#and the previous hints for those keeping track:

[seijorhi]

rhi could we get a hint about the line up??? cause I feel like everyone forgets higuruma and I have a feeling he's definitely in there...

hmmmm all five of the characters appear together in the same arc but not all on the same side

[pin-k-ink]

breaking point // hinata shoyo

tw ⇢ possessive!hinata, groping, obsessive behavior, semi-public fingering, cunnilingus, mating press, unprotected sex, dirty talk, mentioned masturbation, rough sex, squirting, fingering

wc ⇢ 4.4k

a/n: not proofread

"And here we have the star of today's match, Hinata Shoyo!"

Your bright voice immediately commanded Hinata's attention, shattering his previous conversation into irrelevance. As his eyes landed on you, he felt the breath still in his lungs.

'Good god, she's beautiful.'

The thought blossomed before he could stop it. You looked so perfectly poised and professional with your microphone raised, camera ready. But all Hinata could focus on was the elegant line of your jaw, the flushed hue across your cheeks, and the way your lips seemed to glisten invitingly.

Swallowing hard, he wrestled to regain his composure as you launched into the standard post-game questions about his performance. Hinata responded automatically while his gaze drifted lower, hungrily taking in the tantalizing glimpse of cleavage exposed by your blouse's neckline.

Get it together! He gave himself a mental shake, panic rising at his inability to tear his eyes away from your body. This was just a damn interview - he'd done hundreds, for god's sake! So why was he reacting like a hormonal teenager catching his first glimpse of undressed skin?

Maybe it was the way your skirt caressed the gentle swell of your hips as you shifted...or the soft, floral scent of your perfume that seemed to wrap around his senses in the most maddening way...

Inhaling deeply, Hinata dragged his wandering focus back to your lovely face, only to feel his attention immediately ensnared by your lips. They looked so incredibly soft and inviting as you spoke, he could barely track the meaning of your questions.

Without realizing it, Hinata found himself slowly drifting closer, drawn to you by some inexplicable gravitational pull. By the time your brows knit in confusion at his distracted responses, he was near enough to see the slight iridescent shimmer of your lip gloss...near enough to catch the lightest whisper of your shampoo's fragrance...

Fuck, get a grip! Hinata cursed inwardly, finally registering the wildly inappropriate hunger blazing through him like a fever. This was meant to be a professional interview, not his own personal peepshow!

And yet, he found himself utterly powerless to pull away from your enticing presence. His gaze flicked down to the gentle swell of your chest again as you inhaled, and he swore he could detect the barest hint of cleavage peeking from beneath the fabric.

"Is...everything alright, Hinata-san?" you asked with a small frown, no doubt perplexed by the dark look of unveiled yearning that had overcome his features.

Hinata's tongue instinctively swiped across his suddenly dry lips as his eyes locked on yours once more. Every fiber of his being screamed to close what little distance remained between your bodies and capture those perfect lips with his own. To satiate this maddening, inexplicable thirst you had instantly awakened within him.

But somehow, some small shred of self-restraint stopped the words from spilling out.

"Perfect," he husked instead, the gravelly timbre of his voice dripping with the undisguised want smoldering in his eyes. "Everything is...perfect."

After that first unsettling interview, you found yourself assigned to cover Hinata with increasing frequency. His star power was rapidly rising, and your segments with him always drew impressive views and engagement.

But each time you sat down with him, the charged tension seemed to ratchet higher.

During one post-game interview, Hinata casually rested his hand over yours on the microphone, his calloused fingers stroking your skin as he leaned in close to answer.

"That last set was a real nail-biter," he murmured, his intense gaze never leaving your face. "I love keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats, never knowing what I'll do next..."

You had to fight down a shiver at the double meaning layered beneath his words. Hinata's eyes sparked with mischief, clearly enjoying the effect he had on you.

Another time, as you wrapped up a courtside interview, Hinata unexpectedly pulled you into a quick hug. The gesture would look friendly and spontaneous to any onlookers...

But as he drew you against his chest, you felt his hand dip low to squeeze your ass, lightning-quick but unmistakable. Your gasp was muffled against his shoulder before he released you with a cheeky grin.

"Thanks for the great interview," he chirped brightly, as if he hadn't just groped you in front of thousands. "Always a pleasure!"

Then there was the interview after his Sports Illustrated cover was announced. Hinata kept you close as you spoke, his arm slung casually across your shoulders in a gesture that skirted the line of professionalism.

"It's such an honor," he said earnestly. "I couldn't have done it without the support of my biggest fans."

At that, his hand drifted down to toy with the ends of your hair, twirling the strands around his fingers in an unmistakably possessive gesture. To any viewers, it would look like an absent fidget.

But the heat in Hinata's gaze as it locked with yours made it clear - he was staking a subtle claim, right there on live television. You had to fight to keep your composure, even as your skin tingled beneath his touch.

As the months passed, Hinata grew bolder and bolder in his flirtations, always toeing the line while maintaining plausible deniability. Lingering touches, weighted words, heated stares that felt almost tangible in their intensity...

It was a dangerous game you were playing, trapped under the watchful eyes of the cameras. And part of you wondered how far Hinata would push before the tension finally snapped.

After a grueling five-set match, you found yourself waiting outside the locker room to snag a final quote from Hinata. The hallway was deserted, the rest of the press having already dispersed to make their deadlines.

You leaned against the wall, reviewing your notes, when the door suddenly swung open. Hinata emerged, his hair damp from the shower and his gym bag slung over one shoulder. He stopped short when he spotted you, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Well, well," he murmured, sauntering closer. "If it isn't my favorite reporter. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

You straightened, trying to ignore the way your pulse jumped at his proximity. "Just hoping to get a quick quote about that final spike. It was a pretty spectacular finish."

Hinata hummed, stepping fully into your personal space until your back hit the wall. "Is that so?" he mused, bracing a hand beside your head. "And here I thought maybe you just wanted to get me alone."

Your breath caught at the blatant suggestion, your eyes widening. "I...no, that's not-"

"Not what?" Hinata interrupted, his voice dropping to a low rasp. "Not incredibly tempting? Because I've got to say..."

His free hand came up to toy with the press badge dangling from your neck, his knuckles grazing the sensitive skin above your collar.

"...the thought of getting you all to myself, away from the cameras? It's been driving me crazy for months."

You swallowed hard, your head swimming with his intoxicating nearness. This close, you could see the flecks of gold in his warm brown eyes, could count each individual eyelash framing his heated gaze.

"Hinata-san," you managed weakly, "we can't. I'm supposed to be interviewing you."

His lips quirked up in a wicked grin. "Then interview me," he purred, ducking his head until his mouth hovered a hair's breadth from your own. "Ask me how badly I've wanted to taste your lips. Ask me how many times I've imagined peeling that prim little skirt off you and finding out what you're wearing underneath. Ask me how often I've had to jerk off in the shower, thinking about your mouth on my cock..."

A shaky exhale escaped you, and Hinata's eyes darkened with triumph. He knew he had you cornered, in every sense of the word. His body caged you in, his breath fanning across your parted lips in a maddening caress.

"You have no idea," he rasped, his nose brushing yours in a ghosting almost-touch, "how crazy you make me. How hard it's been to keep my hands to myself every time we're together."

To punctuate his point, his hand released your badge to trail slowly down your arm, calluses catching on your sleek skin and igniting sparks in their wake. Your breathing grew ragged as his fingers skimmed across your hip, circling to the small of your back.

Then he was hauling you flush against him, the hard planes of his body searing into your softer curves. A needy sound caught in your throat at the feel of him, firm and unyielding, against your frame.

"Hinata-san," you gasped, but whatever protest you'd intended died on your lips as he pressed his forehead to yours, his eyes blazing with raw hunger.

"Tell me you want me," he commanded roughly, his voice gravelly with desire. "Tell me I'm not the only one losing my mind with how badly I need you."

You trembled in his hold, your heart hammering against your ribs as his words seemed to brand themselves into your skin. Every nerve ending felt electrified, raw and oversensitized where his body pressed against your own.

But even as your very soul cried out to give in, to surrender to the magnetic pull of him, your rational mind clung to the tattered shreds of reason.

"Hinata, we...we can't," you managed, your voice thin and thready to your own ears. "This is...it's not right."

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath the taut skin, but he didn't release you. If anything, his grip on your waist tightened, his fingers digging into the soft flesh possessively.

"Not right?" he echoed, a humorless laugh escaping him. "God, if you only knew how many nights I've laid awake, fantasizing about all the 'not right' things I want to do to you..."

His head dipped, his nose skimming along the column of your throat in a barely-there touch that had you shivering. You swore you could feel the heat of his lips hovering just above your racing pulse.

"I could take you right here," he rasped against your skin, his breath searing you like a brand. "Against this wall, until you're shaking and begging for me. Would you like that?"

A broken whimper escaped your lips, and you felt them curve in a wicked smile. "Yeah, you would," he purred darkly. "I bet you'd fall apart so sweetly on my cock, squeezing me like a vice as you come..."

Your head thumped back against the wall, eyes squeezing shut as his filthy words painted vivid pictures in your mind. It would be so easy to give in, to let him strip you bare and take you apart until you forgot your own name.

But the tattered remnants of your professionalism, already strained to the breaking point, wouldn't allow it.

"I can't," you whispered brokenly, hands fisting in his shirt as if to hold him at bay...or pull him closer, you weren't even sure anymore. "We can't do this, Hinata-san. Not...not like this."

For a long, endless moment, he remained motionless against you. You could practically hear the war raging within him, the primal need to claim you battling against the yoke of propriety.

Then, with a low, frustrated growl, he released you, stepping back just enough to sever the contact between your bodies. The sudden absence of his searing heat left you feeling bereft, unmoored, but you didn't dare reach for him again.

"This isn't over," he bit out, his tone dark with promise as his heated gaze raked over you. "Sooner or later, I'm going to have you. And when I do..."

He leaned in, his lips a hairsbreadth from your ear. "I'm going to ruin you for anyone else. You'll be mine, completely and utterly. Don't ever doubt that."

With those words searing into your very bones, he grabbed your jaw in a rough grip, capturing your lips in a hard, bruising kiss. His tongue swept into your mouth, claiming, conquering, and you were powerless to stop the whimper of need that fell from your lips.

Then he was gone. Turning on his heel and stalking away, leaving you weak-kneed and trembling in his wake. As you watched his broad shoulders disappear around the corner, one thing crystallized in your mind with startling certainty.

Hinata Shoyo was a man who worked hard to get what he wanted. And god help you, he wanted you.

The studio lights bore down on you as you sat beside Hinata, the camera crew adjusting the final settings before your joint interview. It was a big opportunity, a chance to discuss his recent accomplishments with a major sports network.

But all you could focus on was the heat of Hinata's thigh pressed against your own beneath the news desk.

"Thirty seconds!" the producer called out. You straightened your notes with hands that trembled imperceptibly, hyperaware of Hinata's solid presence mere inches away.

As the crew did their final checks, you felt a feather-light touch against your knee. Your breath hitched, gaze flying to Hinata's face, but he was staring straight ahead with an expression of perfect nonchalance.

Then his hand slid higher, fingers grazing the sensitive skin of your inner thigh. You barely suppressed a gasp, your entire body going rigid as he began to trace idle patterns against your flesh.

"Ten seconds!"

Hinata's touch grew bolder, his palm flattening against your thigh as it crept upward at a maddeningly slow pace. When his fingertips brushed the hem of your skirt, toying with the edge in a teasing caress, you thought you might combust on the spot.

"5, 4, 3, 2..."

You pasted on a bright smile as the camera light flashed red, signaling you were live. But even as you launched into your practiced introduction, you could feel Hinata's hand continuing its torturous exploration beneath the desk.

His fingers danced along the edge of your skirt, occasionally dipping just beneath the fabric to graze the lace edge of your panties. Each touch sent sparks of heat crackling through your veins, your focus splintering as you strained to maintain your composure.

Beside you, Hinata answered the questions smoothly, flashing his signature megawatt smile at the camera. But the hand on your thigh never ceased its maddening ministrations, slipping higher and higher until he was tracing the crease where your thigh met your hip.

You clenched your teeth as a shudder tried to rip through you, your hands white-knuckled. God, how were you supposed to concentrate with him touching you like this, live on national television?

But Hinata seemed utterly unaffected, bantering easily with the hosts even as his fingers crept to the apex of your thighs. When he boldly cupped your clothed pussy, barely stifling a groan at the damp heat he found there, you nearly bit through your lip trying to hold back a whimper.

"...wouldn't you agree?" the other host suddenly asked, turning to you with an expectant smile. Your heart lurched into your throat as you scrambled to recall what the question had even been.

"I...yes, absolutely," you managed, hoping your voice didn't sound as strained as it felt. "Hinata has certainly been a driving force behind the team's success this season."

Hinata's fingers pressed harder against your clit, the sudden friction nearly buckling your spine, and you had to disguise your choked gasp as a cough. Somehow, you maintained the semblance of poise, nodding as the host turned his attention back to the ace.

But beneath the table, the fingers between your thighs were a maddening pressure. He traced along the edge of your panties, then dipped below the lace to slide a thick digit along your folds.

"Shit," you breathed, barely above a whisper. You hoped the sound wouldn't pick up on camera.

Hinata smirked at you from the corner of his eye, clearly enjoying watching you come apart at his hand. With an agonizingly slow motion, he circled your entrance, spreading your slick wetness as you struggled not to squirm in your seat.

"Well, I couldn't do it without the support of my fans," Hinata interjected smoothly, shooting you a sly wink. "Especially my biggest fan right here."

You felt your cheeks flood with heat at the blatant innuendo, praying the camera would attribute your blush to the flattery. If only they knew just what Hinata was doing to you beneath the professional veneer...

The interview wrapped up shortly after, much to your relief. You maintained your smile as the hosts signed off, barely suppressing a shudder when Hinata gave your sensitive flesh a final, teasing squeeze before withdrawing his hand.

The second the camera light flicked off, you were shooting to your feet, your breath coming in shallow pants. Hinata rose more slowly, a knowing smirk playing about his lips as his dark eyes dragged over your disheveled form.

Heart pounding, you hurried into the dressing room, desperate to compose yourself after Hinata's bold touches during the interview. Your skin felt electrified, every nerve ending buzzing with barely suppressed need.

You braced your hands against the vanity, trying to slow your breathing. But then the click of the lock sounded behind you, and your pulse jumped into overdrive.

"You didn't think I was done with you, did you?" Hinata's voice was a low, dark rasp that sent shivers cascading down your spine.

You met his gaze in the mirror, your breath hitching at the raw, undisguised hunger burning in his eyes. He stalked towards you with predatory intent, his movements fluid and purposeful.

"Hinata," you managed weakly, your voice thin and thready. "We can't...not here..."

But he was already crowding into your space, his chest pressing against your back as his hands settled on your hips, firm and possessive.

"I can't wait anymore," he rasped, his breath hot against the shell of your ear. "I've held back for so long, but god, the way you respond to my touch..." His nose skimmed the column of your throat, making you shudder. "I need to feel you come apart for me."

Your eyes fluttered shut, a broken whimper escaping your lips. Every logical reason you shouldn't allow this, every professional boundary, seemed to evaporate like mist under the searing heat of his desire.

"Please," you whispered, the single word dripping with longing.

Hinata's hands tightened on your hips, a low groan rumbling through his chest. "Fuck, the things you do to me..."

Then his mouth was on your neck, your jaw, claiming each inch of skin with bruising intensity. One hand slid up your body to palm your breast through your blouse, calluses scraping your sensitive nipple and making you arch with a gasp.

"I'm going to take you apart," Hinata bit out against your skin, his voice tight with barely restrained need. "Gonna make you cum so hard you forget everything but my name."

Your head fell back against his shoulder, a moan spilling from your lips. You knew there would be no coming back from this, no way to pretend it never happened. But as Hinata turned you in his arms, his mouth slanting over yours in a searing kiss, you found you didn't care.

All you wanted was him.

Hinata hoisted you onto the vanity, his palms blazing a trail up the bare skin of your thighs as his tongue delved deeper. Your hands fisted in his hair, tugging hard enough to earn a groan of approval, and a wave of dizzying power flooded your senses.

He yanked your panties down your legs with such urgency, you swore you heard the lace tear. But before you could process, his hands were urging your thighs apart and his fingers were slipping through your soaked folds.

"So wet," he groaned, his fingers sinking into your heat and eliciting a sharp cry. "Is this all for me, baby?"

You whimpered a strangled affirmation, grinding desperately against his hand as he curled his fingers inside you. Your hands scrabbled at his shoulders, struggling to find purchase against the hard planes of muscle as he pumped his digits in a torturous rhythm.

"Shoyo," you whined, the plea falling from your lips without a second thought.

He growled, his eyes flashing dangerously at the use of his first name. His thumb flicked over your clit, drawing a strangled gasp from your throat, and you writhed beneath his touch.

"Say it again," he ordered, his free hand snaking up to fist in your hair and drag your gaze to his. The molten fire of his stare set your very soul alight.

"Please," you begged, no longer caring how wanton and desperate you sounded. "Shoyo, please!"

Hinata's teeth flashed in a wicked grin. Then his fingers were gone, and before you could mourn their absence, his head was dipping between your thighs.

The first swipe of his tongue had your spine bowing, a cry ripping from your throat. His grip on your hips was almost bruising as he feasted on your cunt, his tongue and lips and teeth working you into a frenzy. Your thighs clenched around his head, the heels of your stilettos digging into his broad shoulders. Pleasure crashed over you like waves, threatening to drown you, and still you couldn't get enough.

"Fuck, I could eat this sweet little pussy all day," Hinata groaned, the vibrations nearly sending you over the edge. "So fucking good."

His tongue speared into your core, and you shattered. The climax tore through you with the force of a freight train, your entire body convulsing with the intensity of it.

Your vision whited out, and for a moment, the only thing tethering you to earth was Hinata's hands. His tongue continued to work you through your orgasm, wringing every last drop of pleasure until you were shaking with overstimulation.

When the world finally came back into focus, you blinked blearily down at him. A fresh wave of heat washed through you as you took in the sight of him, lips glistening and pupils blown wide with desire.

"So pretty," he husked, dragging the back of his hand across his mouth in a gesture that should not have been so damn attractive.

But then he was hauling you closer to the edge of the vanity, and suddenly you were acutely aware of the hard length straining against the zipper of his dress pants. Your fingers itched to free him, to feel his bare cock heavy and thick in your hand.

Before you could act on the impulse, Hinata was shoving his pants down, his dick bobbing proudly against his stomach. You felt a fresh wave of wetness flood your core at the sight, anticipation and hunger thrumming in your veins.

"Tell me what you want," he rasped, the head of his cock teasing through your folds. You keened, your hips jerking up as you struggled to find the words.

"You," you managed, the desperation in your voice clear even to your own ears. "Shoyo, please..."

A groan ripped from his chest, the sound so feral, so animalistic, it should have frightened you. But instead, it sparked a fire low in your belly, a primal need to feel him buried deep inside you.

You kicked your heels off right as his hands gripped your thighs, spreading them wide and pinning them back against your chest. He notched the thick head of his cock against your dripping cunt, and then he was plunging into you.

Your mouth fell open in a silent scream, your hands scrambling for purchase against the vanity. God, the stretch was nearly overwhelming, but you were too far gone to care. Your walls clenched around him, your hips rising to meet his frantic thrusts.

"So tight," he bit out, his pace punishing as he pounded into you. "Shit, I'm not gonna last, baby. You feel too fucking good."

A sob fell from your lips, the pleasure bordering on painful as he drilled into you. The vanity slammed into the wall with each rough thrust, but you couldn't bring yourself to care about the racket. Not when you were so close to falling apart, his cock filling you so completely.

One hand left your thigh to rub furiously at your clit, the additional stimulation sending stars bursting behind your eyelids. Your cries grew louder, more urgent, and you distantly registered the possibility of someone overhearing. But the thought was gone as quickly as it appeared, lost in the haze of pleasure.

"Look at me," Hinata demanded, his voice rough with command. Your eyes snapped to his, and you nearly came on the spot at the unbridled hunger blazing in his dark gaze.

"You're mine," he rasped, the hand on your hip moving to squeeze your jaw. "Say it. Say you're mine."

"Yours," you gasped, the words a choked sob. "All yours, Shoyo!"

Hinata released your chin, his fingers returning to toy with your clit as he pounded into you. You could feel yourself hurtling towards the edge, the pressure building in your core until you were sure it would snap.

"Cum for me," he growled, his gaze locked with yours. "Wanna feel you fall apart around my cock."

Then his thumb and forefinger pinched your clit, and you shattered. White-hot pleasure ripped through your body, the shockwave sending aftershocks cascading through your limbs. Your walls clenched around him, the spasms almost violent as you squirted around his length.

"Holy fuck," Hinata groaned, his rhythm faltering as his own climax crested. He managed a handful of wild thrusts, burying himself to the hilt as he spilled inside you, coating your walls with his release.

He collapsed forward, bracing his forearms against the vanity. His forehead dropped against your shoulder, both of you gasping for air as you slowly drifted back down from the high.

Despite the fact that the vanity was now sticky with your combined releases, Hinata made no move to extricate himself from you. Instead, he nuzzled into your neck, pressing soft, lazy kisses to your flushed skin. His cock was surprisinglystill hard, the weight of him a grounding presence within you.

"Baby," he said after a moment, his lips quirking up in a smile against your collarbone, "think maybe I can convince you to leave work early today?"

A laugh bubbled up your throat, the joyful sound bright in the quiet room. "Why? So we can go home and continue this?"

"Mm, something like that," Hinata hummed, his grin widening. "And then you can help me celebrate my new Sports Illustrated cover by posing for me, naked, while I fuck you against every surface in my apartment."

[indulgentdaydream]

protective!jason hcs or blurb 🥰

Ok so I kinda touched on these in my latest fic but anyways i WILL elaborate bc those were just background

We all know that man is touch starved. We ALL know it.

We also all know he’s hesitant with sharing touch

It’s only once you both have been dating for a bit already, maybe three months in, that he really starts to show his protectiveness through his touch

Or at least when you notice it

He’s always at least holding your hand as you guys walk around Gotham. Depending on exactly whereabouts in Gotham is when he changes whether he’s between you and the road, or you and the alleyways.

You watched him change it up one time halfway through your shared walk, him letting go of your left hand, stepping behind you and around to grab your right instead.

“Oh? So you want me to get hit by a car and die?”

Jason only keeps his eyes on the passing buildings and the ones coming up, “The chance of that is much lower than somebody trying to mug you in this area, love.”

One day you’re both out at the bar together. He’s sitting on a stool behind you as you babble to oke of yours friends.

From over their shoulder, you see a man approaching, but don’t think anything of it.

Suddenly, you see the man stop in his tracks, freezing. You glance over at him. He looks terrified. He glances at you, his original target, then behind you again. He spins on his heel and walks back the way he came.

You look behind you, feeling Jason’s hand still resting on your hip. You almost feel a little scared yourself, seeing that killer glare that Jason’s pointing at the guy’s back.

He switches immediately the second he looks down to you, a soft smile and kind eyes, not a hint of the previous bloodlust a mere second ago. “What?” He asks, like watching his expression change wasn’t the biggest turn on in the world.

You’re sitting in your apartment at your desk typing away on your laptop. You’re trying to file your taxes, and Jason had come over to help you with it (surprisingly he knows how even though he’s still legally dead at this point and hasn’t had to pay any taxes. Ever.)

He had stood and was wondering around your room a bit while he waited for you to fill the next part out. You can hear shuffling, but you’re too focused to tune into it.

“Jay? What does this line mean?”

Jason grunts for a moment and you hear your window slide open.

You turn back around, “Jay?”

“One second.” He shuts your window again. You watch as he fiddles with the lock before easily sliding the window back open. He throws his hands in the air and looks at you. “How long have you lived here?”

You shrug, confused, “You helped me move in.”

Jason waves his hand through the air, “When?”

“Almost a year? Last November.”

Jason fiddles with the window again, slamming it back down, “This lock doesn’t work. You been sleeping in here and anyone could’ve just broken in?”

You shrug again, “I didn’t know it was broken! I don’t really lock my window often.”

Jason looks like he almost broke his neck by how fast his head whipped back to you, “You don’t lock your window????”

He finishes your taxes for you before he leaves, saying he’ll be back. Within the hour he’s knocking on your door again, a duffle bag in hand full of power tools, screws, and different assortments of heavy duty locks. He spends the rest of the night installing them.

A new one on your bedroom window that actually consisted of two different locks. A similar two on your kitchen window. Another three on your bedroom door itself. Then four on your front door.

As he leaned over your kitchen sink, screwing in the lock and blocking your way as you tried to make you both dinner.

“Is this really necessary?”

“I’m not having you practically open to every bad thing the city has to offer, love.”

“Then how are you going to come in through my window now?”

“I’ll learn to knock.”

That’s all I can think of right now okay byeee

[comfortscripts]

A Glimpse Of What I'd Do For You l Coriolanus Snow

Plot - As the First Lady of Panem, it is your duty to protect your husband. Even if it means dirtying your hands. But what is a little blood when the reward is so sweet? Pairing - Young!President!Coriolanus Snow x Wife!Female!Reader Warnings - Heavy plot + light porn. They are both mad, but sweet for each other. Murder/execution with guns, blood, body worship (??), nipple play, toxic language (??), light aspects of oral (fem receiving), softdom!corio. I fully believe he would be a total simp for someone on his wavelength Word Count - 1,288

Check out the rest of my kinktober fics

“Darling, could I trouble you for a moment?”

Words breaking through the tense atmosphere that Coriolanus has cultivated in his private office. Harsh oak furniture, meticulously organised bookcases, swirls of browns and reds with faint hints of a cool gold. The help liked to say the cold of the room matched Mr. Snow’s frozen heart, but even the ruthless President of Panem couldn’t help the way his shoulders relaxed at his wife’s delicate words.

“You are never a trouble,” he spoke with the push of his sturdy throne-like chair against the floor, punctuating his words. “Come in, my snowdrop.”.

The First Lady of Panem was nothing if not obedient. Perhaps that’s why Coriolanus allowed you into his kingdom after six months of marriage.

Wordlessly, you rounded the desk to perch yourself upon his navy-blue-clad leg and perfectly placed a light kiss against his lips. The kind of kiss that tempted him to become entangled in your sweet web regardless of duties. Piercing blues too busy consuming his prize, thinking of all the ways to corrupt his pretty petal. Not even noticing you slide a sleek silver tablet onto the desk.

“I have a gift for you, Corio.”

A glossy black screen stared back at him with a barely visible play button. Those pale digits broke from your waist to start the show before returning to their previous position. He could feel the shift of your body and took close note of how you were biting back a smile.

Suddenly a face that has haunted his dreams appeared: Lucy Gray Baird. Coriolanus could feel the bile rising in his throat at the sight of that traitor. Despite the fact she was strapped to a chair with thick masking tape covering her sickening mouth, he felt uneasy.

“What is this?”

“Freedom. Keep watching, my love.”

The tense grasp on your waist must have been aching, almost as if he was punishing you for showing him this she-devil. But it was soon alleviated as he saw your graceful figure walk into the cell of Lucy Gray. Stark white gown, as pure as snow, standing there inches away from her. Stoic guards either side of your regal stance, part of Coriolanus compared your image to the Queen being flanked by knights on his chessboard staring down a lowly pawn.

“Firstly, I'd like to say thank you, Lucy Gray. If you hadn’t betrayed the only good thing in your life, I wouldn’t have my darling husband. Truly, I appreciate it.”

This wasn’t his snowdrop. Never had he heard your voice that dominant and cold. Part of him preened at the words being spoken, yet he feared what was to come. Who had he married?

“You were very difficult to track down. See, originally, I wanted you gone because I knew he loved you, and I don’t like sharing. But then I found out that you wanted to destroy him. Drive him insane with your silly little tweety songs. And, well, no one can drive him crazy except me.”

Just as his mind caught up with the intentions of your words, a glistening of his father’s legendary pistol came into focus. Pointed between the eyes of the witch who once trapped his heart.

“Goodbye Lucy Gray. No one will remember you, and the Snow family will live forever.”

The bang of the bullet felt like an earthquake, but the image of you, his innocent little petal, with blood seeping into your porcelain dress was enough to silence all thoughts. Screen fading to black as the guards moved to remove the body.

“Did you like my gift?”

It was so small, as if you had made him a cake and were afraid that you’d added too little sugar. This was the wife he knew, and the wife he was growing to love. He always knew you were perfect; that is why he agreed to his marriage, but this was more than he could ask for.

He craved loyalty, obsession, ruthlessness, and compliance. You were everything he would ever need, wrapped in a pink bow. Finally, an equal, someone to love him the way he wished to be loved. Coriolanus would get rid of anyone you wished, and to know he has your devotion makes him feel invincible.

“It may be the best present anyone has ever given me. Let me thank you for it properly.”

Spider-like touches tingled down your spine before feeling the cool air prick your skin as Corio relieved the zip of its job, allowing your dress to pool in your lap. Three abrupt taps on the desk said everything, and within moments, you settled your bare body against the chill of the wood. There was nothing better than feeling his eyes map your body with such hunger. Swirls of lust flush through his eyes as he lightly runs his long digits over the exposed skin.

“Who knew my sweetheart could be so fierce? Those hands weren’t made for killing; they are far too pretty. And who would have expected those callous words to come from such beautiful lips? But you did it for me. Everything you do is for me.”

Standing to attention, he traced the expanse of your collarbone with featherlight touches. Eyes wide watching him in anticipation, every touch made your arousal swell. Never would you rush him; he ruled Panem and your heart. He was your purpose. He was yours. Coriolanus intoxicated you. Faint scents of leather and brandy washed over your senses; the heat of his body against your as he placed calculated kisses against your skin made you dizzy. With so little, he made you feel so much.

A gentle moan fell from your lips as the young president found his mouth on your taunt nipple, carefully flicking the tip with his talented tongue. Oh, how you wish that scandalous mouth was somewhere else right now. His appreciation was felt full force. Those large hands groped at your skin as if he were trying to consume you. Leaving a litter of marks and nips across your chest, as if he were an artist and you, his canvas.

“I would do anything for you, my dear. You gave me freedom from that whore, and all I can think about is how lucky I am to have your love. You are my only obsession. So tell me. Name it, and it is yours.”

A sense of shock washes over you; he has never once asked what you wanted in the bedroom. As with many things in his life, Coriolanus was not open to advice or direction. Images flashed of what you wanted but your tongue tangled as you went to voice it. So caught in the moment, it felt impossible to string a coherent sentence.

“I want- I want you.”

“Be specific, my snowdrop.”

He knew what you wanted. Sinking to the floor as one arm curls around the thickness of your thigh, pulling you closer to his body. That smile told you that he knew, he always knows. Coriolanus wanted to see whether your boldness extended past the video.

“Tell me, Mrs. Snow, how can I please you? You have pleased me so, and I want to show my appreciation, so tell me. Now.”

The feeling of his breath against the wet patch growing on your panties sent a shiver down your spine, feeding the need for his mouth on you. You needed him carnally. Hands wrapped in those icy locks, pale fingers curling inside, and him acting as if he were a man starved.

“I need your mouth- your fingers. Please Corio. Thank me with your mouth. Worship my pussy with those fingers, please, my love.”

Fingers hooking the corners of your underwear, gently discarding the elegant lace. Stormy blues and a haunting smirk told you that he'd be thanking you for hours to come.

“As you wish, my love. I am yours to use, as you are mine.”

A King is only as good as his Queen.

[just-aake]

Marry Me? Part 2

Pairing : Natasha Romanoff x fem!reader

Summary : Different times Natasha asks you to marry her, now if only you would believe that she was actually serious.

Part 1 | Love in Red

Warnings : fluff, light angst, hints of sexual themes

Words : 1455

“Marry me?”

Your feet stumble on the treadmill, startled by Natasha’s unexpected question.

It has been a few days since the doctors discharged you from the medical bay, and now that you’re feeling better, you decided to do some training to regain your strength.

Recovering your composure, you turn off the machine, slowing to a stop before looking to where Natasha was previously training against the punching bag. 

You had offered to hold the bag for her earlier, but she quickly declined and directed you towards the treadmill for a lighter training session instead, citing your still recovering condition.

At the sight of her in her black tank top with a sheen of sweat on her body, you go to take a drink for your suddenly dry throat and stall your response as you try to understand what she meant. 

“Oh, I get it. Is this because of what I said before, during the mission?” 

You remember how you had lightly hit Natasha’s hand and remarked about it during your last moments of consciousness, referencing her previous statement to you when you had uttered those two words to her before.

“Don’t worry about that, Natasha. I know you were just kidding.”

Giving her your usual convincing smile, you begin to gather your things, feeling a little worn out from the training and the painful reminder of the type of relationship you have with her.

You turn towards the exit with a small wave.

“I think I’m going to stop for today. I’ll see you later.”

With your back to her, you miss the way Natasha’s shoulders slump and her hands fall to her sides as she stares at your retreating back in disbelief.

~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~

“Marry me?” 

You let out a slight chuckle in between the bites you are taking.

“Hey, that's my line,” you say jokingly with a slight bittersweet tone, oblivious to the soft look Natasha is giving you.

Your focus is currently on the array of dishes in front of you. The candles and flowers at the center of the table bring a warm and pleasant atmosphere to the dimly lit space around you.

A hand wipes at the corner of your lips with a napkin and offers you a glass of wine, and you take it gratefully, turning to face the redhead.

“Seriously, Natasha, you didn’t have to do all of this and make all of my favorites. It’s not like we’re celebrating anything.”

Natasha shakes her head slightly and lets out a huff of disbelief, but still, her lips quirk up into a fond smile as she listens to you talk about your day.

~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~

“Marry me?”

The words were whispered so softly against your bare shoulder that you almost missed it, distracted by the gentle kisses that followed.

After the time she just spent making you scream her name, your mind is too blissfully dazed to process anything, much less what she just said to you. 

A brief moment of serene silence follows before you suddenly feel her hand move from innocently caressing your hips down across your stomach towards where you know she intends to begin another round.

You tap her lightly in exhaustion, letting her know that you don’t think you can keep going. For some reason, Natasha has been insatiable this night, bringing you to the point of pleasure so many times that you’ve lost track.

Understanding your action, Natasha returns her arm to wrap around you instead, pulling you close to her in a warm embrace.

This feels different. 

That was the last thought you had before you drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

When you wake up, you are surprised to see Natasha still beside you, instead of the usual empty space, and of course, she is already awake. Her head rests on her hand as she watches you slowly blink yourself awake and give her a confused look.  

“Don’t you have to get to your morning run?”

Natasha shakes her head.

“I’d rather stay here with you.” 

Your heart warms slightly at her words, but you quickly brush off the feeling, knowing better than to get your hopes up. Defaulting to your usual methods of coping during these kinds of situations, you tuck your face against the crook of her neck to hide your expression as you joke against her skin.

“Last night was that good, huh?”

You don’t see Natasha roll her eyes fondly at your teasing or throw her head back with a silent sigh, but you do feel her tighten her arms around you and place a soft kiss on your head.

~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~

“Marry me?”

Earlier, you received a sudden request for you to join her on the rooftop of the Avengers Compound.

That’s how you found yourself at this point, standing with Natasha under the night sky as she says those two words to you again.

Well, you are standing.

Natasha is on the ground in front of you.

On one knee.

With an elegant little box in her hands.

“Y/n, I’m serious,” she says genuinely.

Your mouth hangs open in disbelief as your eyes shift back and forth between Natasha’s earnest face and the beautifully crafted ring in her hand.

Behind you, by the rooftop doorway, you can hear the whispers of the other Avengers watching.

“I think Nat broke her,” Clint says.

“Shush, just give her a minute to respond,” Wanda whispers.

“You know, in Asgard, one must battle other suitors and show their strength before they can propose,” Thor points out.

“I told her. She should have just used my drones,” Tony remarks. 

“This is a private moment. Everybody, leave. Now,” Steve orders firmly, shutting the cracked opening of the door.

Hearing their words and now understanding what is happening, you return your attention to Natasha who is now rubbing her head exasperatedly at their behavior.

Shaking her head, Natasha bites her lips nervously before releasing a shaky breath and meeting your eyes.

“I know I’m not the easiest person to be with. I’ve put you in situations that have not been fair to you. But despite all of that, you still stayed by my side, and in return, I kept you at a distance.” 

Your arms instinctively wrap around yourself in comfort at the thoughts of all the times you've felt hurt, patiently waiting for her.

Natasha's hand moves slightly as if she were about to reach for you, but she holds herself back, giving you a sad expression.

“I don’t have a good track record with those who stay around me. They get hurt, always do,” Natasha admits, her eyes drifting down to where the bullet had pierced you. Her lips twist regretfully, “I can’t promise that you will have a safe life with me. And honestly, you deserve better.”

She meets your eyes again with a small, hopeful smile, her own gaze reflecting her vulnerability.

“But one thing I can do is promise that I will do everything I can to give you the happiness you deserve. I want to be with you, Y/n…if you’re still willing to have me?”

With those final words, Natasha waits with a bated breath for your response. You observe her carefully.

The wind blows her auburn hair softly behind her while the rooftop lights cast her face in a scarlet glow, and her ruby lips are caught between her teeth in anticipation.

You can't help but think you were right before.

Red is a beautiful shade of color on her.

~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~

“Hey, Natasha…” you call for her attention among the joyous voices of your friends celebrating.

She turns her head to you, just as you put some of the wedding cake frosting on her cheek.

“…you have something on your face,” you say teasingly.

Natasha raises an unamused brow at you, but you spot the glint of fondness and love in her eyes. 

As she goes to wipe it off, you catch her hand, stopping her, and lean in to kiss the frosting from her cheek.

Before you can pull away too far, Natasha takes your chin in her hand and presses her lips to yours. 

With your small gasp of surprise, she deepens the kiss, entering your mouth to taste the frosting that you had just removed from her.

Sounds of cheer from everyone erupt around the two of you, and Natasha pulls away with a small smirk at your flushed expression.

Wrapping your arms around her to hold her close, you brush your lips lightly against her again before deciding to ask her one last time.

“Marry me?” 

Natasha’s grin widens happily, leaning in closer to whisper her response proudly against you. 

“I finally did.”

~~~~~~~ ⧗ ~~~~~~~

a/n: thank you for reading!

[minnesota-fats]

He’s a Spectre

DCxDP ficlet

Hal Jordan POV

I also posted this on my Ao3, go take a look at it if you are interested. IDK if i will continue this….

Enjoy!

A humanoid shape floated out in a green void, motionless and still. Feelings of longing and regret sat in his chest as he listened to the entity in his head, tell him about what he was brought back to do. The man, he thought he was a man anyway, felt both new and old. Both here and not, like he wasn’t supposed to be but was. It was all confusing.

The man looked down at himself, he clenched and unclenched his gloved fists. A ring sat over top the white fabric, glowing ever so slightly. A symbol on his chest burned, literal flames licked off the edges of the symbol. It felt familiar yet he couldn't grasp what it was supposed to be, what it was supposed to mean.

”Jordan, are you listening?” The voice asked, bringing the man back to what was happening.

“Is that my name?” He asked, pretty good for his first words.

“Harald Jordan, former air force captain and green lantern of earth. That is your name.”

”That's a mouthful,” Harald said instinctively. He smiled, “would Hal just work?” He didn't know where that came from but it sounded like it fit.

The voice seemed to sigh, making the man smile a bit. “Hal Jordan, you have been chosen as my host. In the past my hosts helped me in my quest of vengeance and in exchange all have gained forgiveness and are able to move on. It has been a long while since my last host.”

“Forgiveness? What did I do?” Hal asked, finally gaining feeling in his cold fingertips.

“you had murdered your brothers in arms while possessed by the parasite, Parallax. In the end you were able to fight back against the parasite and use the last of your power, righting most of your wrongs. You threw yourself into the sun as a final act.”

Hal didn't speak for a long time, only floated through the green space around him, passing floating islands as he went.

”You don't sugar coat anything, do you?” Hal asked, voice sounding choked up. “Where are we now?”

“The Infinite Realms, the space between dimensions.”

“Oh, alright,” Hal mumbled. “What now?”

After that day Hal continued the mission given to previous Spectre’s. However, through willpower, the mission of revenge turned to a path of redemption.

-

The Spectre flew through the chaos of the realms with a practiced ease, he didn't know how long it had been since he had become. Began? Time was odd, it all tended to blur past him in a haze. Hal knew he was never that good at keeping track of it. Which was something that he had to learn to adapt to, having memories that felt faded and hazy. He was Hal Jordan; former Green Lantern. Yet he couldn't exactly place what that means. Who was Hal Jordan? Was he a good man? Did he deserve redemption? Hal was unsure, though from the foggy memories he did remember he had a home. He had friends. He had a family.

And then he lost that home, he lost his family and he killed his friends after being driven mad. But somewhere between those memories he can see glimpses of another man, dressed in black, wearing a familiar scowl. Whether it was holding Hal in his arms, arguing with him, or simply sharing a rare smile directed at Hal after he did something the other found endearing. These memories hint at a connection that transcended the darkness that consumed Hal. Despite everything, Hal Jordan was loved—truly, deeply loved.

The Spectre was pulled from his thoughts as he felt a pull towards something ahead of him, something that required his involvement. He flew forward following the tug that Aztar told him to follow.

He followed the pull to the mortal realm, to a small town in Illinois. Hal allowed his ethereal form to fall away, donning a more human guise. The green cloak morphed into a bomber jacket—warm, comforting, and strangely familiar. It reminded him of something—or someone—from a life that felt like a distant dream. As he walked down the street, blending in seamlessly, the passersby paid him no mind.

Hal continued to follow pull until he found himself standing in a crowd, looking up to the steps of what looked like a town hall. The people around him were focused on a man standing at a podium, delivering a speech with a commanding presence. The speaker had long silver hair, neatly tied back in a ponytail, and a well-groomed beard that added to his distinguished air. He was tall, broad, and had a lean waist. He carried himself with the confidence of someone used to being in control.

As Hal's eyes locked onto the man, Aztar’s voice told him who this man was—Vladimir Masters. The man was known both in the living realm as well as the infinite. He was a halfa, a rare creature that skirted the line between living and dead. But unlike most undead, was able to blend in seamlessly.

Aztar told him that he should just drag Vladimir to hell where he belonged, there was no reasoning with a ghost. Hal rolled his eyes and just listened to what the man was saying. The mention of ghosts caught Hal off guard. that's not right? Ghosts? Unsupervised in the mortal realm? And all these people seemed to not bat an eye at his words. Odd. But that didn't matter—Vlad was someone he was sent to deal with, so he is going to deal with him.

Hal watched as the crowd thinned, many people lingering to talk to each other like how most people in small towns do. Hal found himself smiling as he began to walk forward toward the man, standing amidst what might have been his friends if it weren’t. Hal noticed the cold glare Vladimir directed at the larger man in the orange jumpsuit, who seemed wholly unaware of the Halfa’s dameenor.

As Hal approached, something caught his attention—a teen, no older than fourteen. He had been glaring at Vladimir when a puff of mist erupted from his lips, causing him to tense and look around. Interesting. Hal’s interest was piqued, but he kept his focus on Vladimir.

Hal reached out his hand to Vladimir and smiled, “Vladimir Masters, right? I’m Hal Jordan,” he says happily.

Vladimir put on a fake smile and reached out for Hal’s hand, “please, Vlad is just fine, what can I do for you?” Vlad asked, shaking Hal’s hand twice before releasing it.

Hal could feel the man's power as soon as he touched his hand. The slimy intentions wriggled around like leeches just underneath his skin. Hal could also feel the man’s hurt, his longing and how he had died cold and alone.

Hal pulled away, still smiling, “Oh, Just thought I would introduce myself, is all. I'm new to town and thought I would try and make some friends. and who are you big guy?” He asked, turning to look at the large man who practically vibrated like he was a small puppy when promised a treat.

The kid, now directed his glare at Hal as the large man walked forward to shake Hal’s hand. The man closed the distance and shook Hal's hand violently, a pure smile of joy plastered onto his face.

“I’m Jack Fenton!” the man declared with a laugh, Hal took it in strides, laughing with the man as he talked.

He pulled a short redheaded woman into his side. “This is my wife, Maddie,” he said proudly. Maddie gave a pointed look at Vladimir as soon as Jack said wife.

Next, the younger redhead introduced herself as Jasmine, their daughter, with a polite nod. Finally, the black-haired boy with furrowed brows, Danny, stood silently, his glare unwavering.

Hal reached out his hand to Danny, the teen glared at him for a moment until his mom scolded him and told him to be polite. Reluctantly, Danny took Hal’s hand, glaring still.

The moment their hands touched Hal could feel the power that buzzed behind the teen’s eyes. He could also see the pain and the anguish he had been experiencing, not only because of the silver haired man but from his parents as well. Hal also sensed the trauma of a death, this boy died screaming as his flesh melted away in a blaze….

Hal felt queasy, he forced himself to continue his easy going smile. Hal turned his attention back to the adults, now assessing the other two as well.

[lilacxquartz]

CHASING HUMANITY • kenjaku x fem!reader

ao3 • masterlist • << previous chapter • next chapter >>

summary: finally moving on, you learn to let go of your past self.

a/n: back to posting series :) finished up a chapter last night, you can probably expect another chapter this month after this one.

trigger warning: referenced death

Chapter 6. New Impressions

Although it felt odd driving down the long and winding road with him, a sense of deja vu crept into the back of your mind, reminding you that you had been in this situation once before, except now you didn’t feel a crisis with your own identity.

All you needed was to feel shock, maybe. Something deliberating enough to jolt and shake your system. It was surely jarring though and you wondered if he thought he went too far with how much he showed you, although that likely wasn’t it. Something stirred beyond his occasionally pointed gaze, hinting at something… darker.

Was it want…? Or need? Or both…?

You couldn’t quite tell properly, yet his returning body language was still just on the cusp of being barely explorative as he drove you both through the night. You tried to relax, your mind still reeling at the events that had transpired, but you were starting to understand him more and more now, feeling the care for others slip away so long as you had your validation met with someone who enabled it.

He broke the silence after a short while, slowing down the car before it had a chance to enter the busier road that led into the city. He seemed to be taking a detour, perhaps? Or otherwise just maybe cruising around before he committed to the second part of his plan.

“You know, you’re surprisingly difficult to read,” he began while staring straight ahead at the road, partially to focus but also figuring that you wouldn’t be too fond of the pressuring stare, “is that because of…?”

Of course he had picked up on that. How strange it was for him to claim that he thought that you were a difficult read when his assessment was in fact, incredibly accurate.

You shrugged with an unsure tone. “I… I guess I was just never allowed to express myself, that’s all.”

Kenjaku nodded, the motion of him doing so ever so slightly visible from a sideways glance. “Need me to turn this car around and take care of him for you?”

You laughed at the offer, shaking your head at the very thought. “Surprisingly nice of you to volunteer, but it’s complicated. I don’t think you can.”

“Ah, you underestimate me,” he teased.

With a weary sigh, you decided to shed some light on the situation, “It’s just… he’s part of a renowned clan within the region,” you paused, considering how to explain it further before continuing, “the members from his clan have a long-running track record of participating in corrupt practices. A fair share of them are involved in national politics and well, he… he’s involved in law enforcement. You could try to touch him, but he hides behind his connections like the coward I know he is deep down.”

Kenjaku could only scoff. “Ah, so one of those,” he thought to himself in the meanwhile, letting the sound of the road bridge the gap of the inflicted silence. There was one clan in particular known for such a thing and it would be very unfortunate if you were involved in such a thing. Not just for your sake, but for his own, too. Now that you were involved with him, he had to figure out how to keep that personal conundrum from catching up to you.

He let his thoughts run again, leading to a heavy silence to further fester in the car. Given your tense and almost nervous spirit after the ramble, you were likely still also processing the torture he had inflicted upon the noodle shop guy. That was just his assessment though, he could have been wrong. Being the asshole that he was, however, he looked for the right opportunity to work such a topic into getting a reaction from you. Given that you were so terribly unsure of yourself, he could likely work that into his favour.

“It’s very unlikely that he will catch up to you,” he decided to assure, adopting a cleaner tone, one that was partially reserved for when he needed to manipulate someone with one of his many smoothly crafted lies. This ‘manipulation’ was for your own good, though, because he was damned if he was going to be travelling with someone who had scammed him of the chaotic dynamic that he was initially swooned by. He wanted that strange, slightly unhinged person back. The one that joked in the face of death. Was this really so manipulative if he was forcing you to… let go? Surely he was actually doing a nice thing instead?

You sucked at your teeth, tutting in disagreement, “Yeah, you say that, but—”

“—he wont,” he cut you off, lying through his teeth. On the off chance that it was the clan that he was thinking of, the guy was already likely on your tail. There was no way that he would have accepted your death, even if you both didn’t get along. Any grieving performance that he acted out in the media was likely just a cover to save his own face. “Just… listen to me for once, will you? Enjoy your newfound freedom. Let go. Be the person you actually want to be, not the person you’re running away from—and I’m not talking about your boyfriend.”

Kenjaku continued to coax you in with a slight touch, the back of his hand tempting your skin. The night air that sept into the partially ajar windows of the car prickled goosebumps along your arm, causing an electrifying sort of sensation when his touch met yours. You tried not to pull away, trying to ease yourself into it, but it still felt wrong.

The way you flinched didn’t go entirely unnoticed by him either, as he logged a mental note into his mind that you tried to see it through, but your reaction still wasn’t fully accepting just yet. Despite the walls you kept in place around you constantly, he continued to sweep his hand back and forth, studying your reaction carefully. He needed you still compliant, so whatever followed next wouldn’t be anything against your wishes—even though he could very much get away with applying force—but he figured that it’s actually less fun and not quite the same as opposed to when you were willing. No, he wanted for you to become clingy, needy, dependent, even. Then it would be truly fun.

He repeated those languid, soothing motions before getting the car back onto the main road and retracting his touch from you at long last. He quietly watched as you struggled to piece together what was going on, finding the sight to be nothing short of entertaining. Watching closely, he was able to at least successfully determine that this particular action comforted you, so that’s something he could use to his benefit in the future.

To get you used to his touch until you didn’t flinch anymore and then, only then, would he move forward with you. Slowly but surely, he would mould you to match his egoistic energy, making you crave the possibility of being touched by him—of being used.

Until then however, he had places to be and matters to settle. Tokyo was just over the horizon and he had a small studio in one of the lesser populated districts in a worse-off neighbourhood. By some odd stroke of luck, despite his lengthy absence, that one unit had neither been broken into nor used for god knows what.

He planned to reconnect and mingle with some old allies from about a year ago, although perhaps the term ‘allies’ was too generous of a word to use for them. Perhaps they were closer to being contacted acquaintances. It was a small unorganised(?) crime group that wanted to see a world without law, so maybe, just maybe you could get along with those misfits on your your shared trait of sticking it to authority figures, but then again… they were also a bad influence. He would know. So maybe he should keep your interactions with the bunch limited instead.

For now, he would try to dig up some dirt on the clan you were involved with. Again, he had an inkling of an idea of which one it was given that you had already fed him a couple of context clues. Either from the appointed location of the clan or the professions. Essentially, in order to maintain his position of having the upper hand, he needed to know what he was working with—or who. He joked about it in the car, but he was otherwise perfectly content with getting rid of the guy if there was such a possibility. Not because he was doing it for you, though, but rather for his interests. If he planted the idea that he did something major for you, then you would forever be in his debt.

Then you would be even more fun to toy with.

Kenjaku then parked the vehicle on the off-street parking, locking up the thing with you in tow. He then walked with you up the block, letting you inside and to his surprise, the place was completely untouched, albeit dusty. He looked around before reaching for the light, illuminating the small stretch of space, gesturing that you once again take the bed because he didn’t mind the futon otherwise and besides, he needed for you to trust him even more, so he was happy to play the waiting game with you.

“We’ll rest up and then we’ll go ‘identity shopping’ tomorrow in Shinjuku,” he announced, sprawling out on the sofa, lifting his hips up before widening his legs ever so slightly to relax.

“Yeah, okay,” you murmured before crawling into the bed feeling very much worn and although your words were surely curt and quick to the point, he could have almost sworn that were was genuine warmth in your voice.

(Was he finally getting to you?)

~~~

The streets in the Shinjuku were just as crowded as they were during the day as they were at night and Kenjaku roamed the vicinity with you closely beside him, searching for the perfect someone who would be a good face match with you. A couple of people with similar features came to mind, but it also had to be the right type of person to disappear. There was one woman in particular that he had latched onto, that given the lack of confidence and meek demeanour, that she wasn’t in the best place in life.

He made you follow along, guiding you to the road that she stuck to, taking the same train and tailing her before finally reaching a place that was just as much, if not more run down than his own studio.

Oh, this was perfect, he thought.

Breaking in was surely enough and due to the exhausted state that the mystery woman seemed to be in, it was very easy to take her out too. You wondered to yourself why identity theft had to result in murder, but didn’t question his methods too much, lest he lectured you on the sanctity of sentiment yet again.

“Now, I’m going to teach you how to really steal an identity,” he spoke up, muttering more words from under his breath. “Watch closely.”

You stared at the unconscious woman on the floor. “She doesn’t even look like me.”

He rolled his eyes in response. “She looks like you enough. As long as the look in your eyes is similar then it’ll work. My best stolen identity was a guy who was full of himself and look where that got me.”

“Fair enough,” you sulked. “In that case, anyone with the look of depression would make do, surely?”

Kenjaku could only scoff. “Is that what that is? Sure. Fine. You match her look of being dead inside, that’s why this’ll work.”

“So, what now…?” you asked, watching him dig out all forms of her identity. “Do we just bounce…? Or…? I don’t think she’s waking up after such a heavy blow.”

“Not so fast,” he replied, tugging you back with a grappled arm. “We have to make sure that the other person disappears first. This means scrubbing them clean of their fingerprints and removing major identifiers like her hair, teeth and nails—”

“—so, why not just skin her?” you asked. “It’ll take care of the hair and then all you have left is the teeth… maybe nails too.”

He looked at you for what felt like a very long time, the look on his face slowly morphing into something… genuinely concerned for the way your mind operated. “I beg your finest pardon?”

“...Just a suggestion,” you replied, “also don’t you ‘I beg your finest pardon’ me, you literally burned someone’s eyes into blindness.”

“Yeah,” he agreed before deflecting his actions, “as a spur of the moment thing,” he then cleared his throat. “I looked around and utilised the environment towards my own benefit, whereas you just had that idea floating around at the top of your head.”

“I’m just saying that if you can get rid of the skin, then you can get rid of everything,” you shrugged, leaning back against the wall.

“Right,” he replied with a deadpan tone, “and how do you suppose I do that, then? Skinning isn’t something as easy as just pulling apart their flesh from muscle. You need to mark off and section skin, making special sorts of incisions as you go along.”

You shrugged yet again, continuing to bicker with him. “Yeah? It sounds like you know what you’re talking about, so…”

“I have a background, that’s why,” he disclosed, “but… it’s more effort than it’s worth. It’s easier to break her down and then scatter the parts instead. Let’s save the effort for when I get another feeling about someone and want to study them, alright?”

“Oh, in that case, you could probably study humanity by processing decay. Cure someone in salt and then preserve them forever,” you suggested in an eerily nonchalant tone.

“What?” he blinked.

“You know, like… curing meat in salt?” you elaborated.

“I…” he sighed, holding up his hand, “I might need a moment.”

Kenjaku then stared at you again for a very, very long time, putting down the pliers in his hand over a table and then returning his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He tweezed it tight and then simply just sighed. There was something… off about you, that he couldn’t quite stay away from. You went from being very lively to very closed off to being very creepy in just a matter of days.

For now, he chose to encourage whatever… this… was. “Glad to see you're back to being unhinged, I guess! I’d hate to admit it, but I missed that weirdo.”

In the meantime, he proceeded to break the body down as you watched for the ‘lesson’. He took out many sealable plastic bags that he brought with him and started to fold them in between piled towels. He then borrowed some bleach from her bathroom before beginning to sweep clean every single nook and crevice within the studio—luckily it was small enough—all the while you continued to talk. He listened with a troubled look on his face as you prattled on and on about how salt was actually a good curing agent, so imagine the look on the authorities’ faces when they discover a mummified body preserved like beef jerky. Despite his quickly building unease however, he felt almost… turned on?

Was this really what got him going?

You eventually quietened down however, looking down at your phone with a deep focused stare. It could have been dizziness from the sight or the smell, but something about the look on your face argued against that. No, you looked… troubled, almost.

“Something up?” he asked.

You replied with a fretting hum, “Boyfriend’s made the news,” you admitted, appearing to be reading some sort of article. From the look of it, it seemed to be one of the national papers rather than something locally confined.

Rather than asking you more about the topic, he decided to instead temporarily confiscate the phone to read it. He was damned if he was about to do this one major lead slip.

[Chief of Police] were the first few words that caught his eye, causing him to stare at the screen for a moment. Not just an officer, but an entire leader? What? Oh no, no, no. You had some explaining to do.

“What is this?” he asked, holding up the phone to you.

You tilted your head to the side. “The news?”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” he scoffed, “I thought you said that he was just an officer.”

You seemed momentarily dumbfounded. “But… he is?”

Kenjaku sighed and made you read the article again.

“Oh…” you finally replied, sounding a touch more surprised than before. “I guess that he got promoted? I suppose that this makes sense… his father was the old chief.”

“Fucking nepo babies,” he muttured in annoyance, “is he any good at all at his job?”

“Sorta,” you considered, “he’s very perceptive.”

He nodded, resuming his scrubbing at a faster, harder rate, leaving no trace of evidence that they were ever here. There was the hotel that was handled sloppily though, but maybe that’s one way his allies could be utilised right away. If only he could throw off the trail by a bit and clear the path.

…Maybe Mahito? If he was going to be reconnecting with the group anyway, then he could appoint that oddball for the job. If anyone was capable of replicating his sadistic nature to not be cast away as a copycat, then Mahito was the right one for the job. All he needed to do was shake off your boyfriend’s trail for now as the main course of action.

“So, he’s a challenge then, is he?” he asked you, having an idea to corner the guy now and maybe probe the answer to humanity through him one day, seeming almost giddy at the thought. “Luckily for us both, I enjoy a good challenge.”

~~~

Back at the studio, he sat back down on the sofa, patting against the pillow to have you join him. To his surprise, you listened to his silent request, seeming to be a little curious. In truth, you were tired with being so closed off all of the time, so you initiated the touch for a change, feeling around him in a slightly suggestive way.

Feeling his mind going blank, Kenjaku wondered if his luck was finally going towards that direction at long last. He reciprocated with a dominating touch, only to be met with surprise when you insisted on taking the lead.

“Are you doing this because you want to?” he asked, unsure was to why he was even stopping you. He wanted this too. He was slightly touch starved, after all.

You paused in your motions for a second before responding, “I had… a relationship of convenience with my boyfriend. We were together essentially due to politics because of my family owning a construction company and due to them having a few deals ongoing with the clan, Naoya Zenin never quite gave me a chance to say no when he first began to pursue me,” you chose to outwardly reveal, continuing to sound very sure of yourself, “and being so shy and maybe… stupid, like a fool, I never once complained.”

Kenjaku nodded, not being surprised that you even managed to get manipulated into something like that. Despite wanting to manipulate you to further his own personal gain, he would have to teach you how to avoid falling victim to such a thing. He was feeling ever so slightly territorial, after all, without a single clue as to why.

“But it was bleak, of course,” you added, resuming the touch, “I never learned what I like nor dislike in bed. I want to figure this out by myself, so no leading the way.”

He nodded once more, not turning the touch away. So be it.

Although something new made sense to him.

That thing about not knowing what you like.

After living so many identities and having to pretend to be so many people, was it perhaps… similar for him?

Maybe for once in his life, he had actually managed to find someone who understands.

[melkyt]

3D2Y Where Law wants nothing more then to stay with Luffy but knows he has no reason too, until he is given one.

Luffy trains every day, he is determined to get stronger, to protect his friends no matter what. Taking out the pain of Ace's death on something he can control.

Law sees his determination and feels as though he is wasting time by just sitting there. He needs to do something. He needs to leave. Only Luffy's presence that he has gotten so accustomed to is making him hesitate. He has not been this comfortable with anyone outside his crew in a long time. The warmth of an enthusiastic hug. The feeling of Luffy's curls brushing over his cheeks as he towers over Law from behind, calloused hand resting on his shoulders.

Luffy taking the time in the few minutes Rayleigh gives him a break to always track down Law and check on him, even if his training is on the other side of the island. This only makes it harder to leave.

Law sighs as he watches Luffy leave for the next round. It's almost lunchtime, if Luffy doesn't fail in today's exercise, he will drag Law to have some food. It will only make Law come up with more reasons to stay another day. He gets up before he starts thinking about those reasons. "Time to go, kikoku"

It seems to vibrate as it senses that they will be back to drawing blood soon. The pain that comes with her curse thrums under his skin, a familiar dull ache that reminds him of his goals. That pain always helps remind him that he is still alive and has to keep going.

"Leaving now is foolish, Trafalgar Law."

Shakky, the previous queen of Amazon Lily. The one who made their safety and Luffy's training possible taps her cigarette, sending ashes dropping down into the sand.

"I have wasted enough time here," he rests Kikoku on his back. "I have a goal that can't wait."

"Strawhat will leave you behind"

Law tenses. He knows that she means in terms of power. That once this training is done, he will be a force most can't defeat. Law never cared about that. What made him tense is that Luffy would leave him behind as a person, that he would never feel his warm touch ever again.

Shakky smirks, immediately more interested in his reactions, glancing over at her husband instructing the boy. She remembers when Rayleigh first came to train on Amazon Lily's adjacent islands as a young man. She looked at him much the same way as Law is looking at Luffy now. "Do you have a plan?" Shakky takes a puff of her thin pipe. "How much do you know about the web of Doflamingo's influence?"

Law bites his bottom lip. He never told anyone his goal. Her information network could rival Doffy's. With the family's love for codenames. Law avoided anyone discovering his past. Yet here she is, knowing seemingly everything with that confident look in her eyes that hints at decades of experience beyond what Law can even fathom.

"Stay, train with the boy." Shakky nods towards Luffy, who is sprawled out on the ground, trying to catch his breath before the next attack that will come too soon. "It will only help you"

Law can't deny she is right. Training with the generation that once achieved everything they strived for will only make them stronger, but Law is a doctor first. That is how his power works. The skills that Rayleigh can teach him are not what he needs.

Shakky senses his hesitation. "The Kuja have a history of medicine, poison, and poultice that can kill or paralyze a man." She can see that is enough to catch his attention. "Thousands of texts in the studies of blood and the mortal body." She takes a step closer, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "They do not allow men, but I could make an exception for you, kid."

Law takes a deep breath. This is access to texts he has never read. It could even have info on his fruit. The discoveries he could make would easily upgrade his power. If he refuses, he will not get another chance. Yet it also means he is wasting two years of his life, the time he could be using to go after Doflamingo. His thirst for knowledge wins out as it does every time. "Fine, I'll stay" he sighs, hoping that he will not regret those words.

"Really?!" Luffy jumps up from his sprawled position. "Traffy, that's great --- ow!"

"Great use of observation haki," Rayleigh chuckles, tapping the stick on his shoulders. "Next time, use it on not getting hit"

"Didn't have to hit me that hard," Luffy rubs at the sore spot. He turns back towards Law with a wide grin. "Let's train really hard together, Traffy! Shishishi"

Law feels a blush on his cheeks. He can't deny that a large part of him is staying for Luffy and the hope of seeing that smile every day for the next two years

-end-

Aka how Law goes from a skinny little gremlin that has never had a good meal ever to getting enough to bulk from just being near Luffy who shares everything he hunts with Law while he has his nose in a book 24/7 and slowly they fall in love with each other in new domestic ways.

Shakky and Rayleigh gossip about the young love that is blooming before their eyes as they train their respective boi xd

[86-babyy]

Insatiable.

Part Two for Undeniable.

Thank you for the overwhelming love and support on my previous fiction. You all had me absolutely gushing and I hope the follow on pleases just as much as the first. Enjoy babes! 😘

Warnings- Fingering. Teasing (oh, so much teasing.) Slight primal Eddie. Hair pulling. PIV unprotected. Hint of masturbation (Eddie.) Breast play, nipple sucking. It’s just full of smutty goodness. Let me know if I missed anything.

The mist coats your skin like dew when you step into the shower, streams of hot water seem to calm your exposed nerves and it’s absolute bliss. The gentle hum rebounds from the walls around you, builds a safe space of heat and water, settles deep in your bones.

Warm hands encase your waist, pull you in, pull you closer.

Eddie’s weight bares around you like a thick blanket, suds of wood and vanilla fill your senses, bubbles gather in the creases of your skin, lather like foamy white of the ocean waves. The cloth glides across your stomach, Eddie’s latter hand follows, leaves tracks in the soap as he washes you.

“This is new.”

The flick to the jewellery on your stomach catches your attention, the small pendant glistens under the cascade and you feel Eddie smile into the nook of your shoulder from behind.

“I thought it was cute.”

“Oh, it is very cute.”

Eddie smooths the cloth over your chest, let’s the soapy suds lather the mounds of your breasts, admires the resistance against your hardening nipples before slipping the cloth between your thighs. The water feels like silk as it falls over your body, the touch washing the most intimate parts when he creates a tender sensation, drawing the cloth over your pussy, gentle and soft.

He drops the cloth, it lands with a sloppy thud against the tiles at your feet, the material quickly replaced with fingers. It’s smooth and delicate, the water creating the perfect slip of assistance as Eddie dips two finger’s between your lips, spreads them softly. Eddie’s arm pulls you closer, resting the palm on the soft of your stomach.

Pads of his fingertips graze your clit, the motion is so feather light that it tingles, sends a new wave of warmth to radiate through, mix with the steam and settle in the core of your stomach. You relax against Eddie, it feels likes you mesh when he gains pressure, his frame moulds around yours, fills the contours and keeps you steady. Your head buries in the dip of his neck, the musty oak aroma seeps into your senses, washes away with the cascade of water and Eddie’s fingers slipping inside you. It’s calculated movements and precise precision, it’s unbearably slow and drawn out, it teases every nerve inside— leaves you whimpering in the humid air and mixed heavy breaths.

Eddie’s tongue dances across the sparse of your neck, twirling and sucking the skin between teeth. Your whole body ignites, washing away with the stream of water when you bare down on Eddie’s fingers, your orgasm rippling in waves.

The following morning is complete chaos. You had managed to overfill your coffee, twice. The static radiates in the air, buzzing in a unbearable high pitch, your own body unforgiving in releasing last nights antics.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem a little unstable this morning.”

Your Dad perks up over his mug, back resting opposite the counter from you.

“Yeah, just you know, one of those mornings. How did work go?”

“Actually, I think it worked out. The team is back to basics, I don’t think there should be any more interference.”

You watch his shoulders slump, like the words themselves ease the weight. Last nights efforts wear on his face, his eyes dark in tint, body drawn and tired. The pinch of guilt bubbles in your stomach, makes it coil in a silent reminder and the bitter taste doesn’t wash away with your sip of coffee, like you had hoped.

“That’s amazing, Dad. So less late nights then?”

“Not quite.” He mumbles around the rim of his mug, let’s the steam warm the apples of his cheeks momentarily. “At least until the end of this week. Then it should go back to normal.”

You went to reply, broad your smile and actively show your excitement but when Eddie had rounded the corner, your whole mind blacked out.

It was like someone had come up and kicked your feet from under you, your chest filled with violent butterflies, hoards of them banging against the cage of your ribs— Making your heart stutter.

Eddie in all his fucking glory rounded the corner. His body’s dripping in jewellery from the chains around his neck to the one clung to his hip. The ripped Judas Priest shirt did everything for his arms. Toned muscle peeked through the torn fabric, trails of tattoos out and on full display, pictures and words seemingly springing to life across his skin. Thighs, wrung in the tightest jeans you had ever fucking saw. The material divots in the definition, follows the contours and hugs all the best features. Rips and slashes torn across his thighs and knees and at this point, you’re even questioning if he is dressed at all. It’s a glorious fucking sight when the gleam of morning hues catches the rings adorned his hand, chunky silver braided across his knuckles, the slight protrusion of veins snake up his hand and dear fucking god.

“Jesus, are you okay?”

Your Dad lunges forwards, his own mug discarded when he reaches for your own, that had seemingly slipped from your grasp.

Hands engulf the porcelain, catches it before it collided with the floor, shattered into pieces.

To bad you couldn’t say the same about your sanity.

“Yeah, uh, sorry.”

Your eyes advert anywhere but at him. Your mind reels in double time trying to look distracted, look busy. But it’s inevitable hopeless, you find yourself looking more on edge than intended so you settle with playing with the strings of your pyjama pants instead.

Your Dad gazes you with a look of concern, it’s evidently genuine but offers a look of question and you simply shake your head and smile, watch as he turns and starts to wash the mug and remains of breakfast behind you.

“I don’t start work until 8, I was thinking about heading down town, what do you say?”

Your dad doesn’t look up but you do.

Eddie’s hair is dripping. Locked curls sopping in the watery residue, skin dewy and soft. The reels flip images of oak and vanilla, of bubbles and soap, wet fingers and gentle touch— Has your tongue slick with saliva from the memory.

“Yeah man, count me in.”

Eddie replies, opens his mouth and speaks but his eyes are solid, locked intently on yours.

“There’s a record store just opened up. I haven’t ventured far in yet but the outside looks promising.”

The voice echos behind you, incoherent noise like static. Eddie reaches the counter, bends at the waist and uses his elbows as support when he leans on the top. His chain dips in the collar of his shirt, you see the vine of inky black crawl from his chest up and over his shoulder, watch when he dips his head, winks.

“Now, you have my attention.”

It’s absolutely filthy. The drop in syllable, drawn out and slow when he talks. It’s clear as fucking day exactly who Eddie’s response was directed at, apparently not as obvious to anyone who wasn’t you because your dad picks up the conversation, carry’s on like normal.

The air is thick. It’s strung out and heavy. Full of tension that bares a straight line between you and Eddie, a invisible string that pulls, pulls so hard that you have to physically ground your feet, stop from mounting the counter top and devouring Eddie whole. His expression is quirked, his gaze steady. It’s almost possessive the way he holds the conversation, laughs when it’s needed, asks questions but his attention, his vision is evidently locked on you. He bares his teeth when he smiles, quipped and smug, his eyes follow when you shift your footing, watching, always watching. His tongue darts out, runs in slow motion when he drags it across his bottom lip. Plush and pink, coated in a sheen of saliva before he sucks it between his teeth and it’s driving you insane.

“I’m going to hop in the shower, then what do you say we head off?”

Your dad turns from his position, faces Eddie in question.

“Sounds good, big boy.”

Your dad chuckles at Eddie’s response, like it was some long running joke you didn’t quite understand and heads upstairs.

It’s humid and way to fucking hot in the kitchen, your skin prickles in attention when Eddie comes and pins you against the counter, both arms caged beside your waist. It’s so fucking hot and the air is becoming harder to swallow. It’s borrowed time at this point, it’s minutes lasting seconds when your hands gather in the front of his shirt, white bleeding into your knuckles as you pull for desperation. It’s messy. All teeth and no reason, it’s absolute wreckage the way Eddie sucks your bottom lip, tugging at the corners in a pinch as he nudges your jaw sideways, takes revenge on the pale of your throat.

“E—Eddie, you can’t.” It’s all breath no real noise. “My dad will see.”

There’s a growl against your throat, vibrates the skin underneath before a heavy hand comes and clasps over your mouth. The sting of metal burns your puffed lips, sends pain to pleasure, sends you further into exhilaration. Eddie bites, bleeds a array of colours into your skin follows with groans of satisfaction when you whimper into the palm of his hand.

Eddie frees his latter hand, trails up the curve of your waist, dips his fingers in the soft parts before slipping up and under your shirt.

“Mm, this for me?”

He cups your exposed breast, calloused fingers gaze the bare of your nipple. It’s tiny sparks that prick your nipples to erect, hardened under the excitement of touch when Eddie palms your breast, feels the weight and teases. You instinctively arch to his hand, press your chest further into his grab, desperate for the sensation, desperate for more.

Without breaking contact, Eddie dips from your neck, his hand still firmly held across your mouth as he pulls your shirt up, bunches it right up to your neck and latches onto your breast.

Your chest heaves with the lack of air mixed with the sudden motion, wet and slick, Eddie takes your nipple into his mouth. Rolls the bud across his tongue, sucks and licks like it’s a damn ice cream. He’s non bias when he moves to the other, giving just as much enthusiasm as the latter. It’s a pitiful noise that gets pulled from your throat, the overwhelming feeling of wet and heat across your chest, saliva coats your skin and your body is on fire. He’s rough and needy but takes his time, savours the feeling, the noises, the taste. And when he releases, straightens your shirt and brings his hand to the front of your pyjama pants, smiles right into your fucking soul when he tugs the strings.

Your stomach coils. Tension builds in the core and bubbles on impact, your pussy flutters at the thought and all you can do is whimper, tug his shirt, attempt to pull him closer when Eddie’s fingertips dip below the waist band.

And then it stops. Everything around you comes to a screaming holt, it’s like running into the woods along a path that ducks and weaves through overgrown trees and moss to only be stopped by a unsuspecting brick wall.

“Ain’t that a shame, sweetheart.”

Eddie’s come to rest his forehead against yours, slowly removes his hand from over your mouth. Your lips leaving a wet mark behind.

“I’m not nearly done with you yet.”

Eddie steps away, takes his position back behind the counter and you are all out confused. What the fuck?

It’s just in time. Just when you were quick to open your mouth you’re just as quick to shut it up when your dad walks back in, keys in hand. You hadn’t even heard the shower stop running, hadn’t heard anything but the mixed up puddle that Eddie had left you in, completely zoned out in touch and taste to even realise.

It’s a long afternoon. Your body still tingles from this morning, electric waves burn through your bloodstream and nothing seems to dull as the hours pass. It’s absolute torture, makes you want to stand under a cold shower until your insides stop trembling.

Instead you opt to sleep it off.

It’s black. Everything is draped in darkness when your eyes suddenly jolt open. It’s baring in around you, feels like it’s seeping into your airways and you start to panic, the weight bares heavy on your chest, it’s restricting and absolutely terrifying.

“Shh, baby. It’s just me.”

Eddie’s got one knee propped on the side of your bed, he’s cautiously leaning over you. It’s hard to see, the atmosphere around still so dark, but you feel the brush of his hair against your chest, feel a sturdy hand trace the soft of your stomach.

“Jesus, Eddie. What are you doing? What time is it?”

“It’s past 6, your dad hasn’t left yet. So you got to be quiet for me, okay baby?”

You feel the contact of his mouth just above your belly button, the cool dip of wet ignites your skin as he licks trails in small circles before tugging the jewellery of your stomach piercing into his mouth.

The weight shifts, you feel the bed dip as Eddie manoeuvres himself above you, hands splay beside your head and instinctively you spread your legs, make way for eddie to slip between them. The contact is clearly evident, the strain of Eddie’s cock mounds into your pussy, the thin fabric creating the barest of barriers when Eddie ruts forward.

“Fuck.”

Eddie’s moaning right beside your ear, it mixes with the soft whimpers that spill from your mouth. Your hips meet his in the middle, your own body sourcing out the feeling as Eddie humps harder against you. The black fills with breath and pants, it’s a desperate play seeking pleasure, you both fucking up against each other, the friction all to much and not enough at the same time.

“I want you, Eddie. Please.”

It’s more begging at this point, your pussy so far teased to almost over simulation that the soaking wet mess seeping through your pyjama pants cooled the inside of your thighs.

“Yeah? How do you want me, baby. Tell me.”

Eddie’s slipped a hand under your ass, lifts your hips higher and further, pulling you closer, pressing the curve of his cock deeper against the material— feels like there’s barely anything there at all anymore.

“Ah, fuck. I—Inside me. I want you to fuck me.”

“Good fucking girl.”

Eddie brings his hand from under your ass, slips it into the side of your pants and pulls. He’s lent back on his heels, needy wasn’t the right fucking word, the way Eddie tears your clothing from your body. It was possessive, primal.

Eddie’s shifted from his own pants, bunched up fabric collects at his ankles before he settles back on the balls of his heels. It’s dark, still so fucking dark. But you follow the silhouette, trace the lines of broad shoulders and spread thighs, see the outline of his cock in his hand as he fucks up into his own palm. Sweat glistens under the little light sparing through the window, watch as his thighs twitch under the pressure, twisting and tugging at his cock, strands of hair fan in the shadow.

“Come here.”

Eddie reaches out into the mass, your hand follows, seeks and finds it immediately. Eddie tugs you into his lap, his cock slips through the lips of your pussy, nudges your clit as you feel him out.

It stings. The fresh stretch when you sink your hips onto his cock, slowly but still so fucking big. It fills you whole, has you feeling like Eddie’s cock is sitting right in your stomach. It’s shaky, the first couple of try’s. You work your hips in a pace that’s comfortable, settles the throb of pain when Eddie spreads his thighs further apart, pushes the head of his cock to meet the soft spot of your pussy. Eddie’s shoulders take your weight, you use them a leverage, when Eddie’s hands come to grip your hips, your thighs protest as you bounce on Eddie’s cock. Sickly sweet sounds of skin on skin pulse through the room, Eddie’s hips come up and meet yours when you slide back down his cock. Eddie drifts his hands, comes to rest them under your ass, encourages you further, deeper.

“Oh my god. Fuck, Eddie!”

“Shh, baby.” Eddie mounts your breast, sucks a hardened nipple into the warmth of his mouth, licks and plays with the sensation. “Your dad’s downstairs.”

You knew you should be quiet but every nerve in your body is screaming in exhilaration, the stretch and drag of Eddie’s cock with every bounce has your nails leaving permanent marks in the crescents of Eddie’s shoulders.

“Wouldn’t want your dad to hear those pretty little noises, hm?”

Eddie brings a hand to knot in the back of your hair, his knuckles twist in strains as he pulls your head forward, rests his forehead with yours.

“Don’t want him to see you riding my cock like a filthy little slut.”

It’s all whispers, dirty tainted words mixed with heavy breaths and groans. Eddie bares the words through gritted teeth, growling like instinct, at the image— has him thrusting up and fucking your harder.

“B—But you feel so good, Eddie.”

It’s absolutely pitiful, whiney, high pitched whisper that strangles it’s way from your throat, leaves you feeling desperate and fucked out.

The heat burns a trail from your toes, your stomach boils in anticipation and you know you’re so very close. Your actions become needy, bouncing and fucking Eddie’s cock for your own selfish pleasure, between slick and skin paving the perfect combination.

“You’re close baby, huh. I can feel it. Fuck me until you’re screaming baby. Come on.”

Eddie’s got a solid fucking grip on your ass, the latter twisted into the crown of your hair and he’s mercilessly fucking up into you. Eddie’s words play on repeat, rebound and come back to the start, it sends you further, has your orgasm baring down on his cock in rapid waves. You would have sworn you bit your lip so hard that you felt the trickle of blood seep from the broken skin. Your pussy contacts in spasms, you feel Eddie’s own release mix with your own as he burrows his face into the curve of your throat, sinks his cock as far as it will go into the hollow of your pussy.

It’s a sticky, wet, hot fucking mess when you peel yourself from Eddie, your legs sit like jelly, your thighs burn and your pussy throbs. Eddie cradles you in his arms, presses kisses to your temple. It’s overwhelming, the embrace, it’s soft and gentle, you wanted to stay forever but the distant voice of dinner calling from downstairs has you both scrambling for clothes.

Dinner is nice. Your dad has always been a fantastic cook and conversation is flowing all to normal. Your dad apologises once again for leaving tonight, hopes dinner will smooth the process and you have to fight to urge to tell him that the late nights aren’t as bad now.

There’s jokes and banter, causal conversation and when your dad informs you that there’s apple pie to come, Eddie pops a carrot in his mouth, smirks.

He looks directly at you.

“Can’t wait for dessert.”

[yuseirra]

Kamiki's feelings towards Ai- an analysis

Chapter 154 was so interesting and it happened just as I imagined the way it would, actually. What I can't fully predict is what'd happen AFTER this- there are so many things left undisclosed and yet to be uncovered, too. But it's allowed me to think about a lot of things.

Today I wrote up an analysis of how I feel Kamiki's character could be and his feelings towards Ai.

I'd speculated on Ai's relationship with him before this chapter was out. I was pretty much on the right track in a general sense (and another analysis on Aqua and how he feels about kana, too.)This seems like the best time to break out how I think about how kamiki would have felt about her from his end- before it's actually going to be told.

(This full post was originally written in a different language and I asked chatgpt-4 to help translate it in bulk because it got so long..! wow, and it did a really great job. I guess I'll use THAT to translate now)

The last episode made it clear how the protagonist's parents ended up the way they did and the deep emotions they had for each other, so I have quite a bit to say about that. Psychology is an area of interest for me. To put it extremely, it's everything in my creations (though it would be embarrassing if I missed the mark after saying this) to the point where I'd go, 'if I can't even do this, I'd wonder what I'm good at...' In other words, it's the area where I'm most confident... I enjoy watching, analyzing, and understanding things. It's a topic I can talk about enthusiastically and endlessly if the opportunity arises.

As I mentioned in a previous post, understanding others' emotions, whether in reality or fiction, is a tricky part to pin down definitively, so I'm always hesitant to speak rashly about it. I keep thinking, "Maybe it's this?" but because I really dislike being wrong, I don't speak strongly about it. And I think how one "feels" something is too personal a realm.

Therefore, when a story confirms things through dialogue, flashbacks, or actions, I get very excited. It’s like, "Now I can talk about it!" That's how I brought this post forth today.

Getting to the point, this manga is very well-written when it comes to emotional aspects (the emotions and the persuasiveness of the situations that evoke those emotions) of well-crafted characters. In my opinion, characters like Ai, Aqua, and Kana are quite well-developed, and other characters, even in their personal episodes or specific points, have at least a desirable level of persuasiveness as needed. In most cases, at least. Some scenes left me a lil confused time to time still, but at most, the scenes written with a clear perspective often show and evoke strong emotions, which I consider a strength of this manga. Considering the author's previous work was a romance manga... I guess someone who comes from writing romance manga is built differently! (I haven't watched Kaguya-sama though).

As for Kamiki, his past was as I expected. Looking at the small hints that were sprinkled earlier, I didn't think it would turn out much different from what was actually depicted. Realistically, a child who became the father of twins at the age of 15 (a highly unusual age by modern standards) couldn't have been so calculating and meticulous in using Ai or intentionally manipulating them to have their children, no matter how crazy he was, even if considering the manga’s verisimilitude. Ai is a smart person. She might not have received a proper education compared to the average person due to her inability to fit into the social safety net, but I think her innate intelligence was quite good... For Ai, Kamiki was someone who could maintain a good relationship with her, with her being the older out of the two, even. Being the cautious and careful person she is. Ai's would have coolly cut ties and walked away rather than being used if there was a need to. So I always thought their relationship would have been genuine at some point, at least.

And looking at his past, as expected... (even if it’s a manga, the whole situation he was in was too dreadful...) looking at his personality, he was a gentle and pure child who was tossed around a lot when he was younger. If an 11-year-old child had a relationship with an adult, the adult is absolutely not a proper human being. There’s no room for another interpretation. Even if the child said "it was okay", there’s no room for leniency. It’s nonsense. Kamiki had been sexually abused from a very young age, so it was almost impossible for him to form a proper concept about it, and he was at a resignation to the things that were happening to him... Ai was the one person who got close to him and wanted to help him escape from that situation. But since Ai was only a middle schooler, she realistically had no power to do anything drastic... Both lacked proper guardians and had a deficiency in love, so when they were fully exposed to an environment where outward attractiveness was heavily utilized, they had no means to protect themselves. The best they could do was create a mask to show others and keep convincing themselves that they were okay with it... They were drawn to each other because they shared that similarity and understood that part of each other. I liked that these two were set as peers around the same aga because, especially for young children, age difference has a significant impact on social experience and individual standing. It's better to have a similar age if they are to have an equal relationship. Adults should be with adults, and children should be with children. Their worlds are different, and even a completely insignificant adult can easily exploit and manipulate a child. I believe that relationships should be with people who share a similar perspective and have similar emotional resources to offer each other.

The scene where Ai goes to Airi and calls her just a sex offender might be exaggerated, but if we say exaggerated... it means there was some face-to-face interaction and that Ai helped Kamiki separate from Airi. Ai probably wanted to do what was depicted in the movie. In reality, you have to deal with the aftermath, and it probably didn’t go smoothly like the adult just backing off or listening to a teenager. However, Ai’s actions had some effect in helping Kamiki get away from Airi to some extent, leading to a period where they officially dated. During this time, Kamiki must have truly loved and been happy with Ai. The adults around didn’t know about the situation, and they never helped Kamiki. The one who listened, understood, and shared the troubling and dreadful situation that Kamiki had grown accustomed to for years was Ai.

For Kamiki, there was only Ai.

When Airi blackmailed and gaslit him into despair, Kamiki’s thoughts were to turn to Ai for help because there was only Ai for him. Ai was indeed everything to Kamiki, supporting and pulling him out of tough situations. Ai was like a light in his life. They already had mutual affection, so it wasn’t surprising.

Meeting someone who truly understands, accepts, and loves you is extremely precious and significant. The statement that he sincerely loved Ai is true because there was truly no one else in the world for him to love. He led a very isolated life.

I won't delve deeply into Ai’s analysis here since I covered that last time. But the statement that Ai wanted to shoulder everything together and share a future with kamiki was absoultely genuine. Then why did he leave and say such heartless things that would break Kamiki’s heart?

That'd be because having a child meant more responsibility for Kamiki, and Ai thought Kamiki couldn't handle it. So Ai decided to leave to lessen Kamiki’s burden, thinking that would be less painful for him than staying together. Ai probably felt that no matter what, Kamiki wouldn't break up with her unless she said something really harsh. Kamiki's mindset at that time, as shown in his thoughts, was that it was just the two of them against the world, and they could bear any pressure together. That feeling is understandable. So pitiable, really. Ai, however, also wasn’t someone who was very mentally healthy. I'm sure she wanted to help him, but her ways of "helping" wasn't and couldn't be so ideal because she too was only a child. Additionally, I feel Ai was quite conscious of being a year older, wanting to take care of the struggling Kamiki (Ai seems to have a maternal instinct despite not receiving such care herself). She wanted to share Kamiki’s burdens but couldn't share her own dark and difficult parts because she felt Kamiki was too fragile. So, to unburden Kamiki, she left with very harsh and definitive words, thinking Kamiki would be better off without her and their children. Hearing such harsh words, Kamiki immediately thought, "Oh... I am the problem," and understood why Ai left, hence couldn’t hold her back. Ultimately, he ended up believing that even Ai couldn’t love and accept him, which led to Kamiki’s self-deprecation, thinking he was the problem all along. After realizing she had clung to Ai, he thought, "Ai didn't love me, she was there because she just couldn't avoid me being too pure and innocent"

However, his love for Ai wouldn’t have disappeared just like that. Ai was too significant for Kamiki. He loved her to the extent that he felt he heard his whole world collapsed from the breakup.

When Kamiki was near the hospital during Ai's delivery, I don’t think he intended to harm Ai. Why would he harm the person he truly loved who was having his children? He was probably heartbroken for a while after Ai’s breakup with him and, upon hearing about Ai’s health issues on the news, worriedly searched for her until he found about the hospital she was admitted to. On the day the children were born, it could be that he couldn’t approach Ai due to him being self-conscious about Ai’s refusal. He just nervously lingered nearby, and that's when he could have encountered Ryosuke, who was stalking Ai. I might be interpreting too favorably...

When Kamiki learned that Ai was going to give birth, even though Ai had said she wouldn't, he was probably surprised but not resentful. He might have been confused and curious about why she decided to have the children, but upon seeing the newborns from afar, he likely felt overwhelmed with emotion, thinking they were his children.

Perhaps he even thought it would have been nice if they could have been a family together. Though Ai intended to show the children to Kamiki for the first time when they were around four, I suspect Kamiki had been concerned and affectionate about them even before that.

If they had kept in touch intermittently and Ai had sent pictures of the children, things might not have become so extreme. Regardless, I believe Kamiki felt affection for their children. Though Taiki was a trauma for him...

The phone call scene should be shown from Kamiki's perspective once. Having kept a distant watch over Ai and the children, he would have felt internal familiarity and gladness, thinking, "Could we meet again?" After being firmly rejected, he might have made bad decisions. It's hard to know how much of what he said regarding Ryosuke is true, but the idea that Kamiki wanted to kill Ai? If that were true, the more detailed confession (that it wasn’t intentional) would not have come out when Aqua had pushed for it. He said that he was the one that clung to her and killed her and tried to leave it at that at first. Kamiki’s willingness to accept lifelong infamy for his actions, by his own child, implies something different. What he's said after he was inquired further by Aqua seems more truthful than what was initially told. There's probably more to this because it still seems illogical and weird to some extent, but we have to remember he was okay with being perceived at being solely responsible Ai's murderer to Aqua in Ch 153, but his detailed explanations that may not have been even told tells to be a bit different from that. That means he probably feels guilty enough to blame himself entirely for what's happened.

Kamiki advising Aqua and Ruby aligns with my interpretation of his character. These actions seem sincere. Given his affection for Ai, he may feel some warmth towards their children, as he once referred to Ruby as "our" children. He's also been able to see through how Aqua is in a very accurate sense, he seems to have watched him intently. Hence, when Aqua approached him, he expressed his feelings honestly.

To Aqua, he says stuff like "you might find me detestable, but I was glad to talk like this with you", and he gives some advice to Ruby too in a pretty kind way, actually. These actions are likely genuine. It's only natural to find the children, who resemble themselves and their loved one, adorable. Just as Ai told the twins, while dying, that she was glad to have given birth to the children, I think Kamiki, even if they didn't love the children as much as they do for Ai, would at least be happy about their existence. I believe Kamiki would have kept a distant watch over them all along. It's just that he couldn't approach them. As I mentioned before, if he really is a god or possesses some powers, he, along with Ai, who's become a star, might have been supporting the children together in their own respective ways. Though the children were not born intentionally, they were still born out of love.

I got it right, didn't I? In my post about Ai, I wrote that Kamiki might have wanted to take responsibility for the children, but Ai could've had hid and left to avoid burdening him. When Kamiki heard about the pregnancy, he immediately proposed marriage, didn't he? If they had been in their early twenties, they might have really been able to get together. They might have raised the children well as a young couple, finding them quite adorable. If they had become parents at a more typical age, they wouldn't have been incapable of raising the children. In fact, Ai contacted him when the children were about four years old, and she was twenty. She couldn't reunite with Kamiki because of her thriving idol career and the potential scandal.

From Ai's perspective!! If she had hoped for and imagined raising their children together, it means she believed Kamiki would take good care of them, and she was probably right. Also, Ai's idea of happiness included this. Ai, when you look closer, was inexperienced due to her youth but still loved the children in her own way and had a maternal instinct. Talking to Ryosuke to distract him when the door chain wasn't on and he could have invaded and harmed the children was a wise choice.

Haha, speaking of that, maybe because I fell asleep thinking about this manga, I had a terrifying dream last night. I was threatened by a crazy person with a razor blade in a large shopping mall, walking with them like a hostage. I kept talking to avoid being killed, seized the blade, and ran for my life. I got in a car, thinking I was safe, but people were fleeing in panic. The person had more than one blade and started swinging it when their hostage escaped. I felt guilty. I'm so glad it was just a dream.

It's my first time having such a dream. Even though it's not real, experiencing it in a dream makes me respect Ai's response. She managed to calm and turn away Ryosuke, protecting the children. Ai is smart and thoughtful. Her ways of speech to induce not getting back together was really blunt and hurtful not not exactly the best in terms of the emotions it could bring forth, but understandable. Her character is often lacking in emotional responses but sharp in thinking. Between the two, Kamiki is the more emotional one, but Ai was more mature in their relationship. Still, Ai loved Kamiki to the point of wishing he would rely on her and wanting to be his support and that says a lot. That was her way of loving.

Back to Kamiki, what are his current feelings about Ai? He still loves her and was once(and even now) is willing to give everything for her. His feelings for Ai were genuinely deep. Even when he resigned himself to believing Ai never loved him, he was willing to be avenged by Aqua if that's what she wanted. This wasn't a lie. He wouldn't lie to his children. His parental feelings are also genuine.

But there's something more. Kamiki has something in common with Aqua. There's something vast that he carries without revealing everything. After breaking up with Ai, he might have done a lot of wrong things, but his base nature actually seems to be on the timid side, even gentle. He couldn't properly communicate with Ai when she decided to break up all of a sudden, and just let her go, indicating his mild nature. For someone like him to take extreme actions, something extreme must have happened. Ai's death would be such a trigger. If he were to act extremely, it would be related to Ai. He lived a life of being pushed around, with little attachment to himself, being saved by Ai and deeply wanting to be with her. Ai caused him pain but was also his savior. For Kamiki, Ai was his reason for living.

When I saw the lyrics of "Fatal," I immediately had a huge hunch. The psychological state reflected in the song perfectly matches Kamiki's feelings towards Ai. It's very blind and desperate, with what he's originally had twisted negatively. The narrator of the song keeps trying to give and do something, feeling it's still not enough. This song fills in the gaps in Kamiki's character that were hinted at but not explicitly described. The narrator couldn't be anyone but Kamiki.

I understood why Kamiki came to love Ai so deeply through the flashbacks. Given their backgrounds, it made sense that he would love Ai immensely. So when I heard the song and read the lyrics, I immediately felt it was right. Do you think my analysis will be way off?

It seems like Ai and Kamiki's story draws motifs from Japanese mythology. One motif comes from the gods of entertainment, Ame-no-Uzume and Sarutahiko (in terms of abilities), and the other from the couple Izanagi and Izanami (with Amaterasu—she has something to do with Ruby-, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo—the sea god—Aqua). In the myth, Izanagi tries to bring back Izanami, who died giving birth, from the underworld but ultimately fails to revive her.

This narrative aligns with the first season's ending song "Mephisto" and the second season's opening "Fatal," which are about wanting to save someone and meet them again. So far, all efforts have been in vain, and the songs mention continuously offering something. If these songs reflect Kamiki's feelings, then Kamiki must still love Ai and desperately wish for her to come back to life. This seems very likely.

The concept of the "stage" is also mentioned in both songs. The protagonist struggles on stage, which won't let them go. They don't actually want to live that way, but their only purpose for enduring it is to reunite with their loved one. These songs seem like spoilers, hinting at future developments. Otherwise, why would such lyrics appear? It feels like there's a stage set by the gods, and the characters are trapped within it.

The first season's ending is titled "Mephisto," referring to a demon who grants wishes in exchange for one's soul.

Whether it's Aqua, Kamiki, or both, there's clearly a deal involving risking their existence or life to see Ai again. But it can't be Aqua because he was told by the Tsukuyomi girl that Ai could no longer reincarnate. Aqua's goal would be to fulfill Ai's wishes, not to meet her again. However, the songs' themes are clearly different from that. Something is up.

There are definitely suspicious gaps in Kamiki's actions, but thinking this way brings consistency to his sparse psychological reveals. One way or another, this character is obsessed with Ai, and Ai wants to help him.

When he realizes that the person he loved loved him back, he should be either sad or happy. But there's a reason for his shock (which is, also natural, but he's in utter shock). It might be that he's in a state where he cannot be saved.

When this character asked Ai for help as a child, Ai sincerely wanted to help but couldn't do enough alone. So, she wanted to help him along with their children. Comparing now to then, he might have walked into a much deeper pit on his own, for Ai's sake. Depending on the extent of what he did, he might end up still being unforgivable.. or maybe he might not have actually committed something as serious as it's been hinted and have a chance to be actually brought back to happiness But I can't envision a future where Kamiki lives happily for now. His life has been too miserable, so unfortunate.. and it's probably really messed up at this point too, so sacrificing himself for his children and following Ai might be his happy ending. Ai wants to see him, so it could be most happy if she came to take him with her. Considering the scenes shown so far, it's unclear if he deserves a happy ending. But anyhow, there's likely some special circumstance the guy's in that's going to bring a new light about his character

That's it. I had to talk about it all before the next episode comes up! If I'm wrong, well, that's that! But it was so fun analyzing him~

[that-was-a-bit-stupid-of-you]

ttpd review: thoughts (and prayers)

cuz wtf was that. (also providing my two cents that no one gives a shit about)

Is the promotion in the room with us?

Not going to lie, this part pissed me off. As a post evermore release swiftie, the first album release I got was midnights. And while the promotion for midnights wasn't astoundingly genius, the track list release (midnights mayhem with me) was smart. Everyday, there would be chaos all over social media of taylor taking out a number and releasing the track name. The excitement over YOYOK was to die for. But after reaching peak fame, girlie just decided shit wasn't necessary anymore. Absolutely no promotion for ttpd, except a few lyrics that provided no context (or excitement) whatsoever. That, and the very non subtle "hinting" of some big reveal of what went down between her and joe, by making some playlists, that not only ruined the perspective of many of her fans and the relationship they had with her previous songs, but ALSO. THE ALBUM HAD BARELY ANYTHING ABOUT JOE. (Not that i personally care about what happened, but it was so unnecessary to center the ONLY promotion done around someone who was barely a part of the album). Swifties went on the internet to harass joe alwyn (and his female coworkers) who might as well be called a special mention on a matty healy album. Why even do all that then? We will never know.

Confusion?

taylor released 31 songs, and while a double album theory coming true would be a dream come true for any swiftie, it just... wasn't. Out of 31 songs, barely 10 stood out. Some of it just didn't make sense, in any way. "Why is this on the album?" "This sounds like a midnights vault track." "No issues, maybe this is just a skip. I'll listen to the next. Oh wait nvm. Um." Like girl what. It just feels like a giant vault album of synth pop music.

Also, it's called the tortured poets department. There is barely anything poetic or tortured about the album aesthetic. Except maybe it's torturing me, but I'm as much of a poet as she is, which basically means I'm not one.

The album just feels so different than the other albums, in the sense that they followed an aesthetic, a certain style of music and lyrics, and created some sort of story. This one just feels like she wrote many songs and put them all on an album, picked whatever track name seemed interesting enough as the album name, and called it a day. Some of the songs are gems, some create a confusion as to why they are on this album, and some just make you cringe- or atleast go "wtf". Which is fine, but if not even half the songs fall under the first category out of 30 songs, then it's a problem.

These were written by... taylor?

The lyrics omfg. I'm not going to be one of those ppl who go around saying that the lyrics sounded like an emo middle schooler (I've heard this take) BUT again, some songs have lyrics that make you question how taylor, someone who wrote the albums folklore and evermore, and many great songs like would've, could've, should've, story of us, all too well, fearless, white horse, dbatc, daylight, red... I could keep going tbh, produced...this.

It was very weird to listen to the words "tattooed golden retriever" from someone who wrote "handsome, you're a mansion with a view" (also who the FUCK is calling matty healy that??)

A very important part of taylor's music is how it is focused on the lyrics. The music itself isn't the most special, or different, in most of her songs, but what makes them (and her) special is her songwriting. However, from her songwriting going from commonly used phrases and idioms to make them tell a story, use a wide range of vocabulary, heavily using personification, allusion, transferred epithet, and a few other figures of speech that she uses in her songs to make elements such as colours, for example, tell a story, in a way it seemed effortless and fit perfectly, to this... now it feels like she's trying to do that, but that's it. She's TRYING, and it's not yielding results, and seems more like a try hard "poet" rather than... whatever she was going for. The songs are filled with self-satisfied "clever" metaphors that are being reused and recycled over and over. This is not what ppl meant when they asked you to be more environmentally friendly, taylor.

Final thoughts I guess?

While the songs are basically only an empty shell of something that taylor used to make, the album isn't all bad. Some of the songs do sound good and go well with taylor's voice (aaron dessner, the fucking legend you are) and are quite enjoyable, if not as memorable as her other songs.

There are songs such as the prophecy, clara bow, so long, london, loml, guilty as sin?, etc., that really do come through and honestly I really like them.

I do feel that the album can grow on people, but it's just... not the best. Like she says so much, and not to quote taylor swift, but genuinely the only thing in my head right now is "the more you say, the less I know".

Overall, the album is fine, but not in taylor swift standards. It's just... not bad, with some exceptions.

[blackdollette]

kinktober day 3

10.05 - DEGRADING | JACK THURLOW!

݁ ˖🕸️.𖥔 ݁ ˖ {tags} @willsdollface @bub0nic-plague @izuoyarmin @auggiethecreator @areuirish @kashmirclam @that-one-persons-posts

previous: 10.03 - PRAISE

sub!reader x dom!jack

word count: 1.1k

contents: degradation, spanking, overstimulation, slight dacryphilia, blowjob, cum eating, hints of praise

on the night of halloween, you could faintly hear the cheers of people around the neighbourhood, each chasing a sugar high of their own. but the only “trick-or-treat” you got tonight was jack.

he’d started the day off acting sickeningly sweet, treating you with more love and kindness than usual. he’d even promised you a “special treat” once night fell. never in a million years would you have thought that the same kind gentleman from the morning was the one that was mercilessly degrading you by night.

“ass up, whore.” he landed yet another painful slap on your sore ass, sending a shockwave through your body. he pounded into you at a rough, ruthless pace that made you forget everything you've ever known. you whined, arching your back as his rhythm abused your throbbing cunt.

you whined as tears poured down your cheeks, earning another harsh slap. “such a fucking whore… going dumb on my cock, hm?” he forced your hips into his, digging his length even deeper in you. your sobs sounded like music to his ears, fueling his desire to ruin you completely.

“t-too much, jack… p-please!” you choked out sobs as you begged him to stop, but you and he both knew that you only wanted the opposite. “shut up, bitch. you’re my toy, understand?” he reached out and grabbed your neck, forcing your head up. he felt your throat vibrate as pained cries erupted from them, summoning a sick smile to his face.

“yeah… show me how much of a slut you are…” he chuckled as you fell apart underneath him. he grabbed your hips roughly, forcing them into his. your skin slapped with his so hard that you would surely be bruised by the time he was done with you. you buried your head into the pillow to muffle your cries, but jack wanted to hear every noise you let out.

he grabbed a handful of your hair and pulled your head back up. “lemme hear those noises… wanna hear how good i’m making that little pussy feel…” you sobbed as he cock found the bundle of sensitive nerves deep inside you. you started leaking all over his length, making in glisten in the dim light of the room.

he watched as you uncontrollably bucked your hips into him, pleased at the effect he always had on you. “no one can make this slutty cunt feel as good as i can, got it? say it, hon…” he held your throat, forcing you to say the words as tears streamed down your flushed cheeks. “o-only you, jack…” you could barely make out the words, but he was satisfied with you attempted response, reaching a hand in between your legs to start toying with your swollen clit.

you clenched tightly around his length, throwing your head back as your body submitted to his touch. he groaned deeply, slurring out some quiet words that easily surpassed your hearing. “s-so tight for such a whore…” his cock twitched inside of you. being able to see you in this helpless position made him feel like he was on top of the world.

 each thrust hit so deep inside of you that you could physically feel yourself losing touch with reality every second. he got more aggressive with his movements, slapping your ass, grabbing your waist and marking up your hips. everything he did made the desire inside of you grow, even though you had already been going for hours.

you mumbled out meaningless little words that signalled how far gone you were. your body trembled underneath his own. you had cum too many times to count, but jack kept track by looking at the milky ring you had created at his base. the sight made him go completely feral, causing that familiar knot to tie inside of his stomach.

“n-naughty girl making such a mess of this cock. k-keep goin’ doll…” his power began to leave him as he felt a pent-up orgasm finally rising to the surface. he angled his hips in a way that made your blood run cold. you screamed out as he rubbed fast circles onto your clit, sending a squirting orgasm through your abused cunt.

jack pulled out with a loud moan, watching how your tiny pussy released such massive waves. he gave your sore bud a few taps with his tip. “couldn’t even hold it in, huh?” he chuckled darkly, flipping you over so you were on your back. he rested on the headboard, calling you closer with a finger.

“im not finished with you yet, doll. gonna ruin that throat of yours tonight…” you crawled in between his legs, propping yourself up with your elbows. jack couldn’t help but take a minute to admire how fucked out you looked right now. all glassy-eyed and flushed cheeks. he caressed your face in his hands gently. 

you melted into his touch, but it barely lasted a moment. he forced your jaw open, shoving his full length into your throat. you gagged, tears instantly welling in your eyes once again. your throat fluttered around his length, breaking the hard exterior that he’d been keeping on all night. a whimper emerged from him, shocking both of you, but neither of you paid any mind to it.

“y-yeah, just like that…” he bucked his hips into your sore throat, his eyes fluttering open and shut. his swollen cock took up twice the amount of space that it usually did, signalling that his orgasm was nearing. you hollowed your cheeks and swirled your tongue around his tip. he swallowed a hard groan, trying his best to refrain from blowing his load right there.

“nasty girl… look at you taking my whole cock down your throat…” it got harder for him to get his words out as you bobbed your head up and down quickly. his chest heaved up and down as he felt that overwhelming sense of relief washing through him. he pushed your head all the way down, forcing every inch inside of you as he shot hot ropes of cum to the back of your throat.

his body vibrated, the pleasure reaching a point where he could feel his soul leaving his body. he lazily bucked his hips into your mouth a few more times before pulling out, panting like a dog. he didn’t break eyes contact with you for a second, watching as you swallowed every last drop of his seed.

he stroked your cheek with his thumb, staring deeply into your pretty eyes. he pulled you up, pressing a soft kiss onto your forehead. he didn’t have anything left to say, but the way he held you and buried his head into your neck said everything you needed to know.

author's note: this was supposed to come out at midnight but the stupid schedule this didnt work :(( but yall can eat this one up while i work on a bonus one that should come out tomorrow. thanks for reading!

[kikyoupdates]

Indebted ⭑˚🥀⭑ 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑡

yandere!ocs x f!reader

yandere, reverse harem, yandere reverse harem, original characters x fem!reader, slowburn, isekai

Following your mother’s recent passing, you are visited by a group of men claiming that your father abandoned all his debt and obligations, leaving you to take his place.

previous | story masterlist | next

The car ride was unsurprisingly tense. You were crammed inside the same vehicle as Ryu, with his broad shoulders pressed up against yours in the back seat. He’d said that he intended for you to work and pay off your father’s debt, but you wouldn’t be surprised if he changed his mind and decided to kill you instead.

And yet he still had the nerve to try and make small talk with you.

“Oh, I suppose I should apologize for how sudden our visit was,” he commented offhandedly. “I am sorry for your loss. You must still be in the process of grieving, but life goes on, as they say.”

His tone was dripping with insincerity, and you had every right to want to knee him in the balls, but you also had no desire to accelerate your death. So, you stayed quiet. Avoided eye contact, avoided his questions. You just stayed as still as possible and tried to keep from breaking down.

After a little while, the car parked right outside your apartment. You couldn’t even pretend to act surprised. They’d looked into your family’s background and tracked down the location of the funeral; it went without saying that they had an idea of where you lived too.

Well, not for much longer, by the sounds of it.

“Pack a few belongings, and then leave your keys with one of my men,” Ryu instructed. His dark eyes narrowed. “And don’t even think about trying to run away. You don’t want to find out what happens when you test my patience.”

You nodded briskly. Two of his subordinates followed you up to your apartment and waited as you grabbed some clothes, your laptop, and a few other valuables. You didn’t want to drag this out too long. Ryu had already hinted that he wasn’t a particularly patient guy.

Once you were finished and had everything packed up in two suitcases, you looked back over your shoulder. It was a small, cheap one-bedroom place, but you’d been living here for a while now. Leaving so suddenly just didn’t feel natural. Well, not that any part of this arrangement was natural to begin with.

One of the men extended his hand out. “Give me the keys,” he ordered. “We’ll make sure the lease is settled.”

“What are you going to do? My contract isn’t up yet.”

“None of your business. All you need to do is listen up and keep your mouth shut. If the boss says to do something, you do it.”

They didn’t seem to care much for your company. Then again, you hadn’t really expected for a group of yakuza to be all that friendly.

Keeping your gaze low to the ground, you stepped out of the apartment, dragging your luggage behind you. They loaded all your belongings into the trunk, and then you were back in the car again, right by Ryu’s side. Much to your immense dismay.

“All good?” he asked.

You nodded.

“What, are you mute all of a sudden? When I speak to you, you’d better answer properly.”

“Everything’s good,” you affirmed, swallowing uncomfortably. Ryu stared at you for a few moments before eventually scoffing in your face. You didn’t really know what he expected. Your mother had just recently died, and you were scared for your life. It was taking all your strength not to cry in front of these people again.

The drive took a while. You had no clue where you were heading, but it wouldn’t have made a difference anyways. Ryu’s lackeys had taken the liberty of confiscating your cell phone, so you couldn’t call for help even if you were willing to take the risk. Ironically, the most frustrating part in all of this was not that you were being taken against your will, but that your father’s words from all those years ago were playing in your mind on a loop.

“Those men are going to take care of us. Once I become a fully-fledged member, things will turn around.”

What a fucking joke. In the end, he couldn’t even commit to the group he’d chosen to abandon his own family for. He’d messed everything up and destroyed your life in the process. He wasn’t even around anymore, and he was still ruining things for you.

Your expression shifted into a scowl without you even realizing it. Beside you, Ryu let out an amused chuckle.

“There’s finally some life in your eyes,” he hummed. “You look upset, sweetheart. Are you upset with me?”

“No. Not with you.”

“Really?”

“You’re only taking care of business,” you reluctantly admitted. “I know it isn’t personal. It’s just about money. And I… don’t have any money to give you.”

His lips curled into a smile. “Who are you upset with, then?”

“My father. He was a terrible person back when I knew him, and it seems like that still hasn’t changed.”

“It looks like that’s something we can agree on. It’s good for you to have someone to direct your anger towards. Anger, resentment—those are all things that will make you stronger. But don’t direct those emotions towards me,” he warned. “Never towards me.”

You pressed your lips together. You hadn’t exactly been completely honest. You did resent him, but he was a criminal to begin with, so you couldn’t expect for him to do the sane, rational thing. It didn’t matter how you felt about him, anyways. He was the leader of a group of dangerous, violent individuals. You didn’t stand a chance against any of them.

The trip dragged on, to the point that you were starting to feel quite groggy. All of the adrenaline that had kept you going until now had just about run out. It was late in the night, and you were exhausted. You just wanted to lay down and sleep, wherever that may be.  

“We’re here,” Ryu finally said. “Get out of the car.”

You did as you were told. The area didn’t look too familiar, but you tried not to panic immediately. You were in front of a large, traditional-style home. It was possibly one of the biggest you’d ever seen.

“Are we still in Yokohama?” you asked.

“What did I say about asking questions?” one of the men snapped.

“Yes, we are,” Ryu mercifully answered. “It’s a ways off from your old apartment, but we haven’t left the city. Come on. Let’s go inside.”

You grabbed your suitcases out of the trunk and followed behind him. It would be your first time staying in a traditional home. Most of your friends had gone on vacation to seaside inns and hot springs, but you’d never had the money growing up to take any trips like that. If nothing else, you would at least get to see what you’d been missing out on. Disregarding the fact that you’d basically just been kidnapped.

It looked even bigger inside than on the outside, and you could already predict that you would be getting lost trying to navigate the long hallways and countless sliding doors.

“In here,” Ryu gestured, sliding one of the larger doors open. He looked back over his shoulder, addressing his subordinates. “Wait around for a while longer. I need to deal with her first.”

“Yes, sir.”

He patted you on the lower back and roughly pushed you inside the room. You yelped a bit, nearly tripping over your own feet. Ryu slid the door to a close behind him.

It was just the two of you now. Granted, the place was very big, but you didn’t much like the idea of being left alone with him. At least in front of the rest of his group, you could tell he was acting out the part of a leader. Now… there was something eerily sinister about his expression. You didn’t like it one bit.

“This will be your room,” he said. “Mine is right next to yours. There’s still some stuff I need to clean out, but it should be more than big enough. Any concerns?”

You shook your head. “No. You’re right, this is plenty of space for one person. Thank you.”

“Thank you?” he repeated, laughing a bit. “You’re thanking me? After I basically told you that you have no choice but to work for me in order to pay off a debt that isn’t even yours in the first place?”

“I just meant… thank you for giving me this room. It’s a nice room. I’ve never had such a big place all to myself before.”

“Hm. Well, it’s certainly easier than having you struggle and try to make things needlessly difficult. We still need to figure out how exactly you’ll be earning my money back, though.”

“I have two part-time jobs,” you perked up. “It’s not a lot, but once I pay off my loans, I should be able to send you my earnings.”

Ryu stared at you in disbelief. “Seriously? You think two measly jobs that a university student qualifies for are going to be anywhere near enough to cover your debt?”

“I-I’m not sure. How much did he steal?”

“You don’t want to know, doll. I can guarantee it’ll only freak you out even more.” He brought his hand to his chin, dark eyes scanning you over from top to bottom. “Well… come to think of it, you’re very cute. You have a pretty face, and your figure is also nice, from what I can see in that dress. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who’d be willing to pay a nice sum to get better acquainted with your body.”

At first, you were dumbstruck, but the gravity of his words quickly set in.

You stared at him in horror. “Y-You want to pimp me out?”

“I’m considering it. Granted, it may be somewhat of a hassle given your lack of experience, but we could have someone show you the ropes. Get you settled in real nice.”

“No!” you cried out, easily the loudest you’d spoken since being kidnapped. You thought of your mother, who was still fresh in her grave. If she was watching over you from a better place right now, her poor heart would break to see you selling your body out. “Please,” you begged, dropping to your knees before him. “Anything but that. I’ll work as many jobs as you need—I’ll go without sleep, without rest. Just please… please don’t make me do that.”

Ryu stared down at you, eyes filled with mirth. “You can be really adorable at times, you know that? Look at you, already so docile and submissive. That’s a good selling point. The customers will like that.”

“Please,” you cried, “please don’t make me…”

“You seem to be forgetting something. It’s not for you to decide. From this moment onwards, I own your life. You can either do as I say, or I kill you.”

“I would rather die,” you told him defiantly. And you meant those words. You were no stranger to hard work, sleep deprivation, struggling not to buckle under all the stress. But this? You weren’t going to cling to your life only to live on in humiliation. You would rather go out with your dignity still intact.

Ryu gave you an unimpressed look. “You say that now, but that’s only because you haven’t looked death in the eyes yet. You don’t know the pain of torture, the fear of fading into nothingness. So, don’t get smart with me. Whatever you do, it’s my call, not yours.”

You dug your fingers into the fabric of your dress. You felt so small before him, so insignificant. Even more so when you were kneeling. It was true that you knew nothing of the world of the yakuza. But even as misinformed as you were, you weren’t completely ignorant. You saw full well the cruelty in Ryu’s black eyes. That wasn’t the look of a man—it was the look of a beast, a predator hunting for its next kill.

You were nothing to him. Absolutely nothing. He could kill you in a heartbeat and forget you’d ever existed the very next day.

“Relax,” he said, crouching down before you. He reached his hand out towards your head, and you involuntarily flinched, but held your ground. Ryu smiled coldly, running his fingers through your hair. “I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do. If you work hard, maybe you’ll change my mind. As long as you obey, I have no reason to hurt you.”

You were full-on glaring at him now, no longer trying to hide your animosity. He chuckled, clearly amused at your little show of defiance.

“Unpack your things and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll show around our main office.”

He turned away from you, and you felt a small sense of relief knowing that he was finally about to leave you alone. He didn’t leave, though. At least, not right away. His eyes scanned the corner of the room before he reached over and withdrew what looked to be a yukata.

Without warning, he began changing out of his suit. Your eyes widened, and you hurried to avert your gaze. He probably didn’t even care. As far as he was concerned, you were just an object to him, not a real human being. Still, you waited for some sort of signal that he was done changing, but that signal never came.

Cautiously, you peered back over your shoulder, just in time to see him pulling the yukata up over his shoulders. His back was exposed for a few moments, long enough for you to make a very big, discernible tattoo. It was a dragon, in black and green ink, coiled around itself as if it were dancing through the air. Bright dashes of crimson stood out amidst the dark ink, snaking around the dragon’s body and burning as vividly as a flame.

Ryu tightened the belt of his yukata and stepped out of the room without another word.

The next morning, Ryu stayed true to his words and brought you along to the group’s offices.

As members of an organized crime syndicate, you’d always known that the yakuza didn’t really bother with hiding from the public. If anything, it was a thing of pride for them to display their organization’s identity on nameplates outside the buildings. They skirted on the wrong side of the law, but were able to get by through their connections and the sense of fear they instilled in the authorities.

Still, you were surprised to find out just how normal everything looked.

The offices were no different than what you would see in any ordinary corporate building. Dressed in their suits and working at desks, they almost gave off the air of your day-to-day salarymen. Of course, you knew better than that. You couldn’t say for certainty, but you had a strong feeling that the majority of the members had killed someone before.

Everyone bowed as they greeted Ryu. You had to admit that the respect he commandeered was impressive. He walked with a quiet, strong sense of confidence. You could tell by looking around the room. No one would ever think of opposing him.

Except for your shithead of a dad, apparently.

Ryu eventually stopped in front of a desk. “Here we are. Yuki. I’m putting you in charge of [Name] for now. Show her around the place and teach her how to file all the paperwork. And make sure she doesn’t get any funny ideas. I don’t need another headache to deal with.”

The young man he’d just addressed stood up in a hurry. “Of course, boss. I’ll take care of her.”

“Good. Get to work.”

Ryu walked away, heading to what appeared to be his own private office near the back. You were relieved to know that he wouldn’t be supervising you himself. It felt you could finally breathe again.

“You’re [Name], right?” the man said. He turned towards you and extended his hand out, smiling pleasantly. “I’m Yuki. Maeno Yuki. It’s nice to have you on board.”

He looked to be around your age, much more boyish than the majority of the members. He had wavy golden hair that was practically shining, and pretty emerald eyes. You knew first impressions could be deceiving, but for now, he was definitely much more welcoming than the scary, buff middle-aged men that were all glaring you down.

He looked normal. You liked normal.

You shook Yuki’s hand and forced a smile. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ll do my best to keep up.”

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[bladekindeyewear]

HS^2 bloggin’ mainline 2024-08-16

(Previous post - current page 666)

We're continuing from yesterday inside Therapy Purgatory, and by checking out this second part with what looks like Mindfang's Journal, I'll finally be caught up on Homestuck^2: Beyond Canon and ready to liveblog any future updates as they come! :D Don't expect me to drop everything and blog immediately every time there's an upd8, but you CAN expect me to be ready to liveblog at least within a couple days of each one, I'll try to keep track of the Homestuck Twitter for updates to this section specifically too.

So, Mindfang's Journal... what will this represent in comparison to the others? Not Terezi, yet? It seems like her feelings toward Terezi would be either saved for the last part (the 8-ball) or not shown here at all, because her path to growth regarding Terezi is meant to be resolved outside the Plot Point's purgatory, not inside.

Will this deal with her relationship with her ancestor, and/or her mother? Is she going to see that she was looking up to a toxic role model in those journals? Are we going to see any hints of Vriska having been transfem or is that relegated to Pesterquest still, 'cause that would be nice to see? (I don't know much about Pesterquest other than that toblerone wish being fulfilled over there along with several other possible-trans identities hinted, no need to spoil me on any of it in case I have the courage to go through that content someday. It'd be too much work to LIVEBLOG it but I might go through it on my own and have commentary to share with y'all or something.)

Okay, clicking on Mindfang's journal now...

YEAR 4

WOW, she's going to have caught up to John (and/or Terezi in the (Meat) Timeline more like) in age at this rate? GOSH she takes a long time to psychotherapize but this is the best deus ex machina I could have ever imagined, getting her to have so much time without distractions to ACTUALLY work through her issues is fucking incredible.

But what is she working on this time?

Oh hi, one of the Nannasprites? Her "lucky mojo"... so she doesn't feel like she has her powers in this realm, which makes sense because there's no relevance or luck left to take/steal from here that isn't already concentrated inside herself?

HOLY SHIT SHE'S ACTUALLY GROWING UP IN THE SPRITEWORK, she's taller with longer horns and everything!!!!! Compare to this from the Flarp Manual section:

--although when you compare that to THIS from the very BEGINNING of page 666's sequence before the two year skip, there's not much change:

--so this NEW, MUCH TALLER sprite model is a huge step up in visual age that will likely last a section or two at least, or even serve as her final form aside from outfit changes.

Moving on...

Okay, so she's been trying to use her powers with everyone cheering her on, and it hasn't been working.

VRISKA: I don't want to 8ore you, it's just the same pro8lem as always. VRISKA: Finally I get my sea legs and figured out what this whole process is a8out, 8reeze through Eridan and John and Kanaya, only to get stuck all over again on HER.

Interesting... so is it Terezi, Mindfang, or her Lusus? I figure the Cueball section that isn't done yet is Doc Scratch, because Doc was someone who intentionally used and took advantage of her faults compared to almost anyone else, and fooled her into using the excuse of inevitability. Interesting that that's the next step after she's "cleared" lessons she's learned from her past relationships with the others offscreen. So who's this HER who's the step before this?

VRISKA: I'm not so sure........she's different from the rest of them. And no matter how I approach this, I can't figure out what the hell she wants.

Hm-- perhaps this one isn't about listening to them and what they want, but penetrating through to a way in which THEY wronged YOU and that you SHOULDN'T be listening to what they want, if we're going with Mindfang or her Lusus?

Ooh, it's weird and heartening to hear her honestly telling the Nannasprite Duo that they've made this "whole experience way more 8earable" and honestly thanking them. She's really in the process of growing up emotionally, not just physically, and it's SHOWING.

And now she's talking about having talked with John about Nanna and their shared experience of "connecting to our predecessors through their writings". Maybe "HER" IS Terezi, and she's going to try to take a detour to try and learn from Mindfang to help her with the process, only to figure out how to be somewhat disillusioned with Mindfang or actually learn from Mindfang's mistakes somehow?

VRISKA: What exactly do humans get out of these familial prim8 relationships, anyway?

Hrmm, maybe this IS about her lusus?

Ooh, Vriska asking Nannasprite why she had children (Dad Egbert). Never thought she'd ask something like that.

NANNASPRITE: I couldn't exactly bring that man [Sassacre] back from the dead, but I could put myself in his shoes and do the bang up job he never had the opportunity to do. Not to mention, I like babies! :B

Yeah, you would!

Hahah, of course Vriska doesn't understand why a human would want to raise a gross infant. So maybe this IS about her Lusus, and why her Lusus would really "want" to raise her and not eat her in part, not to mention accepting how her Lusus essentially abused and used her in ways that fucked her up?

Nanna talking about wanting to avenge herself against the Batterwitch once, before she'd vanished, of course.

NANNASPRITE: So many nights spent plotting that awful woman's downfall and making her pay for all the indignities of my childhood. For always making me feel like I was powerless to do anything.

OH THIS SECTION IS TOTALLY ABOUT VRISKA AND HER LUSUS ISN'T IT!!!

NANNASPRITE: Not to mention that now, after seeing what my younger self has gotten up to in this realm [Candy], I clearly underestimated the depth of my own desires.

Yeah, that must have been disconcerting. It's so easy for Life players, tied to the aspect of power and wealth and privilege, to decide they want IT ALL regardless of their class.

And Nannasprite realizes that if she HAD gotten revenge against the Batterwitch she wouldn't have been satisfied, that's a mature viewpoint; she can't fill the hole in her heart with it.

Wow, even watching Vriska these past few years has changed Nannasprite's point of view, she says?

NANNASPRITE: I had always wanted Betty Crocker to know what a mistake it was to steal my life, my potential, from me. NANNASPRITE: But the real issue was that not once during my childhood did I ever feel particularly wanted, or welcomed, into the world. I only had my brother, and even he ran off on me! NANNASPRITE: Yet despite that fact, and the anger and the disappointment, I still raised someone who knew what it was like to be loved.

And that pretty much SOLIDIFIES that this has to be about Vriska's lusus. We'll finally get to hear the version of her that TALKED to Vriska in sprite form, possibly! That would be the best way to work through the abuse that she was put through in part, and how unloved she felt in other-part where she felt if she didn't feed her lusus said lusus would easily have turned on her and eaten her to search out better food providers, Vriska likely always believed. Perhaps she'll also learn that her lusus thought teaching her to feed on and kill other trolls would MAKE HER STRONG, much like Bro's abuse of Dave was intended to make HIM 'strong' but weakened him in ways he's still reckoning with.

Nannasprite definitely feels that despite her hardship, she "indeed fulfill a path of potential to its fullest degree", lived a full and enriching life by doing what her own parent wouldn't for her for someone else, and doesn't regret it. And almost ("marginally") is grateful for the Batterwitch serving as counterexample, as learning NOT to live like her taught her how to seek true happiness through fulfilling others, not just herself. Vriska needs to learn this same lesson from her own experience with her lusus, it's being all spelled out here practically. Heck, it almost feels like we're speedrunning the part, except Vriska will need a bit more than the answer spelled out for her like this to get it through her thick head I bet.

VRISKA: I guess that makes sense. Weren't you worried, though? That you weren't following the right path, or living up to your destiny? NANNASPRITE: I never even considered that, hoo hoo! NANNASPRITE: Is that how you kids think these days? My lord, no wonder none of you go outside anymore.

(Pff)

Interesting, maybe Mindfang IS involved in this section too, maybe BOTH her lusus and Mindfang-- and the above is indeed an insecurity Vriska reckoned with through the very end of her plotline so far.

VRISKA: Don't p8tronize me, old lady! Destiny's the found8tion of my godhood!

Yeah, she still has a lot to learn.

Nannasprite contending that "destiny mostly fulfills itself" is nice, and also a very Life-player outlook I'd think.

Aw, Vriska's even apologizing for getting snippy!! She's come so far already!!!

Oh gosh, this WONDERFUL pose in this frame and Vriska's eye shining with emotion in it, that's so good.

{Choose Mindfang's Journal.}

Pure white...?

{????????}

Oh you overdramatic 8itch, Ancestor-version Aranea Serket! Mindfang being as overdramatic and insufferable as she TRULY MUST HAVE BEEN.

Now she's storywriting for her, setting a scene unseen, the way Mindfang's journals must have done for Vriska making her imagine her ancestor's setting and travels. Also interesting how her tangled spiderweb looked like broken glass...

As was the figure 8efore her. Though she had only ever seen it 8ehind her eyes, its form was shaped 8y words.

I have to admit, overdramatic as Mindfang can be, sometimes her writing is really damned good.

VRISKA: You can drop the ominous buildup, I already know the twist.

Hahahaha, even SHE'S getting impatient with Mindfang by now.

Oh? Had the thief 8een here 8efore?

Interesting to see the ghost/image that "shouldn't" know about the broader situation visibly deducing things about its recurrence, because both the real Mindfang would have and Vriska's image of her was smart enough to put it together.

--AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS!??! WOW. When she said she was stuck at this part, she wasn't kidding! I hope some of what Nannasprite just told her helps her finally break through the web Mindfang's journal caught her in.

VRISKA: The whole endeavor usually ends with me either killing you or... feeding myself to you.

WOW

IT'S HER LUSUS *AND* MINDFANG COMBINED

HOLY SHIT

Talk about a tangled knot of insecurities to tackle together all at once!!!!!!

VRISKA: You were all like, "Surprise, 8itch. I'm 8oth the Marquise, and your lusus!" And I fell str8 on my ass, flipping the fuck out like a 8ig tool.

Of course, this wasn't the way it was back in her real life. It's the fact that the impact both Mindfang and her Lusus's expectations had on her was similar, and an intertwined problem she has to deal with all at once. (Also this is a more interesting way to hear her lusus "talk to her" than hearing however the fuck Spidersprite must have roared.)

Scene change to the feeding cliff.

VRISKA: Hi, Momfang.

That's a heck of a nickname that works so well right now.

Holy FUCK AAAAH!!! That's a hell of a clever jumpscare and artistic depiction, her lusus roaring from out of the shape of the back of Mindfang's HAIR!

Ew, Vriska got stuck in the web once and had to eat her way out? Not pleasant.

WOW THAT'S DISTURBING, Mindfang tenderly hugging the lusus's severed head from after Vriska mercy-guillotine'd her. HS^2 artists are going crazy good here, both visually and thematically.

The girl was 8linded 8y her pup8ed angst. As 8efouled as those we8s were, this gossamer carnage had 8een home, once. Her time here made her who she was.

Fucking indeed. Vriska has to come to terms with that, both the good and bad of it, in ways she's refused to confront fully.

Mindfang asking her to collaborate with "thespian vivacity" here in her melodrama.

Yeah, back then the satisfaction of FLARP as a game was short-lived because it meant feeding the troll who lost to your lusus, ending in screams.

VRISKA: Every win, I had to share with her. Every moment, I felt her w8ting for me. It feels 8ad, not getting a choice when you do all the fucking work.

Yeah, her lusus's relationship with her was abusive and PARASITIC.

VRISKA: Sure, the 8ooty was gr8, up until the point where there was no one left to play with. After that, it was all good as gar8age.

:CCC

Ah HERE we go. Vriska's now hearing the voice of her mother(s) speaking to her conviction that it was a GOOD thing to be raised as a killer, when parts of Vriska have learned that there are ways of growing up not shouldering that awful responsibility that could have been better... but needs to accept that in her own case, too.

VRISKA: I've already tried respecting you for making me the 8est, 8ut you know what I'm realizing? VRISKA: I didn't have to go through aaaaaaaall of THAT to 8e strong. Vrissy didn't! VRISKA: Even growing up in a f8ke world where no one has a spine, and with 8arely any guidance, her powers can do things mine can't.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT she's LEARNING FROM VRISSY ALREADY YESSSSSSSS

AND FUCKING CONFIRMATION THAT I WAS RIGHT THAT SHE WAS MANIPULATING HUMANS IN WAYS VRISKA HERSELF COULDN'T!!!

I don't think this is the right place for her to realize that the other Vriska has a different Hero Role, but she will eventually, doubtless, if the theory pans out, and I just can't wait for that if it's going to happen.

VRISKA: 8ut that's the point, right? VRISKA: There is no p8sitive spin, no learning to appreci8 you, 8ecause even by Alternian st8ndards you sucked! VRISKA: You weren't a cust8dian, you were a responsi8ility. VRISKA: I protected you, I c8red for you, and you would have happily killed me the moment things didn't go your w8y.

FUCKING PREACH

And?

FUCK YOU MOMFANG

VRISKA: Th8t's not fucking norm8l!!!!!!!!

YESSSSS GROW UP VRISKA!!!!

Oh wow, now LUSUS HEAD Momfang is holding MINDFANG's head.

VRISKA: I had one place I was supposed to feel safe. VRISKA: Why did you h8ve to 8e everything wrong with the w8rld, rolled into one terri8le monster?

😭

Yeah, the momspider was only acting according to her toxic nature. There's nothing to redeem about it.

VRISKA: I KN8W YOU'RE HUNGRY! What a8out me? My entire gru8hood, I gave and you took. F8r once, what a8out what I w8nt?! She has never considered this. And wasn't considering it now, to be clear.

😭😭

8ut the narrator was curious, what DID the spiderling want from the monster?

Here we go... open your heart and spill out its contents, Vriska.

VRISKA: What I w8nt is for you to go 8ack in time and pr8tect that fucking kid, like you were supposed to!!!!!!!! VRISKA: If you did, may8e I'd 8e a8le to relax and let my f8cking guard down for ONCE, instead of const8ntly ruining things and thinking everyone is going to turn around and kill me!

😭😭😭

VRISKA: Oh my god. VRISKA: Tavros was right!!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT

YOU GO GIRL!!!!

VRISKA: Now I get why talking to all my friends finally led up to you. VRISKA: Y8u're the reason why I could never trust any8ody! VRISKA: Even h8r!!!!!!!! Especi8lly her.

Nooooo Terezi thoughts!!! 😭 I mean I LOVE that she's finally putting it together but it's also SO SAD OMG

This is the pain she needed to face.

And now she's even rolling it into following in the footsteps of the Marquise being wrong.

She taught her descendant so much, and in such lurid detail. VRISKA: It was 80% smut!!!!!!!!

LOLOLOL

Yeah, just as you're saying now Vriska: Mindfang's example helped keep you alive, made you a "wicked pir8", but also made everyone else hate you. :C

VRISKA: I could have 8een any8ody... and you took that aw8y from me. You made me afraid of it.

I'd insert another very appropriate sob emoji here but I'm afraid of overusing it. I'm so glad Vriska is coming to terms with all this, FINALLY, after two years of trying to confront her mothers' ghosts.

--Of course Momfang says she thinks she would be an idiot to trust anyone. She was passing along her own toxic mentality.

And Vriska says she doesn't want to think like that anymore.

"TRAPPED."

Vriska regretting not killing her lusus, saving herself from what she became, before it was too late.... christ that's heavy.....

8ut even as she said it, the Thief knew that was never an option. Emancip8tion couldn't 8e granted to either party, only mutually assured destruction. VRISKA: ........ VRISKA: I wish it had 8een different. Impossible. VRISKA: I wish I was 8orn some8ody else.

Oh honey!!! 😭😭😭

Another dead end.

STFU

Vriska deservedly blowing up and yelling at her to let her get out from under her, be her own fucking person for once...

What will you do?

Oh boy... the PROMPT appears again for the first time in this branch. What will you do. Do what you will.

I wonder... perhaps this time you can run from her. Live without her. Seek... some sort of sanctuary, like the one your friends could have given you. What if you had gone to live in Terezi's treehouse and just, never, ever come home again? Her sleeping lusus wouldn't have eaten you, and you'd have been just as protected as Terezi was. What will you do, Vriska? What will you do here and now?

VRISKA: Huh. "KILL." VRISKA: You know, every week I come in here trying to figure out what more you could possi8ly want from me, and every week it's the same shit. VRISKA: I really am suuuuuuuuch a moron. "FEED." VRISKA: Exactly. It was never any deeper than that, the answer was right in front of my face. VRISKA: Well. I'm not your free ticket anymore. M8tricide then?

No, she's just going to walk away. She doesn't need to CONFRONT her mother... she just needs to MOVE ON from her.

VRISKA: Nah. VRISKA: I never really wanted that either. Lest the girl forget, there were only two choices.

Nope. There's always a third option. Tavros's option, the one you used to think too cowardly. You can always simply flee.

VRISKA: 8ut that's not true. I'm not a wiggler anymore. Alternia is dead. VRISKA: For once in my life, I have options. And just what did the ungrateful upstart mean 8y that? VRISKA (that pose from earlier, hands at her hips, grinning and eye shining almost-wet, brilliant.): I'm glad you asked! VRISKA: It means I finally get to walk away from all this. And I'm not going to look 8ack.

YES, YOU GET IT VRISKA! You can finally MOVE ON from her! You can be who you want to be now, you're not trapped anymore!

The spider forgot her hunger, for a moment at least, as the reality of such a statement sunk in.

Whoa, you even gave THEM pause. :D

She was only a spider. She did not fear death, or feel regret, or hold any sadness. She never once loved the girl. She did not feel responsible. That said, the arachnid had grown accustomed to the smaller creature's presence. She extended one long, spindly leg 8efore her, towards the young troll.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 fuck it I'm using as many of these as I want

As if to say, "HUG?"

😭

VRISKA: Oh, a8solutely not. VRISKA: Hell no.

Maybe. But if you held any feelings for her... what would be the harm, one last time? One first time?

That proved a good call, as the spider had 100% planned on eating the girl.

Okay I stand corrected. XD Get the fuck out of here Vriska, now that you finally know you never need to come back!

Instead, the long lim8 was retracted, placed 8etween the monster's own massive jaws.

What?

Crunch noise???

The spider would not notice when the girl turned to leave. And the girl would not turn around to see if she had. The 8ound cover was closed on our trusted narr8tor, as she whispered these final words. "Good luck, Vriska. 8e assured, you will need it."

🥺

And we hear the sound of footsteps, finally walking away.

{Level Complete!}

Lots of Fire motifs in the titles this time, ending in "FUNERAL PYRE". And that long candle... is it burning down a little bit each time? The lonely candle?

Perhaps representative of the trap?

Instead of going back and comparing it, I'll just take the easy route... and wait to compare it to how it looks the next time this game on page 666 updates. C:

Gosh that was so good. We'll leave things here. I'm finally caught up. I could speculate on what the last two that aren't the cueball mean... the feather doesn't make sense to me, and the 8-ball might just need to be BROKEN in order to escape the black Plot Point, metaphorically and/or literally, since Calliope did raise the possibility that the plot point might need to be "destroyed" and this candle of the time she's spending here might itself be burning it away, until she learns she has it in her heart to shine like the SUN and melt away the wax of the candle to nothing... but for once, instead of doing too much speculation on what's about to happen, I'd rather leave it for next time.

We might get to commentary at some point, or Patreon bonus panels, or even some of the Bonus Comics from before I might have missed the last tail ends of... in which case you'll get surprise posts about them from me, most likely. But for the moment, I'll just relax and see y'all again soon. At the minimum: talk to you next upd8! Or likely before then, since it seems these additions to Homestuck^2 might be weeks apart, and I'll likely feel the issue to delve into SOMETHING of the back-commentary before then in case this Mindfang journal update was anytime recent. <3

Note that if you didn't know already, the official homestuck twitter account is letting us know when the Plot Point page is upd8-ed (this last one was August 11th), and you might need to Force Refresh or clear your cache on the page if that Mindfang chapter or whatever new one that comes out later doesn't show up immediately. I'll be putting that twitter account on Notify for certain.

[radiance1]

Something New

Sun Wukong blinked open his eyes to gentle wind and warm sunlight.

‘Ah,’ He thought. Slowly pushing himself up off the ground and into a sitting position. He idly crossed his legs, fingers claiming fistfuls of soft grass as he stared up at the sky. ‘I thought I had done everything right, that time.’

Flower Fruit Mountain.

He was back here, again.

How many times does this make it? The… 100th? 200th? 1000th? He was unsure, keeping track of time lost all meaning, to him, only when the sands of time reversed did he realise it had actually passed. Or if some outside force made him aware of it.

It’s funny, how much he used to care about time. How much he had yet so little he lacked.

He exhaled softly, eyes closing as he sat there. The wind blowing through his fur, the sun’s gentle light bearing down on him, soft blades of grass between his fingertips and the sounds of life in varying shapes and sizes from around his mountain.

He would have to get up, soon. Back to work on making sure everything went right, most likely in a different method to the previous one, a slight difference or a major one he didn’t know quite yet, though.

Wait.

His brows furrowed, lips quirking downward in a soft frown as he looked inside of himself.

Where?

Blood flowed beneath his skin, yes. Beating with his layers of Immortality. His heart still beats, the power vested within himself flowing through it and the rest of his body alongside his magic.

And yet.

This was… Odd. Curious, even.

The thread of time seemed to be… Absent? From where it was vested within him, or… Something along those lines. There was nothing exactly physical about it, nor was it anywhere within his flesh.

If it was, he would have torn it out loops ago.

Still, it was odd how it wasn’t there. Considering it’s persistence in the beginning of each and every loop, twisting and curling around itself before slowly beginning to unravel once more and then, ultimately, disappearing until the ‘end’ of the loop to mark the final moments before he had to do it all over again.

Its absence startles him.

And yet.

Was this it? Was he finally finished? Finally freed from the once endless loops? No longer bound to the thread of time and forced to find ways to kick Destiny off its course?

He felt the corners of his lips quirk upwards, breaking the frown as something burned in his chest. Once swaying embers that persisted just as Sun Wukong’s many immortalities, yet ever so slowly grew dark yet darker. Turned into a roaring, raging inferno that set his entire body ablaze once given the slightest hint of fuel.

Hope.

It was a while since he had felt it in such measure, such force , since a while after the loops had dragged on and on.

“Heh,” A snicker escaped him first as he started to shiver from the excitement that began to course through his veins. Then, a small chuckle. “Hehe.” His hands uncurled and curled around the grass between his fingers, legs kicking out from their crossed position as he began to laugh. “Haha!” He fell onto his back, heart pounding away within his chest as he felt his face split from how wide the smile on his face was.

Then, he cackled.

It was loud, it was unrestrained, it most certainly didn’t sound sane in any measure of the word. But did he care? No. He had the right to something like this, after so long.

He let go of the grass and flapped his hands, kicked his feet, wagged his tail, rolled around alongside his loud, unrestrained laughter. Just, anything to get rid of the excess of energy that flowed through his body and set his heart pounding and his head feeling light.

Though that may be just because he was unable to breathe properly from laughter.

Eh, he was immortal enough to keep going.

So he did.

Time was a construct that held no sway over him, now. For he was finally, finally free from its clutches. He could do whatever he wanted now! With no fear of everything eventually resetting! He could do so, so much more now!

Or nothing at all!

He had thought, even dreamt, about this moment. Of everything he do when he was finally free! But he could just, do nothing at all! Just stay on Flower Fruit Mountain and eat peaches! Or, or! Or draw, make games! Explore the rest of the world and nab any artefact or treasure or just anything in general that drew his fancy or was too dangerous to just have not laying around in his vault!

There was so much for him to choose from, and the best thing was? He didn’t know what to do at all!

Oh this was! This was great!

Eventually, he was left sprawled out on the ground, a delightful burn in his lungs as he gave it the air it desperately lacked moments prior. His vision was blurry and his face was wet both from shed and unshed tears with even more on the way.

It felt… Good. He, felt good. So… Free.

And tired, too. Not physically, but perhaps everything had finally caught up to him.

He felt his eyelids slip shut,

Maybe… Sleeping for a while wouldn’t hurt, right? 

He was free, after all…

----

A wave of power that washed over him broke him from his slumber, and barely a thought crossed his mind before he was pushing himself up off the ground, blinking away the crust from his eyes as his vision turned golden.

That wave of power did move than wash over him, it pulsed through the entirety of Flower Fruit Mountain. Sun Wukong flung his head all about, his mind shrugging off the fatigue in exchange for nothing but panic and agitation.

His hand moved towards his ear, before he paused.

Oh, right.

He didn’t have the staff in this timeline.

He instead plucked off one of his hairs, turning it into a staff that he clenched and unclenched his fingers around. Before ultimately letting go off, its shape changing back into a hair that blew off and away into the wind.

It just didn’t feel the same.

Regardless, he jumped up into the air, a familiar golden cloud manifesting under him that his feet touched down on. He rose into the air, hoping to use the vantage point to see just where the wave of power came from-

Oh.

-And his vision was instantly drawn towards a specific part of Flower Fruit Mountain, his enhanced vision instantly able to pinpoint exactly the why and how.

This was… Unexpected.

He shouldn’t-

This wasn’t how-

What?

His cloud zoomed across the mountain while his brain struggled to process what he was seeing. Before long, disappearing under him as he touched down to the ground, feet taking his absent mind over to the small boulder that had previously held a small stone-

“Ba?” The soft, fragile voice called out.

-now replaced with a child.

“Heya, bud.” Sun Wukong said softly, reaching out and picking the newborn off of the stone. An uneasy smile playing at his lips as an even uneasier chuckle escaped him. “You’re uh, I didn’t expect to be seeing you, here.” He said.

“Baba?” The child reached out, patting him on the cheek and looking him in the eyes. Before reaching up to his… eyes?

Oh, right.

Gold flickered out of his vision, and whatever plausible deniability he once had disappeared along with it. 

“No,” He chuckled, shifting around on his feet as his tail thumped against the ground behind him. Rather that than showing just how agitated he actually was. “Not your baba, kiddo.” He said, even as his mind travelled a mile a minute to try and wrap around and understand what, exactly, was going on.

He wasn’t supposed to be here, not this far back at least.

The kid’s- no MK’s face scrunched up in front of him.

Sun Wukong blinked, tilting his head in confusion.

Confusion melted away into bewilderment as MK sneezed, the generated wide pressure enough to blast away the blades of grass and dirt from his fur as well as turn it into a mess. Even pushing Wukong’s head back a bit!

He blinked.

MK sniffled.

He looked behind him, the only area safe from destruction being the ground immediately behind him. Everything else having been either upturned or blown away. He then turned back towards MK.

“Right,” He began slowly. “I forgot you could do that.” He hummed, jumping up a bit as he leaned back and fell onto his cloud. He shifted MK around to hold him in the crook of one of his arms and against his chest, his other hand hovering over the infant in his arm.

He flexed his fingers, drawing upon his magic into a familiar shape guided by his will, a magic circle forming beneath his fingertips. 

He paused.

He didn’t know why, exactly. Logically, he knew what he should have done. Sealed the kid’s magic, fly over to the nearby city then drop him right outside of Pigsy’s door and wipe his hands clean of the situation and just watch from afar.

So why, exactly, was he hesitating?

It was the right choice, the correct choice in all honesty.

He didn’t need MK on his mountain, MK wouldn’t be MK if he grew up on Flower Fruit Mountain either. Life as a mortal, no matter how powerless he became- no, because of how powerless he became despite his origin, would shape and mould him, alongside Pigsy’s guidance, into the MK that Sun Wukong knew and cared for.

The MK that would go on to become his successor.

So why-

“Ababa!” Mk reached out for the magic circle, stars in his eyes as giggles spilled from his lips. 

He felt two things curl in his chest. One that made him feel warm, lessened the unease of his smile and softened his eyes as he cooed at the infant.

And the other.

Ah, so that’s why.

He was curious.

Curious indeed.

This… Situation, offered him a chance for something new. An opportunity to change the course of destiny in its entirety.

And yet.

It wouldn’t be the right choice.

Everything that had made MK, well, MK had happened without his interference. In which he only watched from afar as MK grew from an infant into an adult that was eccentric yet loveable. All the way until he eventually found and picked up his staff and sent everything into motion.

If he kept MK, instead of giving him up, that would offer up new opportunities. So many different things for him to try, to do, all of which would shape MK into an individual that would either be so far from the one in his memory, a carbon copy, or a middle ground.

It would also render knowledge that Sun Wukong held useless or close to it.

So, what to do?

Give him up, and play by Destiny’s script.

Or.

Keep him, and try something new?

[spadesolace]

drag me down: hey angel

synopsis: hanni wonders what yn would be like if they weren’t rivals. if she wasn’t threatened by her academic skills and social skills to make everyone fall for her. yn wonders if hanni thinks of her the same way she does.

words: 1.6k

previous | next

If someone has been counting the days since Hanni and YN’s rivalry started, the pair would have been impressed and weirded out. Who in their right mind would keep track of something so small (to them)? That would be Hanni’s friends.

“Happy 800th day to your rivalry with YN, Hanni. Any devious plans on how you’ll avoid her?” She hated to be reminded of when you first met, a threat to her perfect streak of honors from when she was a child. Hanni believed that YN would have been a great classmate let alone a friend, but it seems fate had different plans for the pair.

Throughout the two years she’s been classmates with YN, she’s taken note of the girl’s habits. She wonders how she’s in the top rankings when she puts so little effort after the first two months when she transferred, aside from that YN has always been closed off. Sure, they’re rivals and she shouldn’t care that much but where’s the fun if your rival isn’t that interested at all?

“As if I can avoid her, I’ve accepted fate as it is. She’ll be the death of me.” Right on cue, YN is running past them, uniform a mess, a few cups of coffee in hand, and somehow still manages to look quite- pretty, except she almost spilled coffee on me without apologizing.

“Did you say something, Hanni?” Minji has always loved annoying Hanni regarding YN, heck she’s talked to the girl before and she swore that if Hanni didn’t hate her guts they would have hit it off.

“I heard her say something along the lines of pretty…” Haerin has always backed Minji up, a chaotic duo as they would say. Their number one victim being Hanni, if it weren’t for Danielle, they would have made a plan to make the two top achievers talk or go on a blind date with each other.

“Oohhh~ Hanni-unnie finally has a crush?” Hyein was either the one to fight fire with fire or simply observe and call Danielle when things get worse. Danielle looked at them sternly, the usual smile plastered on her face was nowhere to be seen which made the trio stop laughing and apologize to Hanni. The top student had simply dismissed it and continued her walk to class, that she shared with Minji and YN.

One thing that Hanni despised YN for was that the girl has always sat next to her ever since, at first she didn’t mind but even when seating arrangements weren’t given and everyone was free to choose where to sit down. She always, ALWAYS sits next to Hanni. It was no surprise when Hanni sat down, no one dared to take the vacant seat next to her, as if there was an unspoken rule that Pham Hanni must be next to Park YN. Like clockwork, YN finally arrived looking presentable, an iced americano on hand, and a tired smile plastered on her face. 

The smell of coffee beans, a mild scent yet packs a punch, followed by a hint of vanilla that Hanni can easily associate with YN, and the small “morning…” as soon as she sits down. There is a line between them, neither one dares to cross it, she’s prideful, YN is stubborn. Hanni sees her as a rival yet she doesn’t know if YN sees her the same way. Not when YN remembers precisely that it's their 800th day of meeting. Something so small yet how come YN always gives her something on those days that shouldn’t even matter? What is running inside your mind, Park YN?

“800th, here.” YN handed Hanni an envelope, a card inside, and refills…? “I noticed your pens are almost out of ink.”

“Oh. Thanks, I guess.” Hanni never really read the cards, although she’s kept every single one of them. She never bothered to read it, it was just cards that YN had probably bought before going to campus last minute and didn’t bother to write anything on it. She still kept it, something about those letters despite never reading any of them, she still kept it. Hanni doesn’t return anything, YN knows that by now, all she gets is a ‘thanks’ and nothing more, nothing less. YN is still surprised by Hanni sometimes.

Hanni never cared for the little things, YN does, every single celebration she plans ahead. She does not expect anything from Hanni, she knows the girl hates her but YN loves to tease the living hell out of her seatmate. So, whenever it's their so-called “anniversary”, YN always got Hanni something practical; refills for her pens, a new notepad for debate and the school paper, the best quality marker, and snacks that would help the girl out. When YN came back from lunch with Yunjin and Kazuha, there was a piece of chocopie placed neatly on her table. Clearly, it came from Hanni because once they made eye contact, all she could do was avoid her gaze. YN still thinks that Hanni never really cared but maybe she does. Maybe, just maybe… she does.

“Thanks.” Hanni only nodded as YN sat down next to her, there was no letter on it but it was for the best. The top student did just went out of her way just to get her a snack, her favorite. “Can’t look at your classmate after giving them something sweet?”

“Shut up.”

“Ms. Pham finally cares about lil ol’ me?”

“I swear YN, just shut up.”

The class could simply watch and smile, Minji updating Haerin with the interaction, confirming the snack that the top student rarely buys was for her rival. YN could have gone a step further, one push but she doesn’t and wonder- what is running inside your mind, Pham Hanni?

The pair sat in silence, working on their extracurriculars, especially since the debate club has another practice debate within the next few days. Although neither admits, they both choose each other as their practice partner, sometimes it gets heated that they slowly start becoming personal. It was no surprise when they had their topics and they’re on opposite teams, no one dares to put them together.

“HELLO EVERYONE!” Their English teacher, Ms. Im Nayeon had entered the class, gaining everyone’s attention. The class greeted her back, some had huge smiles plastered on their faces and YN being one of them. She enjoyed the English class, it was her escape because Ms. Im uses songs as a way to teach the class metaphors.

“I’ll be returning your exams from last week, now before you all start discussing and betting whether today is the day Ms. Park finally beats Ms. Pham, some of you need to study harder rather than betting on your top achievers.” One by one Ms. Im starts calling students, everyone knows how her facial expression says everything. A frown if you fail, a passive smile if you passed, and for the special cases which have always been Hanni and YN, a grin. Ms. Im always lived for the drama one that involves the pair, probably because she’s read a lot about enemies to lovers and notices the signs that they might work out if they finally stop fighting. It was no surprise she called the pair at the same time only to watch as they sat down and compare scores.

“YES!” “NO!”

“ANOTHER WIN FOR ME!” It wasn’t the day that YN finally wins but with a close mark from each other, she would have killed just to beat Hanni once. Students slowly paying each other as they grumble and complain how they thought and believed that Hanni could be beaten by YN.

“Now, settle down. For the rest of the period I’ll be discussing this year's final project. It’ll be individual but you will work closely with someone. I’ll be picking the pairs.” Everyone groaned, it wouldn’t be that bad but the class had already planned on partnering up and leaving the two to pair up. YN knew of that plan and looked directly at Chaewon who was getting ready to pair with Minji. As their teacher started mentioning the pairs, everyone was waiting for either Hanni or YN to be called.

“Kim Minji and Kim Chaewon, lastly, Pham and Park. For the final project, we’ve discussed the Little Prince and its message of growing up. I want you to spend as much time as you can with your pair, learn about their lives before you met them, first impressions, mannerisms, interests, and what they wish for in the future. Think of writing their biography for them. This is your last year of High School, make the most out of it.”

Everyone looked at the top achievers, ready to protest but then again, it was Ms. Im whatever she says, goes. The final project was simple: learn about their partner’s life, but it wasn’t like YN would start talking about her personal life when she knows it's a mess. YN could only sigh and look at Hanni who was already deep in her thoughts. How would Hanni tell her about her life?

The pair looked at each other, everyone discussing their lives, and YN was stuck with what she wanted to say and how she should say it. How does she tell Hanni everything? As YN was about to speak up, Hanni broke the silence. “Do you want to come to my place so we can discuss?”

“Put a label on it first before I meet your parents, Hanni.”

“SHUT UP, AT LEAST I DIDN’T GET A SINGLE MISTAKE FROM A SPELLING ERROR.”

“It happened ONCE!... but fine, I’ll meet you after my training to discuss the project.”

This is going to be a long project.