#and then suddenly the memories come back and you have to go back to that isolating loneliness again where the only person you're close to

[moon-ttokki-x]

Hi!! Could I please make a request? I was thinking of maybe a ot8 skz x 9th member reader, where the reader has anxiety and ends up having a panic attack and the members comforted the reader?

hihi anon >< i liked this request. i was actually thinking of writing another 9th member fic when this ask came in, so perfect timing ! here you go <3

dissonance - skz x 9th member with anxiety

pairing: ot8!skz x reader with anxiety

summary: you have a panic attack while performing on stage with skz.

genre: angsty, idol!au, mentions of eating, graphic descriptions of a panic attack, slight implication of sh, fluffy ending, mentions of eating, skz are sweethearts

a/n: go check out my 'skz valentines' day event special' if you haven't already >< !

You love what you do. Really. Being on stage, wearing cool outfits, doing what you love, and of course, singing and dancing and performing with eight of your best friends is the total dream.

You couldn't have asked for more.

But now that you're standing backstage, surrounded by staff members, stylists, maintenance techs, and a countless amount of other people you don't even know, you're beginning to feel a little bit overwhelmed.

You look across to where Chan is discussing something with a stylist; it's like you can barely see him because of the overloading environment, and as you watch, his image slowly splits into two. Like a hallucination.

The performance is in a few minutes, and the noise around you becomes even louder as you begin to make your way to the wings of the stage. It's darker here, at least, but the hustle and bustle doesn't end, and neither does the constant ringing in your ears.

You feel a warm hand press lightly into the small of your back and you look up to see Hyunjin gazing down at you.

"You okay?" He says, adjusting his mic. "I know it's noisy here."

You can't do anything but nod in response, not trusting yourself to speak, save you burst into tears, or rudely snap at him. You've been backstage to events like this countless times, but the overwhelm and nausea that seems to come with it never ends. It always starts to happen the moment you sit down in the dressing room to have your makeup done.

The other members gather in a group behind Chan, who's waiting at the curtain before the stage, and you, who's gripping into the velvety material with white-knuckled fingers.

It all feels too much; the coloured lights, the brightness of the stage, the jumbled, discordant noises around you, and even your own members being near you makes you want to scream. Looking at Hyunjin's face again is too much to even bear, the diamantes under his eyes shining far too bright, and the badges on his jacket feeling far too odd and icky to be fashionable.

Chan, who's turned back to count his members before going on stage, glances at you; he knows how you get with these sorts of events, and you can't bear the sight of his face either. You just want him to go away, even if he's not talking to you. A pang of irritation shoots through you as he begins to talk.

"Y/n," he says quietly, though you can barely hear him through the blood rushing through your ears. "Take a deep breath, yeah?"

He moves a little closer, a hand out to stop anyone rushing by from bumping into you. There's a heart-shaped diamante on his cheek, and suddenly you want nothing more to reach up and rip it off his face. The urge to do it is almost overwhelming.

But even if you wanted to, you can't, because suddenly Chan is shouting something and you all run out onto stage, the cheer of the crowd so deafening you can't hear anything at all, your ears buzzing. You start to move purely out of muscle memory, your subconscious forcing your to dance only due to hours of late-night practices where you repetitively drilled the routine into your bones. But it feels stiff and clunky, almost unnatural to be moving the way that you are.

You barely register singing your part; it must have been incredibly subpar, you're sure of that at least, because Minho turns to look at you a little strangely before moving to jump back into position. But you're so visibly out of breath that he seems to realise what's happening, and he takes over singing your part while you keep dancing. The white lights above you are so hot, almost searing against your skin, beating down on you relentlessly. None of the other members seem to be affected, however.

You wince and scrunch the left side of your face as you almost roll your ankle, and you swear you can feel the makeup crinkling against your skin, the unpleasant caked layer of it seeping into your pores, clogging them with impurity. You desperately reach up a hand to scratch it off, provide some relief, but all the members put their hands up as per the routine, and you do the same, so your current situation isn't immediately noticeable to anyone who's watching. You doubt you're performing at even an average level, but you can't find it in you to care, you're so out of breath.

I can't keep going-

Your clothes feel scratchy and irritating against your skin, the top just a little bit too uncomfortable, your shoes just a little too tight, and the fingerless gloves on your hands are almost too much to bear, your hands going numb. Your hair is done too strangely, the styling making your scalp feel all tight and pressured, and suddenly you can't do anything but drop to your knees in the middle of the rush and gasp, your head pounding so hard it hurts-

Too much too much too much-

Before you know it, the stage suddenly goes dark and you realise that the performance has ended. Hopefully no one saw what happened-

That hope is dashed to pieces as you're immediately swarmed by staff members, all crowding in concern. You hear Jeongin yelp as he's pushed to the side and someone else, Chan, you think, is shouting, trying to create order and get to you at the same time. The crowd is murmuring, whispering, but you can't hear them, your whole being numb and grey with searing anxiety.

The members seem to understand what's happening, though, and you look up through dark, blurry vision to see Danceracha making a barrier between you and the rest of the backstage crew with their bodies, Felix looking over his shoulder in concern. They've finally managed to get through the swarm and you collapse onto your back, simply too exhausted to do anything else despite the din of noise surrounding you like a cloud of wasps.

You feel someone's hands- Seungmin's, maybe, press themselves into your shoulders, and a spicy, warm scent fills your nostrils as you suddenly leave the earth, a prominent weight settling over your being. Chan is lifting you.

The rest of the members begin to make their way through the crowd to their designated group dressing room, you clinging to Chan's shoulders so hard you think you might leave crescent-shaped scars in the skin. But he doesn't flinch, not that you notice, since you're unable to do anything but gasp and hyperventilate. You think you might scream, but nothing leaves your lungs, and by now you've lost complete control of your breathing.

Chan sets you down in his lap once the dressing room door is shut, sitting on the couch, and Minho immediately turns the light off. Dimness floods the room and Changbin kneels in front of you, carefully slipping off your shoes and gloves while Jeongin runs his fingers through your hair, flaking out the harsh gel and returning your slightly sweaty hair to its usual state.

You gasp and keel over just as Jisung takes a hold of your hands, completely calm and in control.

"It's okay, Y/nnie," you hear him say, his voice sounding faint and faraway. "You did so well for us, just try and tune into the silence, it'll help..."

You almost forget that this is what Jisung does when he feels overwhelmed with a panic attack too; he told you once that sitting somewhere quiet helps your head to clear things up a little. He must be right, because your breathing is beginning to slow down.

You look down at your hands; you can't feel them, and they look almost alien through your buzzing panic, like they don't really belong to you. Jisung's firm yet gentle grip has left little white patches on the skin in the shape of his fingertips, the blood not flowing through your hands properly due to the hyperventilating.

Foundation gathers on the underside of your nails as you reach up and desperately try to remove all the makeup, your tears not even penetrating the thick, oily layer of cosmetic product. Diamantes come raining down and gather on your thighs just as someone gently swipes a damp, cool cloth across your cheeks, the fabric coming away the colour of your skin.

By the time all of the makeup is cleaned off, and you're sitting in nothing but the complete base layer of your outfit, your breathing has slowed down completely. You look up with red, teary eyes, your heart still pounding, and meet eyes with Chan, who's still sitting with you in his lap, one hand stroking your waist.

"I can't go back out there," you choke out.

Chan nods. "That's okay, Y/nnie. You did really well performing, okay? I think we should all just stay here a little longer until you feel somewhat better, then we'll figure out what to do, hm?"

You sniff. "I m-messed up the performance, though.."

"It's okay, Y/n," Changbin says softly from where he's sitting, his legs swung over a chair.

"Yeah," Hyunjin adds. "Don't worry."

The room is completely silent, until Seungmin pointedly gets up and moves to a stylist mirror, opening the cabinet and pulling out a packet of makeup wipes. He sits down and cleans his face, matter-of-factly, then tosses the wipes into a nearby bin. Minho moves to do the same, and undoes the clasp of his necklace, tossing all his jewelry into a shiny, clunky pile on the table without a word.

Chan nods in approval. "I think we're done here for today. Let's dress down and clean up, then go back home. I think all of us could do with some rest."

You lie down on the couch while the rest of the members change clothes and wash off their makeup in the adjoined bathroom. Everyone keeps their voices low, and the dimness of the room compared to the flashiness outside almost makes you fall asleep. That is, until Felix appears at your side, holding out a juice box and a couple of wrapped chocolates.

"Here," he says quietly. "It should help keep your sugar up until we get back to the dorms."

You sit up a little bit and accept them from him, sipping tiny little sips from the juice as Felix pats your head and leaves to clean off his makeup.

Jeongin moves to lie down next to you after a while, and Hyunjin makes little origami birds out of the chocolate wrappers while Chan finalises the group's departure from the event.

"Alright," Chan says with conviction as Jisung helps you up from the couch. The members assemble near the door, raring to go. "Let's get out of here. I've had enough of this place."

You fight a weak smile as he shoots you a wink.

I couldn't agree more.

a/n: i should really try and find images that actually match for my headers. sigh

[vicsstufff]

UNDER THE WOODS — princess!p. bueckers x cinderella!reader

۶ৎ - summary: the mistreatments are way to normalize in your household. after the dead of your father, your new step-mother and her daughters new mission is to make your life miserable, serving them as a maid, until you met her, in the middle of the forest.

۶ৎ - wc: 3,045

۶ৎ - warnings/content: abusive behavior, submissive reader, mentions of death of both parents, not 100% accurate to the movie.

authors note | ONE SHOT! happy valentine’s day!! 💗 can u consider this as a valentine’s special? any grammatical errors will be edit after!! (im to lazy) this idea came from me literally watching the cinderella movie (the live action version) im in love with the dress. enjoy!

im back! where are my beautiful ladies?” a silent scream, lingered its way through the walls of the extended house until it reach your ears. your head meeting the direction of the voice, a small sound came out your lips before losing the grip that you had on your tea party set up. running down the corridors, finding the main door that lead to the outside.

the sound of the horses coming filled the garden, your dad, step down from the carriage that held him safely during one of his many trips. you really loved your dad, but not his job—a businessman— he rarely was home, but the hole made because of his absence was quickly filled by the warming love your mother brought. a wonderful woman, a very beautiful one too, she will sing to you every night, lullabying the sleep into you, making your eyelids heavy.

“my wonderful daughter..” your father let out in awe, contemplating your small figure. you jumped into his arms, surrounding yours around his neck. “i brought you something special.” he whispered in your ear, lowering you to take a seat on the edge of a fuantain, his hand grabbed a nearby suitcase, clicking a few locks before it jumped open. he pulled from the inside a small box, placing it on the center of your hands, he pushed a button on the side and it open abruptly, letting out a blue butterfly. “oh..it’s beautiful.” you said low, a smile coming up.

“will you like to dance with me ma’dam?” he said softly, lowering himself to your level, offering his hand, “of course, gentleman.” you spoke in a fail attempt to mock a seductive tone. your hand meet his rough hands, tired from all the work he endured. helping you up, instinctively, you lifted your feet, stepping on your fathers, he let out a series of high groans and ‘ouch’s’ but stilled grip gently your small hand and stared spinning, not strong enough to knock you off your feet but it still made the air move your hair gracefully, giggles scaped from the bottom of your heart.

happiness doesn’t last long.

you wished it did.

a few years had passed and your mother fell sick, her once bright eyes filled with joy and love, were now replaced with a dark glance, her skin was dry and in some occasions, the cold sweat will linger in her forehead. her cold touch brought goosebumps in your skin, she didn’t lulled you to sleep anymore.

the day her heavy eyelids came to their final rest, it felt empty like if the spirit of the house, yours and your father, had disappeared, all of the once happy memories died with her too.

she gave you all her old dresses, shoes and books, she insisted that you should be a intelligent woman that doesn’t depend on her future husband, the last part made your heart drop, you weren’t that interested in getting a husband any time soon, but if you don’t marry someone quickly, your father might even a arrange one for you. the thought of spending your days washing clothes, cooking, cleaning, satisfying your husband and having children haunted you at night, when your bed suddenly felt a little bit to cold even when the spring brought joy to the flowers and practically all the nature, even humans, or maybe not.

the second time a part of your soul died, it was when your father confirmed your worst fears.

he was going to marry a new woman.

you couldn’t do anything to really avoid the disaster that was perfectly planned to happen.

the carriage arrive sooner than imagined, from your window you could hear it from the distance, losing your mind observing the deeps of the forest and the nearby town. you lazily grabbed your shoes and placed them annoyingly, passing your hands through the dress in a attempt to soothe it.

your father was already outside the door when you finally made yourself get there, a bright smile smoothed the corners of mis smile line, its been years since you have seen that smile. he looked at you with hoped, with a clear ambition to start a new life, without any other choice, you smile softly at him as well. “couldn’t you make yourself more presentable? use one of the dress i brought you?” he whispered as the gates opened, ready to welcome their new members, you let out a small sigh but the smile on your face didn’t disappear.

when the carriage stopped it’s journey in front of you and your dad, he jogged quickly just enough for the carriage’s door opened abruptly, giggles came out the door and bright dresses ame from the dark, anastasia was the first one to make their presence known. your father extended his hand in order to help anastasia step from the carriage, once she stepped on the ground, she started overworking her fan as if the hot weather was attempting against her life. the second one was drizella, her exaggerated hair almost made contact with the top of the carriage and high heels making her trip, she wiggled her way over to anastasia who analyzed your house. “you should stile your hair” drizella remarked, your hair was styled messily in a bun. “your house is so… vintage.” anastasia added. “how was your trip?” you asked before they could make another smirky comment. “what did she say?” anastasia whispered—not low enough because you could still hear her. “i think she is asking us about our travel.” drizella explained like if you were speaking in a another language. “it was, um, exquisite.” anastasia replied awkwardly.

it seem like everyone stopped their tracks once the faint sound of a dress and heels made their way into the conversation. the last one was lady tremaine, a mysterious and wealthy woman. she meet your father during one of his long trips, promising her hand in marriage once she moved with him.

without giving you a glance, she maid her way through the house doors, and scanned the main entrance. anastasia and drizella were quickly to follow her and whisper things to her, definitely about your house. you entered the house along with your dad, that’s when she finally took check you out. her penetrating eyes noticing every single flaw in you. “how about you give the girls a tour around the house.” your father spoke as anastasia and drizella chuckled in amusement making their way up the stairs.

“your daughter is beautiful.” lady tremaine mumbled as you and your new sisters disappeared into some rooms. “oh, yes. she took it from her—“ your father stopped mid-sentence once he saw lady’s tremaine prolonged eye contact and her teasing smirk.

later that night, a inimaginable party was celebrated in your fathers and lady’s tramaine engagement, the wine and whiskey made you feel intoxicated just from the smell, your lungs burned as the smoke of the cigarettes lingered as if it was pure air. both of your ‘innocent’ sisters doll themselves up, amused man surrounding them while they took their sweet time chatting only with those that have money. your father was also talking to his friends, although you only recognized one, a really old friend of his, edward, he is your father’s assistant during his travels. talking about travels, in a few days he had been assigned one, after that, the wedding will happen.

“bring me a nice, shiny necklace!” “i want a big, outstanding dress!” “oh! and a tight corset!” anastasia and drizella demanded loudly as they—surprisingly took turns to talk about their needs. “what do you want, my love?” your father asked as his head turned towards you, grabbing his suitcases and throwing them into the back of the carriage. “just you coming back safely.” you quietly said while grabbing his hand, not wanting to let go. edward started to move the carriage with the help of the horses but you didn’t take your hand away from his, following desperately as the carriage made its way outside the house property, when you couldn’t catch up anymore, you staid still, observing the carriage that disappeared.

a knock could be heard, you weren’t expecting any visits. as the knocking continued, drizella called your name “get the door!” she yelled. as when you got to the door, edward was standing there, soaking wet because of the latest rains happening, the carriage behind him, as well as your fathers belongings. “edward? where is my father?” you quickly questioned the poor man who gripped his hat tightly, he just shook his head, letting fall some tears that had pilled up, he will break in a million pieces if he spoke a word.

realization hit you like a brick, suddenly the air had aggressively pushed one both doors, your breath sharp and fast and your lip started quivering, your knees weakening making you fall in front of edward who’s tears where know fully released and came out like a endless loop. “that means he didn’t bring me my dress?” anastasia growled as her other sister and mother soaked in the news. “anastasia! shut that mouth of yours!” lady tremaine spoke up, for the first time in weeks finally doing something that wasn’t against you. “can’t you see? we are ruined!” she snapped, lady tramaine turn around and stormed off to her room, shutting the door loudly.

the hard sound of heels crashing with the weak wooden floor woke you up abruptly, your neck jointed with a sharp pain spreading towards your lower back, your view was blurred as you remember last nights activities—you had fallen asleep in front of the chimney seeking for any warm that your room didn’t offer you. the new room was practically the old attic, the last room of the house and scariest, drizella and anastasia took your room because theirs was too small and lady tramaine had the guts to replace the room of your beloved mother.

“where is this girl?” lady tramaine groaned as she took a seek for you while waiting for her daughters to come and eat breakfast. “i thought breakfast was ready.” she sneered as you walked with chalks of wood. “it is ma’am. i’m only mending the fire.” you replied while inspecting the fire as it refuse to corporate.

anastasia and drizella finally took their seat in the dinning room, waiting impatiently for the food, tapping their nails against the table, as if it were a clock, counting second by second. “what’s that on your face?” lady tramaine asked as she observed obviously your face as you walked in with trays filled with food, your puzzled face became clear as you didn’t know what she was talking about, placing the food as you looked at the three ladies sitting in front of you. “it’s ash from the fireplace.” anastasia was quick to clear any questions. “clean yourself up.” lady tramaine said, avoiding any eye contact with you. “you’ll get cinders in our tea!” drizella snorted grabbing a cup of tea and stared deeply into it, you grabbed a nearby piece of destroyed fabric, bringing it and cleaning up aggressively your face with it.

“oh, girls leave your sister alone.” lady tramaine cheered as her wicked smile came back into its place as you keep walking in and out with plates, glasses and even more food. it was difficult to organize everything by yourself because lady tramaine had dismissed the household. her glance dartered around the table until it stopped in your plate. “who’s this plate for?�� she inquired as she pointed out the plate placed on the spot giving to you on the dining table.”is there someone we’ve forgotten?” she asked faking innocence, she knew deep down that it was your plate. “it’s my place.” you added with a soft smile. “it seems so much to expect you to prepare breakfast, serve it and still sit with us.” she explained rapidly, taking a small breath before continuing. “wouldn’t like to eat when all the work is done?” she inquired pushing slightly your plate away towards you.

you were left speechless as the three ladies looked at you teasingly, a desire to run away kicked in. your shaking hands grabbed clumsily your cutlery and walked away as the loud, rotten sound of lady’s tramaine laugh tormented you as you stormed off to the kitchen.

the tears blurred your vision as you placed weakly the glass plate on the table, a wrong movement slipped the plate from the table crashing down into the floor, an unpleasant sound coming from the crash, to see the disaster you caused made you cry even more. sobbing, you kneeled into the disaster and started picking it up.

the pot where you prepared the tea reflected your heart breaking image, your face swallowed because of the endless tears, still covered by ash. it seemed like your stepmother and stepsisters had indeed transformed you into a merely a creature of ash and oil, a desperate groan escaped your shaky lip.

the horses speed quicken as the path was clear enough. you had grabbed a horse and stormed off to the forest to ride a bit, to distract yourself from they’re horrid coments.

as you deepen yourself more, a reindeer came out of nowhere, taking you and your horse by surprise. the horse jumped in horror as your grip into it not wanting to fall. “whoa, whoa, whoa!” you gasped, the reindeer only dedicated himself to look at you, the moment was interrupted as distant horns and shouts approached your area. “run!” you mouthed to the reindeer, how crazy you were to think that it will listen to you? “or they’ll catch you!” you uttered in desperation as the voices became more and more clear.

once the reindeer finally took note of your desperate attempts to help him, he stroked off but your horse had another plan, storming off with the reindeer too, as if they were playing a cat and mouse game, the sudden change of speed made a ear—piercing scream come out your sore throat.

paige separated herself from the group of guards fallowing the reindeer, when se heard a desperate voice coming from the deeps of the forest, a beautiful one.

“easy, boy!” you groaned noisily, not knowing how to calm the beast. “come on, slow down!” you desperately cried. paige squinted her yes focusing on the quickened animal. “miss!” she screamed, directing her horse towards the scene.

“i’m alright! thank you!” you screamed back but she matched your rhythm, calming down your horse for you, as the horse slowed down she questioned you. “are you alright?” “i’m alright.” you blurted out. “but you’ve nearly frightened the life out of him.” you protested making your horse jogg in cirlcles, the blonde girl mocking your steps. “who?” she asked. “the reindeer! what’s he ever done to you?” you yell out of air, the girl peeking a smile “i must confess i’ve never met him before.” the blonde girl giggled “he is a friend of yours?” she continued, both of your horses mirroring the actions of one another. “by accident, we met just now.” you stated, visibly relieved and now calmed after the scary incident.

“i looked into his eyes and he looked into mine, and i just felt he had so much to do with his life.” you explained getting closer to the fancy-dressed girl “that’s all.” you finished. “miss, what do they call you?” she questioned as soon as you ended speaking. “don’t bother.” you muttered rapidly. “you shouldn’t be this deep in the forest, alone.” she remarked as her she’s wondered into the distance, endless trees and animals. “i’m not alone. i’m with you…” you chuckle. “now, what do they call you?” it was now your time to question, she giggled at your words. “you don’t know who i am?” she said while raising her eyebrows in surprise. “they call ‘p’, well, my father does when he is in a good mood.” she replied as you both laughed. “and… where do you live, miss p?” you asked. “at the palace.” she quickly said. “my father’s teaching me his tricks.” she added. “you’re an apprentice?” you said amused. “you can say that.” she said nodding. “that good.” you opined. “do they treat you well?” you mentioned as your horses speed started lacking but you didn’t bother to notice. “better then i deserve.” she responded as both of your horses stopped, almost closing the distance between you both. “and you?” she inquired. “they treat as they can.” you blurted out, avoiding making eye contact. “i’m sorry.” she whispered seeing your facial expressions go down as your mood changed. “it’s not your fault.” you clarified quickly. “not yours either.” she answered softly. “it’s not that bad.” you said, a small smile creeping through your lips. “others have it worse. we simply must have courage and be kind.” you seconded. “yeah, you are right.” she replied as a laugh came out following the words her mouth let out, you both chuckle. “that’s exactly how i feel.” she explained.

before you could respond again, a long horn interrupted the conversation, your head turned to the direction of the horn fallowed by shouting. “please don’t let them hurt him.” you pleaded. “but were hunting, you see. it’s what’s done.” she said not caring about your pleas of desperation. “just because it’s what’s done doesn’t mean it’s what should be done!” you contradicted. “right, again.” the girl acknowledged. “that means you will leave him alone?” you questioned. “i will.” she assured. “thank you very much, miss p.” you said.

“ah! there your are your high—“ the captain suddenly appeared and was quickly interrupted. “it’s p! p!” she exclaimed quickly. “i’m on my way!” she said irritated. “well, we better get going” the captain desperately said. “miss p..” he finished teasingly. “i repeat myself… im on my way!” she argued her horse buckled and jogged away taking a few glances towards you, then she stopped. “i hope to see you again, miss.” she hinted, her blue eyes not moving away from yours. “me too.” you said, a comforting smile lightened up her face her horse finally catching up with the rest of the group, jogging away.

[lani-heart]

|| series masterlist ||

genre(s) -> fluff, non-idol, hybrid au, poly au, requested paring(s) -> ATEEZ x reader warning(s) -> nothing :D words -> 1.8k

abstract -> why not celebrate two holidays instead of one...

y/n’s perspective

“Can we celebrate Christmas this year?” Wooyoung had asked me since last year we couldn’t since… Well, I got San two months before and celebrated when he wasn’t adjusted and even Wooyoung wasn’t something I wanted to force upon. So even though I did get them gifts we didn’t go all out since we didn’t feel up to it. 

“Ooh! Can we?! I heard you make gingerbread houses and decorate a huge pine tree and–""You’re exaggerating” Yeosang scolded Wooyoung who pouted and glared at the Doberman hybrid.

“Hmm? Do you want to celebrate?” I asked and they nodded. I chuckled and said why not… “Can we get a tree then? Even if it's small?” Seonghwa asked and I chuckled. “Get the biggest tree you’d like within reason of fitting it in the elevator of course,” I said and they grinned.

“We should do Secret Santa! I remember you did it when you were still in high school” Wooyoung suggested and I was surprised but everyone else looked confused. “Why don’t you explain to them what it is first?” I asked and his bushy tail moved back and forth as he explained the concept which everyone agreed. 

They’d share with each other but since I was the one with money… the one who got me would have to buy it with my card and id just trust what it is. 

Meaning… Some were unhappy with who they got. 

Unfortunately… Sometimes things don’t go as planned and we don't celebrate Christmas as planned. With the whole lawsuit, I was in and out of the apartment and settling it. As well as adjusting to Mingi and the entire situation with Yunho running away, it was the end of January when everything was settled and the living room still had Christmas decorations.

Sure we briefly celebrated  New Year’s but… they were upset we didn’t get to do everything as planned. Until… someone spoke up about it. 

“Why can’t you celebrate a late Christmas?” Yunho asked and everyone was silent in thought before looking at me. I chuckled at their perplexed faces… “If you guys want–” “YES!!” they yelled, not letting me finish. “And Valentine's Day is coming up too” Yeosang pointed out as everyone looked at each other. 

Well… combining two holidays in one day was an interesting thought. Everyone had re-pulled who they would give as Secret Santa and like before… but were unhappy with who they got. 

San -> Hongjoong. Hongjoong -> Yunho. Yunho -> Seonghwa. Seonghwa -> Mingi. Mingi -> Yeosang. Yeosang -> Wooyoung.  Wooyoung -> me. 

“Angel… who got Seonghwa?” Yeosang asked first and I sighed. “Why?” I asked and he groaned softly. “Cause he’s the easiest to get something for and Wooyoung… Well, he doesn’t like me giving gifts” he explained, which was true. Every time he suggested Wooyoung try something, the fox hybrid didn't like it. 

“You got Wooyoung?” San asked suddenly joining us and the Doberman nodded. “I’ll trade you? I have Hongjoong” he said and Yeosang scoffed. “He’d be harder to get something for” he scolded and I laughed. 

“You’ll figure it out,” I said and they sighed as I walked off wondering what they’d get from each other. Of course, it would be cheating for me to get them a Secret Santa since… Well, I already got everybody's gifts on actual Christmas and then a bucnh of stuff for Yunho and Mingi already. It was mainly an event for them to look forward to.

I just hope this month of February will be… happy memory for them since they have never experienced the holidays before. 

Seonghwa wanted to use the tree we got but never used it and decorate it pink. Which Yeosang and Wooyoung were ecstatic about. They decorated it with hearts, roses, and other red and pink decorations. It was Valentine's Christmas!

We’d do “Christmas Eve” on the day before Valentine's Day to make it a full effect. Cause while we did have a feast for actual Christmas it wasn’t the same.

“I want to switch Secret Santas!” Mingi whined for the hundredth time. “What’s so wrong with Yeosang?” I asked and he pouted. “I wanted Yunho” he muttered and I chuckled. “Besides he only likes expensive things I don't understand!” he complained and I was gonna offer help when I heard a laugh behind me. A familiar white-striped tail made its way to my waist before he grinned. “I know who Yunho? And he wants to switch!” he said and Mingi lit up. “Will he want Yeosang–” “I want Yeosang so I'll make him a deal” he said and his tail had happy syndrome. 

“Ok! I have to look for things now!” he said, running to his room. “You have Mingi,” I said and he nodded. “I also know Yunho wants to trade for Mingi,” he said and I sighed. “What's the point of a Secret Santa?” I asked and he chuckled “I don’t know, all I know is that Yunho probably has me if Hongjoon has been asking to trade with him,” he said and I sighed. 

“There’s no point in the secret anymore huh?” I asked and he kissed my head before laughing and walking off. “Yunho has Seonghwa?” Yeosang asked now out of nowhere… I laughed. “Yeah? You’re gonna have to fight Hongjoong for that”

Mingi successfully bought and secured a gift for his traded Secret Santa… Yunho. Whilst Mingi is the same… for Mingi. However, there is a current… bribe going around. Yeosang has been bothering Hongjoong to get Seonghwa, while Hongjoong wanted to get Seonghwa something lego or animal-crossing related. Yeosang wanted to get a perfume and skin care set they’d both been looking at. 

It was all for selfish reasons since they’d share it so he’d be getting himself a gift. I already offered to buy him one he denied it and wanted to get his way. 

Seonghwa however… bought the set they’ve been looking at for him… and maybe himself. So… in a way, Yeosang got what he wanted but he’s pouting while looking for Wooyoung’s present that is hard to find. 

San was also having a lot of trouble with… well Hongjoong. Meaning there wasn’t any more trading happening. It was officially set. 

Hongjoong → Seonghwa Seonghwa → Yeosang  Yeosang → Wooyoung  San → Hongjoong Wooyoung → myself  Yunho → Mingi  Mingi → Yunho 

Now what was left if they waited for the days to go past a celebrated with one another as they fully believed in the skit of it being Christmas. 

when it was finally the day after our "Christmas Eve" we all woke up early either in valenties or Christmas pajamas. huddled around the Valentine's Day tree as we saw who would go first.

They decided the oldest would go first, and they'd decide after that.

"I got Yeosang!" Seonghwa announced as he got the fanciest wrapped box. Yeosang looked surprised but... Mingi's tail was wagging since he got to switch from the fellow canine.

"Here I was hoping for the biggest box "Yeosang teased and as he opened it, he was soon in a state of shock. "It's the set we've been talking about!" he said with a grin as he for once thanked the older.

The image shocked everyone as Yerosnag actually hugged Seonghwa. Until he pulled away realizing and huffed as he got his big present and put it in front of Wooyoung.

"Ah... I was kinda hoping you weren't the one who got me" he muttered as the Doberman glared. Wooyoung chuckled as he opened it and his fluffy talk wagged. He then looked at Yeosang in shock.

'This is one of a kind!" he said as he looked at the jacket Yeosnag was able to get. He had me talk to Wonyoung to help me get it... but it was a one-of-a-kind jacket that Wooyoung only had now.

Wooyoung had one hobby in common with the Doberman... to collect all kinda of clothes.

"I... have you. Do you want your gift now or last?" Wooyoung soon asked as he carefully folded the jacket as he looked at me expectingly. "I'd say hers should be last" Hongjoong announced and everyone agreed.

Now they went with Hongjoong as the second oldest.

"I got Seonghwa," he said as he gave... Seonghwa is the biggest box. He looked shocked. He started opening the cute pink stared swapping paper as it revealed...

A Star Wars Lego set and some animal crossing in-game good cards. Seonghwa's eyes got all big and his tail was swaying in content as he talked the fellow tiger in a hug.

"The tigers are showing PDA again" Yeosang complained and I chuckled. The next now was Yunho as he was the next oldest that hasn't given his gift.

"Mingi," he said as he handed the gift to the boy and he was happy to see he got a gift from the one he admired most from here. He opened it and he revealed... a Tokyo ghoul manga set.

He's been reading the digital version on my tablet but has also stated he might be collecting manga soon.

He was so happy he started showing off the art style in it. It was cute seeing Mingi get excited and something to look forward to in the next few days.

"I also got you!" Mingi said as he clumsily stood up to grab the gift in heart wrapping for the other giant. Yunho opened it carefully to reveal... "A PlayStation?" he muttered in shock as he looked at it carefully. It had a spiderman design as he even found a venom figure inside it.

Everyone seemed happy with their gifts... even though some of them cheated. Honestly... most of them cheated.

"And yours!" Wooyoung as he was now in front of me. I was most curious to what he did since he said he wasn't planning on buying me anything.

I opened it to reveal... a small little book.

"It's... a story about us! About how the heroine saves her seven princes... it may not be as good as your writing but it ends happily and-" I cut him off with a hug. While... it may have seemed small it meant everything.

The writing was everything to me so... "Thank you, I bet it'll be my favorite book" I said and he chuckled as he hugged me back.

"It's actually not badly written. I'll give it to Wooyoung for that" San said and I chuckled. "It's all of us... but written a little different. Everyone helped with their section. I really hope you'll like it" Wooyoung explained and I nodded. I know he liked to read what I wrote since we met... but seeing how he actually wrote something for me, made me want to tear up.

"Of course I will!!" I said and he smiled. "One more thing, and something from all of us!" he said and suddenly they all pulled out roses.

"While we're celebrating our own version of Christmas it is also Valentine's Day! So who will you choose to be your Valentine?"

please don't be a silent reader !! reblog, comment, and like <3

[freeluigihesbae]

𝓫𝓾𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓮𝓻 𝓮𝔂𝓮𝓼 - 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 5

(1,200 words)

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

summary:

luigi fell in love with you for those sparkling eyes where his dreams of falling in love first came true. but how did it happen?

𝗍𝗐: 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍

~

"Hey, watch your step." You're walking, sniffling as you drag your barely wrapped homecoming dress in the store's bag, before you find yourself stumbling. The rain is pouring down, making your clothes feel heavier as you're still walking and outside for god knows how long. Your ankle folds outward because of the raised sidewalk, prompting a foreign hand to grab your shoulder.

You turn around, reeling yourself in before you look into a new set of eyes. They look familiar, but you just can't seem to place them. Hazel and almond-shaped eyes consume your thoughts. Your eyes go wide.

"Andrew. Jesus-" You mutter before placing your hand to your forehead, blinking slowly as your temperature is concerningly high. Andrew immediately steps forward, grabbing both shoulders before bending his head down.

"I'm really concerned about you. I tried to reach out to you about our class project since morning and I didn't hear an answ-HEY!" He yells, catching you in his arms as you pant. This is not going the way you want it to. You groan in discomfort, grabbing Andrew's shoulder for support.

"I really hate to do this, but does it matter to you if I carry you? Your cast isn't making this any better?" He's bending his knees, cautious to keep you barely upright without touching in places he shouldn't afraid of taking the step. You nearly roll your eyes in annoyance whilst wanting to break down and sob.

"Need to get rid of this stupid dress." You whisper in a broken voice and Andrew nods, but doesn't change his position. "Can I-" "Yes, Andrew. Or let me go. Drop me like every- everyone in my life has been doing so far." Your words have a harsh bite to them but he pays no heed, only nodding his head in haste as he picks you up bridal style, heaving the soaked dress over his shoulder. You wrap your hands around his neck and bury your face into his shoulder, utterly ruined and feeling feverish.

Andrew looks down at you, gulping. He didn't think you were in such a bad state, but now its his job to take care of you.

"Dress." You let tears escape from your eyes and to your dismay, Andrew doesn't listen.

"You're more important than the dress. You're burning up. I'm taking you back to your apartment." He smiles a bit when he watches you head tip back in frustration. You give an unpleasant expression before letting your head fall forward, letting the small jumps that come with every step lull the discomfort away.

The rain is still pouring, but it's not so bad with Andrew carrying you as his head is now taking most of the droplets with the exception of a few streams of water falling onto your poorly made jacket.

You both walk through the treacherous for who-knows-how-long before he's stopping in front of your door, the familiar lack of paint and rattling door-knob piquing your interest as you try to pay attention.

"Where are we?" You shake your head as the details of your own apartment seem vaguely reminiscent of a place you think you live in.

"How long were you out in the rain?" Andrew is now looking at down at you and for the first time, you look directly into his eyes and gasp.

It shouldn't be Andrew holding you, it should be Luigi.

Suddenly, the memories of what happened come crashing down like the already pouring rain tries to flood your vision and judgement, making your breathing pick up. You help yourself onto the ground, stumbling and taking a few steps back before using the door to keep yourself up.

"Hey stop-" "No, no I-I-I-" You stumble over your words, trying to put distance between the two of you.

"What are you doing?" A new voice makes both of your heads turn and to your absolute horror, there he is. The man of your dreams and the root of your problems.

Luigi Mangione.

Of course, he isn't empty-handed. He's soaked, drenched in the rain, holding a bouquet of flowers and a neatly folded and closed up bag, tissue paper that once had structure now ripping from the weight of the water. You realize he's likely witnessed the entire thing and the thought itself makes you nearly pass out because it's getting across the wrong idea.

Andrew stands frozen, realizing something is going on and before he knows it, he's trying to get away from the situation.

"Just um-" Andrew starts speaking and Luigi takes a step closer, not interrupting.

"Take care." Andrew looks into your eyes before glancing and Luigi and scurrying away, giving a short glance back and making his way back.

You're still stuck in the corner, replaying every single moment that has happened so far and realizing this might screw your day even worse.

Your legs are shaking though, weak from pain and against your will, you slide down the wall, whimpering from helplessness as pain shoots through your broken leg.

You realize you forgot your meds for the day.

You hear a crunching of paper and a drop of something, as hands come around to hug you but as though it's instinct, you push Luigi away.

"D-Don't touch me." You sigh out but his hands don't move, making you push him. "Fuckin' worming your way back in after insulting me like this shit isn't happening to both of us." You laugh breathlessly, feeling shaky hands retracting from your frame. Despite your wishes, his body is still close.

"I-I'm sorry that's why I came over and then I saw that guy holding you and I thought you lost everything and forgot what we h-" "Really?" You tilt your head up to look at Luigi, crying as the words start flooding into your thoughts and within seconds, you're sending them flying into his face.

"W-What?" Luigi asks and you answer.

"Must feel like shit when someone you l-care about pushes you away." You laugh sardonically, swallowing the cold droplets the slip past your lips while watching Luigi eat away at himself.

"Some stupid fuckin' crush and it hasn't even been a week but I-I'm in so much pain and you push me away like I'm not going through stuff too. You think this is easy for me? You think I'm wanting this right now? Because I'll tell you right now, it's not. I'm not sure a degree at Penn would help you understand-" You cough before saying the last of your words and standing up to unlock your door.

"I just don't want to talk to you. I don't want your flowers. I don't want-" You hesitate, ready to say the word 'you' but stopping because that could shatter his heart. It could break the fibers of who he is and you know you're both stupid.

Why make this worse?

You swallow hard, turning your back to him and opening the door.

"I need to be alone. Alone like you left me earlier." You cock your head to the side before walking inside and slamming the door closed, quietly sobbing before regretting it all, the pain worsening as you think about his likely crestfallen expression.

~

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taglist: @madkohi @iinfinitelimits-blog-blog @nosebeers @lorelaisg1lmore @poohkie90 @chariytz @alotofsomething

~

author's note: i'm sorry this chapter is so short. i had to write some angst because i'm not feeling well so this was a quick way to cope. this will be a lil longer than expected but enjoy!

[unforced3rr0r]

Not your girlfriend - CA

AUTHOR: I wanted to write something depressing….but I might write a happy part two if that’s something people want?

SUMMARY: You want more from Carlos and he can’t provide it.

WARNINGS: Angst, it’s just kinda miserable sorrryyyyy

Your room was shrouded in darkness only momentarily broken by the occasional car light and the glimmer of distant buildings out of the window.

The bed sheets were ruffled, pulled around your legs splayed out across your stomach. You watched your phone light up and then turn off, over and over. It was late. You should be asleep.

Each time your phone lit up the room your eyes watched it, hopefully reading each notification to no avail. He hadn't messaged.

You knew losing another game to Novak was going to be difficult for him, you had been there after the Olympics, wiped his tears and held him trying to help him forget the match.

You vividly remember the softness in his eyes after that game, the way he broke down convinced he'd disappointed his country. This time was different. It had been weeks since the match and you hadn't heard anything from him.

Forgotten was the usual post-match call, and the promise to fly you out or come see you the moment he got a chance. Instead, you were reduced to watching his Instagram stories and staring mindlessly at the read notification under the message.

You weren't his girlfriend, and he didn't owe you anything but when he found his way to your bed after each match and invited you to more and more events were you crazy to think it had gone beyond casual.

Trying to turn away from your phone that taunted you each time someone other than Carlos messaged you tried to fall asleep. The bed felt empty and cold, no matter how many layers you wore it didn't replicate the heat of lying next to him.

It was like you could feel the ghost of his hand against your body, staving off the sleep you desperately craved. Instead, you were being haunted by the memories of long nights spent with his body pressed against yours, his moans echoing through your mind.

Just as your eyes began to feel heavy and the memory of him subsided, your phone blared out behind you. You didn't need to turn towards it to see who it was, the ringtone alone indicated it was the very man who had been plaguing your mind.

For a second you considered ignoring it. Letting him feel what it's like to be waiting by the phone for your response. But every muscle and nerve in your body pulled you towards the phone, dragging you to pick it up.

Pressing the green button his voice flooded your senses, "Amor, ¿estás en casa?" (love, are you home?) The pet name sent shivers down your spine,

"Yeah, I'm at home." You tried to sound uninterested like you hadn't been sat by your phone for hours just waiting for his call.

"Estaré allí en diez minutos." (I'll be there in ten minutes.) You let out a scoff, taken back by the rashness. There have been times when Carlos impulsively visited you but never after not talking to you for nearly a week without reason. But before you could protest his voice came back through the phone, "Te extraño" (I miss you).

Your shoulders relaxed and your chest fluttered. The effect he held over you needed to be studied because you lost any semblance of a backbone when you were around him. "I'll see you soon then".

The next ten minutes were the longest of your entire life. tiding your room and making it look less like a warzone was the top priority but it seemed to take seconds and you found yourself sitting in the kitchen waiting for the knock on the door.

When it came your heart raced, but you moved towards the door. Pulling it open he stood casually, wearing jeans and a hoodie with his hair still buzzed although looking messier and his big brown eyes focused on you.

You moved to the side to let him into your apartment and he faltered slightly, watching you with a scrutinising gaze. Suddenly in your pyjama shorts, you felt exposed and vulnerable.

"How have you been?" You tried to ease the palpable tension between you as the regret for allowing him in began to creep in. But every time you looked at him your resolve crumbled so you needed to keep your distance.

He looked down at his feet, then up, meeting your eyes as he took a deep breath before talking. "AO was shit, you know how frustrating it is to come so close, again, and lose. Novak was injured and I still couldn't beat him, what does that say about my tennis." His shoulders were tense and as you dared to look at his face you could see the bags under his eyes had worsened.

You wanted to be there for him but you couldn't help but be annoyed that this was the first conversation you'd had in weeks.

"you could've called." you watched as his eyes met yours before quickly glancing away.

"I know"

"or texted" He shuffled from one foot to the other, though usually, the sight of him uncomfortable would cause a tightness in your chest, you couldn't help but push for answers. "Or really done anything other than randomly showing up at my apartment at 3 am after not texting me for weeks." you paused and looked at him, "I would've been there for you."

His gaze focused in on you and for a second a softness passed through his gaze before it shifted to frustration, he stood up straighter. "Come on, Y/N, that's not fair AO was-"

"No Carlos, you know what's not fair. You telling me before AO that you cared about me and wanted me to come watch your matches and sit in the coaches box to then not talking to me after one shit result." His eyes widened shocked by the outburst. You'd never opened up about how it felt to be his secret. With countless promises thrown your way to end up unfulfilled.

He stepped forward, the distance had shrunk and you could smell the aftershave that seemed to stain all your belongings after a visit. You knew it would hang around reminding you of this moment too. His large hand reached out to take your hand and in a moment of pure instinct, you stepped back.

"I can't do this anymore Carlos."

"What?" His brows were furrowed, deeply knitted together as he watched you play with the rings on your fingers.

"I don't want this anymore, I don't want to constantly be waiting by my phone for you, or hoping that this match is the match where you'll finally introduce me to anyone as your girlfriend instead of a friend. I'm tired of constantly having to listen to interviews and jokes about you being single, or you being rumoured with whichever woman it is this week. I'm constantly your second chance and sometimes it doesn't even feel like I'm second. I'm so tired of loving you Carlos when I don't even think you like me."

Your eyes began to water as you focused your eyes on the floor, you didn't want to cry in front of him, you were determined not to let him know the effect he held over you. He looked shocked. Sure he knew you cared about him but you truly doubted he ever thought it had gone that far.

"I didn't know"

But how couldn't he? You had spent countless nights laughing and talking until the sun rose. You'd spent afternoons cooking and laughing every time Carlos burnt something as simple as pasta. You'd fallen asleep next to him as he held you in a way that felt more intimate than any sex could and yet he couldn't tell you loved him.

You couldn't help but let the tears fall as you watched the man you loved watching you so cluelessly as if loving you was so distant from his mind that he couldn't even comprehend it.

"You should go." You walked past him back towards the door as his hand reached reach for your arm. He pulled you to face him his hand reaching your cheek and his eyes meeting yours. Tenderly he wiped the tears from your eyes.

"Por favor no hagas esto" (please don't do this) his voice was soft, a quiet plea as he so carefully held your face. You took a shaky breath in, lifting your hand to his, and watching as his brown eyes softened under your gaze.

For a moment you considered giving into him and falling back into the pattern you had gotten so used to but something inside you knew you needed to draw the line. You pulled his hand from your cheek, kissing his palm lightly before putting it down back at his side.

"I need more."

He began walking towards the door, his head down and shoulder slumped. Before he left he hesitated and just for a second your heart began to race thinking he was going to turn around and tell you he wanted more and he wanted it with you.

But he didn’t, instead he took another step forward out of the door and left without a goodbye.

Pushing the door closed your head fell against it as you let the tears rack through you. Suddenly the prospect of being without him felt so much more daunting than when he stood in front of you.

You slid down the door, sitting against it as you cried and waited for him to come back and knock on the door.

But, when the sun began to rise over the buildings and the tears had dried on your cheeks you realised it was truly over and while you would be broken his world would go on turning.

[madamedulac]

Betrayal.

Synopsis: A familiar set of purple eyes stared back into her own colored ones. But instead of happiness and joy crawling and bursting through her very core, all she felt was the utter and overwhelming feeling of complete betrayal.

Tags: sfw; ANGST; hurt; mild spoilers for homecoming wings ig?

Author’s Note: the mcs reaction to finding out caleb was still alive was lacking imo. so in order to appease my own annoying self, i decided to do my own take with that whole thing. this is my first fic after a LONG, LONG while so im sorry if it’s kinda ass lol. i’m also ESL so i apologize in advance if there’s any mistakes, i tried my best to proofread this.

Word count: 1.7k words

Ao3 / OST

There was a part of her that died that day. 

When that door closed in on her. When that explosion followed suit; its flame burned not only her skin, but so did the other half of her soul. She wished she also died in that fiery hell that consumed the only family she ever knew. 

But as fate liked to play a cruel joke on her, she was left to mourn and let the loneliness of surviving such tragedy comfort her in the nights their—his—memories haunted her dreams. 

The constant reminder of what she had lost laid consistently close to her heart. Its metal chains absorbed the heat from her skin, like it was alive, like it was his very heart that stayed close to her. 

『 When U Come Back. 』

Those were the words that are inscribed on its surface. It was a promise. A reminder that he will always return to their house, to their home, to her. He never broke his promise. She always reveled at that fact. He will always come back to her. That even if he was injured and crawling, he will do what it takes to return to his home.

In the sea of people that surrounded her on a day to day basis, he was the only one she could trust to keep his word. 

He was her only truth. 

“If you understand the situation, then let’s go ahead and have a nice chat.” 

The ringing in her ears was deafening but so did the loud hammering of her heart within her chest. Standing before her was a familiar face. Yet the warmth that was always flickering and present in his eyes was gone. Instead, what she saw in those purple irises was a coldness that she was unaccustomed to, at least when it came to him. 

“… Caleb?” His name left her lips before she could even comprehend it. 

Instead of giving her a reassuring smile like he always did, the man frowned. “Show some respect to the Farspace Fleet’s Colonel.” He said in a strict tone. 

Colonel. 

A title she had never expected to be bestowed upon him. It was so imposing. So daunting. So not him. This man in this intimidating uniform and glaring at her with a coldness she has never seen in his face could never be her Caleb.

There was no way. 

She wanted to say more. She wanted to ask him if he really was Caleb. To ask why he looked like her Caleb. But the words were stuck in her throat and the mixture of confusion and suddenly being hyper aware of where she was made her press her mouth in a thin line.

“There’s more than one pair of eyes observing you in this room, so I suggest you watch your mouth.” The man wearing her childhood friend’s face said. She immediately caught on to what he was implying and her eyes darted to the camera behind him. 

There was an ache that was slowly forming in her heart but she pushed it aside and opted to hide it behind a wall.

It was like a switch had been flipped. The distress that marred her face seconds ago was replaced with a blank one. She bravely stared back at the imposing figure before her. 

The doctor who examined her when she was small called it a coping mechanism of sorts. It is her own way of keeping everyone at arm's length when things get overwhelming. Even Josephine was not immune with how she quickly shuts her emotions down and hides away in her little corner.

But there was only one person who was an exception to this rule.

Someone who she could always confide in. Someone who she was not afraid to tell how she truly felt and never fear any judgement whatsoever. Someone who she knows would whollfully accept her, irregardless of her character flaw and her ever so changing moods. 

‘And that someone is already dead.’ The voice in her head whispered. 

The way the Colonel’s eyes twitched at her sudden change didn’t escape her but the woman merely overlooked such detail.

That is not him. That is not your Caleb. The voice reminded her. 

“Let’s get started then,” the man walked closer and grabbed the gun that was hanging on her hip. “This is both an interrogation and a thorough inspection. If you understand that then answer me.” He said as he threw the gun to the nearby table. 

“I understand, sir.” She replied, almost robotically. In a sense, this mission was indeed perfect for her. There were probably only a few within the hunter association who could turn off her emotions as quickly as she does. 

The expression on the Colonel’s face was unreadable as his fingers latched onto the necklace that was hanging around her neck. The frown was still there, but there was something else that was brewing behind his purple irises. 

“… it belonged to someone from my childhood.” She didn’t know what prompted her to talk but the words were flowing out of her mouth before she could realize. “He died in an explosion. Like the one in the Cascade District.” I miss him. She bit her tongue before she could utter those last three words. 

His eyes once again found hers and she saw a flash of emotion that almost made her believe this could be the same person who she gifted this necklace to.

But he was not.

She told herself he was not.

After all, he would be last person to ever betray her in that way. Her Caleb would never make her believe he was dead and let her suffer through that grief alone.

Never her Caleb.

The woman merely balled her hands in tight fists so that her resolve wouldn’t falter. 

That is not your Caleb. 

The succeeding interrogation came almost like a blur. She barely remembered the questions that he asked her. The ringing in her ears was loud and deafening and her answers were practiced and calculated. She had always been good with bullshitting her way out of things. It worked on most people. It worked on Josephine. It worked on her friends. 

But there was always an exception to that rule. 

That is not your Caleb. 

“This is your last chance.” He said threateningly, pointing the device closer to her throat. He called it a Mood Tracker but she wouldn’t be surprised if it was a device that could easily severe the artery on her neck.

The Colonel might kill her. That was such a frightening thought and she doesn’t doubt it. Not for a bit.

Steeling herself, the woman kept her eyes glued to the man. “… I don’t know anything.” She replied. She lied.

The device continued to beep loudly and seemed to reach its peak before it was subtly cut off the person holding it. His thumb pressed on the switch swiftly, practiced, and would’ve easily missed by anyone not standing close to them.

“You passed.” He declared.

Behind him, the camera made a clicking sound before it completely shut off.

The cold expression he wore melted away and suddenly she found herself looking at the familiar warmth that had surrounded her all throughout her life.

A breath escaped her mouth as the man straightened his posture and the restraint on her wrists was loosened. “… You.” Was all that she could utter.

Smiling, he tossed the Mood Tracker next her discarded gun. “Surprised?” He said, seemingly unaware of the emotion that was rising up her throat. Or perhaps he did saw it and was very much aware of it. Perhaps he was just refusing to acknowledge it. He was never the type to miss any emotion that she wore on her face. “Sure it’s been a while, but you already forgot about me?”

And suddenly, the mask that she wore all throughout that interrogation broke.

A pool of tears had quickly formed in her eyes and blurred his image, of this man, who she had been convincing herself to be not the same person she had mourned for the past year.

This man…

She heard him say her name, worry heavy on his tone. She almost wanted to laugh. But the tears were not stopping. “Did I scare you?” He asked as he held her face in his hands.

It felt rough. The leather gloves felt foreign in her skin, almost like it was mocking her. His touch as she remembered was warm and comforting. Like the touch of the summer sun after a heavy storm. That was what he was to her. Her summer.

That was the Caleb she remembered.

She wanted to laugh. To scream. To punch this man who wore that expression she was so familiar with. But no words were forming on her tongue.

All she felt was an indescribable anguish. Of pain. Of pity.

Pity for herself.

For that woman who stood by his grave and let the rain soak her entire form, hoping that it somehow gives her bleeding heart the comfort it so desperately needed. For that woman who clung onto his remaining set of clothing and held onto it until she fell asleep, hoping that it would be him cradling her the moment she wakes up.

Her cries echoed loudly inside the interrogation room but she no longer cared.

Perhaps, she thought, it would annoy him or his subordinates and they finally put a bullet through her skull. Perhaps that would’ve been ideal. Perhaps with death, it would finally end this nightmare.

She heard him say something but the sound of her broken heart and the heaviness of his betrayal made her deaf to his words. She wanted to push him off, to punch him, to spit on him.

But the reality of what he had done weighed heavy on her body, rendering her unable to form any coherent thought.

She didn’t protest when he hooked his arms under her knees and carry her off the chair. He swiftly maneuvered their position so that he would be the one sitting down and her being closely held on his arms. It was almost like an instinct when she curled closer into his touch, like she wanted to be one with his skin. To be one with him.

He smelled so familiar.

So like her Caleb.

“… you traitor.” Was all that she could managed to whisper in anger.

She felt his grip on her arms tighten but he didn’t say anything. Merely nuzzling into her hair and pulling him even closer into his chest, like he was scared to lose her.

“You traitor…” that was all that she could say.

———

a/n: happy valentines y’all. can’t believe lads and caleb managed to get me out of my retirement from writing. smh. sorry if this is lacking, it’s genuinely been a while since i wrote something. wwww

[manicmanuscription]

I Got You Sweetheart

Pairing: Rhysand x Reader

Summary: You suddenly have intense flashbacks and the only thing to help calm you down is your mate, Rhysand.

Word Count: 1544

Warnings/Tags: PTSD, mentions of torture (only vaguely described), panic attacks, fluff.

acotar masterlist | main masterlist

divider by @seradika-graphics

Today was a good day.

Today was supposed to be a good day. 

The soft summer sun had the  beautiful carved roads of Velaris glistening, bricks shining with a renewed vigor. Flowers hung from lampposts or sat in windows and it was perfect. 

I didn’t know when it became too much. When the light and soothing chatter from pedestrians became a jackhammer in my skull. 

When the warmth suddenly became blistering, my clothes started sticking to my skin and soon I was suffocating. Too much, too much, too. much.

Everything was too bright and blinding. I stumbled in people’s paths in my desperate attempt to escape the world around me. Everything in my instincts told me to run as my mind was harshly thrust into dark memories. 

The kind and smiling faces of my people morphed into those of my old tormentors. Children giggling turned into a dark laughter as my skin was split open with a harsh edge of a dirty blade as they had tortured me. The bindings that held me three hundred years ago felt fresh on my skin, the phantom pain intensifying as if it were merely moments ago. My feet were pounding against the stone. My mind is screaming at me to go, to get out. I needed to find a safe place, to escape this feeling of terror that had etched itself into my very soul. 

Go, go.  My mind screamed GO! before they caught me, before this feeling could somehow intertwine further into my heart than it already had. Broken bones and my own shattered screams echoed in my ears and I couldn’t. fucking. breathe. 

I could barely hear Rhysand’s comforting voice in my mind, barely noticed his tug on our mating bond over the sound of my trauma dragging my back in it’s terrifying trenches. Barely even noticed when he gripped me by the forearms and winnowed us to our shared bedroom. 

All I could see was the door and I ran towards it, the knob wouldn’t open and I spiraled even worse. Gods I was stuck again- 

I collapsed to the floor, pressing my back against the wall as I sobbed, my broken breathing the only sound in the room. My mate was kneeling in front of me, his hands hovering above my knees as if he wanted to touch me but wouldn’t as if he knew my overloaded system wouldn’t be able to handle it right now. 

Rhys whispered my name softly, trying to break me out of my hysteria. I was starting to get light headed from the lack of oxygen, black dots dancing in my vision as ragged gasps turned into full on hyperventilating. Rhys said my name again,

I think this time in my mind, pushing gently on my walls without being overbearing and making my flashbacks worse but it didn't break me out of my trance. I couldn’t fucking breathe. I was here, yet not. Voices all overlapping and drowning out everything else. 

Memories were pushing to the forefront of my mind and my entire body was shaking. 

Rhysand had never been more terrified, he hadn’t seen you like this in years and he had already tried all your practiced and safe response’s to these episodes so he could hopefully calm you down but nothing was working. So he grabbed hold of your mind firmly, he would never usually do this but this was an extreme situation, the last card he had to play.

Those dark tendrils wrapped around your traumatic memories and pulled them away, he willed your brain to make your breaths come in even waves instead of vengeful gasps, willed your body to stop shaking and replaced the panic with a feeling of safety. He curled himself around your mind, muting everything except for the familiar comfort of the mating bond, throwing love down it as his glittering magic pulsed around you. “Breathe.” He whispered softly, placing a hand over your heart. “Just breathe I’m here love, you’re ok.”

I did exactly that, deep breath’s in and out as my body finally started to relax with each inhale and exhale. I held him extremely tight and enjoyed the way his scent calmed me down.

There was nothing in this moment except his dark magic that sparkled exactly like the night sky seeping into every corner of the room. his arms wrapped around me, holding me close and just gave me a damned moment of reprieve. 

I don’t know how long I stayed like that in the quiet comfort of my mate. I hadn’t had an episode like this in a hundred years. Rhys was always the one to calm me down, always knowing exactly what I needed to feel safe.  Sometimes I hated touch, sometimes I needed it. Sometimes I needed him close and other times I needed him far, yet he was always there. 

Soon guilt settled in as my mind cleared, pulling away from that primal place of flight or fight.

He was supposed to be in a meeting with some of his high-ranking merchants and this wasn’t the first time he’d dropped everything to help me. I sniffled into his shoulder as my stomach twisted. Gods I was so overdramatic and clingy and-

“Stop it.” Rhys whispered against my skin. A wave of reassurance and love down his side of the bond spread through my chest, making me feel all warm and fuzzy. 

“I’m sorry.” I croaked out, my voice raspy from crying. “That word is banned if you remember.” His voice was light but I still felt the sincerity in his words. “I just, I don’t know what triggered it and..I mean..I-“ 

“Sshh.” My mate murmured. Leaning back slightly so he could look me in the eyes. I gripped on even tighter to his shirt at the almost loss of contact. He took my face in his large hands and titled my head so my gaze met his. 

“You do this little spiral every time after intense PTSD moments, I am not helping you out of obligation, I am helping you because I care about you, because I love you. Because you’re my mate, my wife, you are everything to me and you deserve to feel safe and happy. You deserve the world and being there for you is an honor, it is a gift and it helps me feel secure, knowing that I can care for you, protect you. I love you.” I didn’t miss the way his voice slightly wavered on the word protect.

Even though those males had taken me long before I met him I knew he still wanted to rip them apart all over again. His gaze was so intense and it had a familiar heat trickling down my spine. I could feel the truth in his words, see the conviction in his eyes and I slowly let go of the guilt that had tried to overtake me.

“I love you too.” I sighed. “I just..I hadn’t had an episode in so long, I mean that…event…was fucking forever ago and I -“ My voice cracked slightly and I took a shuddering inhale as the urge to cry hit me again tenfold when I started speaking. “I just thought I was healed, it was over, I’d never have to be so -broken- again.” 

Rhysand tilted my head so our foreheads were touching. “You have healed, you have done so much work and I’m so so proud of you baby, look at where you are now from yesterday. From last week? From two hundred years ago? You can’t put a timeline on healing, there are good days and bad days and it is important you have the support, especially for bad days and I’ll always be here. You’re not broken, you can do this. You’re safe baby. You’ll be ok, it'll never happen again.” 

I started crying again at his words, it soothes something inside of my roughened heart and he wiped my tears away with the pad of his thumbs. “You’re perfect just as you are.” 

I reached up and gently pressed my lips against his and he immediately opened up to me, letting me lead the kiss, feel in control and I sighed happily against him. I needed the soft intimacy. It was a balm to my soul and after a few seconds I laid my head on his shoulder once again. I was too tired for words but I pushed my needs to him down the bond and he responded immediately, lifting me up in his strong arms and tucking me in the bed treating me with such care I thought I was going to cry again. 

He curled himself around me and I laid my head across his muscled chest, listening to his strong heartbeat as those fingers drew comforting circles onto my shoulder. The panic had left my body and although I felt so tired from the whole exchange, my body shutting down as all the adrenline finally left and I could relax. I didn't feel as hollow as I usually did after these moments. 

No, I felt completely loved and cared for. Soon his rhythmic touch had me drifting off to sleep. 

I was loved, I was cherished for, I was safe.

[writingdevil]

Hi! For the requests, I wanted to ask for Paranoid x Hero, I love them in game and I think they could be really good for each other ^^

(YES! I ALSO LOVE THEM! I've been dying to write them, and I hope you don't mind, but I decided to put them in an AU I've been thinking about. Enjoy!)

(This is a medieval AU where the Long Quiet is a king and the voices are a part of his court)

Hero sighed as he marched down the halls of the castle, glancing up and admiring the large windows that graced him with a view of the outside, at the forest that surrounded their castle and town.

His pace slowed as he watched two birds shoot across the sky, and his own wings twitched against his armour, longing to join them and taste the sky.

But there was too much work to be done within the court.

Hero was the Captain of the Guard, and the second in command to the king of the castle. Many people apparently saw him as a beacon of light within the darkness their kingdom had been thrust into, but Hero just tried to do the right thing for the people that needed it.

He quickly ripped his gaze away from the view, so that only few memories of happier times flashed in his head-Enjoying banquets. Witnessing ceremonies. Feeling content with life.

But all of that and more had all but vanished as of late, and the entire flock had been scrambling for months now to try and get that peace and joy back.

His fellow guards-Stubborn and Hunted, were out day and night, either searching for answers or defending the kingdom from enemies who dared approach them in their vulnerable state.

Skeptic was also out for days at a time, although he worked best alone, traveling far to crawl into the darkest corners of the land, in hopes for an answer to their dilemma. Hero doesn't believe he's seen him in three weeks this time.

Hero was just beginning to think that he was going to have to send him a letter reminding him to come home soon-when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Hero's throat closed up, and he felt every feather on his body bristle and stand to attention, as he started to quietly lose control of his breathing.

To the very left of him was the throne room.

If Hero concentrated enough, he could make out the soft breathing of him, the only evidence to tell them all that the King was even alive.

The doors were wide open, and although Hero went in there everyday, it still made a weight crush his chest. No matter how much time had passed, he couldn't get used to the sight in that throne room.

Hero was supposed to be the knight that everyone in his court could depend on, that was capable of protecting his flock-but whenever he saw him, it just reminded Hero of how much he had failed his loved ones.

He couldn't cross that room. He just couldn't. There was nobody that could make him.

He stood there for what felt like hours, stuck in a fearful paralysis-until someone quickly turned the corner on the other side of the hall to face him.

It was Cheated, panting and with a frenzied expression on his frustrated face. He didn't immediately notice Hero, head twisting around in a panic, feathers flying everywhere, until Cheated's eyes finally landed on him.

It was like a wave of relief had crashed into Cheated, as his wings sagged and his face softened into a look of reassurance.

"Hero!" he yelled, and the sound was enough to have Hero blinking back to reality. Cheated motioned for him to come closer and exclaimed, "It's Para, Hero! His magic's acting up!"

That could make him cross the room.

All at once, all the guilt and fear was ripped from his body-and Hero's mind had never been clearer as he immediately broke into a sprint, running past the throne room, only catching a black blur that rested on the throne, with eyes that hadn't opened in a long time.

Hero barely let it affect him.

He rushed past Cheated without even looking him in the eye, and Cheated scrambled to move out of the way and shouted after him, "He should be in his chambers!"

There was an intensity lingering within Hero's veins as he ran, his body knowing exactly where to go before his mind even processed his surroundings in the castle.

He knew where to go. He would always know how to find him.

He practically flew up the stairs, ripping his sword from his scabbard as he bolted over to stand in front of Paranoid's room.

He took a second to take a deep breath, forcing his voice to be calm and light as he softly knocked and said, "Para? Are you okay?"

A low whine-then, "Help me!"

Hero swore as he practically ripped the door from its hinges, marching into the room and shutting it firmly, leaving just the two of them.

Paranoid's room was dark, which was unusual for him. He was usually obsessed with being able to see a room in its entirety, for fear of something hiding in the shadows. He only pulled the curtains when Hero was in the room with him.

His gaze traveled to the floor, and although Paranoid was known to be a little disorganized and messy, his room right now looked almost disastrous. Desk flipped over, notes and books sprawled all over the floor, and Hero could pick out some very important books that he knew Paranoid would never just leave lying about.

Finally, his gaze landed on Paranoid himself.

He was kneeling on his bed, sheets twisted and thrown around him. He was clutching his head, leaning down far enough so that his forehead was touching his mattress. He kept rocking back and forth and quietly whimpering to himself.

It broke Hero's heart.

He took a cautious step forward, putting his sword away, and softly went, "Para? Are you-"

"Who's there?" Paranoid suddenly shrieked, sitting up straight while still grabbing fistfuls of his feathered head. Hero froze, if only because now he could hear just how bad Paranoid's panic attack was getting. He was panting heavily enough to make it sound raspy and guttural, and Hero winced, knowing how sore the other's throat would be after this.

"It's Hero, remember, Para? I'm here to help you. What's wrong?"

Paranoid shook his head, his body beginning to tremble. Hero watched in devastation as Paranoid started to softly cry, staring out into the distance. "I don't believe you," he mumbled, "I don't believe you. I can't believe you-" his yell was abruptly cut short, and Hero could do nothing but watch as Paranoid suddenly gasped, going silent for a few seconds, until he suddenly yelled out in fear, moving to cover his eyes now as he hunched over the bed again.

"Go away, go away, go away," Paranoid begged, his voice muffled from his position. His rocking got more intense as he whined and said, "Too many eyes, too many eyes-stop looking-leave me alone please-"

Right. That was it. Hero couldn't take this anymore.

"Para," he softly called out, "I'm going to come closer to you, okay?"

"Please please please-", was all Paranoid said, until Hero suddenly felt a wave of magic press down on him.

It felt like it was suffocating him, all this powerful and dark energy, and Hero himself struggled to breathe for a few seconds, almost tasting electricity in the air, and the edges of his face were tingling with numbness.

It was Paranoid's magic. This must be what Cheated meant by acting up.

Paranoid was one of the two strongest sorcerers in the court, along with Cold. Both of their magic was tied to the mortal body, but while Cold dealt with death and the absence of sensations, Paranoid's was all about it.

Hero's seen him cure over a thousand people with his magic, his mind intrinsically linked to the person's body, keeping them alive with a simple chant. Paranoid could reach in and grab whatever pain, curse or demons the person was suffering with, and help rid them of it.

Unfortunately, this has led to Paranoid's own mind to become-fearful because of it. The sorcerer was constantly looking over his shoulder, claiming to see enemies in places where there was nothing, and rarely trusted anyone that wasn't his flock. Sometimes his terror would get so bad that his mind and magic would be so overcome with it, and-this happens.

Hero shook his head, attempting to ignore the buzzing in the air, as he slowly came around to be in front of Paranoid. "I'm not here to hurt you, Para. I just want to help you." The only thing Paranoid did was shake his head and choke on a sob.

Hero sighed, his heart breaking at the sight. Paranoid wouldn't be having breakdowns this severe if He hadn't been cursed, if He hadn't left them to take charge of the kingdom themselves.

No matter. The only thing that Hero needed to care about right now was Paranoid.

He climbed up onto the bed, shuffling closer until their knees almost touched. "Para," he said,"what are you seeing right now?"

Paranoid didn't respond right away, hyperventilating until Hero whispered, "Para?"

That seemed to bring Paranoid just back to reality enough to move and wrap his arms around himself as he hissed, "Eyes-eyes keep watching, keep staring at me-I want them to leave me alone, Hero."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," was all Hero said, reaching forward to firmly grab Paranoid's hands, pressing them gently against Hero's heart. "I need you to look at me, sweetheart."

Paranoid choked on a sob. "I can't," he softly said, head still bowed and eyelids squeezed shut. "I can't trust if you're real or not," he whimpered, before weeping to himself, wings going slack behind him, as if he had accepted this fate.

Hero opened his mouth to try and persuade him, before he heard a crackling in the room.

Hero froze, before slowly lifting his head to look up at the ceiling.

There, in the corner of the ceiling, was a dark purple ball of magic. It wriggled and shot out here and there, and the cracking sound it made sickened Hero to his stomach. It looked like a black hole of nightmares come to swallow them into darkness-before more started to appear.

They slowly formed all around them, and Hero was about to throw Paranoid over his shoulder and rush out of the room, when Paranoid suddenly whined and started to shake his head as he mumbled, "Too many eyes, too many eyes, too many eyes-" over and over again.

Was this Paranoid's magic? Was his magic spinning so much out of control that he was accidentally manifesting eyes around them? If so, then Hero needed to get through to him now.

He took a deep breath in, then turned away from the dark orbs floating around them, putting all his attention on Paranoid.

"Para,"he said, "can you hear me? Can you hear my voice?" It took a few seconds of panicked breathing, but then Paranoid nodded.

"Good," he said, then gently moved one of Paranoid's hands so that his palm was pressing directly over his heart. "Can you feel my heartbeat?" Paranoid began to lift his head up more, and he nodded again.

"That's perfect, Para. Can you focus on my voice and my heart?" Paranoid's face scrunched up in fear. "But the eyes-"

"The eyes aren't gonna get you while I'm here. I promise." Paranoid still looked torn, so Hero leaned forward to press their foreheads together. "Do you trust me?"

Paranoid was silent for a few tense minutes,and there was only the sound of heavy breathing and snapping magic in the air. But then, Hero felt Paranoid lean into his touch. "I trust you."

Hero released a shaking breath of relief, but quickly kept his focus, closing his eyes and whispering to Paranoid, "You are in your bedroom in the castle."

He felt the magic weighing him down further, but he ignored it. "You are in your bedroom and there is nothing here that can hurt you." Paranoid released a small sob that broke Hero's heart, so he squeezed their intertwined hands to comfort him.

"There is nothing that will hurt you, Para, because I am here to protect you." He felt Paranoid curl his fingers in his chest, as if he wanted to reach in and take Hero's heart for his own.

The trembling had lessened, and Hero could feel the tears dry on his face. "Do you feel my heartbeat, Para? This heart belongs to you. It only beats for you, Para, because I love you." Hero barely noticed when the crackling began to get quieter. All he cared about in that moment was Paranoid.

He heard Paranoid take a few deep, slow breaths in, and Hero started to feel all the energy in the air begin to lighten up, until he could actually breathe and feel his face again.

He risked opening his eyes, and was met with Paranoid's tired gaze.

He grinned in relief. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, and Paranoid sighed, but nodded, rubbing his face against his shoulder.

They both lifted their heads, and Hero quickly looked up-but the dark orbs of magic had disappeared too. It truly was over.

Hero looked back at Paranoid, only to find pure exhaustion on his face, and Hero didn't blame him. He couldn't imagine how drained Paranoid must be feeling now.

He lowered their hands down to his lap, giving Paranoid a reassuring smile as he asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" A firm shake of his head. Although Hero wasn't used to Paranoid being this quiet, he just chalked it up to what just happened, and asked, "Is there anything you want me to do for you?"

Paranoid sat up straighter, turning his head to slowly take in the room around him. Hero saw the way his eyes were filled with nothing but sadness and fatigue, and he was about to offer a suggestion, when Paranoid quietly went, "You shouldn't of done this."

"What?" he asked, "What do you mean?"

"I shouldn't need you to help me control my powers." But then Hero saw a flash of hatred in Paranoid's eyes, hatred at himself for being vulnerable, it looked like.

"I'm a sorcerer. I should be able to handle my own problems. I told you I can handle my own problems-"

"-and I told you," Hero softly interrupted, cupping Paranoid's face so that he was looking at him, "when you accepted my courtship, that I would always be there to support and care for you."

Paranoid froze, looking down at Hero in soft confusion, as his feathers puffed up, making Hero smile. They held eye contact for a few moments, until Paranoid's face softened into fondness, and he muttered, "Thank you, then-for being there for me."

"I always will be, Para," Hero promised with a smile, before they both leaned closer, and kissed the other tenderly.

Hero may not have been able to protect the King, but he sure as hell will not make the same mistake with the rest of the flock, and especially not with the love of his life.

[phantomdreamgirl]

Every time He smiles, My Heart Breaks

(18+)

Familyvideo!steve harrington x reader

After Steve broke your heart back in high school, you spent the next few years avoiding him until you found yourself leaning against the video store counter, falling for his charms all over again.

Standing in line at Family Video, you clutch the two VHS tapes you're holding to your chest. You shift your weight from one foot to the other, as you eye how many people are ahead of you. You knew coming in on a Saturday night was a bad idea, but you were in need of one of your comfort movies and would risk waiting in an obscenely long line to get it.

You sigh before you see an overwhelmed Robin yell for Steve to come to the counter.

Shit.

You weren't expecting to see him tonight or ever, as every time you'd been there in the past, you had just missed him. A cold sweat forms on your brow as you reluctantly take a step forward. A simple trip to the video store was quickly turning into your worst nightmare, as you inch closer and closer to the guy responsible for the worst heartbreak of your life.

You try to stay to the right, where the line branches off, in hopes of ending up with Robin instead. Your hopes are soon crushed however, as the person in front of you chooses her to rant at over their late fees.

"I can help whoever's next," you then hear a familiar voice say.

You look over at him and he flashes a faint smile, as recognition registers on his face. You smile politely in return as you approach the counter. You set the tapes down in front of you, now aware of how clammy your hands are.

"Hey," he greets as he assesses the tapes. "How have you been?"

"Good, just busy. What about you?" You ask, as your eyes meet his.

You forgot just how mesmerizing they were. So many memories suddenly flood your mind as you force yourself to keep a neutral expression.

"Same, actually, as you can see it can get pretty crazy in here some nights," he replies, scanning one of the tapes. "Oh, Flashdance, nice. I remember how much you liked this one."

"You should, that was one of our best dates," you say with a laugh.

"Yeah," he smiles. "It was. Then you played the soundtrack in your car nonstop afterwards."

"I still do sometimes," you reveal.

Steve averts his eyes from yours before asking you for the store rewards card. You hand it to him and he holds it for a second before handing it back to you.

"You know what? These are on the house," he says, handing the tapes back to you.

"What? I don't-" you begin to protest when he's leaning over the counter, closer to you.

You then instinctively lean against the counter, towards him. He's so close you can smell traces of the minty gum he was chewing earlier.

"Would you mind waiting until after I get this line down? I wanna talk to you about something," he whispers, causing your body to tense up.

"Yeah, sure," you quickly reply, earning another smile from him.

You step to the side of the counter, again clutching the tapes to your chest as you wait. Your mind's racing with a million possibilities for what he would want to talk to you about. Maybe he's finally going to apologize for how he treated you back in high school. Would he even care about that now? Should you still care about it as much as you do? Why do you still let him get to you? The questions are endless until you hear Steve softly saying your name.

He steps out from behind the counter and stands next to you.

"Can I walk you out to your car?" He asks, pointing to the parking lot. "It's too crowded in here."

You nod, and he gestures for you to walk in front of him. He hurries ahead of you to get the door, holding it open so the two of you can exit into the chilly, February evening.

He follows you to your car and waits as you toss the tapes into the passenger seat.

"So, what do you want to talk to me about?" You ask, after turning to face him.

"I, um, have been thinking about you a lot lately," he begins, slightly nervous, "and I know that probably sounds really weird since we haven't talked in years, and I know that's my fault, but I... I just want to apologize for how shitty I was to you when we broke up-"

"You mean when you left me for Nancy?" You interrupt, folding your arms across your chest.

"Yeah, I was a total jerk about it, and I'm sorry," he replies, with a pout. "You deserved a better guy than me anyway."

Your expression softens as you notice the sadness in his eyes.

"I wouldn't go that far," you console. "You were a good boyfriend, we were happy."

"Its hard for me to remember sometimes," he admits, kicking some of the loose gravel beneath his feet. "Sometimes all I can remember is how I hurt you."

"That's all I can remember sometimes, too," you confess, meeting his sad gaze.

"I'm just so sorry for all of it and I want to make it up to you," he continues, hopeful. "Valentines day is coming up and I was wondering, if you'd want to go to dinner with me? If you don't already have plans..."

"I-" you start to reply, as his proposition has seemingly rendered you speechless.

"I'll totally understand if you don't want to, since you probably still hate me," he adds, now just rambling. "I'd still hate me too."

You then reach out and lightly grip the sleeve of his sweatshirt. "I don't hate you, Steve," you assure.

His face instantly lights up with a smile that still gives you butterflies.

"You don't?"

You shake your head. "I could never hate you."

"Would you be willing to go out with me, then?" He asks again, noticing how you're still holding onto him.

"I would," you quietly answer, as you feel him wrapping his arms around you.

"Yeah?" He questions, still with a smile.

You nod.

He pulls you into him, against his warm, broad chest and whatever thoughts of protest leave your mind.

"I won't mess this up again," he breathes, gazing into your eyes.

Your hand moves from his sleeve to his green vest as he leans in close. You grip it so tightly, turning your knuckles white. His nose brushes yours before he presses the softest kiss to your lips.

You should be embarrassed by how easily you melt into his arms, but in the moment, you can't bring yourself to care. His lips feel so right, everything about him feels right. It's a feeling you've never felt with anyone else and its all encompassing.

The intensity of his kiss grows as he pins you against the side of your car. He presses more of his body against you, as it seems he's just as caught up in how good it feels to have you back in his arms.

"I've missed you," he murmurs, into a kiss.

Before you can respond, you hear Robin calling out for him.

"Steve! Stop making out with the customers and get your ass back in here!"

"Just give me a sec, Rob," he replies, looking over at her. "This is kinda important."

She rolls her eyes before noticing you're who he's with. "Oh... just make it quick."

You each exchange awkward smiles before she disappears inside the store.

"Sorry about that," Steve apologizes, bringing his hand up to cup your cheek.

"Its okay," you assure, sweetly. "I should go, anyway. Wouldn't want you to get in trouble with the big boss."

He playfully scoffs. "Don't worry about that. Keith needs me and he knows it."

He leans in again, and asks with his thumb caressing your cheek, "Can I call you later?"

"Yeah, I just need to give you my new number," you reply, while digging into your purse for a pen. You pull one out, excitedly, but then realize you don't have anything to write on. An idea flickers across your face as you tell him to hold out his hand.

He does so, with a smile, before you write your number on his palm.

You then smile up at him and see a familiar glint in his eyes. You remember how he used to look at you like that all time and it always made you dizzy with love.

"You're adorable," he breathes, pulling you back to him for another kiss.

You whine his name against his lips, gently pushing him away, knowing that if you didn't stop him, you'd never leave.

"Alright," he huffs, pulling away. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay," you smile, as he takes a few steps back allowing you to get into your car.

He watches you leave, standing in place until your car disappears into the distance.

You have a dumb smile plastered on your lips the whole way back to your house. Only in your dreams could you have imagined such an interaction with him. You only wish he would've come to this realization sooner, but you're grateful nonetheless.

He makes good on his promise to call you that night, as the phone rings around ten.

"I didn't wake you up or anything, did I?" He asks, sweetly.

"No, I'm still up," you reply, smiling into the phone.

"Okay, good."

You both then talk for the next hour and a half, until you're both almost dozing off.

"I'm really glad you came in today," he quietly admits.

"I am, too," you say, holding the phone close.

"I've been wanting to say all that to you for so long, it was eating me up inside," he continues. "I miss what we had and I'm sorry for ruining it."

Your heart melts at his admission.

"It means a lot to hear you say that, but you don't have to keep apologizing," you say with a laugh.

"I know, but I still feel so guilty, like, you really loved me and I threw it away for someone who never could," he counters.

"Yeah," you sigh, "but you're making up for it now."

"I didn't expect you to be this forgiving," he admits, also with a laugh.

"Neither did I, but I guess that's part of growing up."

"I guess so," he agrees, with a relieved smile.

You lay on your side, switching the phone to your other ear, imagining his pretty face across from yours.

"I really wanna kiss you right now," he breathes, his voice soft and sleepy.

You smile, burying your face in your pillow. You're about to reply when you hear light snoring and quickly realize he's fallen asleep. After quietly giggling, you listen to him breathe, closing your eyes and pretending he's laying next to you. You almost doze off yourself until the phone slips out of your hand.

"Goodnight Steve," you whisper before turning over to hang up the phone.

Steve calls you every night leading up to your date. It amazes you with how easy it is for him to become a part of your life again.

The night before, he's still vague on the details about your date, saying that it's a surprise. He does tell you to wear something nice, so that probably means that you're going somewhere fancy. You already have the perfect outfit in mind, as you've been saving it for a special occasion.

The following evening, you're getting dressed in your room. Sitting on the edge of your bed, you gently pull black tights up and over your legs, covering the black lace underneath. You then shimmy your way into your black, velvet long-sleeve dress. Walking over to the mirror, you adjust it and make sure it fits just right. You smile at the little red hearts embroidered on it, thinking how this was the perfect dress for Valentines Day.

Turning away from your reflection, you slip into matching black heels before putting on your favorite pair of earrings. You then look over your appearance one last time before you hear the doorbell ring. Long dormant butterflies flutter back to life as you hurry to put on your burgundy coat and sling your purse over your shoulder.

Upon opening the door, you're met with a ridiculously handsome Steve, seemingly also dressed in all black, under his charcoal colored coat. You can't help but gasp at the sight of him.

"Hey," he greets, with a smile, reaching for you.

"Hi," you reply, as he wraps his arms around your waist.

He pulls you to him, pressing his lips to your cheek, as to not ruin your lipstick. Your eyes close as you inhale his cologne. It's different from what he used to wear, but you think it suits him even more.

"You look gorgeous, as always," he breathes, with his lips still at your cheek.

"Thanks," you dreamily reply, "so do you."

"Thanks," he echoes, nuzzling his nose against yours.

You're already consumed by the warmth that radiates from him, that you momentarily forget about the chilly night air around you. You weren't aware how much you missed it until then.

"Ready to go?" He softly asks, between planting little kisses across your cheek.

You nod, dreamily smiling up at him when he pulls away.

He then escorts you to his car, opening the door for you and making sure your coat didn't get caught in it once you get inside.

After he gets in and begins driving out of town, you playfully question where he's taking you. "So, can I at least have a hint about where we're going or...?"

He softly laughs before answering, "I've kept up the suspense long enough. There's a new Italian place that just opened up in the next town over, so I thought we'd go there. Believe it or not, my parents actually raved about it, and they don't like anything, so I'm guessing it must be pretty good."

"Oh," you smile, relieved. "That sounds great then."

"I told you I wanna make up for everything, so I wanted to take you somewhere nice," he adds, glancing over at you and gently taking your hand.

You smile in return as he squeezes, affectionately.

After he parks in the overflowing parking lot, you start to open your door when he stops you. He quickly hops out and hurries over to the passenger side of the car.

"Allow me," he says, helping you out of the car.

"Such the gentleman tonight," you tease, as he wraps his arm around you.

"Um, excuse me, I'm always a gentleman," he reminds, with faux annoyance.

"I know," you agree, leaning into him.

Once inside, you both quickly see how crowded it is, with angry wives and girlfriends, furious that there's no tables available without a reservation. You nervously look to Steve who assures you that he has it covered. He strolls up to the host stand and tells the frazzled hostess that he has a reservation for two under Harrington. She checks the leather bound notebook in front of her and smiles when she finds his name. After grabbing two menus, she looks up at him and says to follow her.

You could feel the hateful looks as you and Steve walk into the dining room. The hostess seats you at a secluded booth, complete with candle lit ambience.

"I must say I'm pretty impressed so far," you admit, while taking off your coat.

"That was the goal," he smirks, while also shedding his.

When he glances up at you again, he's taken aback by how you look in the soft light.

"God, you're beautiful," he quietly laments, reaching across the table to hold your hand.

Both his words and his constant need to touch you has you blushing. He wasn't like this when you were together before and it's a welcome change. He really has grown up a lot in these last few years, you think, as he gazes at you so adoringly.

"You say that like you're just now realizing it," you smile.

"In a way, I am," he replies, seemingly lovesick. "I was such an idiot before, letting you go... I'm not gonna make that mistake again."

He's looking at you with an intensity that makes your heart race. You know he means every word.

While you ate, Steve couldn't keep from staring at you. His honeyed gaze was soft at first but soon darkened as his thoughts drifted to your perfect lips. He longed to see them parted and slick from his kisses before you breathed his name in the delicate way that he loved. He discreetly reaches under the table to adjust himself, willing himself to make it through the first half of your date.

His staring doesn't go unnoticed, as it makes you feel so desirable. You haven't felt like this in years, and it has you clenching the napkin in your lap. You can see the deliciously filthy thoughts hidden behind his eyes, and you're fighting the urge to drag him out to his car and fuck him in the backseat.

You both struggle to maintain your innocent facades for the remainder of your meal. After paying the check, Steve escorts you out of the restaurant with his arm wrapped tightly around your waist. He has you pulled so close that your hips brush his as you walk.

When he has you alone in the parking lot, he presses your back to his passenger side door. A surprised gasp slips from your lips before his body engulfs yours. He kisses you so deeply it literally knocks the breath out of you. In a daze, you wrap your arms around him, with your hands curling under his coat's collar, at the back of his neck. You're almost afraid to touch his skin, fearing it'll be as searing as his kiss.

"I want you so fucking bad," he finally pants, allowing you to breathe.

"I want you, too," you reply, still gasping for air.

"Wanna go back to my place?" He asks, slipping his hands under your coat.

He squeezes your hips, making you whimper up at him.

You nod, and he kisses you again.

During the ride back to Hawkins, you reach into your purse and into your makeup case. Once you have your tube of lipstick in hand, you flip the sun visor in front of you down and open the lighted mirror on the back. Steve curiously watches as you reapply the sultry shade of crimson you wore earlier that night. He's not entirely sure why, but he feels his pants tightening at the sight of your painted lips.

After parking in his parent's driveway, he reaches for you, wanting to pull you in for another desperate kiss. You put your manicured finger to his lips, stopping him.

"Wait until we get inside, handsome," you smile as he looks at you with pleading eyes.

He nods, before pressing a kiss to your fingertip.

He then can't get out of the car fast enough, still going around to the side to open your door for you.

Once the front door is unlocked, you pull him inside, towards the living room. You're both surprised and glad that the house's layout has remained virtually unchanged since you were last there. You lead him to the couch and gently push him down, onto it. He gazes up at you, completely enamored as you straddle him.

You teasingly grind against him while his hands settle on your hips. Your hands move from his shoulders to his hair as you lean in close. His eyes close as he anticipates your kiss only to be surprised when your attention drifts lower, to his neck.

You nuzzle your nose against his skin, allowing his cologne to intoxicate you again.

"I've really missed you," you breathe before pressing a kiss to his freckled skin.

"I've missed you, too," he replies, breathless, "so fuckin' much."

"I don't ever want us to be apart again," you continue, between more crimson kisses.

"We won't be, I won't let it happen," he assures, as he shifts underneath you.

You smile against his skin before kissing your way to his collarbone.

"You promise?" You ask, peering up at him with doe eyes while you unbutton his shirt.

He swallows clumsily as he nods. "Yeah, I promise, honey."

After his shirt is unbuttoned halfway, you glide your nails through his newly exposed chest hair. The prettiest sounds fall from his lips and you can feel how he's throbbing underneath you, growing more desperate by the minute. You lean into him again, this time nuzzling your face to his chest. You flick your tongue over his nipple making him shiver above you.

"Christ, honey, I'm not gonna last much longer if you keep teasing me like this," he warns, raggedly.

You look up at him again, proud to have scored a rare victory over Steve Harrington.

"Am I too much of a tease for you?" You ask, after raising your head to fully meet his gaze.

"You already know the answer to that," he breathes before pulling you into a passionate kiss.

You move your hips again, subtly grinding against his strained bulge. His move instinctively with yours, still so desperate.

"Wait," he pants, after breaking the kiss. "Before we go any further, we need to go upstairs. I wanna do this right."

You look at his disheveled hair and lipstick stained lips and smile.

You reply with a soft kiss before he guides you to the stairs.

You instantly feel like a teenager again, following him to his room for the first time. That room holds so many memories that it feels surreal being back there.

Steve saunters to the bed, with his hand still entwined with yours. He stops in front of it and begins undressing. Your eyes travel his body, noting how he's definitely improved with age. When he's only left in his tight, black underwear, he sits on the edge of the bed and looks up at you.

The hungry look in his eyes is your silent cue to also undress. You slip your arms out of the sleeves of your dress and shimmy out of it. You try to take off your tights as seductively as you can, as the heat from his gaze is overwhelming.

You toss them to the floor, leaving you in your lacy, black lingerie. You then take a few steps closer to him, standing between his spread legs. His hands are immediately on you, roaming your body like it's already his.

"So fuckin' gorgeous," he laments, in awe of the sight before him.

"You're not so bad yourself," you reply, combing your fingers through his hair.

He smiles before leaning up to kiss you. Before you know it, he has you on your back, trailing kisses across your chest. You whine his name, fingers curling into his hair when you feel him leaving hickies on your sensitive skin.

"Every inch of you is fucking perfect," he pants, as he kisses down your stomach. "I want you to always remember that, okay?"

He glances up at you, his eyes consumed with desire. You nod, breathless and dazed. He returns his focus to your hips, nibbling on them before kissing lower, to the waist of your panties. He teases you by kissing around the soft skin of your thighs, before pressing his lips to the black lace. He presses his tongue against the soaked fabric, tasting your arousal. He moans into you before pressing more kisses to your clothed core.

His large hands grip your hips, holding you in place as you writhe against the bed. You whine and cry his name, begging for more. He soon releases his grip long enough to rip your panties down your legs and throw them to the side.

His mouth is on you again, greedily licking and kissing the most delicate part of you. Your fingers claw at his scalp, pulling at his hair when he fucks you with his tongue. His nails are digging into your skin as he moans into you. He's so painfully hard now that he's grinding himself against the bed.

You whine his name again, your body trembling around him. Moans and cries of his name echo off his bedroom walls as he brings you closer to release. He's relentless in how he's devouring you, vowing not to stop until you make a mess on his face.

He gets his wish when your thighs clamp around his head and your voice is practically horse from screaming his name. He keeps lapping at you, moaning loudly as well, though it's muffled. He finally looks up at you, pretty face grinning and glistening. He rests his cheek against your thigh, while you catch your breath.

"You're even sweeter than I remembered," he smiles, making you cover your face with your hands.

He then crawls up your body, hovering his face over yours. You reach for him, eagerly pulling him into a kiss. He presses his body to yours and you feel an unfamiliar dampness on your lower half.

"Did you...?" You ask, pulling away slightly.

"I think so, yeah," he cringes.

"That's so hot," you breathe, before kissing him again.

He whimpers into it, his sweaty body melting into yours.

"You should take them off anyway," you say, running your finger along the waistband of his underwear.

He immediately rolls onto his back and pulls his sticky underwear down his legs. He throws them to the floor then lays next to you. His eyes stay fixed on you as you sit up just enough to unclasp your bra. Once it slips off onto the floor, he's on top of you.

"So fucking pretty," he breathes, with his lips brushing yours. "Still want me, honey?"

"I want you," you whine. "I need you Steve, please..."

He rewards you with a kiss as he reaches between you and strokes himself.

"Say it again," he breathily commands, against your lips.

"I need you, Steve," you repeat, with your hands cradling his face.

"I'm yours, honey," he pants, as he eases himself inside you. "I always will be."

You gasp, your hands dropping to his shoulders as he slowly pushes in.

"Steve, I-" you say, your nails digging into his skin.

"I know, but you can take it," he assures. "I know you can, honey."

He kisses you again, distracting you from the stretch of him now deep inside you.

"See? Like I said, so goddamn perfect," he praises, between kisses.

You struggle to kiss him back, as you're already overwhelmed with pleasure.

His thrusts start out slow, letting you acclimate to him. Memories of all the times you were together like this in this room, in this bed, flood your mind. It's almost too much as tears well in your eyes.

"Hey, what's going on in that gorgeous head of yours?" He softly asks, stilling his hips.

A light shade of pink covers your already flushed cheeks as you gaze up at him wistfully.

"This just feels so familiar, you know?" You explain, slightly embarrassed. "Like, remembering everything that happened here is just hitting me and it's a lot."

"I know what you mean," he admits, surprising you. "Being here can be too much for me sometimes, too."

He leans in and just nuzzles his nose against yours.

"I just really loved you and you broke my heart, and I almost never recovered," you reveal.

"'Loved?' So you don't feel that way anymore?" He questions, his lip starting to quiver.

"I still do," you answer, tearfully. "I love you, Steve."

He blinks away his own tears and sighs your name. "I love you, too, so goddamn much it hurts."

He presses his lips to yours excitedly. He breathes how much he loves you with every kiss as his hips start to move again. Once he sets a good rhythm, he buries his face in your neck, flicking his tongue over your skin before leaving little reminders of his affection.

You whimper his name, as you tighten your legs around his waist. He raises his head to kiss you again while his hips roughly meet yours. You know neither one of you is going to last much longer, as you're crying his name again and he's moaning more words of praise.

"Fuck, honey, I love you...I fucking love you so much..." he pants, before collapsing on top of you.

"I love you, too," you reply, combing your fingers through the ends of his hair.

He moves to lay next to you and quickly pulls you to him. You feel the scratch of his chest hair against your cheek when you rest your head against him.

After you each just lie there, listening to the other breathe, he finally says, "This is how it always should've been. It was always meant to be you."

You raise your head and look into his soft, hazel eyes.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it," he continues as you smile.

"It doesn't matter now. All that matters is that we found our way back to each other,"you reply, reaching to cup his cheek.

"Will you spend the night with me?" He then asks, bringing his hand up and placing it over yours.

You nod, moving closer to his face. "Tonight and every night."

He smiles before pulling you into a sweet kiss.

What started out as your worst nightmare turned into a dream come true, as you were reunited with the love of your life. And it was all because of a simple trip to the video store.

❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️🩷❤️

🏷: @donaweasley @allergictosoup @daisy-is-a-writer @saddiesthings @yourfavoritewitchbitch @the-fairy-anon @kassy-djomunson @elsas-wife

[loop-lover-central]

I just woke up and I'm about to leave the house for some shopping but had an idea so I'm writing it down to remember.

Spoilers and such for like the entire game so if you haven't played or finished it or watched a playthrough or absorbed the entire plot through Tumblr dash osmosis, politely, shoo go enjoy the game first.

If the island came back somehow, for some reason, and Loop went there would they be treated like a deity because they're a star now because stars are so important and revered? And also because they're traveling with the saviors of Vaugarde and technically IS also a savior of Vaugarde by virtue of being Siffrin 1.0 being the one that helped end the loops.

Like I assume even with the knowledge of wishes the average person doesn't know that fucking up that bad could cause something like becoming a fucking star could happen because according to late game Siffrin the orrery room book is fictional and is like a scary story to make you responsible with your wishes.

Even with the vague memory of wishcraft it took the King like years of study to figure out how to even obtain a power like timecraft through wishcraft and even then he had to make himself MASSIVE to wield it. And Siffrin bumbled into it timecraft ass backwards by total accident (and probably with the help of all the other flop wish energy residing around from the entire country wishing for Vaugarde to be saved). Typical everyday wishcraft does stuff like boost your strength or gets you things you need. We know this because Siffrin just casually uses wishcraft throughout the game to boost one stat per loop and get items from pillars or barrels. It's even kinda implied doing something like creating an entire new person in the orrery room book takes great effort and research into the proper rituals even if it's a fictional account of what NOT to do with wish craft. Like the worst wish to happen was the island getting beamed off the map and maybe colors getting nae nae'd because they still exist just usually can't be perceived. That was the worst case scenario. Making something cease to exist. So how do you explain becoming a full blown star person? Like what do you even say? "Oh sorry I just fucked up wish craft so badly I mangled my own body into something completely unrecognizable?" Loop sure as hell ain't saying nothing about all that with their level 99 emotional constipation. Siffrin ain't either. And depending on when the party meets up with Loop again and when the island comes back they might not even know yet even if Odile is suspicious of Loop's identity.

So imagine you're in some sort of weird limbo for ~10 years and then suddenly you're not. And then heroes from another country come to check out the scene and make sure everyone is ok. And among these mighty heroes is a star. And not only are they a star they have knowledge of things that average people do not and they are very powerful. Strong enough to go toe to toe with the previously strongest member of the group (and possibly even win).

[shizuturnspages]

Come to think of it, The child reader khaenri'ah has abyss powers, And I doubt very much that kaeya and Albedo will be able to contain the reader due to its abysmal power, since without memory it can double space, seriously corrupt people and brainwash. I think, he asked me how the Yandere would deal with the little reader. Since the reader will want to leave or escape at any time regardless of her own age :0

The Abyss That Calls

Synopsis: The Abyss calls to you. But so do they. And no matter how many times you try to leave— They will always bring you back. Pairings: [Separate] Yandere Dainsleif, Pierro, Kaeya, Albedo, & Capitano x Abyssal Khaenri’ahn Child Reader

Dainsleif

Dainsleif should have known.

From the moment he saw you, from the moment he recognized the Abyss lingering beneath your skin, he should have realized—

You were never meant to walk beside him.

And yet, he cannot let go.

"You are playing with forces you do not understand," he warns, gripping your wrist.

You glare at him, the space around you twisting, flickering in and out of existence.

"You should know better than anyone," you snap, "that I have no choice."

Dainsleif’s grip tightens, his expression unreadable.

"You do have a choice," he insists. "You are more than what the Abyss made you."

Your golden eyes glow—brighter than his own.

"Are you?"

For the first time, Dainsleif hesitates.

And in that moment, you vanish.

He curses under his breath, but he does not panic.

Because no matter where you run—

He will always find you.

Pierro

Pierro does not act immediately.

No, he plans.

You are a valuable piece—a living fragment of Khaenri’ah, a child with the power to warp reality itself.

You are far too precious to let slip away.

"You are restless," Pierro observes, watching as you pace within your gilded cage.

Your gaze flickers toward him, wary.

"You are keeping me here against my will."

Pierro smiles, but there is no warmth in it.

"You misunderstand," he says smoothly. "I am protecting you."

You scoff, but before you can retort, Pierro steps closer—

And suddenly, your mind blurs.

A pulse of foreign magic invades your thoughts, subtle but insidious, like a hand gently guiding you toward obedience.

"You belong here," Pierro murmurs, his voice like silk. "You know that, don’t you?"

Your breath catches.

For a brief moment—just a fleeting second—

You almost believe him.

Kaeya

Kaeya is not stupid.

He knows he cannot contain you.

Not through force, not through power—

But through trust.

"You want to leave?" Kaeya hums, tilting his head. "Then go ahead."

You narrow your eyes, suspicious.

"You’re letting me leave?"

Kaeya grins. "Of course. I wouldn’t dream of keeping you somewhere you don’t want to be."

You hesitate.

You should take this opportunity—

But something feels wrong.

Kaeya sighs dramatically, kneeling before you, voice dropping to a whisper.

"But I do wonder…" His fingers gently brush against your wrist. "What happens when the Abyss no longer wants you?"

Your pulse stutters.

"What?"

Kaeya smiles, but his eyes are cold.

"What if you go back and find that the Abyss has moved on?"

His grip tightens just slightly, his words like venom.

"What if you are truly alone?"

Your throat goes dry.

And in that moment of hesitation, Kaeya leans closer—

And anchors you to him.

Albedo

Albedo does not stop you.

Not at first.

He watches, studies, observes as you warp reality, as you bend space itself to your will.

It is fascinating.

It is terrifying.

And it is unacceptable.

"Do you understand what you are doing?" Albedo finally asks, voice eerily calm.

You scowl, stepping further away. "I am going home."

Albedo hums, nodding as if he accepts this—

And then, in an instant, he moves.

The space around you shifts, symbols forming in the air, an intricate alchemical formula closing in around you.

You snarl, trying to warp away—

But your body does not respond.

Your vision blurs. Your power dims.

Albedo watches you struggle, expression unreadable.

"You are remarkable," he murmurs, gently brushing a strand of hair from your face.

You try to flinch away, but your body refuses to listen.

"This is merely an experiment," Albedo assures you. "To see how far you can go before I must intervene."

Your breath hitches.

"You can’t do this," you whisper.

Albedo tilts his head.

"But I already have."

Capitano

Capitano does not play games.

He does not use words, does not rely on manipulation.

He acts.

"You will stay," he states simply, voice like thunder.

You glare at him. "You cannot control me."

Capitano steps forward, unfazed.

"No," he agrees. "But I can contain you."

The Abyss flares around you, but Capitano does not flinch.

Instead, he lunges.

You barely have time to react before his hand clamps down on your wrist, his grip like iron, crushing and unbreakable.

Your magic flickers.

Your breath catches.

"You are still young," Capitano says, his voice unnervingly gentle. "You do not yet understand your place."

His other hand rises, cupping the side of your face, his touch firm but careful.

"You will learn."

You snarl, thrashing against him, but he does not budge.

And when his grip tightens—

You realize that no matter how far you run—

You will never escape him.

[sweetcloverheart]

Clover Rants Miraculosly: Changed My Mind (Now Change Yours Too)

*Comes out of shadowed hallway, takes out conspiracy hat, and puts it on*

The real reason MLB is so insistent on its whole "Episodes can be watched individually"/Continuity being "fluid" thing is because it makes it more convenient to change lore or retcon stuff when they receive too much criticism over a story choice or want to force a plotpoint despite it conflicting too much with the current story flow, relying heavily on the fact that it's core audience is 1)Still developing memory retention and 2)too deep into binge culture to even consider rewatching episodes and therefore willing to take TA and Co at their word when the former goes on twitter and claims "Actually, it was always like that - you just weren't paying attention". It's like that one kid on the playground who keeps changing the game rules every time it looks like they're going to lose.

It's why you have everyone claiming Chloe was a bad hero during her condemnation arc despite prior eps not only showing her being competent, but also holding her own against an adult holder with no backup; It's why you have Marinette's goofy fangirl freakouts in the earlier seasons now being portrayed as a trauma response, despite there being no hints at anything close to this interpretation and several scenes between her and other characters who should have triggered this not doing so; it's why Lila is now suddenly this master of disguise with multiple IDs and an entire spy network at her beck and call, even though there was no setup for it; It's why Sabrina and Andre's bullying and corruption respectively are being made out to be them getting forced into it at Chloe's behest, even though they were shown to be willingly (and sometimes gleefully) choosing to do those actions even without her prompting them. It's why the lore/magic rules regarding the Kwami, Miraculous, and Amoks keep changing every ten seconds whenever they either need them nerfed or want to brush off criticism of the bad implications in their lore *Stares at "Werepapas" and "Representation"*.

It's why Adrien was suddenly unable to stand up to Gabriel despite us having multiple episodes of him not only defying him, but also funding ways to circumvent his rules/orders. All these retcons and lore rewrites are basically being done in service of being able to change the direction of the plot effortless without putting any effort into the "How" and "Why" or worrying things will match up.

*Takes off Conspiracy hat and disappears back into the shadows*

[dinoandguitar]

Between Rounds & Rhythms

Idol!Dino x afab!medicalstudent (Hana Chae)

Part 1 : The Unexpected Meeting

(A/N : Hi my Lovlies! Hope you all are doing well. This is my first official fanFic so please bear with me. My first language is not English but I hope you guys enjoy! Please feel free to send in requests/ suggestions. :)

TW : none!

Hana Chae had never been one for distractions. Her days were a whirlwind of hospital rounds, late-night study sessions, and a relentless pursuit of something more... something greater than just scraping by in her final year of medical school. Sleep was a luxury, and free time was an illusion and entertainment? A distant memory.

That’s why, on a rainy Tuesday evening, she found herself at an indoor complex—not for leisure, but for work. The upcoming health seminar needed a venue, and she had volunteered to inspect the facilities. It was supposed to be a quick stop, a checklist item between her shift and the textbooks waiting on her desk.

But of course, fate had other plans.

As she stepped inside, the rhythmic thump of bass-heavy music.. which she swears she's heard somewhere.. reverberated through the empty halls, pulling her toward a partially open door. Curiosity won over logic. Peering in, she found a lone figure moving across the dance floor, his body flowing with effortless precision. Even with the sweat clinging to his shirt, exhaustion evident in the sharp rise and fall of his chest, he didn’t falter. Every movement was sharp yet fluid, disciplined yet free.

Then he noticed her…

As soon as his gaze met hers, Hana froze. The dancer straightened slightly, his movements coming to an abrupt halt. For a moment, all that filled the space between them was the lingering echo of the music and the steady rhythm of their breaths.

Hana’s brain scrambled for a response, anything-but words failed her. The man in front of her, still catching his breath, tilted his head slightly.

“Uh…” she started, gripping the strap of her bag. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The dancer blinked before a small, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re fine.” His voice was warm, yet slightly husky from exertion. He ran a hand through his damp hair, pushing it back from his forehead. “Just… wasn’t expecting an audience.”

“I-” Hana took a step back, suddenly feeling like she had intruded on something personal. “I was just checking out the venue for a seminar. Didn’t realize anyone would be here.”

The dancer nodded, finally reaching for a water bottle nearby. As he unscrewed the cap, he gave her a once-over—not in a scrutinizing way, but with the curiosity of someone trying to place a face.“You work here?” he asked before taking a sip.

Hana shook her head. “Medical intern. I-uh-study at the hospital nearby.”

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Ah, a doctor-in-training.” He capped the bottle and set it aside. “You must be busy.”

“You have no idea,” she exhaled, then immediately clamped her mouth shut, realizing how easily she had spoken.

The dancer chuckled, eyes crinkling slightly. “Sounds like we’ve got that in common.”

Before she could ask what he meant, her phone buzzed in her pocket. A reminder about her upcoming rounds. Reality snapped back into place.“I should go,” she said quickly, taking another step back. “Sorry again for disturbing you.”She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

“Hey.”

Hana looked over her shoulder.

“What’s your name?” he asked, his expression unreadable but his tone light.For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she hesitated. But then she figured—what harm could it do?

“Hana. Chae Hana.”

He nodded, rolling his shoulders. “Nice to meet you, Hana.”

She waited for his name in return, but it never came. Instead, he simply shot her another small, knowing smile before picking up his phone and restarting the music.The heavy bass resumed, and just like that, he was moving again—fluid, effortless, lost in his world.

Hana didn’t linger this time. But as she stepped back into the hallway, the faintest feeling nagged at her.

She swore she had heard that music somewhere before.

Hana shook off the odd feeling and continued down the hallway, mentally running through the checklist for the seminar venue. She had other things to focus on-real, tangible responsibilities that didn’t involve mysterious dancers in empty studios.

Still, as she stepped outside, the sound of rain hitting the pavement greeted her, along with the cool scent of damp earth. She pulled out her umbrella, but hesitated for a moment.Something about that guy… It wasn’t just his dancing. There was an air of familiarity, something lingering in the back of her mind, but no clear memory to grasp.

Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought and focused on her phone, sending a quick message to confirm the venue’s availability. The rain had lightened to a steady drizzle by the time she reached the hospital.

Part 2 coming soon!

[gods-perfect-idiots]

something something blood-soaked hands cradling your face something something

anyway here's the post btw

[manygreetingsfriend]

i’m sooooooo normal about the god of war series. so incredibly normal i liked it a normal amount and would be so chill talking about it. don’t worry about the sign

[kenisle]

are there any fics about the existential/body horror and everyday idiosyncrasies of being wolverine — indestructible heavy metal skeleton, knife hands, healing factor, amnesia, and eternally chained to this mortal plane cursed to watch everyone around you age and die except this one really weird guy you can’t fucking stand who also happens to be from canada — with maybe a dash of homoeroticism? or at least just minimal heterosexuality? is that too tall an order?