#and thus a little bolder

[softquietsteadylove]

Hello! I wanted to ask if you can write Thenas and Gils first kiss in the boxer and dancer au! They are so cute!

She was magnificent, as always. Gil treasured the time he got to spend watching her dance, even from across the hall. He was hungry for it, having started ending class earlier and earlier, little by little. If anyone had noticed, no one felt like calling him out on it.

Just as well, Gil figured. He wasn't totally ready to admit that it was so he could watch the beautiful dance teacher across the hall.

Her class had already been dismissed, and given how she was dancing alone, he assumed that even Sersi had already left. Thena always took a little extra time to herself after her classes were done to practice by herself.

And sometimes, he would feel brave enough to 'interrupt'.

"Excuse me," he grinned as he pushed the door open gently. "I was looking for a cute ballerina with blonde hair?"

"Gil," she sounded like she was admonishing him, but he was rewarded with a very fond eye-roll and a stunning smile.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile as she stopped in the middle of her routine to walk over to him. She had the same grace as always, even setting her feet down from toe to heel. He guessed it must be quite a habit for her to walk like that. "How were classes today?"

"Nice and simple," she smiled, happy to sway in front of him while her music played in the background. "Although it's quite hard to wrangle the morning class when you interrupt."

"Sorry," he chuckled, recalling quite well the ruckus he'd caused.

The girls had all excitedly informed Miss Thena that her 'boyfriend' had arrived. The seasoned teacher had done her best to ignore her class' teasing with her dignity in tact.

Gil thought it was cute that she got flustered when her students called him that.

"You seemed like you wanted that coffee, though," he pointed out, and he knew damn well he was right about it.

Thena pursed her lips at him, unwilling to hand his victory to him on a silver platter. "For all you knew, I'd already had plenty--or had brought my own with me!"

"I seem to recall you saying that no amount of coffee in the world was enough for your first class of the day," he crossed his arms, smirking at her. Thena's eyes drifted over them just for a second before snapping back up to his face.

"Can you at least be earlier with it?--before we're in the middle of stretches?"

"Fine, I'll be nice and early with it next time," he promised.

They both knew that he had no such intention, probably planning to make an even bigger show of bringing her coffee next time.

"It's hard enough to get the young goslings in line," Thena sighed, unfolding her own arms to put her hands on her hips. The tension and stiffness was always slow to drain from her form at the end of the day. "You giving them something to giggle over doesn't help."

"Y'know, I looked it up, and young swans are called cygnets," he shrugged, unfolding his arms and reaching out to pull her closer in one - hopefully - smooth move.

"They start as goslings," Thena said firmly, even as she let him pull her close enough for his musk to intermingle with the scent of her perfume. Why did she wear perfume to class just to get all sweaty? "When they start to show some real promise, then they will become cygnets."

Gil chuckled, "your little ducklings?"

"I just told you they're goslings."

Gil let out a hearty laugh, pulling Thena into it with him. He did think it was funny, but he broke from the laughter first, tentatively walking his fingers up her back until he felt the edge of her leotard. He tapped the bare skin there, pale and silken. "Are we still on for friday?"

Thena just nodded, her smile stretching out as he rubbed small circles around her shoulder blades. She looked kind of delicate, but the muscles were strong, almost wiry with so little fat around them to soften the angles of the bone.

"Can't wait," he beamed back at her.

Thena's eyes drifted a little again, although Gil wasn't entirely sure where. But then she was reigning in her smile and taking a slight step back. Just enough that he wasn't really holding her anymore.

He pouted.

"Sorry," she offered quietly, pulling her formality around her again as if folding wings around herself protectively. "I should finish this routine."

"That's okay," he smiled, letting her hand slip out of his and drifting towards the door. "I'll see you friday?"

"Looking forward to it," she promised him, just as honestly and concisely as he had.

Gil paused at the door handle. He turned back, catching her eye with a determined set of his jaw. "Oh, one more thing?"

"Hm?" she blinked, genuinely waiting for him to bring up something he forgot or something about their date.

Gil strode over to her, dropping his bag on the floor with intention. He wrapped an arm around her, tilting his head down to kiss her. He didn't press further, waiting for her response to the simple but purposeful touch of his lips to hers.

She accepted.

Gil deepened the kiss, moving his lips against hers as her hands moved over his arms until her palms could press against his biceps. He knew he'd seen her looking, earlier.

Thena's eyes fluttered as Gil pulled away, leaving her with only the faintest tease of his tongue against her lips.

Gil could feel the blush in his cheeks, but he took some comfort in the bright red flushing Thena's even paler skin. He tucked back a few hairs that had escaped her tight up-do.

"Gil-"

"Y'know," he chuckled, unable to contain his smile after a kiss like that. "I can't remember what I was going to say."

Thena sputtered, her lips moving with no proper thoughts coming out.

"Anyway," he shrugged, going back for his bag as if he really had forgotten something. "See you friday?"

"Gil!"

"Looking forward to it!"

[hwaslayer]

project: make you love me (jyh) | sixteen.

♣︎ spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: yunho can’t stand how you’re so wrapped up in the notorious campus fuckboy, park seonghwa. he would gladly love you the way you deserve, despite being shy, awkward and the complete opposite of seonghwa. thus, when he finds himself spending more time with you over literature reviews and random study sessions, he decides to take on the challenge to win you over.

—pairing: jeong yunho x f. reader

—genre: (18+ - minors dni) strangers/friends to lovers, college au | fluff, angst, smut

—word count: 3.6k

—chapter content/warnings: cussing/mature language, seonghwa, physical fighting, mingi calling his friend out on his stupidity, crying, sorry if i missed anything.. quickly edited this lol, yunho is just mad and overwhelmed with his feelings rn 😭

yunho: baby

yunho: wait at the science building later, please? i'll come get you so we can walk to my car together

you: okee ☺️

yunho: ☺️ see you later? enjoy the rest of your classes

you: you too, my bighead!

Yunho smiles at his phone before tucking it away, slowly following Yeosang to their group study session.

"Should I even ask why you're smiling like that?" Yunho looks up at Yeosang and chuckles.

"Just Y/N."

"Of course. Is she in class?"

"Yup. She's in the back row being all distracted."

"Perfect way to pass time in my honest opinion." Yeo clears his throat. "I've been meaning to ask you out of curiosity."

"What's up?"

"Have you guys told each other 'I love you' and everything?" 

"Mm, no. Not yet at least."

"Not yet?" Yeosang smiles. "You feel that way for her, don't you?"

"I do. I just.. I don't know? I don't know if it's too soon. What if I scare her off?"

"Nah, doubt that. You can't put a timer on these things."

"True. Plus, it sounds cliché and like it's out of a movie, but I truly wanna wait 'till it feels right to say it to her."

"That makes sense."

"Trust me, I really do feel that way for her." He lets out a breath as they look towards the library building, the sun from behind slightly blinding them as they approach the doors. "She has literally become my bestfriend. It's crazy how life works."

"I know. I remember when you first told me you were helping her out for literature." Yeosang chuckles. "Or when you'd save her in the back lot."

"Still can't believe that was even real." Yunho does a tiny head tilt. "He's really something."

"What was up with Y/N's birthday thing? How did he even know?"

"I don't know. Word gets around fast. Why wouldn't Seonghwa know? Especially since it has to do with Y/N."

"Can't wait till the day he leaves you two alone. Must be fucking annoying to deal with."

"I try not to mind it. Though, I think he's been getting bolder lately and I can't put my finger on it."

"Has Y/N said anything?" He shakes his head.

"No. Maybe I'm just overthinking. She just seemed a little weird about him at her birthday party."

"Well, yeah. It's Seonghwa." Yeosang waves at their study group sitting at the far end of the library in the loud section.

"Yeah, but, I don't know. It was different. She seemed bothered about something but she hasn't told me anything. I assume it's not a big deal."

"Hm. Well, I'm sure it's not either. Just Seonghwa being himself, maybe."

"Mm, whatever though." Yunho greets the study group as they approach the table. "She's my girlfriend now, and that won't change." Yeosang gives him a small smile before they settle with the group and begin their long study session together.

"Remember, we have a test next class. Make sure you study everything I included in the study guide. Don't skip on anything just because you think it's a minor detail! Nothing is minor!" Your professor says before dismissing the class. You let out a sigh, already stressing over the next test. You didn't do bad on the first test, but you also didn't do the greatest. Thankfully, you're still at a good point in the semester, which gives you enough time to pull your grade up.

Once the initial rush of people leaving the classroom dies down, you pack up your things and head out the door. You hurry out of the classroom and down the steps, excited to see your boyfriend after yet another long day. For a split second, the building is crowded with other students leaving their classes and heading to their next destination— whether it be the next class, the library or to their cars. It's a sudden swarm of people that you don't even realize Seonghwa had stepped out of his own class, following you down the corridor.

"Y/N." You hear Seonghwa's voice behind you. You try to mind your own business, subtly rolling your eyes as you walk out of the science building to reunite with Yunho. 

Except, he isn't exactly there yet and Seonghwa grabs you by the wrist.

"Y/N." He repeats, turning you to face him.

"What are you doing?" You question him.

"Just a second." You let out a loud, heavy sigh. "Why are you being like this?"

"Like what?"

"Like you ignoring me. You haven't answered any of my texts or calls—"

"Why do I need to?" You raise a brow. "You're not actually serious, right? I have no reason to respond to you, Seonghwa. Don't you have places to be, people to see?" You pause. "Don't you realize you're a little too late? This was something I needed from you way before. I don't need it from you now."

"I know it's late, but I don't wanna give up on this."

"This? This has been done for a long time, you and I both know that. You're only worried about losing the only safety blanket you've ever had. Why can't you just move on and let me be happy?"

"Happy?" Seonghwa almost scoffs. "With him? Okay, baby." He shakes his head. "Listen. Enough of this for real. Can you please just hear me out, I'll explain and apologize properly—"

"Seonghwa, stop calling me that. What don't you understand about no?" You say almost at a whine, his hand still having a grip on the edge of your wrist. You truly don't want to entertain this, but Seonghwa almost gives you no way out, no way around his bullshit, and unfortunately, that'll be the root of everything that unfolds tonight. Yunho is happily [and eagerly] making his way down to you after the long, heavy study group session, while Yeosang decides he's gonna stay behind in order to hit the gym and get his workout in. Yunho is a few minutes late, but he knows you'll still flash him that beautiful, million-watt smile he adores so much before wrapping your arms around him.

He can't wait.

But, Yunho slows in his steps just as he's close to the front doors; familiar voices filling the surprisingly empty, quiet space.  It's you, and he already feels himself boiling with anger when he hears who else is occupying your time right now.

"Why haven't you even said anything about the flowers and the card I gave you? Did you even get them?" Yunho overhears Seonghwa ask you, and he furrows his brows. What flowers and card? You don't answer right away, and Seonghwa is quick to follow up. Yunho doesn't even get to hear your response about it and the most upsetting part of all this— is that this is how he finds out about everything.

Not from you, but from Seonghwa.

"You couldn't even send me a text? I was worried you didn't get it. I wanted to talk to you afterwards."

"What is there to talk about?"

"Yeah, what is there to talk about?" You and Seonghwa turn towards Yunho, who stands there with his hands dug deep into his pockets. His jaw is slightly clenched, head titled to the side while he waits for a response. Seonghwa lets out a pathetic chuckle, hand slipping down your wrist as he fully faces him.

"Loverboy sounds upset over a little talk."

"A little talk? Is that an add-on for the flowers and card you sent her?" Yunho sounds more stern, more angry. You can't even blame him, but at the same time, it's unusual for you to hear him this way. You're not sure what could come out of this and you don't necessarily want to find out.

"I'm sorry, should I have sent you some, too?" Seonghwa steps closer to him and the panic starts to settle in for you. You wish someone, anyone, was around to help. Because although you don't think Yunho will let this blow out of proportion, you aren't 100% about your answer. You're not sure how Yunho manages his anger in these situations and you're not sure what triggers him; what tips him over the edge and is the 'cherry on top.' Seonghwa has always rubbed him the wrong way and you don't think this could end remotely pretty. "I'll take note of that for next time so you don't have to sit there and stare at Y/N's."

How you wish Seonghwa had just gotten the point. Why couldn't he just let you be? Why was he out to ruin your happiness so badly?

"Seonghwa. This is done. Let it go." You warn him, but it doesn't clear anything. You aren't getting through to any of them.

"Back up. I'm not asking." Yunho clenches his jaw as he comes face to face with Seonghwa, making him give off a small scoff.

"Aw. Loverboy's mad—" And that's exactly the tipping point for Yunho. He's not sure why, he usually has a lot of patience. He usually brushes things off easily, doesn't hold a grudge or stay angry for long. But, Seonghwa? He was a different story, especially because of the history you have with him. Every little thing about Seonghwa pisses him off— down to the way he moves, breathes, acts like he can always get his way so easily, so quickly. Before he can even think about the consequences, or how you'd feel, Yunho swings at him, making Seonghwa stumble backwards. 

"Yunho!—" You gasp, Yunho's initial punch is pretty rough that it had Seonghwa in shock before being able to register what just happened.

"Fuck you—" Is all Seonghwa spits out before going at Yunho. The two continue to go at it, pushing and gripping at each other's shirts, rough attempts at landing punches;

They're almost successful with tearing each other's heads off until you step in between and get involved.

"Stop!" You step in between to try and prevent the fight from escalating even more. "Stop it!" You push Seonghwa back when he tries coming for Yunho, a campus security guard dashing towards all of you to completely break up the scuffle.

"Knock it off! The hell are you two doing acting like this on campus? I suggest you two part ways now before we call the cops over!"

"Yo, what the fuck?!" Mingi comes from around the corner, grabbing at Seonghwa's arm to pull him back. "The fuck are you doing, dude?" He looks at his bestfriend in disbelief.

"Why don't you ask your friend who fucking started it—"

"Me?" Yunho spits, while Seonghwa wipes the blood at the corner of his lip. "I wouldn't have had to if you just knew how to back the fuck off!" Yunho is angry, continuing to raise his voice. "Let me catch you sending shit to my girlfriend one more time and see what the fuck I'll do—" 

"Yunho." You say softly, tugging back at his arm.

"Are you serious?" Mingi looks at Seonghwa. "You don't go messing around with people's relationships, Hwa. You need to let this go, you look crazy!" 

"Oh, so all of a sudden you're sticking up for your friend?"

"Yeah, because he is my friend and it's just shit you don't do! What the fuck don't you understand about that?! You fucking deserved that shit!" Mingi shakes his head before pushing Hwa forward, pulling him off to the side to continue talking to him. 

"Babe." You turn to Yunho after Mingi and Seonghwa create good distance, hand coming up to cup Yunho's cheek. But, he turns, slightly shaking his head at you. You pull your hand back and feel your heart drop, the look in Yunho's eyes being one that you've never experienced before.

Sadness, hurt, anger. 

Mostly sadness, hurt.

"What flowers was he talking about, Y/N?" His chest is still rising at a somewhat uneven pace, doing his best to calm down after the adrenaline rush.

"H-he left them at my doorstep after we came back from the snow. I'm really sorry, Yunho, I didn't tell you because I tossed it out and—"

"But still, it's the fact that you didn't tell me after all this time." Yunho's brows are tightly knitted together, and the look causes your heart to sink even deeper. "Why did you have to let me find out this way? Were you going to tell me about this too if I hadn't come right away?"

"I just didn't get around to telling you because I didn't think it would matter— Seonghwa doesn't matter."

"If he didn't, then wouldn't you be able to tell me without questioning it so much?"

"Yunho, no. I'm sorry, no." You repeat, tears pricking your eye lids. "I didn't mean for it to seem like that. I really didn't mean to hide this from you."

"Did you think about keeping them?"

"I—I, no. I thought—" Yunho hears you stuttering and his throat suddenly feels dry. Why can't you just tell him? Even if Seonghwa didn't matter to you, why couldn't you trust him enough to tell him? 

Why couldn't you feel comfortable enough to tell him?

"Be honest with me, Y/N. That's all I've ever asked. Did you or did you not think about it keeping it?" Silence. And god, it is the most gut-wrenching silence Yunho has ever endured.

Yup. Got it. 

The answer is clear.

You did think about Seonghwa. You thought about accepting the flowers as his apology, you thought about the possibility— even if it was for a brief, splitting second. Seonghwa did matter for one fucking second, and that's what bothers him.

"Yunho, please. I just thought—" You can barely get through your sentences.

"Did you, or did you not?"

"I thought about keeping it, but it was so stupid. I was just blinded for a second, and I realized it didn't matter to me. He doesn't matter to me. At all. I promise. Everything just caught me off guard." You try to grab for his hand but he steps back. "Yunho, it was all stupid. I tossed it out so quickly. I wasn't going to do anything, I wasn't going to text, nothing."

"But, why does it feel like after everything he's put you through, you still believe he'd genuinely change? Why does it feel like a part of you is still actually holding onto that?" Well, when Yunho says it to your face like that, you feel dumb. Not once did you ever think about running back to Seonghwa and leaving this behind. But, you were blinded in that quick second from your history with Hwa, being close and sharing moments for months. Asking Seonghwa for little gestures like this, for more attention; even though it was a ride, you still had history.

And yes, maybe at one point you wanted to be the girl that changed him.

But today, you can't even imagine going back to that point. Not after being with Yunho, not after the happiness he's brought you.

Not after you realize how much you genuinely and truly love Yunho. 

You don't wanna lose him.

This is all so stupid, and a huge misunderstanding. But, you're the only person to blame here— if you hadn't given Seonghwa the time of day, if you had just told Yunho right away without second-guessing it, if you hadn't hesitated; you wouldn't be here right now.

"I'm not!" Your tone raises and it sounds like a whine at this point. "I'm not, Yunho. Please."

"Look, tonight was a lot." He sighs, running his hand through his hair before wincing and looking down at his knuckles. "I was excited to see you after a long day, Y/N. I was really looking forward to being with you. I wasn't expecting all of this and honestly, I don't know what's worse? Stumbling upon all of this the way I did, or not knowing at all."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. It was stupid and fucked up of me, and I'm sorry." You repeat, tears streaming down your cheeks.

"Maybe you just need to think about what you really want." Yunho shrugs. "I thought you were over the whole thing with Seonghwa, but clearly not if you're still considering on giving him the time of day."

"No, no, Yunho. Please don't. It's not that." You try to lace your hand with his, but he gently brushes it off with a shaky sigh. He doesn't wanna leave you. He never wants to be without you. But, tonight was a lot for him to handle, and it is overwhelming. He hasn't really felt this protective over someone. Of course, it's only natural since you're his girlfriend. He'll always protect you. It's just that Seonghwa brings something out of him that he doesn't necessarily like, and he wants it to be gone for good. It feels unhealthy and icky;

The anger, the frustration, the anxiety.

He hates it. And he doesn't want this to be a thing in your relationship. Plus, he still feels himself fuming with anger and he just can't possibly talk to you while he feels that way.

So yes, he's overwhelmed and he needs to get over this.

"No, seriously. You really should think about it. I know where I stand but I'm not so sure you do." He lets out another disappointed sigh. "I'll take you home, but we should probably just be in our own places tonight."

"Okay." You say close to a whisper, sniffling as you wipe away at your face. You don't even try to fight it anymore simply because you know Yunho needs his space right now. He begins to walk off with you slowly trailing behind, head hung low after everything that happened tonight. Everything happened so fast you're also having to process it all on this walk over to the lot. Suddenly, you're pulled out of your thoughts when you hear footsteps picking up behind you, followed by a familiar, deep voice.

"Yo, wait up!" Mingi says. "You good? I'm sorry about him, he's actually losing it."

"You're sorry? Mingi, when the fuck is your friend gonna grow up so that you're not apologizing on his behalf?" Mingi lets out a breath as his eyes dart from you, back to Yunho's. "Seriously. I don't mean to throw that your way, but it's not even just about tonight. Your friend knows no boundaries and that's crazy to me."

"I know, he's got things to sort through but that's his own problem now. I already told him multiple times. Me and San did." Mingi shakes his head.

"Doesn't take much to grow the fuck up and take ownership of your own fuck-ups once in awhile."

"Let him keep learning the hard way. He will, eventually. He deserved that tonight."

"He can try all he wants, nothing's gonna change between me and her. Hope he understands I'm not going anywhere after tonight."

"Of course." Is all Mingi could respond with because of course Yunho wouldn't go anywhere— why the fuck would he let Seonghwa get in the way? He shouldn't. And Seonghwa needs to know that. "Anyway, just wanted to see if you two were okay. For real." Yunho sighs.

"Mmyeah. Thanks." He responds as Mingi daps it up. "We're just gonna head home."

"Drive safely. Text me if you need me." Mingi gives you a small smile before running off to tend to his friends, San now also getting dragged into all his mess. 

The walk over is quiet, but Yunho still opens the passenger door for you when you finally get to his car. You hate the silence that falls between you two, but you understand Yunho is upset and needs his own time away from everything, from you, even. You can't help but cry even more into your hands when he pulls into the apartment lot, Yunho letting out a breath as he puts the car in park. He looks over at you and his heart breaks because he truly hates to see you cry, and he never wants to be the reason behind you being sad or hurt.

"Hey. Don't." He says softly, hands coming up to pry your own hands away from your face. He gently wipes the tears away, making sure no drop is missed. 

"I'm sorry, Yuyu." You repeat.

"I know, it's okay."  He says, even though right now, it's not.

"Is it?"

"Let's get you home, okay?" He just looks at you with a soft expression before unbuckling his seatbelt. He comes over to open your door, locking his car when you step out and slowly make your way to your apartment. When you get to the steps, you turn towards him with a small pout. Yunho pulls you into a hug and kisses the top of your head, wiping any remaining stragglers from staining your cheeks. He's not happy, but he's trying to send you off on a calm note— hoping this could at least ease you for the night. "Get some rest."

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" He doesn't say anything before he pulls away and takes a few steps backwards. "Yunho." You call for him in that tone of yours that always makes him so weak.

"Y/N, please. I just need to shake this off. That's all. Goodnight." All you can do is simply walk away before running up the steps and into your apartment. Chaery is the only one home, cleaning her dishes after cooking a good meal for all of you to share.

"My love is home! I cooked!" She says happily, but her smile dies when she sees you set your bags down and cry into your hands. She drops everything and rushes over, throwing her arms around you while guiding you to the couch. "Hey, what's wrong? What happened?" She brushes the hair away from your face while you continue to cry. You don't respond for a bit, signaling for Chaery to just hold you and let you be.

You cry, and you cry.

Because you already miss Yunho, and you feel so dumb for overthinking the entire thing, for not being honest with him. It was a stupid mistake, but you hope Yunho knows you truly weren't out to hurt him. 

You hope he can forgive you and move past this— with you, together.

Because today and so on, he's all you want. You love Yunho, and there's no one else that completes you the way that he does.

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[cobaltperun]

WOTS (Side - 1) - Musical

Wednesday Addams x Female Reader

Set probably during season 2 or after it.

Story Masterlist

Word count: 3.2k

The sound of thunder made you open your eyes and you looked up at the dark clouds. It felt good to be outside, to not fear losing control. You still jumped down from the roof to the balcony and went inside your room to find the entire gang there while Wednesday writing her novel and trying to ignore the crowd that was in her room. Morticia and Gomez were checking out your knife collection, Pugsley was playing monopoly with Enid, Eugene, Ajax and Bianca and it was scary how good he was.

All of a sudden Thing jumped to your shoulder and pointed at Wednesday then gave you a reckless idea, and damn you loved it.

You cleared your throat and put the hand on Enid’s shoulder where he would be safe. He somehow found a small helmet and placed it on his wrist which was confusing everyone but you, and it was a warning of what was to come.

You winked at Enid and then walked over to Wednesday. “Hey, there,” you grinned at her and leaned down, resting your chin on her shoulder.

“What?” she asked, her voice just a degree warmer than when she talked to other people as you let the music play.

“How you choose to express yourself, it's all your own, and I can tell, it comes naturally,” you sang, moving to her other side before Wednesday could smack you. “It comes naturally, you follow what you feel inside,” you laughed as she spun the chair around and glared at you.

“Y/N,” she warned as your eyes turned golden to enhance your reaction speed.

You just shrugged and continued. “It's intuitive, you don't have to try, it comes naturally, Mmh-“ she still covered your mouth, but it was too late.

“It comes naturally, and it takes her breath away, what you do so naturally,” Enid joined in leaving the game and hiding behind Ajax as Wednesday turned to glare at her.

“You are the thunder, and I am the lightning,” you took the opportunity to move away. “And I love the way you know who you are, and to me, it's exciting. When you know it's meant to be everything comes naturally, it comes naturally when you're with me, baby,” she didn’t like ‘baby’ as you had to hide behind a pillar to avoid a knife.

“Everything comes naturally, it comes naturally,” Eugene joined in, though a bit timidly.

“Ba-ba-baby,” you turned Wednesday’s wrath back to you.

Wednesday took a deep breath. “Why do you have to do this?” she shook her head.

“You have a way of moving me, a force of nature, your energy,” you smiled as she went to your bed and sat down, arms crossed and back pressed against your propped up pillow.

“I guess I don’t mind that part,” she muttered, looking away from you with a hint of a blush on her face.

“It comes naturally,” you continued singing.

“You know it does,” Thing signed away from Wednesday’s eyes.

“It comes naturally,” Enid sang from safe distance and poked Ajax in the side so he would join in.

“Mmh-yeah,” he reluctantly sang, even though he was sweating profusely.

“And it takes her breath away,” she poked him once more thus getting him to say ‘every time’ “What you do so naturally!” she sand much bolder this time.

You rolled your shoulders, grinning at Wednesday. “You are the thunder, and I am the lightning, and I love the way you know who you are, and to me, it's exciting! When you know it's meant to be everything comes naturally, it comes naturally when you're with me, baby!” you raised your hands, promising you would stop, and you did as you hopped over Wednesday and sat down next to her. “Think you can forgive me?” you asked, just now noticing Morticia and Gomez looking at you and Wednesday, at the way your shoulders were touching, and Wednesday wasn’t moving away.

“Ah, young love! You see that Tish? Our little executioner found love!” Gomez swooned from afar, keeping a safe distance as Wednesday got up to her feet and glared, grabbing your phone and pausing.

“Need help?” you offered softly, but she just scoffed and after some fumbling found the song.

She pointed at you, defiance in her eyes and your jaw dropped, she was about to be dramatic, and you were all here for it. “You must understand, though the touch of your hand makes my pulse react that it's only the thrill of girl meeting girl, opposites attract, it's physical.”

“Only logical,” you sang along.

“You must try to ignore that it means more than that, oh-oh-oh, what's love got to do, got to do with it?” she turned away from you and then turned to her parents. “What's love, but a second-hand emotion? What's love got to do, got to do with it?”

You stood up, whispering in her ear more than singing. “Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?”

Wednesday nodded, though she leaned back a bit. “It may seem to you that I'm acting confused when you're close to me. If I tend to look dazed, I read it some place, I got cause to be,” she paused.

“There's a name for it, there's a phrase that fits,” Morticia and Gomez sang majestically, with such passion that you were nearly blown away.

“But whatever the reason, you do it for me,” Wednesday glanced at you more than a bit comfortable with your closeness by now. “Oh-oh-oh, what's love got to do, got to do with it? What's love, but a second-hand emotion?”

“What's love got to do, got to do with it?” you smiled at her.

“Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” she continued as Morticia and Gomez danced together and with Wednesday in front of you no one else could see her.

“We do?” you broke away from the song for a moment, your golden eyes meeting her black eyes, and for a moment you dared to put your arm around her waist just for a few seconds. “I've been taking on a new direction, but I have to say I've been thinking about my own protection.”

Wednesday removed your hand from her waist, at least that’s how it looked from afar, but she kept her hand on yours for precious two seconds before moving it away from her waist. “It scares me to feel this way! Oh-oh-oh, what's love got to do, got to do with it? What's love, but a second-hand emotion? What's love got to do, got to do with it? Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” though with a bit of reluctance she stepped away from you, likely believing this whole thing was over.

Like hell it was. You took your phone and put another song on and the drums and guitar began playing in the background. “So, she said, ‘What's the problem, baby?’ What's the problem? I don't know, well, maybe I'm in love!” you sang while shuffling your shoulders as Wednesday rolled her eyes at you. You did see a bit of a blush on her face though.

“Love! Think about it every time I think about it can't stop thinking 'bout it!” you kept going, bouncing around the room as Wednesday sat down in front of her table and tapped her fingers on the table.

“How much longer will it take to cure this?” she whipped around when you sang that, prompting you to smirk and wink at her. “Just to cure it 'cause I can't ignore it if it's love, love makes me wanna turn around and face me, but I don't know nothing 'bout love, oh!”

“Come on, come on,” Enid sang, joining you though she remained in her part of the room, for safety.

“Turn a little faster,” you pumped your fist up.

“Come on, come on,” Enid continued, feeling relatively safe at the moment.

“The world will follow after,” you spread your arms wide.

“Come on, come on,” Eugene joined in and the two of you high fived before he put his hands up and did a tiny dance of his own as well, like a little bee dancing to the music.

“Because everybody's after love,” you sang a bit softer offering a hand to Wednesday only for her to reject it without saying a word or even moving from her seat.

“Not me,” Wednesday grumbled, she was leaning her chin on her hand and just looking at you in disbelief.

You shrugged, not deterred by her rejection in the slightest. “So, I said, I'm a snowball running. Running down into the spring that's coming, all this love melting under blue skies. Belting out sunlight, shimmering love!” you sang and went over to the fridge to grab something rather convenient for the circumstances.

You set a small cup of ice cream in front of Wednesday. “Well, baby, I surrender to the strawberry ice cream, never ever end of all this love,” you laughed.

“You planned this,” she narrowed her eyes, but you just shrugged this as you gave the ice cream to everyone in the room.

“Well, I didn't mean to do it,” you said it, as if answering her accusation, but then continued singing. “But there's no escaping your love, oh, these lines of lightning mean we're never alone! Never alone, no, no!” you managed to pull her to her feet and held her hands.

“Come on, come on,” Enid exclaimed, giddy by your success.

“Move a little closer,” you sang and she did move a bit closer to you.

“Come on, come on,” Thing tapped on the floor.

“I wanna hear you whisper,” you smiled, swaying with Wednesday on the spot.

“Come on, come on?” she grumbled, but your smile just turned into a wide grin.

“Settle down inside my love, oh,” you told her as you pulled even closer.

“Come on, come on,” Enid sang and pointed at Ajax as you were obviously busy staring into Wednesday’s eyes.

“Jump a little higher,” Ajax sang reluctantly, still afraid of consequences.

“Come on, come on,” Enid then pointed at Eugene.

“If you feel a little lighter” Eugene accepted the job while still happily dancing.

“Come on, come on, Y/N!” Enid exclaimed.

You chuckled and pulled back a bit. “We were once upon a time in love, we're accidentally in love! Accidentally in love.”

“Accidentally in love,” Enid, Thing, Eugene, Ajax, Bianca and Pugsley each repeated once.

“Accidentally, I'm in love, I'm in love,” you admitted through the song.

“She’s in love,” Enid, Eugene, Ajax and Bianca sang.

“Accidentally, I'm in love, I'm in love,” you sang again.

“She’s in love,” Morticia, Gomez, Thing and Pugsley sang as well.

“Accidentally!” you yelled.

“Come on, come on,” Bianca sighed, rolling her eyes unable to figure out how she got roped into this.

“Spin a little tighter,” you sang and pointed at Pugsley.

“Come on, come on?” he offered much to Wednesday’s annoyance that you were roping her own brother into this as well.

“And the world's a little brighter,” Enid finished it happily and tossed a few of her stuffed animals into the air.

“No,” Wednesday argued against that.

“Come on, come on,” you sang, looking at her parents for support.

“Just get yourself inside her love!” Morticia and Gomez encouraged Wednesday.

“I'm in love!” you finished with a large grin on your face.

“I’m not,” Wednesday denied it vehemently and for absolutely no reason whatsoever, another instrumental began playing. “If there's a prize for rotten judgement, I guess I've already won that. No one is worth the aggravation, that's ancient history, been there, done that!” she declared, looking you right into your eyes.

Your eyes widened at that, and you turned to her parents, about to say you had no idea where that came from, but they just waved your concerns off.

“Who'd'ya think you're kiddin' she's the Earth and heaven to you, try to keep it hidden, Honey, we can see right through you,” Enid sang while hiding behind you and you turned to Enid afraid of what Wednesday would do when being called out like that. “Girl, ya can't conceal it, we know how ya feel and who you're thinking of.”

Wednesday scoffed and glared, turning away from you and Enid and folding her arms over her chest. “No chance, no way! I won't say it, no, no!”

“You swoon, you sigh. Why deny it?” Thing sang only to nearly get hit by Wednesday throwing a bottle of water at him. “Uh-oh!” he signed as he ducked, his helmet nearly falling off his wrist with how fast he moved out of the way.

“It's too cliché, I won't say I'm in love,” Wednesday decided and dramatically looked outside the window. “I thought my heart had learned its lesson, it feels so good when you start out. My head is screaming get a grip, girl, unless you're dying to cry your heart out.”

“I did not hurt her,” you went over to Morticia and Gomez and sighed as the man patted your shoulder and Morticia leaned in to whisper an idea to you.

“You keep on denying who you are and how you're feeling, Baby, we're not buying,” Enid sang, now hiding behind a pillar. “Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling!”

“Face it like a grown-up! When ya gonna own up that ya got, got, got it bad!” Bianca enjoyed this a lot more than the previous songs, though even she kept a safe distance as she knelt behind Enid’s bed for cover.

“No chance, now way, I won't say it, no, no!” Wednesday groaned and threw her head back.

“Give up, give in,” Pugsley sang along with Enid.

“Check the grin you're in love,” Eugene added, alluding to an unfortunate accident when he caught Wednesday grinning without malicious intent.

“This scene won't play, I won't say I'm in love,” Wednesday definitely wasn’t giving in as she marched over to her desk once more.

“You're doin flips read our lips you're in love,” Enid smiled cheekily.

Wednesday rolled her eyes, exasperated. “You're way off base I won't say it. Get off my case I won't say it!” she began preparing a new stack of papers for her writing.

“Girl, don't be proud It's O.K. you're in love,” Bianca sang from the cover.

Wednesday paused at that. “Oh, at least out loud, I won't say I'm in love,” she whispered, blushing slightly.

“What was that?” Enid teased.

“Nothing!” Wednesday’s death glare was as serious and intimidating as she could make it, and everyone immediately caved in and let it go.

There was a bit of a pause and from the looks of it Wednesday dropped her guard down, expecting that to be the end of a fairly strange occurrence. And then, much to her horror a guitar began playing.

And you walked over, dressed fairly similar to how you were for the Rave’N last year. She stood up and looked at you, puzzled, lost in your eyes as golden lightning surrounded the two of you. “Your cruel device your blood like ice one look could kill my pain, your thrill,” you sang, offering your hand to her.

She took your hand and smiled a bit. “I wanna love you, but I better not touch,” you placed your hand on her waist.

“Don't touch,” Morticia and Gomez added in the background, though you and Wednesday focused only on one another.

“I wanna hold you, but my senses tell me to stop. I wanna kiss you, but I want it too much,” you dipped Wednesday and leaned in, your lips mere inches from each other, but you didn’t close the distance.

“Too much,” her parents sang as the others began looking at you again. You just barely registered how much Morticia and Gomez swooned over the way you and Wednesday were at the moment.

“I wanna taste you, but your lips are venomous poison. You're poison running through my veins You're poison, I don't wanna break these chains!” you exclaimed, pulling her back up and letting her pull away, until you remained connected only by the fingers of your outstretched hands.  “Your mouth, so hot Your web, I'm caught,” you sang as she spun until she was leaning back against you. “Your skin, so wet, black lace on sweat!” your lips brushed against her neck, the depths of the passion within each of you hidden by the bursts of lightning circling the two of you.

“I hear you calling and it's needles and pins,” Wednesday sang, pulling away from you and shuffling to the side until the two of you began circling each other, not for a moment looking anywhere but at each other. “I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name. Don't wanna touch you, but you're under my skin,” she bent her knees, dipping slightly and swiping her arms along her sides, and you dispersed the lightning according to her whims.

“I wanna kiss you, but your lips are venomous poison. You're poison running through my veins. You're poison, I don't wanna break these chains!” she approached you, a knife in hand.

“Poison,” you sang alongside her parents.

Wednesday pointed the knife at you, and you grabbed the blade. “One look could kill!”

Blue began flickering through the yellow lightning and your eyes, the room heating up considerably as the blade of Wednesday’s knife began melting under your touch. “My pain, your thrill! I wanna love you, but I better not touch!” you began molding the melting metal, until the tip resembled letter ‘W’. “I wanna hold you, but my senses tell me to stop,” you let go of the knife and gathered all the lightning in your palm. “I wanna kiss you, but I want it too much,” you formed a shape of an apple out of the lightning.

Wednesday grinned ever so slightly, her eyes following your every move as you brought the lightning apple to your mouth and bit into it, making it disperse. “I wanna taste you, but your lips are venomous poison You're poison running through my veins!”

“You're poison, I don't wanna break these chains! Poison!” she sang, tossing the knife to the side.

“I wanna love you, but I better not touch!” you were getting close to the end of the song, once again in each other’s arms.

“I wanna hold you, but my senses tell me to stop,” Wednesday sang as you lifted her up and spun around.

“I wanna kiss you, but I want it too much,” you whispered in her ear.

“I wanna taste you, but your lips are venomous poison,” she leaned forward, her hands around your neck and back, in a rather possessive manner.

“Yeah!” you exclaimed tilting your head back and letting her lips graze against your bare neck.

“Well, I don't wanna break these chains. Poison! Running deep inside my veins Burning deep inside my brain. Poison! I don't want to break these chains. Poison!” you both sang together, your grips on one another firm and strong as your breaths mixed together once more, but you didn’t kiss, just smiled at one another.

A/N: Well? How was that?

Songs used: Selena Gomez & the Scene - Naturally

Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It

Counting Crows - Accidentally in Love

Susan Egan - I Won't Say I'm in Love

Alice Cooper - Poison

[raven-dor]

you and i pt.3

In which steve harrington and his best friend have an argument

PAIRING: steve harrington x reader

WARNINGS: given last name, banter, yearning, argument, swearing, tension that you could cut with a knife

WORD COUNT: 3.1k

Y/N was excited. Almost too excited for what was sure to be a whole day of sitting in the Scoops Ahoy break room. She had woken up early and made snacks for everyone. She’d even gone as far as getting to the mall (with a very grumpy Dustin) at the same time that Steve and Robin had to show up, 5:30 in the morning.

Suspiciously, she got out of her car with a grin on her face.

She wore the outfit for her date tonight, thinking she wouldn’t have time to go home in between. Steve got out of his car grumpily, and his breath hitched. God, he was screwed. He then decided to be a bit bolder than normal. "Wow." He cleared his throat, smiling wide. "You look beautiful."

Her cheeks turned red, and she would have tried to play it off by scratching her face or 'itching' her nose, but her hands were full of coffee and bags of snacks. "Thanks, Harrington." She squeezed her hand. "It's for my date tonight; I just thought that I wouldn't have time to go home." She was feeling awkward now and thus began the rambling. "I didn't know if it was too much or too little-"

Steve had totally forgotten about Pavelski. 

Shit. 

"It's perfect. He'll love it." That left a bad taste in his mouth. They stared at each other for a minute, before Robin walked in between them to enter to ice cream shop. 

"Morning twats!"

Y/N was knocked out of the trance that was Steve Harrington's eyes, shaking her head to clear her mind. She followed after her best friend, grinning. "Robbie! I brought snacks."

"Wonderful!"

Steve groaned, staring at the ground. "This is going to be a long day."

And he was right—it was a long day. They were halfway through when her 4 a.m. coffee stopped working its magic. Dustin was crankier than usual, and Steve lost all sense of a filter. He was just talking nonstop. Robin was the only one who wasn't totally out of it. She was currently slinging ice cream (as she so lovingly called it) while Steve and Dustin were out spying for potential Evil Russians.

Y/N was sleeping in the break room. She remembered falling asleep what felt like an hour ago, extremely cold because of the fan and the giant freezer to her left. Her eyes opened slowly, looking around the room suspiciously. It was too quiet. She peaked through the window. "Robin, where are Steve and Dustin?"

"Spying."

"Ah." She noticed the headphones around Robin's ears. "I don't suppose you're listening to ABBA in there."

"Nope." She took them off and held them out. "Want to give it a go?"

"Sure."

She shut the window, pressing play on the recording. They had already figured out the translation, but now they needed to know what the code meant.

"The week is long; the silver cat feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. A trip to China sounds nice if you tread lightly." She repeated the words over and over, trying to find some significance to them. Thankfully, she was pulled out of the most boring chant in history by a knock on the back door, yelling back to Robin. "I'll get it!"

She opened the door, and the delivery guy smiled. "Hi."

"Hello."

"Sign here, please."

She took the box and set it down on the table before coming back to the paper. "Thank you." She looked up to smile but saw something familiar. Not a thing she had seen repeatedly, but something she had heard. 

Silver Cat.

"Holy shit." The man's eyebrows crinkled, but he walked away, and Y/N shut the door. Thinking about everything else they had heard in that annoying message, it all clicked. Blue meets yellow in the west. A trip to China sounds nice- She ran out of the back, almost trampling her cousin and Steve. She stood on the fountain in the middle of the mall and repeated the code back in her head. Blue meets yellow in the west, the clock at 9 o'clock, a trip to China, Imperial Panda, tread lightly, Kaufmanns Shoe store.

"Holy shit!"

Steve crossed his arms, glaring. "What happened?"

She grinned at the cranky sailor. "I figured it out."

"Figured what out?"

Y/N crossed her arms. "The message."

She moved towards the edge of the fountain to jump off, but Steve held out his hand. "Here."

She blushed, jumping down. "Thanks, Harrington."

Her cousin crossed his arms. "And you're telling us this right now?"

"I just found out, Dustin. I-" She smiled at Steve. "We need to tell Robin."

She suddenly pulled Steve back into the ice cream shop. Robin was standing at the counter, looking annoyed. "Let me guess... you figured it out."

Y/N nodded, and Steve rolled his eyes affectionately, elbowing her softly. "Valedictorian of ‘85."

"Well..."

Dustin made a face at Robin that definitely read, "I'm really disgusted right now, do something." Robin stared down, a smirk adorning her face. Their hands were still clasped together. She cleared her throat. "Ehem." They both looked at her confused, and as Robin gestured down, Y/N and Steve ripped their hands away, spluttering.

"Uh, I-"

"I-"

"We need to make a plan."

Dustin nodded. "Alright, back room. Now."

Robin grabbed the break sign and wrote on the blank space quickly, Be back in 15 minutes.

They all sat down at the table, and Y/N explained the code. "So, what I gathered is that blue meets yellow in the west means the clock, and the west is 9 o'clock. The trip to China and treading lightly is Imperial Panda and Kaufmann's Shoe store, which is the cargo. The Silver Cat is the shipping company. So at 9 o'clock tonight, there will be shipments from Imperial Panda and Kaufmanns from the Lynx Shipping Company."

Robin smiled, and Steve clapped his hands. "Wow."

"How did you even figure it out?"

She smirked at Dustin. "Wel, my little protege, I was signing a package for Robin when I saw the silver cat on the back of the delivery man’s shirt, and it all clicked."

Dustin grinned. "Nice."

Robin quickly went back to slinging ice cream, and Dustin went to see if there were any comic book stores, leaving Steve and Y/N in the back. She shivered, pulling the jacket tighter, the fan above her twirling as fast as it could. Sadly, they couldn’t control how fast it spun, leaving them to freeze to death. 

Steve leaned forward. "You're coming with us tonight, right?"

She nodded, frowning slightly, struggling to remember what she was missing. "Yeah. Of course."

"What, what's wrong?"

Y/N groaned. "My date is at eight tonight. Shit."

Hope began to bud in him, and he whispered. "Don't go."

She laughed. "What?"

He looked at her desperately. "I said don't go."

She tried not to have an outburst of emotion. "And why not, Harrington?"

"You know why, Wilkins."

She leaned in, whispering. "Say it."

Steve almost spoke the words out loud before realizing that he, once again, drifted off into his thoughts. He smiled half-heartedly. "It's fine. Just go on your date while we do the spying and shit."

She tilted her head. "Really?" She really needed him to be brave because she knew for a fact that she couldn't be. "You want me to go?"

He glared at her. He had been her best friend for eight years; he knew her like the back of his hand. He knew her tricks, and he knew that she was scared, but couldn’t she understand that he was scared, too? "You know I don't want you to go, but if you go on that date, I'm not going to stop you."

Y/N really had no right to be upset, but she was nevertheless. Her chair squeaked as she pushed it out from beneath her. "I'm leaving."

He nodded, the silence deafening. She turned around and looked back at him, really looked at him. She really wanted to say something, yell that she was in love with him, but instead, she sighed. "Steve-"

He interrupted her, waving her away like she was nothing. Like he didn't care if he lost her. A stranger to his best friend. "Have fun."

She gazed down at the coat that warmed her and realized it was Steve's. She slammed it on the table, a bit too harshly, but she didn’t really care. "It'd be weird if I showed up to a date with another guy's coat on, don't you think?"

She grabbed her keys off the counter and yelled back at her very confused friend. "Tell Dustin I'll pick him up at ten."

Robin turned to Steve slowly, waiting for some bullshit explanation. He just stared at the wall in anger.

Fuck.

God, he was so stupid. He should've gone with "fantasy" Steve's plan, which involved grabbing her face and kissing her senselessly. Now, thanks to his dumbass, she was going on a date with Derek Pavelski. Steve put his head in his hands, squeezing his eyes shut, hoping it was all just a bad dream.

Y/N walked into Enzo's at precisely eight o'clock and smiled at the hostess. "Hi, I'm here for a party of two. Maybe under-"

"Y/N!"

Derek was already sitting. The woman smiled and brought her to the table, where Derek was standing at her seat with her chair pulled out. 

She grinned. "Such a gentleman."

"I try." He sat down. "I'm glad you decided to come."

"I am, too. I hope I'm dressed up enough."

Derek laughed. "I hope I am too. I have no idea what the dress code is exactly."

Y/N stared at the menu and, more importantly, the menu's prices. "Wow, I don't know what to get here. It-"

He nodded. "It's expensive."

"Very."

She looked over the top of her menu, staring at him. He was concentrating on what to pick, and she was concentrating on the clock. It was 8:20 already. She sighed.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Great." She put her menu down. "So why'd you invite me here of all places?"

He laughed. "If I'm being honest, it's the first place I thought of. My dad used to bring my mom here all the time before they got divorced. Oh- I-" He stopped for a second and tried to recover. "It's just that I've heard great reviews."

"My mom used to love this place."

He smiled sympathetically. "Guess we both have issues, huh?"

She nodded. "Something like that."

He seemed to go back to his menu, but Y/N could tell he wanted to ask her something. She wasn't going to push. "So, why are you so close with Harrington? Not to pry, but almost our whole lives, you've been around him." He laughed. "From what I've seen, he's kind of an-"

"Asshole?"

He nodded. "He was always such a hardass during basketball. Not to mention, he’s so full of himself."

"Well, he hasn't had it great his whole life. Of course, he'd be an asshole." Derek tilted his head, and Y/N backtracked. "Not that that's an excuse. But even after that, after him being a major asshole, he is still one of the most considerate, kind, loyal people I've ever met. He's like a father figure to all these little shits in town; he- he's especially like a father figure to my cousin, Dustin." She looked at Derek. "I think you might know him. He's the short kid, the one whose hair is always crazy."

"Yeah, yeah. Weird kid."

"Yeah, he is. But Steve really changed last year. He stopped hanging out with Tommy and Carol, and he focused more on actually acting like himself. It's what I admire most about him."

Derek's jaw had dropped, and he had this strange sort of realization on his face. "You love Steve Harrington."

Y/N looked back up from the menu. "What did you say?"

He sat up straight and was almost laughing. "You are in love. With Harrington." He murmured to himself. "I should have known." He looked her in the eye. "What are you doing here?"

"What?"

"What are you doing here with me? Harrington is probably waiting for you, pissed off. He probably has a death wish for me."

She raised an eyebrow. "You want me to go to him?"

"Well, I don't want you to go to him, but I also don't think you should lie to yourself and him any longer. I mean, you're graduation speech was a love letter to the guy." He shook his head and almost laughed. "I'm sorry for wasting your time."

"No, you didn't-"

He nodded in assurance. "I did. We both did." Y/N tilted her head in confusion, and he continued. "Every day we spend apart from who we love, we're wasting time well spent. I mean, this was well spent, but-" He huffed. "You get my point."

"This is the weirdest date I've ever been on. I'm gonna go. Thank you. This was... enlightening."

"Anytime." She walked away, and Derek called the waitress over once again. "Can I get a bottle of Chardonnay please?"

She smirked. "Can I see some ID?"

"Never mind." He put the menu down and smiled sweetly. "Can I get a Shirley Temple?"

Y/N ran to the front of the mall, banging on the windows. The doors were locked, but she knew that Steve, Robin, and Dustin were still in the Scoops Ahoy's backroom. She also knew they would send Steve out to check for noise because Dustin was a chicken, and Robin wasn't an idiot.

She started yelling, relief flooding her senses when she saw a sailor uniform in the distance. She almost smiled at Steve before she remembered their argument. She stopped harassing the mall door and waited for him to let her in. 

He somehow looked worried and confused at the same time, swinging open the door and pulling her out of the rain without a second thought. And then he instantly began interrogating her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I-"

"Shouldn't you be at Enzo's?" Her face paled, and Steve assumed the worst. He forgot about their petty fight, and his eyes grew dark, his King Steve persona peeking out of the shadows. "What did he do? Did he- Did he hurt you? I swear to god if that loser touched you-"

She shook her head quickly. "No, no! Steve! He was great... it just wasn't going too well, so I came back to help."

He crossed his arms. "What do you mean it wasn’t going too well?"

"Steve!" She put her hand on his arm, smiling. "Relax, seriously. Nothing happened. We just realized we didn’t like each other like that." She murmured. "We realized a lot of things, actually."

"What was that last part?"

Y/N grinned. "Nothing, sailor. Let's get going." She let her hand fall from his arm to his hand, pulling him towards her. "I'm excited."

He used her hold against her, pulling her back into his arms. Her breath hitched. "You're sopping wet," he said, taking off his rain jacket. "Here. I have another coat in the break room."

She tried not to melt into the smell and warmth that instantly overwhelmed her senses and smiled softly. "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it."

They walked back into Scoops Ahoy. The back room's lights were out. Y/N rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Steve's fine, you idiots. Come out of your attack formation."

Dustin popped out from behind the counter. "Y/N/N!"

"Steve! We thought you got attacked by Russians."

"Nope." He sighed heavily. "Just Wilkins."

Y/N shoved him away and hugged Dustin, pulling him along into the backroom. "Let's go be spies, huh?"

Opening the door leading to the roof, Y/N waited until the last of them had gone through before shutting it as slowly as she could. Yes, it was raining, but she really just wanted to err on the side of caution when there were possibly killer Russians below them. She crouched down between Steve and Robin, watching as the delivery truck backed up to the giant door.

"Look for Imperial Panda and Kaufmanns Shoes," Robin shouted over the storm.

"What do you think's in there?"

"Guns, bombs."

Y/N rolled her eyes. "I doubt it. If anything, it's some chemical warfare. Isn't that what this whole cold war is about?"

They watched as the whistling man in a yellow rainjacket walked up to the door by two tall, armed men.

"Well, whatever it is, they're armed to the teeth," Robin added, helping exactly none of them reach peace of mind.

Steve wiped his eyes clear of water and smiled pessimistically. "Great. That's great."

Dustin leaned over the edge, trying to get a better look with his goggles. "What's in there?"

They all watched as the doors opened, and a small room full of other boxes appeared. He sighed. "More boxes."

Steve grabbed the goggles out of her cousin’s hands. "Let me check it out."

Dustin tugged them back, possessive of the goggles his mother had just gifted him. "No! Stop it, Steve!"

"Guys, seriously, cut it out."

Steve let go, and the goggles hit the building, giving the Russians an exact pinpoint as to where they were hiding. They dropped against the roof, holding their breath. Y/N looked down, her hand and Steve's grasping tightly to each other. Neither said anything and chose to ignore it so they could face the much larger problem at hand. Her thoughts immediately turned to the prospect of the Russians finding them, and she looked at everyone else, panic etched in her expression. "We should leave. Like now."

They all nodded and ran to the door. Y/N whisper yelled. "Wait!"

Robin turned back. "What Y/N/N?"

"If they look for us, they'll come through that door."

Dustin nodded. "She's right."

Steve pulled Y/N with him. "There's another door this way; come on!"

They ran through the other door, Steve closing it gently behind them. They walked quickly down the staircase, and Y/N wiped her eyes, slightly stumbling as she lost her sight. Steve held her up, pushing her hair out of her eyes quickly.

Robin laughed, nudging Dustin, now fueled with thoughts of their bombshell revelation. "Well, I think we found your Russians."

Y/N rolled her now clear eyes, her laughter void of humor. "Thank you, Captain Obvious."

taglist: @kendallroydefender @beebeechaos 

[ephemerasnape]

I couldn't sleep, so have a dark, smutty one-shot.

Dawn of Regret 🔞

Poacher Executioner x You/MC

“Ye wanted to seduce a dark wizard,” the Executioner purrs, running his tongue across your lips. “Well, haha, it worked!” RAPE

Rape / Seduction / Teasing / Age Difference / Size Difference / First Time / Loss of Virginity / Dead Dove Do Not Eat

Read below the cut or on ao3.

Ends up the great ancient magic-wielding Hogwarts student ain’t so hot without her wand.

Your mind races with regrets as you ponder the situation you find yourself in. How could I have been so stupid? In the end, a simple Expelliarmus was all it took to have you groveling in the dirt before the dark wizards in the poacher camp you’d been raiding.

You’d been readily captured, your wand snapped in front of your horrified eyes, and taken, well, to bed with one of them. The very thought sends shudders through your body. 

You haven't gotten a wink of sleep the entire night, and can already see the sun begin to creep into the tent where you are being held. Being held very closely, one might add. As you'd laid on the uncomfortable cot for the past many hours, your wrists secured tightly behind your back, and your torso further secured around that of a massive Executioner, you’d done little but think of ways you might escape.

Finally, the Executioner shifts in his sleep, giving you the opportunity you’ve been waiting for - his warm body wrapping even more fully around yours. What is on-its-face repulsive gives you a fleeting hope - you are aware that getting out of this situation will involve trickery more than stealth given the nature of the predicament you’re in – and thus your brilliant plan is hatched.

One of the Executioner’s hands is laid on the cot right in front of your nose. You look at it, wondering how dirty it is. It looks surprisingly clean but the guy overall strongly resembles a caveman. Half beast himself.. And you can’t imagine his hygiene is the best. It certainly doesn’t smell the best, although his muskiness does hold a certain masculine appeal, you are loathe to admit.

With a slight grimace, you crane your head forward slightly, tentatively sticking your tongue out and pressing it against his pointer finger. There’s no response. Screwing your eyes shut, you move your tongue slowly up over the length of the finger. It takes several swipes of your tongue to elicit any reaction, but you do feel the Executioner – you believe his name is Mortimus – twitch slightly in his sleep.

Gaining confidence, you move your head a fraction of an inch forward, so that you’re able to engulf his entire finger in your mouth. The massive wizard grunts behind you, and you become even bolder, beginning to suck diligently on his digits.

He begins to stir, and you wonder whether he’s waking up. You can certainly feel something waking up right against your buttocks.

This could actually work…

You swirl your soft pink tongue around his finger, up and down, and alternate with suction, getting so lost in your task you don’t even really notice when the Executioner begins to wake. He gradually pulls you more tightly against him, his breathing raspy behind your ear. You keep sucking on his finger until he decisively drags your hips back towards him, bringing you into direct contact with what feels like an absolute battering-ram of an erection.

“Crupmite,” he growls, fully-awake now, he props himself up a bit on one elbow so that he can watch as he begins to gently thrust his finger in and out your pouted lips.

“Tryin’ to get a wizard all worked up, eh?”

You flush furiously but don’t otherwise react as he finger-fucks your mouth – feeling a bit paralyzed in fear or anticipation.

“Certainly givin’ me... ideas…”

You’d thought, well – you’d hoped that if you could distract him, get him to untie you.. Maybe let his guard down… You might have a chance of making it past the apparition wards around the tent.

But now, in the moment, with him gazing down at you, you wish ardently that you’d waited for another opportunity. You can literally feel the lust emanating off of the wizard – his eyes seemingly boring into your skin as your face burns with humiliation.

Until now, he’d just seen you as a pesky little brat that he had to deal with. Now he sees you as a pesky little witch who is in his bed.

And you see him – sort of. From what you can see from the corner of your eye, he’s apparently taken off his mask at some point, and a ruggedly-handsome face is exposed. Masculine for sure. Not young, not old. Relatively normal-looking for a professional killer. You struggle to make out the details and nervously your eyes dart up towards him just in time to watch a grin spread across his face.

“Seems ye might be good fer somethin’ after all, crupmite,” he gloats, withdrawing his finger from your mouth – a trail of saliva following it. He runs his wet finger gently across your lips, sending a shiver down your spine which settles between your legs. 

When he begins to untie the ropes around your waist, your heart is pounding so furiously that you nearly forget your plan, but the man seemingly has you figured. “Thought ye could trick me, eh?” he teases, his broad hands never leaving your body for even a moment. “I might look like a lumbering oaf, but I’m not actually daft.”

He keeps a firm grip on your robes as he maneuvers himself so that he’s facing you on the cot. Even seated he towers over your small form.

“I’m sorry, crupmite. Ye don’t get to suck my cock today. Nuffink personal, it’s just that it’s too risky. But that doesn’t mean we can’t ‘ave our fun.”

Your face goes white. “What do you…”

Suddenly, you’re pushed onto your back, the man pinning your upper arms down to the cot as he leans over you, leering at you with a menacing expression on his face.

“Ah! Please.. my wrists!” you cry, struggling in vain to get the pressure off of them.

“Thought I’d untie ye so ye could escape, did ya?” he chuckles darkly. “Not likely.”

And so he doesn’t untie you, but even Mortimus has to admit that having your hands behind you, contorting your chest upwards in that position, is not ideal, and so instead he wraps some ropes – not by magic, but, surprisingly, by hand – around your middle, securing your arms to your sides instead before he releases them from behind your back.

You sigh in relief at the removal of the crushing weight from your delicate wrists, only to realize moments later you are still in immediate danger.

What have I gotten myself into?

The enormous man moves forward then, licking your cheek with a broad tongue. You turn away, your face scrunched up in disgust, only to have it forcibly turned back towards him.

“Ye wanted to seduce a dark wizard,” the Executioner purrs, running his tongue across your lips. “Well, haha, it worked!”

He’s fully on you then – his tongue down your throat, causing you to squeal and squirm as he thrusts the organ in and out of your mouth possessively, and you know that it’s a promise of things to come.

Your mouth occupied, Mortimus reaches down to effortlessly part your thighs despite your pathetic attempts to keep them closed. Without a fraction of a doubt remaining in regard to what is about to happen, you scream into his mouth, and move to bite down on his tongue, only to find that he’s anticipated the action and withdrawn in time.

“Ah-ah,” he admonishes, wagging a finger above your face. “There’ll be none of that. After all, I’m on orders to turn you in to Rookwood alive, an’ if you bite me, all bets are off.”

Your desperation boils over. “Please, sir,” you whimper, tears threatening to spill from your eyes. “Don’t do this. I’ve never… I’m-”

You can’t make eye contact and you certainly can’t finish your sentence. You just lay there, your face beet red - helpless, exposed, and at the mercy of a dark wizard...

A dark wizard who laughs at your misery and humiliation.

“Mmmm… Tha’s perfect,” Mortimus growls, stroking over your chest and stomach, squeezing where he pleases. “So I’ll be yer first…” He yanks down his trousers then, causing you to begin crying in earnest.

This is going to happen...

“No.. No!”

The Executioner smiles maliciously down at you as he leans back just enough for you to be able to watch him fisting his massive erection. 

“An’ there’s no guarantee you’ll ever be able to take another cock after this one.”

You scream as the man presses you down with one arm, using the hand to easily cover your mouth – half-blocking your nose, causing you further distress as your breathing is partially obstructed.

You kick and writhe to get away, desperately trying to protect the sensitive area between your legs. No one has ever touched or even seen you down there before, and to have this man be the first is just unthinkable.. but your struggles are to no avail – the Executioner is too strong, and before you know it, a firm, blunt object is pressing up against your vulnerable opening.

“Your mouth says no,” Mortimus chuckles, running the head of his cock up and down your wet slit, “but your cunt says yes.”

He keeps your mouth covered, stifling your pleas and cries as he forces himself into you. Although you realize he’s probably going a lot more slowly than is physically necessary, the sheer size of his penis splitting you open devastates your maidenhood, sending an intense pain coursing through you.

You are bawling as the man on top of you groans, having broken through your virgin barrier and fully-embedded himself inside your tight passage.

“Merlin…”

The pain is overtaken by humiliation and as your cries turn to quiet sobs, the Executioner begins to move. He’s so tall and broad that you can only see the buttons and rough hand-stitching on his vest – his face seems miles away while he's joined to you at the hip.

When you’ve quieted sufficiently, Mortimus removes his hand from your mouth and instead places it on your knee to keep you spread wide.

“Such a tight little- Fuck,” he gasps, his cock pistoning in and out of you in earnest. His heavy breathing consumes your world as you silently pray for him to finish quickly - for this ordeal to be over.

The Executioner pounds you relentlessly, pulling your body up slightly to get better access – deeper in your cunt – his thick meat battering your cervix.

“Not what ye ‘oped would come of that little stunt, I wager,” he breathes, smashing his wide pelvis into your comparatively tiny one over and over again in rough, forceful movements.

Your tears wet the pelts underneath your head just as you can imagine your blood does your skirts, but you"re crying not so much from physical pain as from despair as you’re violated by this colossal wizard and his colossal prick.

And, all the worse, it was almost entirely your doing.

Seconds later, the Executioner stiffens and a bestial groan of pleasure fills the tent. His imposing form jerks against yours as his release floods your womb.

No…

He collapses onto you then, panting into your ear. As he comes out of his lust-filled haze, he notices your soft whimpers and sobs. To your utter surprise, the man presses a kiss to the side of your face.

“Now, now, sweetheart,” he offers, petting your damp hair in a soothing gesture that you can’t be sure isn’t mockery before he continues as if having read your very thoughts. “’Twas yer own idea, after all.”

[lets-try-some-writing]

I've eaten up all your feral!Orion content and it's SO GOOD!! Do you...have any thoughts on feral!Orion and Megatronus???

I do love me some feral Orion. So of course here is some more for you dear anon!

Previous part here.

The Terror of the Pits

Megatronus met Orion in a rather simple way. Orion Pax came down from the upper echelons of Iacon to ask him some questions about his ideals and beliefs. While not normally something he would entertain, Orion had a look in his optics that Megatron knew well, the gaze of a hunter. Thus, intrigued with the archivist, he allowed an audience... then two... then three... and before long he was having bi deca-cycle meetings with the head archivist.

Orion was well educated in all manners and knew far more than he likely should have about anatomy, methods of making mecha "disappear", and how to get out of arrests and assault charges. Not only that, but Megatronus noted nearly immediately the fanged denta the archivist had and the slightly clawed digits that he sported. At first he thought them mods or upgrades made for appearances sake, but upon meeting Ratchet around the time Orion began associating with him regularly, those thoughts went out the window.

He watched on in total bewilderment as Orion went from normal mech™ to possessive nightmare fuel straight from the deepest pits of Cybertron in under a Klik whenever Ratchet turned up. Orion did not play games when it came to his medic and Megatronus was quick to stay the frag away from any action that Orion saw as a threat. He was there to observe the archivist nearly shred a gladiator after the mech in question made an inappropriate comment toward Ratchet and since that cycle he never again judged Orion based off his appearance and kept himself in line.

Ratchet was off limits and that was fine in Megatronus's book. Orion was a good companion and grew to be an excellent aid in his efforts. Thus he could easily overlook a little hyper aggression on the archivist's part. He was content to merely observe Orion's little habits and keep himself out of them, however he should have known that as his and Orion's friendship grew stronger, so would Orion's tendency to act out of the norm.

It was small things at first, a simple lingering touch here, a slight growl there, and the odd instance of Orion stepping in front of him almost protectively. That was it for a while and despite being odd, it was nothing worthy of much note. They were friends and gladiators tended to behave similarly when they felt the need to make a point. Of course then Orion seemed to get bolder and those small things evolved into something more.

Next thing Megatronus knew, Orion followed him fragging everywhere when he was in the pits visiting. The archivist was not as tall as him, but Primus his field made up for the lost height easily. Orion took no slag and made himself to be Megatronus's personal guard even though it was completely unneeded. The younger mech was not afraid to size up gladiators nearly double his size nor did he hesitate to begin growling and making a show of himself with flared plating when he felt Megatronus was in any sort of danger.

It was odd, very much so. However when asked Ratchet simply shrugged and offered the truth like it wasn't the strangest thing of the century.

Megatronus: Why is he like this? Is he perhaps malfunctioning?

Ratchet: No, not at all. He's just got active base coding.

Megatronus: Orion Pax? The archivist? Who hurt him badly enough to have him acting on base coding?

Ratchet: No one. According to Alpha Trion he came straight from the wilds and the coding has just stuck.

Megatronus: Then all this-?

Ratchet: Its a sign that he cares. You get used to it.

It was worrisome at first, but Megatronus let it be. Orion could be as wild as he wished so long as he didn't cause any wars or civil unrest. Thus Megatronus also overlooked the scratches that were most decidedly not from battle that he found carved onto his back almost as boldly as a "kick me" sign. He got a bit of mockery for it from his fellows, but that mockery quickly evaporated like smoke when his archivist threw himself into the arena during a particularly tense fight and practically mauled Megatronus's opponent.

Orion was downright feral as he latched on and dug into his enemy with enough strength to have Megatronus considering weather or not Orion was a civilian or not. Of course what terrified him most was how Orion's mouth seemed to open far larger than it should have as he bit down on the other gladiator's neck all while his optics widened so impossibly that it was frightening. It took three separate mecha to get Orion off Megatronus's opponent and even then it also took Ratchet to calm Orion down enough to peel him off where he had practically welded himself to Megatronus's side.

Orion Pax was from then on known as a terror in the pits not to be trifled with. Not a spark dared go anywhere near Megatronus with anything but pure intent when Orion was around simply because there were also a few incidents reported to him by Soundwave of Orion hunting certain mecha down to leave ominous dead things on their porches.

It just kept escalating as their friendship grew and eventually Megatronus grew to appreciate the little things Orion did. He liked the way Orion wrapped his field around him and he greatly enjoyed the random gifts Orion brought. They were always a tad ridiculous, but he was proud to weave the bits of plating Orion collected from his foes into a charm that he wore when he wanted to make a statement. And while a little more irritating, it was rather humorous to have Orion go out of his way to bring Megatronus his energon for him and only after checking for contamination.

It was almost like he had his own attack dog, but Orion was far too clever to be awarded such a pathetic title. No, with the way he would hunt down those he thought wronged Megatronus with a vengeance? He deserved the title of Terror of the Pits.

In the end Megatronus took great pride in painting Orion's armor a few vorns after their meeting and proclaiming him an honorary gladiator with how often he somehow managed to kick the afts of his fellows during spars. Orion was a challenge the gladiators liked to face and Orion was always calmer after getting down on all fours and going wild against the heavily armored gladiators who could take a great deal more of a beating than the soft little city mecha.

Good times.

Megatronus never forgot those simple days and had a great deal of fun making bets with Ratchet regarding who Orion would fight and who would win. Ratchet usually won, but Megatronus told himself it was because Ratchet had known Orion longer.

[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

Loser Baby~ (Marxolor)

When I first heard this I thought to myself... "this is their song."

In the KBASW AU, they're very similar in nature, and they're brought together through circumstances... both are losers. And that is what makes their relationship so beautiful ~

And yes I changed some of the lyrics to fit Marx better~

Keep reading for extra lore/ spoiler-ish content

I've decided to hit two birds with one stone...knock out a few questions I had...

Yeah, the Marxolor/Magolor asks have been stewing in there... Sorry for taking so long but I FINALLY learned how to draw Magolor.

He plays a big role in the story... he is pretty much very close to his game counterpart, but his reasons and motivations for the Master Crown are very different.

The Master Crown was created and owned by his great-grandmother... Minerva Mim also known as... MAD MADAM MIM. (And for those who aren't familiar with Disney's The Sword in the Stone.) Who was the ruler of Halcandra during her time...

Magolor's full name is Magolor Mim

But she's also a mix with Harry Potter's Minerva McGonagall.

(And yes) she's connected with Lady Celestine (who is this KBASW Merlin), and they were best friends. She's the reason why the Ancients & Halcandrans did business. Halcandran techolong & the Ancients magic. A deal Sir Icarus tried to secure but could not negotiate at all...

However, Celestine managed to get it with ease... (*cough* bribed her way*. ) Over time they did become genuine friends... I'll expand on her later... In short, she was basically the only one whom Celestine told of her alter-ego, Merlyn (Sir Arthur figured it out).

She was snarky, eccentric, and a bit vain at times, but at her core was a good person.

Celestine brought out the best in her and Minerva brought out the adventurous side of her and encouraged her to be bolder. (BTW she was the number one Celarthur shipper).

However, after Celestine's "execution" (secretly they crystalized her): Minvera refused to do business with the GSA & the Ancients due to her friend's unfair trial... despite the threats they made to remove her from power if she continued to remain loyal to Celestine... but no matter how much they threatened her she still couldn't do it...

As a result, the Ancients removed her from her seat as ruler... and the GSA tried to arrest her for siding with a "traitor." However, she didn't go down without fighting. "If I can not have my crown... NO ONE CAN!" Cursing the crown that there will be no more another ruler of Halcandra... and using it to erupt the volcano that resided on the planet... creating its now, current state... becoming MAD MADAM MIM. (But in truth, she was just grieving... loss of her best friend. )

After that, the Ancients ordered to get rid of any descendant of Madam Mim's lineage. And thus the GSA hunted down and exterminated every living relative of Mim's household. However one survived the carnage.

Magolor is the lone survivor of his entire family's... orphaned and on the street... struggling to survive. He did everything to keep himself afloat... even if he had to BEG, STEAL, OR BORROW. HE'D DO IT!(There are a few more things... Magolor had a connection to the Sqeak Squads and Daroach, but that's a story for another day.)

Eventually, he finds out about his heritage and the fact that his whole household was wiped out due to... HER LOYALTY TO ONE PERSON. BAH, DANG IT GRAN WHAT WERE YOU THINKING I COULDA BEEN A KING AND YOU THREW IT AWAY FOR FRIENDSHIP?! From that, you can probably see why Magolor isn't so keen on the value of it since the very thing pretty much wiped out his entire family... And thus began Magolor's search for the crown...

Magolor's betrayal, & redemption does happen like in the game:... does his little shop, makes his amusement park. However, he does a few extra things that connect to the Kirby anime... Magolor manages to revive Chill and rebuild Kirby's robot dog for him (episode 12). (After that, the gang was won over by Magolor...)

Kirby's robo-pet is actually a big thing in the KBASW, he's basically the equivalent of Kirby's iPad/computer.

With this Magolor is fully redeemed, but his arc's not quite done just yet... he still can't help but feel something is missing in his life. Yes, he's learned the value of friendship and junk... he has friends now but... How could he still feel alone when he was people around him.. a feel that he could only describe as underlining emptiness.

Enter Marx. And as I said in the Marx post... Marx saves Kirby ( I won't say from whom yet but) he gets injured the gang wants to help him but... He didn't want a pity party and tried to get away.

Marx: I DON'T NEED YOUR HEL-! *FACE PLANTS ow...

Everyone: You need our help~

Marx wasn't comfortable staying in Dreamland to recover (he knows people *cough* Bun wouldn't take too kindly of him returning), so to compromise, they cashed in a favor from Magolor... Resulting in Marx being delivered by the gang... via kitten in a basket.

Kirby: Hi Mags, this is Marx... Do you think you can watch him for a bit he's we just need you to watch him so he can recover.

Magolor: Okay, sure... but why is he in a basket?

Marx: HISS *shuts the cover*

Meta Knight: He wanted something with a lid on it.

Mags: Oh~kay *picks up basket* I guess you guys can pick him up when he gets better?

Magolor hoped whatever feral creature they had him watching wouldn't be that much trouble or, at the very least, not bite... but Magolor was pleasantly surprised that Marx seemed... to match him quite perfectly...

Shared his love of ancient relics & magic, sarcastic humor, and a wick wittiness similar to his own. And not just interest but personality-wise as well. Marx had an unapologetic straightforwardness that he appreciated, along with a few oddities that he found strangely endearing...This unexpected guest seemed to fit seamlessly into his life... it actually felt nice to have a companion like this.

Marx at first didn't know what to expect when he was dropped off at Halcandranss doorstep. He assumed that he was being sent to some sort of happy hospital facility, where they were gonna baby him and be monitored 24-7. NO FREEDOM AT ALL, HE'S JUST GONNA BE A CAGED ANIMAL!

But no Mags allowed him to do as he pleased... once he realized that he tried to pretty much annoy Magolor into kicking him out. Using his natural crass, sass, and of course, pranks to do it, however, Magolor didn't fall for any of them. Remaking at each of them describing them as "cute"...

Magolor: Nice try, but... You're not gonna to trick this trickster~

Marx: WHAT!?

Marx assumed Kirby that Magolor was another goody-two-shoes, but... did they bring him to some anti-prank master's house. He should've been angry, but he couldn't help but be impressed. It didn't take him long to stop his fruitless effort... there was nothing else to do but wait till he had a chance to escape.

Marx: "Nothing else, Just sitting and watching this guy... uh what is that you're working on... " leaving being instantly enamored and captivated with Magolor's work. Marx's interest and fascination with Ancient Technology is what drove him to use the Galactic Nova in the first place... which sparked Marx's interest and forgetting his original plans to escape.

Which led him to discover all the similarities they had... However, there was this secret unknown wall the other had up. Wanting to keep there both their "unsavory past beginnings with Kirby."

Magolor didn't want to scare Marx away especially when he was finally starting to get comfortable with him. And Marx not wanting to screw up another friendship he was starting to make, by revealing what he was. Both did not want to ruin the only good thing they had in a while.

When finally Marx recovered, Mags was just about to call Kirby and the gang, and immediately Marx pretended to still be sick. Visibly nervous when the check-in call comes in. This doesn't go unnoticed by Magolor,... so when it comes time to call up Kirby for the update, he buys him more time.

Magolor: I gotcha another week...

Marx: Wait, what...

Magolor: Listen I don't think I can get you another when the time comes so... so you think you can tell me what's going on... Kirby's a nice guy I'm sure he'll-

Marx: But I'm not-

This leads Marx to tell Mags everything about the whole "NOVA FIASCO," and Magolor is just speechless as he reveals each detail. Marx loner he spoke couldn't help but feel like he sunk in even deeper believing he blew it again...

Waiting with bated breath for Magolor to answer expecting him to respond in disgust... only with him to respond with. "Yo, same!"

Thus leading Magolor to reveal his past with the Kirby & the Master Crown, along with his road to redemption. This gives Marx a little hope, but not as much confidence that he could do what Magolor did... But Mags assures him that he's still a work in progress himself and that if he wants to be better he should give himself the chance to do better... after all the first step is always the hardest.

Needless to say, everything works out but even after the whole thing, Marx is still hanging out with Magolor... Hmmm... I wonder why! :3

Thanks again to everyone for sticking around and being patient with the asks... I know I'm taking a while to answer (and the things I promised to be done aren't... sorry, my work schedule is hectic.)

I've kinda hit a bit of a roadblock with the fanfic's art style and recently have been wanting to change it up... but anyhow I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. (So for now I'm trying to knock out a few more asks).

Hope you enjoy the content and have a great day~

[poichanchan]

Hiii, someone relatively new to the phandom having just played through p5r, but can I ask how the swap au premise works? I'm curious what your own takes might be on how the situations for both joker and akechi happened to lead for them to be on opposite sides in comparison to the game! I tried to look it up a bit, but there's a lot of different headcanons, but I love your concepts so much I wanted to see if you had any particular thoughts on the setting :3

Hiiiii welcome to p5 brainrot jail haha! (genuinely though, welcome and im happy you enjoyed p5r!) Everyone has their take on swapAU, I specifically wanted to play with the idea of Goro and Akira swapping their ROLES ONLY.

In my AU Goro Akechi is still the son of Shido who is largely out of his life. Goro's life is a mess, his moms in rehab, and he is sent to Tokyo on probation (to his mother's friend Muhen the owner of JazzJin). I've adjusted Goro's life just enough to have him keep his childish love for justice. He finds his found family in the PT. Goro is a Snarky, whole, intelligent, a little mean, energetic, gets flustered, but also is passive and observant when he needs to be. HIS ROUGH LIFE MADE HIM GRUFF AND HONEST BUT HE ISNT JADED. Akira hates how shallow and transactional his life is. He has his awakening, ends up on Shido's radar via the research group he has in place to explore and exploit the metaverse. Akira's parents probably work around the research team somewhere and didn't think too hard about what they were getting their son into... a mix of negligence and wanting to get more opportunities as a family/bootlick. From there he has his forced 2nd awakening and gets ensnared in Shido's conspiracy. There is a lot of resentment in his life because of this, and when he is faced with Goro's existence, the literal SON OF SHIDO WHO HAS THE SAME POWERS yet life turned out so different for him because their roles are swapped its terrible. Akira is also very good at adapting to who he talks to like in canon. He is good at socializing and charming, thus the detective prince facade becomes a thing to help him gain access to deeper levels of mementos blah blah blah

Akira is also rationalizing a lot, he is seeing himself weeding corrupt people out, a hero getting hands dirty and sacrificing self for greater good. The metaverse is his stage. And he is THE showman. Detective prince Akira is more sweeping/showy/charismatic/flirty, his joker vibe comes through more normally. APART from the resentment Akira has for seeing Goro live his life the way he does, the resounding ITS NOT FAIR he feels in his heart, he also reeeeeally want the stupid phantom thieves to 'cherish your normalcy. stop messing with my plan. how fucking naive do you have to be to think THIS is justice?' COLD SEETHING FOCUSED FURY FROM AKIRA Its such a mess lol But i think hit Akira in the places that would make him play out the detective prince and Black mask bits without losing too much of his own flavor. His rationalizing is important, otherwise i felt he would feel the moral conflict harder and withdraw instead of being showy and sweeping. Also for their social links i have thoughts, i think detective Akira's special place would not be... jazzjin. I think he would drop by like canon Akechi drops by Leblanc, but nothing more. I have in mind a place up high at a height, something like the Shibuya Sky observation deck as a place he personally visits often to reflect and stare at the massive view of the city from. It felt right to have him up there looking down alone but comforted by it. Plus eventually share the view with Goro who he sees as this actual fated rival for all the reasons above. Their outfits are the way they are because i did not want to change them too severely in colorpallette or essence but wanted to play up some parts of their personality and represent it in the outfits. AND BECAUSE THIS IS A SHUAKESHU BLOG I NEED TO STRESS THAT because they are less jaded, because Akira is bolder and flirtier and Goro is more stubbornly optimistic about this dark world akira sees, they get closer alot faster, which makes the whole black mask and interrogation room bit very messy/

added pix to make post spicier THIS IS A MASSIVE POST BUT IM GLAD YOU ASKED BECAUSE I DUMPED MY THOUGHTS IN ONE PLACE FINALLY. there are some other things ive thought out a tiny bit, like hobbies etc but i put them down later when ive developed it more etc @ anyone reading, thank u for reading and these are my personal thoughts i am thingying to entertain myself!!!!! dont be mean to me thanks ;v;

[be-ee]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁|Butterfly Kisses

How affectionate are they?

-

𝜗𝜚 Ft: Scaramouche, and Albedo. Lots of cutie patootie fluff. I will probably do a part 2 once I defeat writers block.

𝜗𝜚 The Clingy type

Scaramouche isn't one to show affection, understandably so. He's learned over the years that the only thing that'll ever leave him is hurt. Give it a couple years of betrayal and betrayal, and you'll have your scaramouche. Even once you've confirmed your feelings for eachother, affection from scaramouche remains a scarce rarity.However when Scaramouche wants attention, he'll be sure to let you know

His idea of affection is very different from normal humans, which is no surprise. What you didn't expect, is just how touch starved the poor thing is. If he sees you, you may or may not find yourself being hugged or otherwise held in his grip. Not that he'd say he likes your company or anything. Ofcourse, he's not doing it because he's "attached", and certainly not because he's insecure or lonely. He just needs a break from work and you were there, that's all.

He's a bit clingy. He's never done it before so it's new to him, and he's not sure what to make of it. Sometimes when he hugs you, it's just him holding onto you, not saying anything or making a move. In the case of a very tiring day at work, he'll just come home and latch onto you till he falls asleep. Don't tell him this but..these are the times you think he resembles a koala much more than a cat.

___________

𝜗𝜚 The Touchy type

Albedo is not the clingy type, if anything, he seems to keep his distance. Sometimes you find yourself questioning if your relationship is just one sided. Although he's very quick to shut that down. But you can tell by the way he touches you that he's very fond of you. His fingers always linger against your skin, most of the time touching you in one way or another. Like his hands resting on your hips or his foot rubbing against yours. Normally brief, but they're there.

Aside from his little touches, he's very attentive when you two are in public. He's constantly checking up on you and asking if you're okay. Although the most affectionate he ever is in public, is when he's holding you close or his hands are briefly in your hair. However when it's just you two, in the comfort of your own home, Albedo gets just a bit bolder. He'll place his head in your lap as you read and hug your waist from behind as you cook. He's even pulled you into his lap and nuzzled his head in the crook of your neck.

He's ever so gentle, almost as if he's afraid you'll break. Thus until heaven falls and pigs fly, expect to be initiating most of the affection.

[lesbianfakir]

Ever After High/Princess Tutu Au: Duck

Fakir • Mytho • Rue

Role:

Since Princess Tutu dies without ever being with her prince she has no children. Thus, a volunteer is needed to fill the role of Tutu in the Prince and the Raven. The Ever After High faculty searched long and hard but could not find an eligible student who would agree to Tutu’s fate for this iteration of the Prince and the Raven. Only when Drosselmeyer, a rogue narrator cast out for his attempts to drive stories with happy endings to tragedy, interfered with the course of the story that a suitable candidate was found: a little duck who longed to be human. Duck is given human form and a spot at Ever After High on the condition that she follows Princess Tutu’s fate and confesses her love only to vanish.

Royal or Rebel?

Rebel. Despite her obligation to fulfill Tutu’s fate Duck does not want to turn into a speck of light. However, she is afraid to speak out as a rebel for fear her humanity will be taken away from her. While she grows bolder as the story progresses, initially she resigns herself to looking for ways to break her curse in secret.

School Life:

Duck is terrified of falling in love as she knows it will be her demise. She has a crush on Mytho, and she tries to avoid him as much as possible, though they are often placed in the same classes as they are from the same fairytale. Duck avoids dances and dates. She has a hard time making friends. If she starts to feel as if she has the potential to fall in love with a person she runs away. With her fear growing stronger as her destiny approaches, this happens all too often.

Magic Abilities:

Duck can transform from duck to human form. She can also walk on water. Unfortunately, she was not gifted with Princess Tutu’s ability to dance gracefully and effortlessly, so she has to work twice as hard in ballet class.

Friends: Rue, Fakir, Briar, Cupid

Rue always rooms alone and so she was less than pleased when she was assigned a room with Duck at the last minute. Moreover, though neither of them are fated to be with him, the two princesses share a prince. Despite Rue’s wariness at the new girl, Duck’s earnestness wins her over. Rue eventually agrees to tutor Duck in ballet and the two become good friends. However, Rue becomes jealous and resentful upon learning Duck means to change her fate and as such the two have a complicated relationship.

After a rocky start, Fakir became Duck’s best friend. They bond over their deaths in their shared fairytale and their commitment to changing fate. Duck feels safe around Fakir because they have an agreement to keep their relationship completely platonic. Duck confides her fear of falling in love and vanishing, and he understands completely. Fakir fully expects to die young, and dating is the last thing on his mind. They even go to various dances and events like Thronecoming as friends.

Duck relates to Briar a lot as they’re both terrified of their fate but scared to try to change it. Duck stays up with Briar when she’s too scared to go to sleep and they chat all night long. Briar throws Duck a no-dates-allowed anti-prom so she can feel included.

Love is one of Duck’s biggest fears and she often goes to Cupid for advice. Cupid feels immense sorrow at Duck’s fate but tries to help as best she can.

[bleach-your-panties]

Stuck thinking abt teasing Izuru the whole day until he just blows up and gets his revenge at home 😔😔😔😔

"Kira's Revenge"

a/n: *cackles maniacally* some of this deleted in the writing process (fuck you tumblr drafts) and i had to rewrite it.

🤍can be read in conjuction with this.

🩶cw: fem reader, exhibitionism, handjob, fingering, dirty talk, shibari - Izuru manhandles reader, but no physical harm is done. aftercare.

🤍dividers by @/hitobaby.

🩶wc: 1.9k

One would think that you'd have learned your lesson about teasing your husband in public, especially at a meeting as important as this one.

Today was the day that Izuru would officially, on paper, be instated as the new Captain of the Third Division. With you being his wife and his new Lieutenant, you both had to meet with Kyouraku before the ceremony so that the First Division Captain could answer any questions that the two of you might have.

As Shunsui talked, you sat with your hand resting comfortably on Izuru's thigh. The blonde male sent a warm smile your way before focusing his attention to the Head Captain.

"So, Lieutenant Kira and Third Seat Kira," Shunsui paused to let out a hearty chuckle, "saying that will never get old to me..."

You immediately began to zone out after the first few sentences left his mouth; right now, your husband's strong, muscled thigh was a much more interesting focal point.

Izuru jolted in his chair when you began to run your hand up his inner thigh and toward his crotch. His dick immediately twitched in response to the proximity of your warm fingers.

Doing his best to remain calm, he gently nudged your hand away before grabbing it up with his own and rubbing his thumb over your knuckles. You complied for a few moments and stopped your ministrations.

He shot you a warning look when Kyouraku looked down to thumb through his stack of paperwork to grab a document that he needed to read off of.

You just smiled innocently and gave a small nod of affirmation.

“So, what I want to go over first is…”

Again, you tuned the brunette captain out and let your little hand wander back into Izuru’s lap.

A gremlin-esque smirk would be across your lips right now if you weren’t in the middle of this meeting. Instead, you let your mischievous fingers fiddle with your husband’s obi until it was untied.

Izuru clenched his jaw to stifle a moan when your hand slid into his pants and cupped his balls. 

Feeling a bit bolder, you circled your index finger and thumb around his base and slowly moved them up and down, making the blonde hiss through his teeth.

“Is everything alright, Lieutenant Kira?” Shunsui drawled lazily, his brown eyes drifting up from the papers to meet Izuru’s.

Either Shunsui was completely dense or he just didn’t give a damn about you two’s antics.

Hell, he'd likely done much worse with his own wife.

‘Kids these days,’ he was probably thinking.

“I’m fine, Captain…I just stubbed my toe on the table.” Izuru lied.

Shunsui didn’t seem too perturbed and thus continued with his spiel until he had to excuse himself to go use the restroom.

Izuru’s head was on a swivel as soon as the door clicked shut.

"How impatient you are? Can't even wait until we're home to get fucked."

All you could do was give him another sheepish little smile as he yanked your hand out of his pants.

In the blink of an eye, his left hand was wrapped around your throat - usual bright blue eyes darkened to a cold sapphire. 

He used the index and middle to pry your lips open before shoving them both in your mouth along with the ring finger. The cold platinum band rubbed along your tongue as Izuru tilted your head back.

"Listen up and listen well. This is how this is going to go. I'm going to fingerfuck you while he talks and you'd better not say a fucking word or make a sound. Understand that?"

Slowly, you nodded as your saliva dribbled down your chin.

He shook your head from side to side.

“Say. Words.” 

“Yes, Izuru…I understand…” you dumbly responded, mumbling over his long fingers. Satisfied, he pulled them out and patted your cheek roughly.

"And you'd better keep that same stupid smile on your face later, too; when I'm fucking you with your legs and arms hogtied over your damn head."

—-

Moments later, Shunsui returned to the room to both of you sitting there looking as normal as ever; though something highly inappropriate was going on beneath that table.

Since you wanted to be hardheaded and play around, Izuru would indulge you and play along; though you might not like his rules.

His entire left hand was inside your pants now. He waited until Shunsui sat down again before he began to trace his fingertips over your pubic mound through your panties.

A hot shiver ran down your legs and Izuru smirked to himself. What a devious little bastard, but hey, you started the shit, and he’s much better at getting revenge than you are.

The meeting suddenly began to drone on as Izuru and Shunsui conversed merrily; meanwhile, your blonde husband had a death grip on your inner thigh, his middle and ring fingers shoved deep inside your cunt, wedding band sliding against your outer labia while his thumb drew quick circles over your clit.

You gripped the edge of the table with force, knee bumping against the leg of it as yours shook violently.

“You’re not looking too well, Third Seat Kira. Do you need to be excused? We can always pick up tomorrow and finish.”

Shunsui began to gather his paperwork before pushing his chair out and standing. 

Izuru glanced at your face. His cold expression didn’t match his warm, jovial tone when he spoke.

“I think my darling wife might be feeling a little ill, Captain. If you don't mind, may we please pick back up first thing tomorrow morning? I know how important this entire ordeal is as it pertains to the future of the Third Division.”

Shunsui wasn't bothered and quickly agreed, 

“Sure! I just need you both to sign this document stating that you understand the terms that were laid out for you today.”

He slid the paper and two pens across the table and Izuru picked his pen up to sign, all the while still rubbing your clit and even adding a third finger to dig deeper inside your hole.

Your knuckles were white as they gripped the wooden table; you might even leave with a couple splinters.

“He's waiting for your signature, Bluebell.” 

Izuru gave you a little “nudge” below that sent you forward. 

You squeezed your thighs together to hopefully still his hand, but that somehow only pushed his fingers even deeper and made your hand shake as you signed your name on the line. 

—-

You and Izuru both gave a respectful bow to the Head Captain before Izuru wrapped an arm around your lower back to guide you in the direction of your home.

Once you had turned down the pathway leading to your house, he gripped you up again and Flash-Stepped you both to the doorstep.

—--

You knew that your husband was pissed the hell off when he bypassed the futon in the living room (one of his favorite places to have sex) and dragged you straight toward the bedroom. 

He held a firm grip on your head as he guided you; the stones in his wedding band could be felt pressing into your jaw.

“You proud of yourself for that little display?” 

He asked after kicking open the bedroom door and hurrying you inside. It slammed behind him with a loud ‘thud.’

When you didn't respond, Izuru continued, 

“Already drunk on the anticipation of me fucking you? Slutty little angel.” 

----

"You know your word, so if you need to, use it. I'm not answering to 'stop.' "

Nodding obediently, you laid your body out on the bed so Izuru could begin tying you up.

He kept good on his word by putting you up with your ankles and wrists tied together like a roasting pig. Once he was finished, he leaned back on his knees to admire his handiwork and cup your chin.

"Perfect face, perfect cunt. Tell me, are you ready to get ruined by your new Captain, darling?"

You decided to remain quiet so as not to further exacerbate your punishment, but Izuru's calculating blue eyes didn't miss how your pussy glistened from his words.

"You're fucking dripping. That's all the answer I need."

----

"Please, Izu! I'm s-sorry!" You hiccuped, hot tears rolling down your cheeks as Izuru continued to roll his hips and fuck you against the headboard.

He effortlessly held you up by your ropes as his fat cock bullied its way in and out of your overstimulated pussy.

"Is please your safe word, Bluebell?"

"N-no."

Izuru pressed his left palm into the small of your back to deepen your arch for him. The new angle allowed him to get much deeper as he rested his upper body against your back.

"Well, then that means, 'keep going, Izuru.' "

You gasped when he rubbed up against that spot, but no, he wasn't going to give you that satisfaction just yet. 

He chuckled as his warm breath ghosted over the shell of your ear and the tip of his bang tickled the back of your neck.

A soft kiss was pressed to it before you were yanked up, back flush against his chest as he began pounding you hard and fast.

His fingers curled into a fist in the ropes tied across your breasts for leverage - the sounds of his hips smacking into your ass echoed all across the bedroom.

"I-I-ZURU!" You choked out a moan/cry of his name, your body seizing up quickly with your impending orgasm. 

He was close too, but the devil inside of him told him not to give you the satisfaction of cumming inside of you.

Quickly, he pulled out and released his grip on you, making your body fall to the mattress below.

"Turn your ass around."

Izuru commanded while gripping his dick and rapidly jacking himself off. You scrambled up onto your knees as fast as you could while being bound.

You eagerly let your tongue loll out in anticipation of his release.

"Close your mouth."

In disbelief, your face fell, but you couldn’t be too surprised, especially when he was like this (because of you). You did as told and quickly shut your lips. 

Izuru let out a couple of loud gasps and squeezed his eyes shut as his nut spurted from his dickhead and over your face, landing on your forehead, nose, and lips.

Once he’d finished pumping himself dry, he opened his beautiful blue eyes to inspect you.

"That was for making me lose my cool." 

He cupped your chin again and leaned down to press a heated kiss to your lips, prying them open in the process to slip his tongue in.

“That,” he breathed against your lips once he broke the kiss, “was for being such a good girl for me.” 

—-

Izuru pressed soft kisses into your shoulders and rubbed them after he untied you.

“Are you okay, Bluebell?” 

You cuddled up to him, wrapped in a soft throw blanket with a steaming mug of tea in your hands.

“Mhm, I'm fine, Izu…”

He smiled gently, cheeks warming as you pressed a kiss underneath his chin. 

“You know what I just thought about?” 

Eyebrows crinkled and head tilted, you asked, “What's that?”

Turning those blue eyes down to look at you, he uttered lowly,

“I think that I might enjoy teaching you how to follow orders, Lieutenant.” 

💗💗🍡°taglist: @enchantedforest-network @blkkizzat @the-witch-of-one-piece @kenpachisbrat @honeybleed @darkstarlight82 @bakugosbratx @chifuyuskoneko @prettybraat

[cilil]

Dark romance prompts request - Stalking - Maedhros/Fingon/Melkor

dark romance prompts

♡ prompt: stalking & interspecies sex (rare pair bingo)* | Maedhros x Fingon x Melkor ♡ synopsis: Fingon chances upon Maedhros in the wilderness Valinor and makes love to him - or does he? ♡ warnings: identity theft & related consent issues**; also obligatory reminder that they're half-cousins ♡ short oneshot (~900 words)

**the rare pair part is ofc not the Russingon, it's Melkor's involvement

**Mae is enthusiastically consenting to doing this with Finno, but... well... you see the prompt, characters and warnings, so...

"Maitimo." 

Maitimo looked up from his book when he heard Findekáno's smooth, deep voice and saw him smiling down at him. 

"Finno!" He quickly closed it and rose to his feet to greet him. "What are you doing here? I didn't even hear you coming." 

Findekáno chuckled and interrupted his efforts to peck his cheek in greeting by pulling him into a kiss. Lips on lips, heat, that familiar smell... Maitimo melted into his embrace, closing his eyes. 

The twins, he mentally assured himself, should be gone for a few more hours anyway. 

"I had a feeling I would find you out here today," Findekáno said when they parted. "Still, I consider myself no less lucky to be greeted with the sight of the most beautiful prince of the Noldor." 

"There is no need for either flattery or formality," Maitimo replied, though the warmth in his voice and the blush on his cheeks betrayed his true feelings. 

"Are you sure?" Findekáno's hand travelled down his back, stopping just above the curve of his backside. "Perhaps I could find a form of flattery that's more agreeable to you?" 

Breathlessly, Maitimo laughed. This time he was the one to pull his secret lover into a kiss. "I wouldn't say no to that..." 

It was not the first time they did something like this, stolen moments of intimacy when they managed to have time to themselves away from family and political obligations. Kisses and touches swiftly grew bolder, and Findekáno wasted no time gently pushing his half-cousin to the ground and getting on top of him. He was radiant in the light of Laurelin, Maitimo thought dreamily, bathed in a warm golden glow that made him look so beautiful and regal, as if he was no Elf at all and one of the Ainur instead. 

"I want you, Maitimo." Findekáno's eyes darkened with desire, as did his voice. There was something commanding in his tone, but Maitimo found himself more turned on than concerned or offended. Between the ambiguous, polite things he would be told at court and his brothers being either secretive and closed off or demanding, it was refreshing to hear another calmly state his intentions. 

And it was flattering as well, to be desired by a loved one. 

Thus Maitimo happily acquiesced, helping Findekáno undress both of them and turning to lie on his stomach when asked. He spread his legs eagerly, moaned when one finger entered him to start preparing him and sang his lover's praises. 

"That's it," Findekáno whispered to him in-between movements and, "well done." 

In his lustful haze, Maitimo barely noticed that he was less patient than usual, that he held him more firmly, that his cock penetrated him faster and more roughly. All he could think of was Findekáno desiring him so badly that he couldn't help himself and how loved and wanted it made him feel; no word of protest ever left his lips, only the occasional pained grunt when his body was pushed to its limits. 

Little was left of the grace and dignity of two Noldorin princes as they made love in the wilderness of Valinor, more akin to amorous couplings of Yavanna's kelvar. Findekáno had long since seized a fistful of his lover's hair to make him arch his back, thrusting as hard and deep as he could, and their voices chased a couple of birds away. His stamina was remarkable, Maitimo dimly noted, particularly for being in such a lustful mood, but he was too far gone to dwell on it. 

They continued their lewd liaison until they were both exhausted, panting heavily and covered in sweat, as well as other liquid remnants of their love-making. Maitimo wanted to turn around to properly snuggle up to his lover in post-coital bliss, only to find himself unable to when Findekáno's weight on top of him kept him in place. 

"Rest now, Maitimo. I shall keep you warm." 

There it was again, his mother-name in place of his epessë. He almost hadn't noticed it earlier in his surprise and excitement, but now that he was lying still and coming down from his high, the drowsiness overcoming him was tinged with confusion. 

Findekáno's lips grazed the back of his neck, feeling strangely cold. 

It must be because we both got so heated, Maitimo thought and closed his eyes to rest. 

He hadn't even realised that he had fallen asleep until he once again heard Findekáno's voice, louder this time and filled with worry. 

"Finno?" he mumbled, squinting up at him. "What's wrong?" 

"You ask me what's wrong?" Findekáno shook his head. "I was looking for you because I just happened to run into Tyelkormo who, when I asked about you, said that the twins came home hours ago without you — and now I find you sleeping naked in the middle of nowhere."

He glanced down at his half-cousin's body and added, "Though it seems as if you... enjoyed yourself at least."

"What are you saying, Finno?" Alarmed, Maitimo rose to a seated position. "You were there. You made love to me. You told me to rest." 

"No, Russo." Findekáno's brow creased with worry. "I did no such thing. I swear I only just came here. Whoever was with you, it wasn't me." 

Maitimo suddenly felt an ice-cold shudder go through him. "Then someone else wore your skin to take advantage of me." 

Thanks for reading! ♡

taglist: @i-did-not-mean-to @saintstars @urwendii

[cat-mermaid]

so I can't help but feel this new-

-in the latest Shadows House chap is what I refer to in manga as a "stalling tactic"

what I mean by that is that a lot of manga have a goal for the heros to achieve, and when they do, its usually an automatic the end for the story

so very often I notice that the authors of said storys will throw in one (or 50 if its a really popular manga) of these "stalls" in order to delay the approach of any end to the conflict

I call them stalls and not just, you know, an organic part of the story, because they always feel like the narrative equivalent of-

or

-Kratos falling into Hades and losing his powers

In a well thought up story premise, like Spy x Family, the story organically has lots of little "rest stops" for the main plot to take a break and still keep the reader engaged. Its like that last Henry and Martha story flashback, the setting of Spy x Family has so many opportunities and so many different characters that can all be tapped into for sweet sweet story sap

but Shadows House is kinda limited in what stories it can tell, because everything is mostly chained to the location of the manor and the story can only revolve around the struggle of the kids to break free of the Great Grandfather

Obviously the end goal is punch the old man and then live happily ever after, but the goal of any successful manga is to stay in publication for as LONG AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE

thus all these "stalls" in the plot which are the author doing this:

Its happens so the story can slow down and the manga can squeeze in a new story arc that will fill up another year of publication

I'm not saying its a bad thing. Frustrating as hell? oh yeah

but its risky cos if you do it too much in order to extend the life of your manga then u risk the audience getting bored cause it starts to feel like the story is just spinning its wheels and we're getting no closer to beating up grandpa

So now we have Kate back at the bottom of that hill having to push that bolder back up, she's Kratos in Hades and darn now she gotta get all her powers back

The thought of having to watch Kate go through the whole song and dance of undoing the brainwashing again sounds really, really, really fucking draining but

man I am not looking forward to this arc

does not help that Christopher turned into such a one dimensional villain so abruptly, I have zero interest in his stupid atrocities and am ready for him to plumet to his doom or whatever

[stillnaomi]

Some views on the state:

According to the Christian tradition, the state was evil but necessary because man's nature was evil; according to the rational faith in nature preached by the Enlightenment, the state was unnatural and therefore evil. Marked traces of this view are found, among others, in Morelly and Rousseau; but it was William Godwin who, in his Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, produced what rightly ranks as the bible of anarchism. According to Godwin property, marriage and the state are all offences against nature and reason:

"Above all [he writes], we should not forget that government is an evil, an usurpation upon the private judgment and individual conscience of mankind; and that, however we may be obliged to admit it as a necessary evil for the present, it behoves us, as the friends of reason and the human species, to admit as little of it as possible, and carefully to observe whether, in consequence of the gradual illumination of the human mind, that little may not hereafter be diminished."

And later in the same work he becomes bolder and roundly proposes "to annihilate the quackery of government". From this time forward the leading radical and socialist writers - Saint-Simon, Robert Owen, Fourier, Leroux, Proudhon - are all preoccupied with the supersession of the state and its transformation into a society of producers and consumers. It was left to Moses Hess, an early radical associate of Marx, to translate these ideas into the Hegelian terminology which was common form among young German intellectuals of the 1840s. He believed that, so long as the state existed, whatever the form of government, there would always be rulers and serfs, and that this opposition would continue "until the state, which is the condition of polarity, abolishes itself dialectically and gives place to unified social life, which is the condition of community".

Marx quickly reached the conception of the state as the instrument through which the ruling class pursued and protected its interests. In one of his earliest writings against the estate owners of the Rhineland he described "the organs of the State", in the hyperbolic style of his juvenile period, as "the ears, eyes, hands and legs by which the interest of the forest owner listens, watches, judges, defends, seizes, runs". The modern state "exists only for the sake of private property"; it is "nothing more than the form of organization which the bourgeois necessarily adopt both for internal and external purposes for the mutual guarantee of their property and interests". But private property in its capitalist phase produces its own antithesis, the propertyless proletariat which is destined to destroy it. As Hess had said, the state is the expression of this contradiction, of this conflict between classes. When this contradiction is resolved by the overthrow of private property and the victory of the proletariat (which wiII, through the consummation of its own victory, cease to be a proletariat), society will no longer be divided into classes, and the state wiII have no further raison d'etre. The state is thus a "substitute" for collectivism.

The Bolshevik Revolution 1917-1923, Volume 1, by E H Carr, pg 233-234

[666writingcafe]

Since I requested one of the twins last time I feel like I'm required to ask for the other this time. How about “You like messing with my head, don’t you?” “Only because it clearly turns you on.” Belphie please!

Hope you're having a good day!

Order #4

"You like messing with my head, don't you?" "Only because it clearly turns you on." Belphie

Author's Note: This takes place in the Nightbringer era. Going back through, I realized I have nothing on Belphie x Zephyr so far, so I figured this would be a good time to write something about it. Also, this is more suggestive than the previous "orders" thus far, but I figured it would make for a nice change of pace.

Belphegor wasn't sure what to think about their new attendant Zephyr. They were certainly good at their job, managing to keep everyone in line. Well, most of the time. They do get swept up in the chaos sometimes, but that's to be expected.

But Zephyr has seemed to step into the family dynamic a little too well. Perhaps they're just really good at observing body language, but it's almost like they've always been here, even though it's only been a few months and surely there still ought to be some growing pains given that they have to keep track of seven wildly different individuals who are still adjusting to their new forms and powers, right?

And yet no one else seems to bat an eye, so Belphie just keeps his thoughts to himself. Everyone else likes Zephyr, after all, so there's no point in persuading them to go against them; it'd only lead to very loud, unnecessary arguments, and Belphie would much rather spend his time sleeping.

One evening, Belphie finds himself yanked from the dream he was having and forced to land in front of a white door. He may have not consumed much media during his time in the Devildom, but he's seen enough to know that it's not a good idea to open unfamiliar doors, so he tries to run away from it.

But the more he insists on putting distance between him and the door, the more he's forced to confront it. Something is literally pushing him towards the door. His eyes fly open when his hand touches the handle, and it takes several minutes for his heart to quit racing and for him to go back to sleep.

As it turns out, the dream was foreshadowing Solomon's slip of tongue the very next day. The fact that Zephyr wasn't the attendant's real name actually made Belphie feel a bit better, for he wasn't as crazy as others thought he was. Perhaps finally his brothers would listen to him and start being more wary towards their attendant.

And it almost worked, but then suddenly it was revealed that MC was their old name from when they were a human, but they changed it when they became a demon because they had to cut ties with their family of shady sorcerers before they were killed for it, even though they themselves didn't engage in any illegal activities, and the reason Solomon knew their old name was because he worked with said family in the past, but he's trying to change his behavior, and that somehow led to him forming a pact with Zephyr.

Everyone else bought the story. Even Lucifer, and he's not exactly the most trusting of people with dubious backstories like Zephyr's. But, Belphie noticed that his older brother's judgement is now blinded by the feelings he's developing towards the attendant, so he's no longer going to be much help.

It would be easier for Belphegor if he was able to play along with the story he was told. He knows he'd certainly be happier, but he just can't find it in him to believe the attendant. The pieces tie up a bit too nicely for his comfort, and so he remains apprehensive of them and their motives.

Unfortunately for him, the attendant picks up on this rather quickly.

The teasing is subtle at first. Secret glances and hidden notes spaced out in such a matter that Belphie initially chalks it up to senseless paranoia. But as time passes, the attendant grows bolder and bolder in their actions. They're smart enough to not do anything when they know they're being watched, but when Belphie's alone with them...

It's torture, to say the least.

He tries his best to bite his tongue and play nice, but when they start showing up in his dreams in increasingly scandalous ways, he can't take it anymore.

He ends up snatching them as they're walking down a random hall and nearly shoving them into an empty room, slamming the door behind him. Thankfully it blends in with the other noises, so no one should be investigating anytime soon.

"What the hell?!" MC hisses when he lets them go. Their whispering annoys Belphie. Can't they just slip up for once? Why do they have to be so goddamn perfect all the time?

"You enjoy messing with my head, don't you?" He expects them to yell at him. They should question what he's talking about so that he can call them out on their bullshit and have them finally reveal the truth about their identity. Or maybe they'd continually deny doing anything to Belphie and they end up fighting about it and leaving with a few bruises and maybe a black eye.

But no. MC doesn't do any of those things. Instead, they step closer to him, quickly forming a devious expression on their face. Belphie backs away from him and ends up against the door. He can't escape, and they know it.

"Only because it clearly turns you on." Their hand touches the side of his face, and suddenly Belphie's mind is assailed with visions. At first, he can't make sense of them, for they move by too quickly for him to process much of anything.

But then everything slows down as one particular vision begins playing. It's depicting the exact thing that's currently happening with one key difference: he's the one teasing them.

Except that's never happened.

Unless...

"You never were a demon, were you?" he quietly asks. "You're merely pretending to be one."

"I had a feeling you'd figure it out eventually." The smirk remains on MC's face. "But it would have been far too risky to tell you the truth as soon as I saw you."

"Why are you here?"

"To help a dear friend of mine."

"Who?" MC playfully tuts.

"That would be revealing too much information."

"Can you at least tell me if you mean us any harm?" MC sighs, becoming serious.

"I would never intentionally hurt any of you. You mean too much to me."

"Why should I believe you?"

"I have no reason to lie."

"Prove it." The sudden feeling of their lips on his neck makes his gasp. Despite his better judgement, he finds his head tilting back as MC works their way down. He shouldn't let them do this to him. For all he knows, they're waiting for him to let his guard down long enough for them to stab him or something. He needs to be ready to fight back.

And yet his body disobeys his mind. There's something about this that feels oddly familiar to him, and a part of him wants more of it. To be enveloped in their scent...to feel their lips on his...

These thoughts, combined with MC's touch, are making him painfully hard, and he can't seem to do anything to stop it. But does he even want it to stop? Does it even matter at this point?

MC's hands slide underneath his shirt and begin roaming. All of the sensations are starting to drive Belphegor mad. At this point, he just wants them to quit teasing him and get on with whatever it is they plan on doing.

Suddenly, MC pulls away as they step back, leaving him aching and confused.

"Do you believe me now?" they ask. Belphie can only manage to utter,

"Huh?"

"You're still standing, aren't you?" He slowly nods. "If I'd wanted to hurt you, I would have done it while you were distracted. A simple curse would have you writhing in the ground in agony, and I'd merely step over you and leave you in here alone to suffer."

"I see." He clears his throat, trying to make his voice sound less raspy. "You've proven your point. You're free to go back to whatever it was you were doing before." Belphie steps away from the door, indicating to MC that they can walk out of the room.

But they don't.

"You don't have to stay in here, you know," he tells them. MC rolls their eyes, a smirk forming on their lips.

"You should know better than to think I'd leave you to attend to a problem that I created."

Taglist: @lost-in-time-wanderer, @fuzztacular, @dianedancer18, @sweetbrier2908, @flare-love, @completelyshatteredbrokenmschf, @thunderlightning351, @l3v1chan, @anxious-chick, @5mary5, @expressionless-fr, @tenkobitch, @budbuddnbuddy

[headfulloflettuce]

The Human Who Fooled All of Prythian

17. All Things Magic and Mystic

Note: Hello, I had finals but now am back at it with writing :D

Perfume is a luxury good that is technically recession proof - in theory. A theory that Cosette did not want to test as it would require the whole of Winter Court’s economy to come crashing down all at once. Unfortunately, as everything stood at the moment, that’s where things were headed.

So, fueled by her guilt of taking away Theo’s and his father’s woodworking business and her fear of rising parsley prices, Cosette began working on a little side project.

“Cosette, a few customers are wondering if we have larger bottles of the vanilla fragrance in the back?” Theo snapped Cosette out of her thoughts.

“Oh? Yes, we should have some, I restocked them this past weekend.” Cosette looked up from the paperwork in front of her.

Theo nodded, quickly rushing to the back to get the bottles a fae had requested.

It had been a couple weeks since they officially opened for business and Cosette was proud to say that they had made enough money to move inside the building. Due to them only having a little bit of spending funds Cosette focused on fixing up the first floor, blocking off the mezzanine from curious explorers. Although the store still had much that needed to be improved, like the creaking floorboards, Cosette was happy that she and Ophelia were at least out of the cold. 

Apart from the cinnamon and vanilla scents Cosette had made a mahogany teakwood perfume in honor of the store’s official opening. Cosette looked over to her left where Ophelia was assisting a customer who wanted to make a purchase. While Theo helped out the customers in the front and did any heavy lifting Cosette needed assistance with, Ophelia managed the cash register and resolved disputes. Theo’s father was tasked with stocking shelves or working in the back. Cosette focused on mass producing perfumes, otherwise floating between jobs, ensuring everything was getting taken care of from paperwork to customer satisfaction.

The female fae’s face shifted to one of displeasure as she caught a whiff of Cosette’s scent. Cosette couldn’t help but smile at the irony that she was deemed one of the few good perfumers in Winter Court, yet she bought perfume from the street that shall not be named.

I am seriously giving those bastards free promotion.

Even Blanche had asked her why she wore the disgusting smell if she made her own perfumes. Cosette always excused it by apologizing and claiming it was just another experiment in perfume making gone wrong. She had Ophelia test her masking scent several more times, but thus far all trials had resulted in failure. 

Cosette straightened out the documents before her, putting them inside a folder.

“Ophelia I’ll be back.” Cosette waved at her friend, wrapping herself in a coat.

“Where are you going?” Ophelia watched her friend head out with a slightly worried expression.

To work on my side project.

“To get us lunch and get some fresh air.”

“Okay, don’t stay out in the cold for too long.”

Cosette waved goodbye, wrapping a cloak around herself and entering the street’s fray. Even if Cosette didn’t fully understand Winter fae yet, she had begun seeing patterns in their behaviors, doing her best to mimic them.

Cosette passed through the market street, eyeing the various food stands. The amount of freshly grown fruits and vegetables had decreased. Firstly because trade with other Courts was a mess, but also because Winter’s own harvest was small. 

Now that just wouldn’t do.

Cosette hated Blanche’s expression when she refused her son apple juice, or chocolate cookies because she couldn’t afford them.

It wasn’t fair.

So, Cosette had a plan; instead of putting all her eggs in one basket she was planning on expanding to a new business venture.

Though, something a little bolder this time around.

Cosette grabbed two cheap sandwiches before making her way to the richer districts, stopping before the store she saw during their tour with Blanche; ‘All things magic and mystic’. Cosette adjusted her hood carefully to keep herself warm, slipping on a simple white mask once she was out of the guards’ line of sight.

One could never be too careful if going to a shady magic shop…even if it was in a rich neighborhood.

Stepping inside Cosette was starting to get worried if she was about to get scammed. Disturbing paintings hung around the front room with various bottles standing on shelves. A couple stuffed creatures stared down at Cosette from their spots in cabinets. An herbal scent hung in the air.

“Oh, hello dearie.” A stout fae woman walked into the room, smiling kindly at the blonde.

“Hello, I heard you do consultations?” Cosette asked.

The fae nodded, doing a little bow, “From consultations to personalized medicines. I can take care of everything as long as it’s related to magic.”

“Wonderful.” Cosette smiled, “You didn’t have set prices listed outside, how much does a single consultation cost?”

“Hmm…” The woman seemed to size her up.

Gauging my rich meter ma’am?

“70 gold.”

Cosette cringed, “Alright.” she reached for her money purse.

“Ah, ah, ah, let’s take care of payments later.” The fae waved her hands, “I want to see what you want from me first before I rob you blind.”

“Hahaha…right.”

“You look quite chilly, would you like some tea?”

“Yes please.” Cosette followed the woman deeper into the shop and into a small room. The place was cozy, covered in pillows and blankets, with a medium sized table positioned in the center.

“So what can I do for you?” The fae set out two tea cups and some cookies.

“I have some questions regarding spirits.” Cosette sat down on a chair, making no motion to have the refreshments.

The woman noticed her hesitance but didn’t pressure, instead eating a cookie herself.

“Ask away dear.”

“I heard that spirits assist in the growth of crops, is that correct?”

“It is. Lower ranking spirits help and encourage the harvest to grow.” The female took a sip of tea. It smelled of chamomile.

“However, in recent years the harvest has been consistently getting worse.”

“Yes…” the woman’s expression darkened, “Farming has always been challenging in Winter Court. Considering how things are going it’s very likely our High Lord will need to increase trade with other Courts to try and sustain the population.”

“Is there a particular reason that the crops are failing to grow?”

The woman shrugged, “I am no farmer dearie, there could be many reasons. From soil quality to a lack of magic.”

“Lack of magic?” Cosette perked up, “You mean the spirits aren’t blessing the lands?”

“The spirits do a lot of work to sustain the ground, a lot of which goes unappreciated. It’s possible that some are getting tired of putting in effort when there is no reward. Traditionally there is trust between the farmer and the spirit. The farmer grows his crops, and the spirits bless them. After the harvest is collected the spirits receive a small offering.”

“Yet there are those who abuse this system?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” The fae looked sad, “Some lesser fae try to carry on traditions but it’s not always enough. It makes the spirits angry, and can you blame them? Who wants to work when there is no reward?” she sighed, “Guess we should be lucky that the primary spirits are still respected.”

“Primary spirits?”

The woman looked at her surprised, “Do you not know about the primary spirits? Surely you must have heard of the Spirit of Winter or Spirit of Spring?”

I always thought that phrase was used as a metaphor…

“I grew up in a very secluded village.” Cosette explained sheepishly.

“An uneducated village.” the woman shook her head disapprovingly, “Each Court has a spirit that represents it. They, unlike many minor spirits, still receive gifts and adoration from the people of their respective Court. That strengthens the smaller spirits in turn as they serve spirits that are stronger than themselves, but it’s not enough, hence the small offerings after a harvest.”

“So then the issue lies only in the offerings?”

“Spirits are slippery creatures. You can never be completely certain of what’s bothering them. To even have the vaguest clue you’d need to ask them directly.”

“How does one make contact with a spirit?”

The female laughed, “By being very powerful or intune with the natural world.”

Fantastic, I am neither.

“Okay, well where do the spirits live?”

Maybe I could knock on their front door or something.

“Everywhere, nowhere. Hard to say. They exist in the in between.”

“In between?” Cosette was trying to not get annoyed.

This fae was speaking in riddles.

“Indeed, in the in-between. They’re often hiding in plain sight though.”

“I see.”

Cosette, in fact, did not see nor understand this conversation thread. The woman sipped her tea again, observing Cosette’s reactions. 

Deciding to get to the point, Cosette continued, “I once asked a farmer why nets or tools weren’t being used to help extract plants deep under the snow. He explained that the spirits struggle to get to crops covered in nets. From his description it sounded like there were two main issues; one, it was that not all plants that grew were retrieved due to the layer of snow, and second, it was a hassle to make an offering every time you harvested a plant. So, I was thinking if there was a potential way to streamline the process.” Cosette pulled out some papers, laying out her ideas before the fae. “I wanted an expert’s advice on this since I am lacking in the knowledge of spirits. This type of container would create the best environment for the plant to grow while permitting farmers to not lose track of it under the snow thanks to the handle extension from it. I come to you because I don’t know how to make this more enticing or easier for spirits to access. I redesigned it here to look more like a house, but you say spirits live in the ‘in-between’, so I am unsure if that’s actually a bad design choice now.” Cosette looked at the woman hopefully. 

The fae picked up the papers, looking at them carefully.

“I was also thinking of putting a mechanism here to give them an offering when they enter the little home immediately so they don’t have to worry about being denied their reward.” Cosette pointed to the little box-like structure on the side of the fairy house.”

The female nodded silently.

“I have to admit it’s clever, and considering how desperate the situation is, this is definitely worth a try. It is important to consider that many spirits may feel insulted by this. They want their egos to be fed, not to be treated as a cog in a machine. To combat this use the design that looks more like a house rather than a container, it will mimic the placement of offerings in the secluded areas of homes or a tree hollow.” the fae hummed, running a finger along the detailed dispenser,  “A smart strategy, but make sure the reward is after they bless the harvest. Spirits are mischievous creatures, they might be tempted to not work if you reward them beforehand.”

Cosette nodded, jotting down the fae’s comments.

“You know what else can help you?” the woman suddenly stood up, moving to one of the bookshelves to pull out a large tome, bringing it over to Cosette, “This. To ensure the spirits can enter and feel comfortable in the provided space you could carve the following runes into the little ‘house’. This will also help identify if the spirit gave the crop their blessing.” The fae flipped to a specific page, marking it for Cosette.

“Ah, okay.” Cosette leaned in, looking at the text.

Great, I understand none of this.

“Does the fae need to have magical power to be able to write properly functioning runes?”

“Yes, they do, however since all fae have even a little bit of magic it shouldn’t be much of a problem. These ruins don’t require a massive amount of energy.”

Shit, all fae have magic? Even Lesser?

“It’s quite funny, that’s why most charms around human homes have never worked properly. Only a select few function and that’s only because they don’t require a user’s internal source of magic to activate but instead rely on the surrounding energy or natural elements.”

Cosette examined the intricate ruins.

It’s as I thought, this work would be perfect for Theo. 

“Thank you for your assistance.”

“Don’t mention it dearie.” the female sipped her tea, watching as Cosette sketched out the ruins on her papers, “That will take you forever, just borrow the book and return it to me once you’re finished.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with it?”

The fae laughed, “I have a feeling that’s not in your personality.”

Cosette hummed.

She wasn’t wrong.

“I have another question.” Cosette took a deep breath.

The reason why she was going through all this effort to pretend to be a fae.

“Do you know anything about traveling between worlds?”

“Are you referring to world walkers?”

“I-..yes? Is that what you call people who make that sort of journey?”

The woman nodded, “It is. What is it you want to know about them?”

How do I ask about this without seeming suspicious?

“How often do people travel across worlds?”

“Haha, world walking isn’t exactly a fun Friday activity.” the fae giggled, “It’s rare.”

“Do people ever travel by accident?”

“On accident?”

“Yeah, like they just fall through a magic portal or something?” Cosette made vague hand gestures, unsure how else to explain what had happened to her.

“Hmm…” the woman pondered the concept, “Nothing like that would happen for no reason. Traveling through worlds is dangerous business. Though, I guess falling through a portal is plausible…”

“How are portals opened?”

She shrugged, “Some fae open them using their own powers if they’re strong enough, others are just naturally intune with the…more intricate makeup of our worlds.”

“Say a person had no such power of their own, how could they open a portal?”

The woman observed Cosette, tilting her head.

“To be honest, I expected a young female such as yourself to come here looking for love advice.” the fae smirked, “Not ask me about spirits and portals.”

Cosette didn’t respond, making the consultant sigh.

“Have you heard of the four Dread Trove items?”

“Yes…”

Briefly, people were raving about them online, something about Nesta using three of them to be an absolute badass.

“The Harp specifically is said to be able to open any door. Even one to a different world and time.”

Okay, perfect, the issue is…

“It’s currently being held by the Night Court.”

Wait. 

Cosette froze, eyeing the woman.

“How do you know all this?”

I know this stuff because I was chronically online, why do you also know these things?!

The woman laughed, “Why should I not?”

“I doubt the Night Court would let this information be public.”

“Hm, well. I have my ways.” the fae’s smile widened, “Just as you do friend.”

“Are you a witch?” Cosette tried not to shiver.

“Would you run away in fear if I was?”

“No.”

I'd ask how you gained all that power.

“Then it matters not.”

Fair enough.

“Can anyone use the Dread trove items?”

I really should have paid attention to the lore of this series rather than raving about the drama.

“Technically yes, but if you’re not Cauldron made those items can be used upon you as well.”

Girl, I don’t want to jump into the soup pot just to get out of here with no consequences!

“So there’s repercussions to using their powers?”

“Oh my dear customer, there’s always consequences. It’s the way this world works; fully based on equilibrium.”

I somehow doubt that considering how many fake-out deaths there were in this series.

“Are there consequences to world-walking?”

“Depends on the circumstances surrounding the traveler.”

“What’s the best case scenario?”

“Hm…they’re somehow meant to be in their new world. Probably filling in a role that is lacking an actor.”

You’re making it sound like everything is a play.

“And the worst case scenario?”

The female’s cheshire grin showed all her teeth, “They’d suffer like no other for daring to defy the Mother’s will.”

“I think that will be all.” Cosette said quietly, standing up.

“Leaving so soon dearie? Don’t you want me to read you your future? It’s on the house.”

“No thank you.”

“Hm? Really?”

“Absolutely, I already kn-have plans for what mine will look like.”

Me back home with my family and hopefully a fixed car - bro has had several years to get it repaired.

“No one can know their future for certain, it’s always fluid.”

“How much do I owe you?” Cosette pulled out a money purse.

“Since I had so much fun talking to you, I’ll give you a discount. 20 gold.”

“That’s a very generous discount.”

“I am a generous being.” The fae took the money Cosette practically threw at her.

“Pleasure doing business with you!” The woman’s laughter followed Cosette out of the shop as she ran into the cold, tearing the mask off once she was a distance away.

She walked down the street, her breathing slowly evening out.

Strange woman…

The guards stationed in the square paid no attention to her as Cosette walked out of the square they were guarding and into the crowded streets. 

The Winter Solstice was approaching and everyone had begun preparing, the streets filled with faes purchasing last minute gifts or foods. Blanche had invited them to celebrate the Winter Solstice at the inn which Ophelia was looking forward to. With them having made good progress on Theo’s debt they had all gone out looking for gifts but hadn’t found anything yet.

As Ophelia stepped inside the perfumery she was greeted with a scene.

“Why can’t I meet the perfumer?” a male fae shouted.

“I am sorry sir Cosette is ou-oh! Cosette, you’re back!” Ophelia looked relieved at her friend’s appearance, the merchant quickly turning around.

“You.” he dramatically pointed at Cosette, “Are you the perfumer?”

“Yes sir.” Cosette smiled.

Please don’t be an asshole.

“Truthfully?”

“I-yes.” Cosette looked at him gingerly,

The man seemed to relax a bit, “It’s an honor to meet you Miss Cosette.”

“It’s an honor to meet you too sir…?”

“Call me Amelio.” he shook her hand, “You know it’s really hard to track you down, many of my acquaintances have tried but failed.”

“Haha, I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Gah, no need to apologize! I understand first-hand how busy the life of a business person is!”

“May I know why you wished to see me?”

“Ah, yes. That.” the man glanced around, as if it was some sort of great mystery, “Could we talk somewhere more private?”

“Of course, please follow me.” Cosette led the man upstairs to her office, giving Ophelia a reassuring nod.

The office looked much cleaner compared to the first day. The windows were now shiny, the table neatly organized, and the shelves lining the walls no longer empty.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Absolutely.” the man took a sip of the brew Cosette gave him.

“So what is it that I can help you with sir Amelio?” Cosette sat across from him.

“I wish to order a custom perfume.”

Cosette looked at him with slightly wide eyes.

Oh my God, why hadn’t I thought of offering such services earlier?!

Cosette felt slightly dumb.

“I would be happy to make you one, what kind of perfume are you looking for?”

“I want a perfume for my wife, she’s a big fan you know?” Amelio smiled, “She loves warm places like Summer Court, could you make a scent that imitates that?”

Cosette nodded, “I can try. Do you know if she has any allergies or prefers particular scents?”

“She really likes sweet perfumes with a little bit of zest. Also, do you know if it would be possible to make this perfume before the Winter Solstice?”

“Hmm.” Cosette thought for a moment, “I can try to get it done before the Solstice, but I want to make sure you’re satisfied with the product so how about I make you a couple samples of perfumes and in about two weeks we can meet to talk. That leaves time to make any necessary changes.”

“That sounds perfect.” Amelio stretched out his hand, “I look forward to our meeting then.”

“I look forward to it too.” Cosette shook it, walking Amelio out of the perfumery and bidding him goodbye.

With custom orders they’d have an even easier time clearing Theo’s debt. 

Cosette sighed, a feeling of contentment washing over her.

All was going well.

“Say Ophelia, do you remember the day when we arrived at Winter Court?”

“Yeah! Gosh it feels like it was yesterday.” Ophelia nibbled on her sandwich, the two of them relaxing as the perfumery was empty for a moment.

“We still haven’t visited the guards at the training grounds to see if that one fae got punished appropriately.”

“Do you really think we should?” Ophelia looked hesitant.

“Why not? It would only be fair to see if they actually took disciplinary efforts with him as promised.”

“I just don’t want us to get in trouble?”

“In trouble for what? Using the literal permission slip the captain of the guard gave us? Highly doubt that’ll land us into jail.”

“Look who’s the sadistic one now…” Ophelia winked.

“Hey, I am not a sadist! I just think it’s important to see if the man actually got punished for his crime!”

The two ordered a carriage to take them to the palace, closing down shop for the day as most faeries were beginning to head home. The carriage stopped before a large gated archway, being forced to step outside by security.

“Do you two ladies have permission to come onto palace grounds?” a guard looked at them skeptically.

“Yes, we do.” Cosette showed them the paper Aquilo had filled out and signed. 

The guard attempted to take it, but Cosette pulled it back.

The man’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t protest as he looked over the paper from where Cosette held it up for him.

“Hmm, everything seems in order.” he nodded begrudgingly.

“Thank you.” Cosette shot him a smile as the guards let them pass through the large crystal-like gates. The soldiers exchanged glances as the two non noble fae walked down a long wide pathway that separated into various gardens, escorted by the fae who had examined the paper.

“Wow, everything is so pretty.” Cosette whispered to Ophelia.

“Agreed, I wonder how much they pay the gardeners?”

The guard kept a straight face despite the two women gossiping like high school girls, leading them down a separate pathway towards the training grounds.

The grounds looked quite similar to the ones at Autumn; spacious fields with cleared out areas for fighting and drills. 

“Captain!” the fae called out.

Aquilo, who had been yelling orders at some young-looking soldiers turned around to face them, his eyes flickering with recognition.

“Take five.” the captain ordered the soldiers who relaxed, practically collapsing onto the floor.

“Wow, you’re really working them to the bone.” Ophelia commented.

“They need to be prepared for the worst in order to protect Winter Court well.” the captain noted coldly, “Welcome to the training grounds. How has the capital treated you two?” he paused awkwardly, “I must ask you two for your names again, as I have forgotten.”

“I am Ophelia! The capital is breathtaking!”

“Cosette, pleasure to make your acquaintance, again. We have settled in quite well.”

“I am glad to hear it. What have you two been up to?” Aquilo kept a neutral expression, though his tone sounded amused.

“We’ve opened a perfumery near one of the city’s centers.” Cosette said.

“A perfumery? Oh! Are you two managing the one place that opened up recently? The one that is costing the perfumery street’s store owners’ customers?”

“Yeah that’s us.” Cosette couldn’t help the proud smile on her face.

“Well, I unfortunately have only heard of your products but perhaps once the solstice comes to a close I will visit.”

“We’d be happy to have you. Cosette’s perfumes are truly something else.” Ophelia pipped in.

Nice commercializing Ophelia.

“So you’re the infamous perfumer?”

Cosette nodded sheepishly.

I am not that amazing, your perfumers are just really lazy.

Aquilo looked at them silently for a moment before continuing, “Onto business; I assume you’re here regarding the soldier’s punishment.”

“Yes we are.” Cosette confirmed.

Though it’s more for Ophelia than me.

“Very well, please follow me.” Aquilo led them down the snowy field, into a building to the side of the palace, “As part of his punishment we’re having him undergo all his required trainings again and review the laws of the Court. He has also been demoted and is on cleaning duty till the Winter Solstice ends.”

“Wow.” Cosette muttered.

That was harsher than I expected considering the patriarchal nature of Prythian.

“I take pride and honor in our work.” Aquilo glanced at Cosette as if reading her mind, “I expect nothing less than perfection from my subordinates, so punishments are given out appropriately if someone tries to abuse their power.”

Aquilo led them into a room, where the white haired fae from months earlier was sitting behind a desk, reading through a book.

“Captain.” The man quickly stood up, saluting his commanding officer.

“At ease.” Aquilo gestured for him to relax, “Edur, I am sure you remember who these two ladies are. Please greet Miss Cosette and Ophelia”

Edur nodded, hesitantly glancing at the two females. His earlier cockiness from months seemingly erased.

“Hello…” he shifted, clearly uncomfortable under their gaze.

An awkward silence filled the room, as Edur glanced between the three people before him.

“I…” he hesitated, “I would like to apologize.” he bowed deeply, “What I did was wrong. Not only did I discriminate against you both as Lesser fae, but I also attempted to proposition Miss Ophelia. I am truly sorry.”

Cosette was surprised. She hadn’t expected an apology, especially not one that sounded so genuine.

Perhaps because this world was fictional, but people could change so easily.

Cosette laughed internally.

Or Aquilo’s punishment was so grueling that the sexism and racism was knocked out completely.

Ophelia’s face mirrored Cosette’s feelings, “Oh um, it’s okay.”

It’s very much not okay.

“What’s important is that you understand what you did wrong.”

There we have to agree, Ophelia.

Edur nodded, glancing at Aquilo who nodded in approval.

“Is there anything specific you would like to see?” Aquilo turned to the two women.

Cosette looked at Ophelia, “What do you think?”

“Eh? Oh, um, I am good I think.” Ophelia said, smiling awkwardly.

“Then that’s all.” Cosette agreed.

“Alright then. Back to work Edur.”

Edur quickly sat back down, burying his face in a book as the trio left.

Cosette and Ophelia were escorted back to the front gates.

“Have a safe trip home.”

“Thank you sir Aquilo.” Cosette said.

The group said their goodbyes, with the duo leaving to find a carriage to take them home.

Cosette glanced at Ophelia, smiling softly, “See?”

“Hm? See what?”

“Don’t ever let people try to use or force you into things you don’t want, okay?” Cosette smiled at her friend.

I really hope seeing this gave her a confidence boost.

“You deserve better. Always.” Cosette crawled into a carriage, patting the seat across from her, “And if anything does happen, I’ve got you.”

Ophelia looked at her with misty eyes, “Cosette, I should be the one protecting you, not the other way around.”

“You are protecting me. By teaching me how to be a proper fae.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Ophelia shook her head, “Besides, I already know not to let those things happen to me! I know how to speak up for myself.”

I worry you don’t. Sometimes you don’t truly believe that consequences or justice exists until you see it yourself. Leading to people not voicing their fears because they don’t think they will be believed.

“Alright, if you say so.” Cosette smiled at Ophelia, “We should start heading back, otherwise Blanche might get worried if we’re not on time for dinner.”

“Actually, I have something I want to do.” Ophelia said, not getting into the carriage.

“Hm? What’s up? I can come with you.”

“No, no. You head back to the inn, I have something I want to do.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I am sure.” Ophelia smirked mischievously, “It’s a surprise after all.”

“Alright, I can’t wait to find out what it is.” Cosette said as Ophelia closed the carriage door, “I’ll be dying from anticipation!”

The carriage took off, Cosette waving to Ophelia through the window, her friend quickly disappearing out of sight. Cosette stared at the empty seat of the carriage before her.

I really hope I didn’t upset her.

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