you face and make you look younger. He gave you a closed eyed grin, not able to keep looking at you, he’d burst in to flames if he did. You were attractive, so what, he wouldn’t make you uncomfortable. You were too precious.

But you were too focused on his own body to think of the possibility of him doing the same. And so what, he was attractive, you held no shame. He deserved the attention. 

Your style was americanized, maybe that was why tourists found you so approachable, asking for directions. Especially the Americans, and they’d rejoice when they heard you reply in English to their butchered Japanese. He liked how easy it came to you to help others. And he thanked you internally for giving him your time as well.  Traveling on the train wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

You took him to Tokyo Tower and guided him through it, the whole reason it was so famous, the history to it and taking him to the main deck, and when you brought him up to the top deck, pointing to all the places you knew. He noticed the goosebumps on your skin since you had no sleeves and he shed his oversized coat on you, wordesly placing it on your shoulders. You didn’t ignore the sweet gesture, you just smiled at him as he leaned forward on the railing with you and continued to point to places and ask you what they were. Thanks to the clear skies on the spring afternoon, you noticed that Mount Fiji was in view and pointed to it for him.

He was mesmerized, and watched the entire city in silence, taking it in, he pressed his shoulder against yours, and you didn’t move. Not wanting to break the blissful moment with Itadori Yuji. Watching the clouds move and taking in the breeze that carried both of your scents. 

You both didn’t want to move before it was time, but the breeze got stronger as the afternoon sun begin its descent. You both made your way down the crazy long tower, and headed to Shiodome, where there was an “Italian town” by Hama-rikyu Gardens you knew he’d love. And he had. 

For the first time in a long time, you received a call from Satoru-san, and when you looked down to your phone, you hadn’t realize the time. ‘Oh shit, I’m gonna hear it now.’ 

G:

“Why haven’t you come back? Did you at least go out with another second year?”

Y/n:

“I actually gave Yuji a tour of Tokyo Tower, sorry, I hadn’t looked at the time.”

G:

“Hm, okay, tell him I say hi. Have fun, let me know when you get to your dorm.” 

He had ended the call cheerfully, ‘what the hell.’ Yuji was watching you attentively, “was that Gojo-sensi?” He asked softly, you nodded. “He wanted to know when I was coming home.” Yuji took his phone out to look at the time and hissed when he saw it said 10:46. 

“Oh gosh, I hadn’t realized the time, we should probably get back.” You giggled and waved your hand to relax him, “Were both free tomorrow, he wasn’t telling me to go home, just checking in. He said to tell you Hi, actually.” He grinned and agreed there was no harm. And with that you both walked the combed gardens while finding your way. The night was peaceful, you found your arms linked together again, how? You had no idea, but they were, and you weren’t going to pull away if he didn’t. 

“What was America like?” He asked as you sat at a bench together. You had convinced him that taking the subway later would be calmer. He didn’t protest to more time with you. You hummed and clicked your tongue on the top of the roof of your mouth while you thought. “It was suffocating sometimes, they hold so many useless ideals unlike Japan. But I do miss it sometimes, the language, the music, the dumb class clowns.” You had picked up on the cultural difference between Japan and America about a month in. America had so many useless laws and ideals, Japan was much more comfortable, but you’d be lying if you said that you didn’t miss certain things. Japan had a way of slowly reminding you that you yourself were a foreigner, like with the traditional Japanese names and writing characters, you still struggled with them. 

He noticed it too when you sometimes refrained from saying Megumi’s full name, addressing him as ‘gumi’, instead. He was jealous for not having a nickname. But he pushed it down, deep down. “Do you ever think about, I don’t know, going back?” You leaned against him, shoulder to shoulder, delighted to feel him lean in too. “Sometimes, but then I remember, there’s nothing or anyone waiting for me. I like the family I have here better.” His heart fluttered to hear you say family, did that include him too?

You both spoke of your childhoods, it was peaceful, engulfing the two of you in a blissful stop, where everything else was secondary to the person sitting next to you. It wasn’t long until you stood and stretched with his much too big jacket on your frame, announcing you were gonna head back. He flushed, you were still wearing it, and it was adorable, his heart pounding. He might be in some trouble after all. He tried to build up the courage to grab you hand, but chickened out to link your arms once again, as he had done the whole day. He smiled softly when you pulled him closer and leaned your head on his upper arm. He might ask for more one day, but this would suffice if you never wanted him the way he did, ‘wait, what?’ He thought. He was definitely in trouble. 

You both walked and waited for the subway, to get to the outskirts of the your school. These were the quiet moments he missed, he didn’t have them anymore now that Sukuna was in the way and always pitched in to his thoughts. Something he just placed to together he hadn’t heard from Sukuna all day……

His huge jacket and the quiet lulling swaying of the train was making you sleepy, something you hadn’t been able to achieve until Yuji began consuming your thoughts. You wondered how long this fantasy would last until your curse would force you to loose this ray of sunshine in your life.

‘Maybe i’ll be little selfish for a while longer’. You felt the sinking feeling continue to consume you, all the way up to your chest, your arms didn’t even move to claw yourself up.

You had fallen asleep too quickly to stop yourself, and Yuji grinned and chuckled as he wrapped an arm around you and leaned you against his shoulder, his heart beating too quickly to register his own tired state. Despite it being a little ways over midnight, he’d been asking so much of your time, he’d push through and give you this small moment of peace. He’d take care of you now. 

You made it home and walked to your dorm, that he had walked you too on the 2nd years side. 

“Goodnight, Yuji-san.” You said sweetly, he hummed and leaned forward, your eyes widening. It was like he had been asking for a goodnight kiss. Not knowing what else to do, not wanting to sink any further, you pulled him into a tight hug, instead. He sighed inwardly, he had been lulled into your adorable face by his sleepy mind, attempting to kiss you. But this was fine too. As you pulled away, dashing into you room, back against the door, your heart pounding. Something Yuji hadn’t glossed over when you had hugged him. 

He couldn’t help the grin on his face as he leaned on to your door, arm of the door and felt your heartbeat and said, “Goodnight (y/n)-Senpai.” You didn’t hear him walk away for a few moments, heart pounding in your ears making you think he had. 

But when he did, you fell on your butt, back still against the door. ’This is bad. REALLY bad’, you thought. After a few moments, you had to hold back a scream when your door knob turned and tried to fly open, only to be stopped by your back and head. “At-ti-ti-ti” you groaned while holding your head and moved out of the way, there stood Maki, face stoick as always, until she found you on the floor, with Yuji’s jacket still on, cheeks flushed all the way to your ears. She smirked. Walking over to your bed with a proud look. Sitting with legs crossed and leaned forward.

“Cougar”, she jabbed. 

You knew you weren’t getting any sleep. You’d have to tell her every detail. Or else. 

.˚ · • . ° .

Though Itadori had taken you out another couple of times, and gotten more brazen, holding your hand when walking through the city and thru the last Tokyo attraction you’d both had been too, he also saw how much more flustered you’d become. You never pulled away, never stopped him when he hugged you, or put an arm around your shoulders. You just flushed and looked away, peeking over at him and quickly look away again. You realized that the others had also picked up on how you and Yuji were subconsciously flirting. 

Panda had already teased you about it, which Yuji had noticed, but you huffed and took your leave for a shower. Panda then teased him about, “oii, Yuji~ what do you prefer? Boobs or butts!” He probably choked before he even picked. Panda snickering before patting his shoulder, “come on, don’t be shy~!” The smug grin on the cursed corpse edging Yuji to answer.

He thought deeply, he wouldn’t lie, he did like a plump, round “-butt.” His senpai huffed pervertedly, chuckling while patting on his lower classmen’s shoulders. 

You had left and Yuji, would have lied if he said that he didn’t watch you walk away. 

He’d wait for you, however long it takes. There was something there, and he’d wait. But for now, he’d focus on getting stronger. 

So for the rest of the afternoon, He’d train,with Gojo….

-After a couple days. (You and Maki and Nobara were sitting in a park, with your speakers, exploring American music.)

During a training break where he sat on the floor, watching panda and Toge train now as Megumi went to get some drinks. He spaced out for a moment, thinking of you, and that sun dress you had worn a few days back, going for a food run, to which he invited himself too. The mini fridge wouldn’t stock itself. And besides, you weren’t really allowed to leave the grounds of the school on your own, due to your curse and all. But mostly because it was Gojo’s request, so you were totally okay with him tagging along. 

He watched the way your skin, that was usually unexposed, drank up the sun from the early summer days. The way your legs glimmered, they looked so soft. He wondered what else was soft- His train of thought was thankfully stopped by the ringing of a phone next to him and to his surprise it wasn’t his own. When he glanced down, the caller ID was Nobara and he assumed the phone belonged to Megumi. But what he was greeted with, took him by surprise:

Y: Hey Nobara, Megumi’s in the bathroom-

N: (nobara speaking) Oh come on, between the three of us, you’re telling me you’re not getting any action? Even with Yuji floating around you like that? 

He heard all three of you giggle. And he swore he was going to hang up, but the conversation kept peeking his interest. *especially since he heard his name….

N: ((y/n) speaking) It’s nothing like that, Itadori is better off keeping his distance. I’m the one being selfish. Besides, if we ever get to that point, I might never be able to look at him again if he’s affected by me. 

You sighed and turned on some English music. It was clear that Nobara had either did this on purpose or butt dialed Megumi by an accident. 

N: (Maki speaking) Don’t try and to act innocent you cougar, (y/n) is just afraid that he’ll either be the best experience she’s had in bed, or just the same as the rest. 

Nobara tried to stifle her laugh, unsuccessfully. And at this moment, Yuji thought he felt guilty for listening, but he knew himself better than that.

N: ((y/n) speaking) MAKI! Don’t embarrass me like this! I’m only a year older than him! BESIDES, even if I did imagine something happening between us, at the end of the day, sooner or later, he’ll grow to resent me the more his body is exposed to my cursed energy.

You sighed, getting quiet again. Itadori felt his chest heaving, turning to make sure Megumi was no where near. 

N: (Nobara speaking) Oh come on, Yuji is too soft to ever do something like that. You should know how he is, I don’t think he has a bone in his body with malice. He more of a walking airhead.

There was a pause, only the strange English music that Yuji was printing into the back of his mind to search up and add to your playlist he created. He never wanted to forget the next words that escape your mouth through the phone. 

N: ((y/n) speaking) You’re right, I can’t change how I feel, and I can’t change the strange feeling that something bad will happen. I’m sure Maki will flick my forehead for this - there was a pair of chuckles - I’ll just be selfish for as long as I can and let him decide. I am still his favorite senpai~

With that- he hung up the phone call, his fluttering heart and burning ears under the warm sun not allowing him to to listen to another word, without exploding.

He placed the phone down and pulled out his own, rushing to the search engine on his own phone, writing down the few lyrics he understood in hopes of finding the song that would only serve to further drive his desires and hopes. 

“Sunburn by The LivingTombstone.” He murmured as he was successful in finding it. His friend passed him a water bottle, silent as he sat down. Yuji- still flustered by everything he had heard slowly grasped it. “Ah, thanks a lot Megumi.” Though Yuji felt that he was thanking his friend for more than the water bottle that he guzzled down. 

Megumi thought Yuji had lost his mind when he threw the rest of the water he didn’t drink on top of his head, it soaked through his hair and trickled down his temple to his chin. 

.˚ · • . ° .

By the end of the day, he had memorized the strange tune from the song that he had no idea what they were saying. He also hadn’t heard the song playing on your speaker, or phone when the two of you were together. His eyebrows knitted together as he laid in bed staring at the song, the wonderful graphics of the animated music video. After it played for about the 7th time, he looked up the lyrics translated in Japanese and his heart started swooning. 

Turning to lay on his toned chest, digging his face in his pillow as he shut his eyes. Highschool crushes were the worst, they had a way of pulling the strangest reactions from you, the only thing in the world that made Yuji feel like he had to hold on to this one thing with the strongest grip in the world. So he wouldn’t loose you like he had lost so many others, he tried his best to ignore Sukuna and his quips about how he pursuit was futile. How you’d grow tired of his insistence sooner or later. 

All his focus was on the lyrics that caught his attention, the words swirling around and pulling his heart with it. 

“I’m losing myself. You smile, and I get sunburn.” 

He hoped that this song was recently added to your playlist after meeting him. He prayed to whoever was listening, that this was how you felt about him, and only him. 

[kairiscorner]

i'll be right by your side. – miles 1610 x reader (comfort headcanons)

request: could you make miles 42 or miles 1610 whichever you pick have a S/O similar to cassie from euphoria like wears blue Alot and is emotional and cries and she feels like they should be going somewhere and doing something and taking something big for herself but always ending up going to the same parties doing the same stupid things over and over again because thats the only way she knows how to find release and the only role she knows how to fill and miles tries everything in his power to help her

a/n: ask and you shall receive, my lovely anon 💖 now i've never watched euphoria except for that one scene where the guy is shouting at the girl, but i hope this provides some comfort despite me not being very familiar with the characters and what they're like ^^ i hope you like this !!

(reblogs are greatly appreciated, it helps get my content out there! if you guys like what you see, please reblog it too <:D)

miles would have worried for you all night when you texted him, saying you messed up, you fell back into old habits; those destructive habits you promised both him and yourself that you'd quit.

he'd call you immediately when he got your text, hoping against all hope that you'd answer him. when you'd pick up the phone, he'd ask you a mile a minute if you were okay.

"babe, what happened? did- did you get hurt? did you get dragged into something, did you... did you do anything to hurt yourself? i..." miles stuttered as he got on the phone with you. after hearing you whimpering in sobs as he spoke, he cut himself off and gave you time to answer him, breathing in deeply and sighing out of utter concern for you and your well-being.

"i'm sorry... i couldn't be there with you tonight." he muttered after you sobbed into the phone and told him, no, you didn't completely jeopardize yourself, but you still remained the same irresponsible you that you wanted to quit being.

miles would listen to you over the phone about all the stuff that happened that night, all the stupid, self-destructive stuff you tried to put a stop to doing; and all the while, miles had felt so angry at himself for not having been able to be there for you and keep you in check.

he'd offer to come over and just be with you for the night, at least until you go to bed to comfort you to somehow make up for not being there for you. he also kept apologizing all the while he was talking to you.

miles could not stomach the fact that despite being spider man, being your boyfriend of all people, he couldn't even be there for you to keep you from doing all that stuff–for not noticing how off you've been the past few days which could've pushed you to get back in those bad habits; he feels so guilty and ashamed of himself.

he wants to make it all up to you, not starting tomorrow, but instead, helping you starting right now. he doesn't care if it's the middle of the night, if you guys both have school tomorrow and have to sleep early; he will never let you feel helpless and alone anymore. he won't ignore your cries for help, your need to be distracted and reassured that everything will be okay, he'll help you as much as he can, and even beyond that, because he loves you so much.

miles sighs after you finish telling him what you did that night and why, and how much you regret ever letting yourself fall back into those bad habits. "love, i... i never knew. i'm so sorry..." he whispered into the phone as he got up from his bed, took his spider man mask and put his shoes on. you told him he had nothing to be sorry for, you never planned on worrying him anyway, but he disagrees--you weren't worrying him by being honest about what you wanted for yourself and what you felt disappointed in yourself for, he just wished he could've done something to stop you, or even realize you needed help.

he put his mask on and hopped on his windowsill as he shot a web to swing off from his room to head to your place. "if it's okay, i'll be there with you right now. you can... lean on me, fall back on me, literally and figuratively. i'm sorry, again, i just... i wish i did something to help you." he said as he swung on over and kept swinging over to head to your place. "but now that i know, i swear i'll make up for it. please... please wait for me, love." he pleads with you as you sob a little on the other end, just feeling all kinds of emotions at his apologies and promise, and for a moment... you didn't feel so alone.

he came to your room's window and let himself in, seeing you crying yourself to sleep made him feel more guilty, but when you tried to stop crying and ran over to hug him, his guilt starting changing into a kind of warmth.

he feels responsible over you, a duty to protect you and make you feel safe, comfortable, and most of all, loved. he holds you close and asks you in whispers if you were feeling better now and what he can do to help you.

after taking off his mask and pulling away from you, he cups your face and looks at you in the eyes and just... smiles a little sadly and a little relieved, seeing that, despite everything, you still tried to quit. he'll be here for you, even if you don't ask him to be, and be the distraction you need, and reassure you... you're doing well. you're not messing up, you're not beyond repair, you're healing–and part of healing is failing sometimes, but that's okay, he'll be with you for every failure and every success throughout your journey, just as you have for him.

he stays with you, holding you close and reassuring you in a comforting silence that you're doing your best and he is so, so proud of you for trying. he'll be here for you, for as long as you need him to be and even after that, reminding you that you can always fall back on him–tell him what's on your mind, let him distract you with his love and attention, hold you close to him and whisper you words of reassurance... just let him be there for you, and he promises, he won't ever make you regret it, and he won't ever make you feel like you're failing ever again and comfort you, being there for you every step of the way like he wants to be.

tags !! @ii01vq @toneystank-3000 @luvstarrstruck @maxoloqy @k4tsu3 @solecitoszn @fiannee @popeheywardssecretgf @lovefrominaya

[lizmindpalace]

40 days

The house had gone quiet after a book had been slammed shut with such a force the sound had leaked through the closed door and reached out their ears as a threat, the low groan that followed startled them as though a lightning had struck their chests. In silent agreement the inhabitants of the gloomy manor tiptoed upstairs towards the room where the muffled screams were coming from.

"I am aware of the fact I must do as you say, however on this occasion my final answer is a no". 

A deep sigh was audible, and the eavesdroppers could picture the eyes rolling that accompanied such sound. 

"Lucifer..." the always friendly yet commanding voice uttered with a slight hue of a plead. "I have no option here, refusing it could lead us to another war, you know. And that's not good for anyone, it won't change anything, it's just a protocol... he promised". 

"I know better than trusting father's promises", as usual, the words were expressed with resent, however, this time, pain could also be perceived in his voice. 

Silence followed to such statement, they were surprised father was mentioned, and they knew that name could only mean trouble, the curiosity they had been feeling was slowly replaced with the growing concern encroaching their hearts, they held their breaths for some minutes waiting for the conversation to continue.

"You have to do it, Lucifer, I wish I could do something in order to prevent that from happening because I know how much pain it brings to you, but as the next in line for the Devildom's throne I seek for peace between your father and us". 

Another sigh, one that made the ones listening on the other side of the door feel sorrow. 

"Tempting this new favourite human of his to prove if he'll remain loyal after he makes him go through more suffering than his body and heart can bare sounds souless"

"I have to agree, especially since he claims he's his son, the best one, but I don't have any right to interfere". 

"He hasn't changed one bit, and I still don't understand what he wants from us... I used to be his favourite too at some point,  he punished me and my brothers for my lack of obeying due to unfair matters, now he's repeating his actions, maybe he's afraid he'll turn his back at him as I did when he finds out he only cares about power, for his own good I hope he's able to thrive".

"Even if he does..." Diavolo muttered, and then stopped himself.

"Even if he does? What's that supposed to mean?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow, fearing about that man's fate. 

"I've heard he's been condemned ever since he was born, he's had plans about his death, which are not pleasant by the way". 

Everyone including Lucifer felt a shiver running down their spines. 

"There must be another option".

"You know your father better than I do. You have to leave tomorrow and take water with you because these thirty days in the desert will be tough, that guy will be put on a test, and he'll be fastening for the thirty days, at least you won't have to do through that, come to my office tomorrow, I'll hand you the instructions given by the Celestial Realm".

Everyone was in shock after hearing those sentences and five out of the six demons listening, trembled, as they remembered the pain and suffering, they had been forced to face and feared for the fate of the man Diavolo and Lucifer were talking about. They looked at each other, sharing their sorrow, except for Satan who seemed oblivious to it, as he knew the story but had not witnessed it completely. Heavy steps reached the door and it soon opened without notice, the sorrow was replaced by surprise, the now uncovered six demons ran towards their rooms and Diavolo chuckled at the sight, it had not annoyed him, he always found the demon brothers' shenanigans hilarious.

"So... Lucifer has to tempt this guy" Leviathan summarised while his body trembled... "Because father wants to prove if he'll stay by his side even if he tortures him?"

"And Lucifer will have to do the dirty work? How's that fair? Everyone will think he's all evil" Asmodeus stated with a concerned look on his face. 

"He's not though?" Satan frowned; he had been trying to retrieve his memories from the celestial war, he had been able to see a bit through Lucifer's eyes, but it was like a blurred picture, where everything he was able to distinguish was blood, "He's a sadist, that's what he does". 

"It'll be humiliating for him". Beelzebub sighed and left the rice he was having aside. "Having to fulfill father's orders after being treated the way he was treated and having to pretend everything that's happening it's because of him... that's sad". 

The six of them remained silent and thinking and left early to bed, Lucifer didn't leave his office for the rest of the day, and they knew probably they'd find a brief explanation letter about his absence the next morning. 

No demon in the House of Lamentation was able to sleep that night, all of them remained quiet within their bedrooms as they were too concerned and didn't want to create additional trouble for their eldest brother, except for Lucifer's archenemy who left the house without being noticed and way earlier than the eldest.

"It has to be him?" 

Diavolo nodded, but Satan could see the lack of confidence in his eyes, something that was not usual. 

"It's not stated in the instructions, but Michael said it had to be him". 

Satan took the sheets of expensive paper covered with golden letters that resumed everything  Lucifer had to do.

"Let me do it, as long as his name is not in the contract it doesn't matter", Diavolo knew Satan had acquired vast knowledge due to the time he spent in the library, and while it was a risky decision, yet Satan was willing to help and it would save Lucifer from the humiliation, so he nodded, "leave before your brother finds out". 

It took Satan two days in order to get to the dessert where the appointment was, he knew by then Lucifer was far behind, when he arrived he wrapped himself in a black sheet that covered him from head to toes just leaving his green eyes at sight. He noticed a young man on his knees praying by a huge rock. Satan intentions were not following the instructions as they had been told because while he still hold some kind of resent against Lucifer and he loved to annoy him, he didn't appreciate the Celestial Realm meddling in their affairs, they had been kicked out of it, now why they should obey them? It definitely had nothing to do with the fact he didn't want Lucifer to be humiliated by his father again. 

Satan took a second but finally walked towards him. 

"So, are you the son of God?" he asked casually, feeling the awkwardness of the situation raising, he could see the other man was nervous and scared, he didn't even dare to look at Satan directly in the eye as he continued praying in silence with his eyes closed, Satan sighed and cleared his throat, he didn't like to be ignored. 

"Go away creature of darkness, no matter what you say I won't not listen to your evil words". 

Satan sighed and sat by his side, surprisingly he didn't feel anger, even considering he was the avatar of wrath. Seeing that man in such condition made him feel bad. He was nervous, scared and he could see the uncertainty in his face, he was holding on the hope his father would come and rescue him at the very last moment, and he felt sadness knowing what the plans for him were.

"He'll forsake you, you know". He muttered as someone else's memory crossed his mind and his body... a memory of distress and abandonment, it overwhelmed him at a degree he didn't expect until he found a tear rolling down his cheek that he had to cover, he was supposed to be all evil and yet he was now crying because of a stolen memory from Lucifer. 

"He won't" the other stated with a trembling voice, he was determined and had hope. Hope was a good thing, he decided no one should be deprived from such sentiment, so Satan just sighed and took the book he had been carrying while the other man kept praying for a couple of hours, after all, even if it was a bit boring, he had asked Diavolo to allow him to go and now he had to at least remain there. 

"Do you want some?" It had been hours and Satan was getting rather peckish, he had been prepared for the trip and so, he offered the other man a bit of his beloved apple pie he had taken with him.

"I will not fall into temptation, you demon". Satan frowned and wondered what fastening had to do with anything, he looked tired and hungry. 

He shrugged and started eating, since he could not bear it anymore.

"You know, it's very good you're not a cat or you'd very soon be having issues with your liver".

The man looked at him, frowning. 

"What's... what's a liver?"

Satan frowned, then he remembered humans were still way behind when it came to science.

"It makes your body works" he explained. "Anyways, do you know cats can only survive a week without food? Still, it's very dangerous because their health condition could be severely damaged". 

"I had no idea" the man responded, it was a bit odd a demon was talking to him about cats. 

"How's that possible? Are there not cats in your hometown?"

"There are but I have never paid attention to them."

Satan took a hand to his chest and her mouth dropped wide. 

"How's that even possible! Cats are beautiful creatures and fascinating, you know they can fall and always land on their feet without suffering any kind of damage, that's quite fascinating"

The interest of the man grew as Satan talked about cats in such a way, he was surprised, and for a considerable amount of time, he forgot it was a demon, and by the time the night fell upon them, he had to accept he was making his staying in that desert more bearable. 

"And where's this book conference being held, Diavolo?" Lucifer frowned in suspicion as he crossed his arms over his chest, it had been a month or more since last time Satan had departed, Diavolo had said he had sent him to a book conference because he knew he'd enjoy it, it was only a coincidence the Celestial Realm didn't longer needed Lucifer to go to tempt that poor man, of course. 

"In the East" he shrugged, "don't worry the event will end soon". 

Lucifer didn't have too much of an option but to wait, he had a lot of work to get done so he committed himself to it, a letter buried in his previous paperwork then appeared in his desk. 

It's been forty days, the temptation was supposed to last only thirty, go and pick up your young brother.

- Michael. 

Lucifer rolled his eyes but forced Diavolo to disclose the location of Satan, and he picked him up, he saw how the human and his brother exchanged a hug while Satan wished him good luck and the man walked away while the demon looked at him with a saddened expression as he knew what future held for him, he thought he was a nice man and he was also smart even accounting to the fact humans had not discovered anything about their world yet... and by the end his new acquaintance was now also a cat lover due to the information he had shared with him, yet he could feel the pain of everything that was going to happen, he could perceive the same kind of pain Lucifer had once felt... The eldest frowned and Satan gasped as he saw Lucifer, no words were needed, they both began their way home.

"You didn't have to do this". Lucifer spoke in a low voice, always looking at the path that would lead them to the door to the Devildom.

"I did it because I wanted, not because of you". Satan lied.

Lucifer nodded and once they reached out the Devildom he smiled at him.

"Thank you". 

[iknowshocker]

Do you believe kai is redeemable?

hi anon!

the short answer, in case it's all you'd like is: yes, 100%.

i either agree with or understand all of his choices, even the ones that suck. so in a lot of ways, to me, he never needed redemption.

the long answer, if you'd like to know why:

first i think i have to explain my general thoughts on kai as a whole, because some of my personal headcannons differ from others in the fandom.

i've never, not from the moment he showed up a feral little gremlin munching pork rinds in the prison world, considered him to be evil.

Kai lies/disregards things and masks 90% of the time, and yet he's always super open about what was done to him growing up. "they called me ____", "i remember them doing ____", etc. it would be super easy to paint his childhood any way he liked, and yet he doesn't. he knows what happened to him was wrong, and he's going to remind you every chance he gets.

i think he developed sociopathy as a coping mechanism after years of abuse and isolation. i headcannon that they were a homeschool family, which just furthers his lack of social interaction. if he was allowed/forced to help at all, it was doing the manual labor chores while Jo was the one handling anything that involved physical touch.

as an older sibling myself, him being the oldest boy specifically and the complexities around his feelings of wanting to protect them/being jealous/getting robbed of his birthright haunt me.

if you want to get into my true roman empire (those freaking christmas sweater photos) then i don't think he outright hated any of them growing up. sure, they were annoying and loud and sometimes sticky, but they were still his siblings. those feelings of resentment obviously grew stronger the sicker he became, but like, he never hurt anyone until he realized he was being lied to.

so i view the initial murders as a mental break, and i doubt he was in full control of himself at the time. if it was planned out, why didn't he drain someone's magic? killing them the human way is yes, a lot more personal, but it just doesn't make sense to me given his drive for magic based power. you'd think he'd want to go into the merge charged up, you know?

speaking of the og merge: did they expect him to just ... not ask about it and be cool with getting told no? like the fact that no one foresaw him lashing out so violently only proves to me that he wasn't *that* scary growing up. joshua probably had the ascendent prepped and ready to go, and he was just waiting for an outburst bad enough to use it. shame it took that, my guy. i feel we could have handled this whole thing a bit better.

i think kai was probably obsessively dedicated to his magical training leading up to 1994. i take "been practicing my whole life" very seriously, lol. he wanted to prove that he could do it, and prove the coven wrong for doubting him. i imagine him hoarding objects to drain and being super freaking annoyed that even Jo stops letting him borrow what he needs to just do basic work. we find out later that Valerie wore a necklace she could siphon from when she needed magic, and you're telling me no one thought of that in modern day?? enchant the beeper, for gods sake.

despite all that, he ended up being the strongest witch in TVD next to bonnie, and that was with him being mostly self taught. he's stupid good at voiceless magic, which i've always taken to mean he's a very instinctual wielder. he doesn't need the verbal spells, he's strong enough to just will the magic into listening.

"i had a soft spot for one of my sisters" and the repeated use of "sissy" for jo, make me wish we knew more about them as kids and how she let herself be turned against him. they have so much in common and such an obvious twin connection that lasts until the very last moment when he stabs himself and chooses to bleed out right beside her on the floor of the ruined church. Jo (and Bonnie) are the only people that seems to be able to get through to pre-merge kai. then post-merge kai is laser focused on making things up to them. i wish we saw more of him realizing he suddenly had a full range of emotion and what that did to him.

that sweet spot of post merge/pre 1903 prison world is the closest we come to kai's actual personality (imo). he's so shockingly, desperately earnest, while still being darkly funny and a little too aggressive. it's my favorite version of him.

those scenes show us the side of him that so obviously wants to be needed, even if it means hurting himself to be helpful. yes, luke is the reason why the emotions manifest, but luke is also not down for self sacrificing (ironic as hell, given his choice to merge). luke routinely tells the mfg to get fucked, so to say that he's the one making kai risk his life/the coven to help bonnie is just untrue. i think kai is trying to earn a spot in the group, and if they'd given him one, he would have been insanely useful.

like i said i think he masks 90% of the time, and the confidence that he shows is often hiding a huge insecurity over feeling like he's not good/strong/smart enough. there is always going to be a part of him that is still that scared little broken witch locked alone in his room, begging to be let out. i don't know how to view him as "hot bad boy who f*cks" because that's just not how i've ever seen him. don't get me wrong, i love those fics as much as anyone, but it's just not true Kai to me.

look i know some of you are like, hey op go back to when you said you agree with his choices, so here we go:

we know that the parker kids grew up being taught "coven over family", but what does that even look like inside the house? do they love each other but feel conflicted about it? is there constant fighting over who is closest to their parents? is it just anarchy? no matter what you think, it's clear they're all deeply traumatized.

kai has every right to be angry over the og merge, and lashing out makes complete sense. say it with me: murder is not okay BUT what better way to show joshua he's not messing around? if he's used to acting out for attention, what happens if he breaks something that can't be put back together this time? if they've been raised to think that family doesn't matter, why would any of them even care?

it's horrible, flawed logic, but it's there.

look me in the eyes and explain to me why it's okay when Daddy tries to kill you, but when it's your brother suddenly it's this big unforgivable crime, Jo. i'll wait.

Liv makes some of the most realistic decisions in the show to me, including the fact that she sides with Kai. unlike luke, she points out how they have every right to be mad at Jo. after sending Kai away, she abandoned them to an abusive father, (not to mention moved across the country with a new name to make it harder to ever find her!!) leaving them stuck fulfilling a merge that wasn't theirs to begin with. good for you for trying to get your brother on the throne livvie-poo 👏🏼 let him make the hard choices so you can run off with tyler and live in the woods 👏🏼

the parker's also make a lot of comments about how if kai is let out, he'll go full homicidal maniac and kill everyone just for fun. and yet, every murder we see him commit is a means to an end. again, in case you missed it the first time: murder is not okay BUT they act like he's some random spree killer when he's just ?? not ??

every murder/crime he commits has a clear reason, even if a lot of them are small/petty.

the taxi driver: he couldn't pay the fee

the random college kids: he needed to get into the hospital to see Jo

the grill manager: he was hungry, the guy was in his way, and elena was unconscious over his shoulder, lol

the coven murders/stabbing Jo: he needs to hold onto power, and they've given up on him yet again. at this point, let's just burn the whole thing and start over !!

there are so many characters in TVD that actually kill without reason, feeling, or second thought. (including enzo, bon-bon, so jot that down). while i'm not diminishing how violent kai can be, i certainly don't lump him in with characters like klaus or damon.

this is a slightly unpopular opinion especially amongst people that don't ship Bonkai, but i view everything done in the prison world as mutual retaliation. bonnie and kai are fighting. i'm not excusing his behavior anymore than i'm excusing hers, but she quite literally killed him not once but twice.

once they're both out she feels endless hatred towards him as a coping mechanism to give herself something to focus on so she doesn't break, and i wish !! so badly that it was used as a way to bond them. like who better to help her navigate violent magical outbursts then mr "killed half my family in a fit of jealous rage" himself?

we could have seen them grow together, navigating standing up for themselves in healthy ways and encouraging each others strengths, but no.

ill die on the hill that if bonnie knew what kai did on her birthday we wouldn't even be having this conversation, anon. I don't think he expected anyone to actually 100% forgive him, because at the end of the day he also knows he's made some huge mistakes/poor choices. but if specifically Jo or Bonnie had said something like "i see that you are trying" i think it would have been enough for him to stay on that path.

i don't think kai likes being the bad guy, its just another means to an end. if he can't get what he wants (or what he feels he deserves) by asking, he'll take it. and yes, showing off and being scary does give him some sort of thrill - but it's also the only way he can get them to look at him.

listen you don't even understand the things i would give to see him realize the heretics were once siphons. to realize they were geminis and that it's basically a coven gene !! to finally know he's not the only witch to be born like this !!

imagine getting to hear lily tell him there's nothing wrong with him ?? that she's sorry his parents kept the truth from him ?? that he didn't deserve the childhood he had but she's happy to help him now ?? i truly don't know if i could handle it.

kai is so completely desperate to be part of a group that it ends up blinding him and making him vulnerable to attack. i guess i just don't know how to see a character like that and not believe in them.

alright, as you can see, anon, im not great at short answers and i clearly think about him too much. it doesn't help that im currently working on a book series with an MC inspired by him 🙈 the brain rot is real and i fear it may never end. hope you enjoyed this ted talk tho!! thanks for being my first ask ✨

[becauseimanicequeen]

Rewatching Pit Babe (ep. 3) and the Colors

This is part of my Crazy-Ass End-of-Year Rewatch Challenge where I will rewatch some of my favorite shows, my least-favorite shows, and some shows in between.

I can't promise cohesive thoughts in these posts because it's the end of the year, I'm currently living in right-brain land 10+ hours per day, and I'm TIRED because the darkness of winter is coming. You've been warned.

My previous post: episodes 1-2.

Also, since this is a rewatch, there are spoilers ahead.

Episode 3

After turning the previous post on the first two episodes into one about the colors in the show (because I've missed writing about the colors in the shows I watch), I will continue doing that in this one. I'll do it mostly to show how the creators wanted us to question everyone's words and actions, but also just to vibe with it. So, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go!

I mostly wrote about the blue and red colors in the previous post, because those are everywhere, but, this episode starts off with my beautiful fallen angel in black:

Who wants to get his hands on Babe for his daddy.

But, even though Babe has a red past, he won't go back to that now that he's in his blue present.

And then we have these two, always in both blue and red (at least in these three first episodes), and I can't figure out why.

Besides vlogging, they have practically nothing to do with all the shit that's going on, lol.

But Jeff does. Here in his blue clothes and the red light behind him.

Don't ask me about the yellow (Jeff's shoelaces and the container he's eating from, but also some details in the background).

I can't remember if it shows up around him (and/or any of the others as well), but it might be an indication that he's cautious, which he clearly is since he's avoiding Alan's touch as much as he can due to his powers.

Then we see more red light on and around Babe and Way because they're the same(ish) with their red pasts. But the light is also between them like a barrier because Way knows they both have red pasts while Babe has no idea what Way is hiding.

Also, props to this shot where Way's reflection is framed in red.

And, do you know what mirrors/reflections symbolize? Duality and truth (among other things). Way was Way too sus from the beginning for me to trust anything that came out of his mouth, lol.

But rewatching it now makes me even more sus about him (even though I know what's to come).

The only one I could trust when I watched it the first time was Alan. And I still stand by that. Well, if he stops touching Jeff considering how uncomfortable Jeff seems. Please, Alan, learn to take a hint.

Anyway, moving on to this fucker who was trying to hold up a facade of being a good guy even in the past.

Even though he was completely different in private.

To the point where all his kids had to wear red too.

He definitely deserved the end he got. (In this season at least, because, the trailer of the 2nd season... What the fuck's going on there? Lol.)

Oh, look at this:

I found more yellow around Jeff! He even bumped into that blue thing with the yellow wires when running away from Alan kissing him on the head:

Even though Alan can't seem to take a hint, he did actually listen to Jeff's words to seek out the enemy of their enemy:

And what a fine enemy Pete is. So, is he wearing black or dark blue? I... *squints at the screen* Whatever...

If I remember correctly, Pete was usually wearing dark colors with some hints of blue throughout the show. He, obviously, also has a past with Tony (which I'm sure will reveal itself in pops of reds around him too, just like the other adopted sons), but I guess Pete hides it better than everyone else, lol.

Or, he's just trying to match my fallen angel Kenta. (I still wish they were endgame. Ah, well...)

And then we have Kim, who has the audacity to wear blue in his red-colored Red Racing team garage. I love this bitch.

And I love him even more for being a bitch towards Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (who is always showing his true color, arrogance).

Too bad Kim is naive enough to think that going to Tony (who is even more arrogant with his own portrait on the wall, not a family portrait of all the kids he's "adopted", just a portrait of himself) will help him reign in Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

And what the fuck is going on with the green?! Money? Money.

Anyway, we're moving on to one of my favorite scenes in the show:

Visible tattoo? Check.

Smelling? Check.

Kissing? Check.

Neck grabbing? Check.

Face touching? Check.

Rewatched it 4+ times? Check, check.

But my bliss doesn't last long because then we turn onto the Way of bullshit.

I mean, sure, Charlie still has some red on him while wearing blue...

But the yellow (why do I see so much yellow all of a sudden? lol) and the barriers between Babe and Way are more concerning considering these two are supposed to be best friends. And that should, ideally, mean no barriers, egotism, betrayal, and a cause for caution. But Way needs to put a distance between Babe and Charlie.

Fucking hell, the yellow is all around them.

And all around Way.

Run, Babe.

Run!

When I saw this show for the first time, I wanted him to run from Charlie too, or at the very least confront him about the truth. Especially when I saw that red car:

Sure, he's wearing a blue shirt, but the red on that car is an eyesore. At least press him a bit more about it, Babe. Or is his dick that good?

Thank heaven these two dumbasses are in blue though. About damn time!

I have no idea why there's been so much red on their bodies before this... And I know I haven't seen the end of the neon yellow yet. I know more of that is coming. These two are messes, which is why I love them. I can't figure them out, but I love them (just as much now as I did the first time).

Anyway, that's it for the 3rd episode.

I think I'll need to move on in a separate post because there is no way I'll be able to fit another episode in this one. Not since I only have a handful of images left until I reach the limit. (Come on, tumblr, give me more than only 30 images per post!)

So, let's move on to the 4th episode in another post.

[bitter-panacea]

Goultard's backstory, comparing the Dofus manga and the special episode Part 2 - Falling in love

Part 1

The special ep and the manga are the most different when it comes to Goultard falling in love.

The most notable difference is that Goultard falls in love with one witch instead of three. Certainly because they thought Gou having three girlfriends/wives at the same time wouldn't be politically correct enough for a short film meant to be showed to french tv channels as a way to prove Ankama had what it takes to make a tv show (Wakfu).

In the manga, Goultard goes after a trio of witches, the dark sisters, who keep stealing food from their village and causing chaos. He's not really interested in stopping them, really he's just charmed and intrigued... (maybe he's kinda fascinated... and wishes he could be free like they are idk idk maybe who knows)

Kiki : Alright girls, I've got everything we need... Let's go!

Guy : Well, Goultard? What the hell were you doing? These three witches ransacked the whole village! And you didn't even lift a finger!

Goultard : I... I don't know, I wasn't myself, they must have cast a spell on me... / Guy : A spell? My ass. You're losing it! Talk about a hero... You're a pervert, that's what you are!

The way this guy talks to him like he's a completely useless imbecile really proves Goultard's only respected as long as he does what people expect him to do...

So he throws a large boulder the size of a small boulder at them, making them drop the bag of stolen food.

Kiki : Listen little peasant, we don't want to hurt you. Give us that bag and you'll leave safe and sound. / Elvie : Pretty cute for a little peasant.

Goultard : Shush... A small demonstration is better than a long speech...

Kiki : You think we're impressed, you pretentious macho? (Still... A tree with only one finger!) Let's see what you can do againsnt our magic powers!

Dark sisters : Take this! / Goultard : I wonder which one is the cutest...

They insult him, make fun of him, threaten and eventually attack him... and I guess that totally does it for Goultard. This is also exactly what Algathe did before he fell in love with her, so I'm pretty sure that's just his type.

Goultard : Now, you've really gone too far... You've burnt all my clothes off! (Gou like "teehee oops i'm naked lol ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ " )

Kiki : It's impossible... No man can resist our magic! / Elvie : Seems like he can.

Goultard : Now, may I give you some advice? / Kiki : Keep your advice and take this!

Goultard : Please, don't make me hurt you! / Kiki : Ow, my arm. Where does this strength come from?

Goultard : No idea, I've always been pretty sturdy... Now, if you'll excuse me... I believe this bag of provisions must be returned to its real owner. See you later, girls! (omg nobody look! he's ass)

Ah yes... No creature could resist Goultard, whether monstrous or feminine... / Kiki : What a guy... / Elvie : I'd like casting a love spell on him.

They dont ever say it, but you cant make me believe that these three "single" witches, who people call "sisters", (who lived together secluded from "respectable society"?) and did petty crimes together, weren't all dating one another. Goultard was just the latest addition to their cute little polycule. Thanks to his idiot rizz. And supposedly huge dick (If Elvie says so I believe her)

Elvie : Oh! Now that's what I call a magic wand!

His dick pictured here, here and here (pictures kindly provided by @dj-m0th thank you lmao)

( ＾◡＾)っ✂╰⋃╯No!! you leave that thang alone!!

In the special episode, the unnamed witch initiates the flirting with Goultard.

She IS very cute even if she doesn't seem mean like Goultard usually likes.

They dont waste any time getting to know each other. As shown here by this VERY subtle broom riding illustration.

In the manga, the relationship takes a little more time to develop.

Thus, after a few months, the relationship between goultard and the dark sisters grew friendlier. They first began by repairing the damage they had caused and helped Goultard to fend off the most aggressive monsters.

Over time, the three sisters and goultard became more intimate / Kiki : Take your finger out of there, naughty boy...

Looks like they're having fun. Good for them, good for them....

His wedding was magnificent and thousands of warriors came to pay homage. They were even surprised to see some former enemies arrive during the ceremony.

(Cabotine isn't there, is she dead?)

Life went on and Goultard was the happiest hero in the world. / Monster : Goultard, you little worm, come taste my balls... / Goultard : Stay in bed, girls, I'll be back in five minutes... (He'll be back right after tasting this dude's balls I guess)

They had many children and lived happily ever after

They have four children, three boys and a girl. Riri, Fifi, Loulou, what the fuck is the daughter's name oh my god (Fun fact : Riri, Fifi and Loulou are the names of Donald Duck's nephews in french)

Goultard's family is what he cherishes the most in the entire world. He truly loves that simple domestic lifestyle....

And this is it! Happy ending! No looming threat in the dark and certainly no part 3 to this post.

Part 3 Part 4

[mcflymemes]

SPY / ESPIONAGE PROMPTS, PART TWO *  assorted lines from popular spy & action films

i've read your file.

i want my life back.

you'll never make it out of here alive.

we're probably never going to get that dinner, are we?

for a moment, i thought you wanted to kill me.

thanks for the warning.

it doesn't matter what you do. only matters what they think you've done.

it's not that i don't care about you. it's that i don't care about anyone.

let's make a deal.

you said you could help us.

there are no accidents. we create our own fate.

you see through people.

adversity is a great teacher.

it's so rare in my line of work to find someone who's just there to listen.

rescind the kill order.

you know, i'm really starting to not like you.

the world is run on secrets.

if you run, you die.

trusting a thief can be dangerous.

i'm a good guy. but sometimes i do bad things.

can you fly a helicopter?

i'm glad it was convincing.

i've been building a profile on you.

this is what you are meant to do.

they knew my name.

oh, you made it. thank god.

it's not what time steals... it's what it leaves behind.

i will do what is asked of me.

the news will tell them there will be no more secrets.

it's a simple mistake.

i thought you'd be back by now.

i think one day you will understand.

don't give them all of you. that is how you survive.

did you really think i was going to give you that list?

oh my god, i think i fucking love you.

you don't get to come in here and try to fix everything.

you know where to find me.

that's what we do, right? we put ourselves in danger so that others are not.

sometimes you got to work with people you don't want to eat with.

i have the name of the mole.

don't give me that shit. you were gonna leave me?

i trust you about as far as i can through you.

where the fuck are you?

why does someone want you dead?

you have the power to decide whether i die in vain.

after you turn me in, you will be a hero.

are you good guys or bad guys?

in six months, the information you have will be obsolete.

let's go home.

even if i did partner up with you, we'd still only have one brain.

trouble never sends a warning.

you want answers? get back in the car.

you said you had answers.

i never worked for you.

we're not partners. this is a marriage of convenience.

i'm putting you on leave, effective immediately.

i'm my own bitch now.

do what you can to stay alive.

you must become the missing piece, and they will tell you anything.

the world can burn for all i care.

i wish you the very best... for at least six months.

we're all gonna die one day.

there's another life waiting for you if you want it.

i never had a single day of freedom.

you're not made.

you can have excuses or results. not both.

i warned you about him.

are you going to lie till the very end?

let me help you with your bags.

it's only for tonight.

it's nearly impossible to disappear in the world we live in today.

you knew what would happen once i got into that room.

you've got some balls breaking in here.

you worked for me.

you were too fucking scared to do it yourself.

you must learn to sacrifice for a higher purpose, to push yourself beyond all limitation.

you're wanted in 18 different countries.

we're armed because we mistrust each other.

the world is in chaos.

truth and lies. people like us don't know the difference.

who won? and what was the fucking game anyway?

they will come after you, wherever you are.

tell him i have what he wants.

when you tell the truth, you look different. your eyes change.