#and we still have alright moments outside of that like sometimes she takes me somewhere or gets me food and we chat kind of

[onegayastronaut]

Home for the Holidays

Words: 2402

The mornings in Westview had a comforting rhythm, especially during the holiday season. The sun spilled golden light over the neatly trimmed hedges dusted with snow and pastel-colored houses adorned with twinkling lights, waking the quiet streets with a gentle glow. In your little cul-de-sac, life moved at its own serene pace, a stark contrast to the chaos that often lay just outside its borders. Here, the days began with the warm scent of coffee, the rustle of newspapers, and the soft hum of companionship.

You were perched on the edge of the kitchen counter, a steaming mug in hand, as Agatha bustled around the room. She wore her usual cozy cardigan, now complemented by a festive scarf, her dark curls slightly disheveled, and her expression caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. Wanda, still wrapped in her scarlet robe, stood nearby, her hands deftly moving as she flicked through a recipe book. Every so often, she would glance up at you with a smile that made your heart flutter.

“You’re going to burn the gingerbread again, Agatha,” Wanda teased, her Sokovian accent soft in the morning air.

“I am not going to burn it,” Agatha shot back, wagging a butter knife in her hand. “And even if I did, you’d just magic it back to perfection, wouldn’t you, darling?”

You chuckled, taking a sip of your coffee. The gentle banter between them was as much a part of your mornings as the sunrise. It was a rhythm you had grown to adore since the three of you decided to settle here together, away from the complications of your past lives. This little suburban bubble was your haven.

“You’re awfully quiet this morning,” Wanda said, turning her gaze to you. “Everything alright?”

You nodded, setting your mug down and hopping off the counter. “Just enjoying the view,” you replied, wrapping your arms around her waist from behind. She leaned into your embrace, her body warm and familiar against yours.

Agatha cleared her throat dramatically, drawing both your attention. “If you two could pause your sappy moment for a second, I’d appreciate some help hanging these stockings.”

“Oh, she’s jealous,” Wanda said with a smirk, her green eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Jealous?” Agatha snorted, though the corner of her lips twitched upwards. “Sweetheart, I don’t get jealous. I’m far too mature for that.”

“Mhm, sure,” you teased, releasing Wanda to grab the stockings from the nearby box. “Where would you like these, oh wise and mature one?”

Agatha swatted lightly at your arm with a dish towel, a grin breaking through her mock-annoyance. Moments like this felt like the glue holding your unconventional little family together. You weren’t just partners; you were a team, a well-practiced trio learning to navigate life’s small joys and challenges together.

After breakfast, you all fell into the easy flow of your holiday routine. Agatha tended to the garden, humming under her breath as she hung string lights along the hedges with an almost magical touch. Wanda worked on a cross-stitch pattern by the bay window, occasionally pausing to sip her tea and admire Agatha through the glass. You found yourself on the porch swing, a book in your lap, basking in the quiet contentment of the moment.

When the door creaked open and Wanda stepped outside, you scooted over to make room. She sank down beside you, her hand immediately finding yours.

“You know,” she said softly, her thumb tracing lazy circles on your skin, “it’s days like these that remind me why we chose this place.”

“Peaceful, isn’t it?” you replied, leaning your head against her shoulder.

“It is,” she agreed, then added with a playful glint in her eyes, “Though I think Agatha secretly misses the chaos sometimes. She’d never admit it.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Agatha called from the garden, waving a strand of lights in mock indignation. “And I don’t miss it. I just have�� a healthy appreciation for the dramatic, that’s all.”

Both you and Wanda burst out laughing, your voices mingling in the crisp winter air. Agatha’s theatrical flair was just another thing you adored about her.

The afternoon was spent in the kitchen, where Wanda and Agatha engaged in an impromptu gingerbread house competition. Flour and icing dusted every surface, including your nose, as you acted as the impartial judge. Wanda’s house was perfectly constructed and decorated with precision, while Agatha’s had a rustic charm that matched her personality.

“So, who’s the winner?” Wanda asked, leaning against the counter with a confident smirk.

“Obviously me,” Agatha declared, before you could even open your mouth. “Look at this masterpiece!” She gestured to her slightly crooked but undeniably creative structure.

You pretended to deliberate, taking another bite of a gingerbread cookie. “Hmm, I think the real winner here is me,” you said, grinning. “I get to eat all of this.”

Wanda rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face was impossible to miss. Agatha crossed her arms, her expression mock-serious. “Fine, we’ll call it a tie. But only because I’m feeling generous.”

As the day faded into evening, the three of you found yourselves on the couch, wrapped in a shared blanket. Wanda rested her head on your shoulder, her fingers intertwined with yours, while Agatha leaned against the armrest, her feet propped up in your lap. The warm glow of the Christmas tree lights bathed the room in a soft ambiance. A holiday movie played on the television, though none of you were paying much attention. It was enough just to be there together, surrounded by the warmth of your little family.

“I don’t say it often,” Agatha began, her voice softer than usual, “but I’m glad we found this. Found each other.”

Wanda lifted her head, her eyes meeting Agatha’s across the dimly lit room. “Me too,” she said, her voice filled with quiet sincerity.

You squeezed Wanda’s hand, your heart full. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two.”

Agatha’s lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. “Well, lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out.”

The following morning brought the first real snowstorm of the season. Heavy flakes drifted down in a soft, steady rhythm, blanketing the town in a pristine layer of white. You stood by the window, sipping your coffee and marveling at the peaceful scene outside.

“It’s perfect,” Wanda said, joining you with her own mug. She leaned her head against your shoulder, her breath warm against your neck.

“Perfect for staying inside,” you said, glancing over at Agatha, who was layering up in an impressive number of scarves. “Where are you off to?”

“I promised Mrs. Abernathy I’d help her fix her lights,” Agatha replied, rolling her eyes as if to downplay the act of kindness. “The poor woman’s been wrestling with that inflatable Santa for days.”

Wanda grinned. “You’re such a softie, Agatha.”

“Oh, hush,” Agatha said, though the faint blush on her cheeks was unmistakable. She grabbed her coat and a tin of cookies you’d baked together the day before. “Don’t wait up for me.”

As the door shut behind her, Wanda pulled you toward the couch. “Looks like it’s just us. What should we do?”

You smirked, setting your mug down. “I have a few ideas.”

By the time Agatha returned, the house was filled with the warm aroma of mulled wine and the sound of soft holiday music. She stomped the snow off her boots in the entryway, her cheeks rosy from the cold.

“Smells good in here,” she said, shrugging off her coat. “What did I miss?”

“Not much,” Wanda replied, handing her a glass of wine. “Just a very competitive game of Scrabble.”

Agatha raised an eyebrow. “And who won?”

You and Wanda exchanged a look. “It’s… still up for debate,” you said, earning a laugh from Agatha.

The rest of the evening was spent decorating the tree. Ornaments from past years were unpacked, each one sparking a story or memory that filled the room with laughter. Wanda carefully placed a delicate glass star at the top, her powers steadying it in place. Agatha stood back, her arms crossed, surveying the final result.

“Not bad,” she said, feigning indifference. “Could use more glitter, though.”

“You and glitter,” Wanda teased, nudging her playfully.

“It’s an art form,” Agatha shot back, winking at you.

As the night wore on, the three of you curled up on the couch once more, watching the snow fall outside. Agatha’s hand rested lightly on your knee, Wanda’s fingers intertwined with yours. It was moments like this that made everything else fade away. The world outside could wait. For now, this was all that mattered.

The next morning brought with it a plan for a holiday craft day, an idea Agatha had proposed with surprising enthusiasm. The dining table was soon covered in ribbons, glue sticks, construction paper, and an assortment of tiny baubles. Wanda’s precision was unmatched as she folded intricate origami stars, while Agatha opted for a more “free-spirited” approach, resulting in a papier-mâché snowman that leaned heavily to one side.

“It’s avant-garde,” Agatha declared when you raised an eyebrow at her creation. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand,” you teased, gluing sequins onto a homemade card. “I understand you’ve created a snowman who looks like he’s had a little too much eggnog.”

Wanda giggled, her eyes sparkling as she added finishing touches to her own wreath. “It’s charming, Agatha. Very you.”

The day passed in a blur of glitter and laughter, the three of you fully embracing the silliness of it all. By the time evening rolled around, the house was a sparkling testament to your combined efforts, with handmade decorations adorning every available surface.

On Christmas Eve, you decided to exchange small, heartfelt gifts. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, and the scent of spiced cider filled the room. Wanda handed you a neatly wrapped package first, her eyes filled with quiet anticipation. Inside was a hand-knitted scarf in deep, warm tones that matched your favorite coat perfectly.

“I’ve been working on it for weeks,” she admitted, her cheeks faintly pink. “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” you said sincerely, pulling her into a hug. “It’s perfect.”

Agatha’s gift to you was less traditional but no less thoughtful: an enchanted charm that glowed faintly when you held it. “For protection,” she said casually, though her expression was unusually tender. “Not that you need it with us around, but it never hurts.”

“Thank you, Agatha,” you said, your voice soft as you met her gaze. “I’ll treasure it.”

The gifts you had for them were simple but heartfelt—a custom-made journal for Wanda to sketch her designs and record her thoughts, and a vintage cookbook for Agatha, complete with handwritten notes from you on which recipes to try first.

That night, as you all sat by the tree, the room glowing with warmth and love, Agatha pulled out an old record player and placed a vinyl on the turntable. The soft strains of a classic holiday tune filled the air, and she extended a hand to Wanda.

“Dance with me,” she said with a small smile, her tone teasing yet sincere.

Wanda hesitated for only a moment before taking her hand. They swayed together in the dim light, their movements easy and natural. After a while, Wanda reached out to you, pulling you into their circle. The three of you moved together, a quiet rhythm of love and connection weaving between you. It was in that moment, with the snow falling softly outside and the world reduced to the warmth of your shared embrace, that you felt truly, completely home.

Christmas morning arrived with a sense of magic in the air. The three of you woke to the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains, the snow outside glistening like diamonds. Agatha was the first to get out of bed, claiming she had to "check on something," leaving you and Wanda to savor the cozy warmth of the blankets for a little longer.

When you finally made your way downstairs, you found Agatha in the kitchen, humming softly as she flipped pancakes shaped like stars and snowflakes. The dining table was already set, adorned with holly and candles, making the morning feel even more special.

“Pancakes for Christmas?” you asked, grinning as you leaned against the doorway.

“Pancakes and mimosas,” Agatha corrected, motioning to a tray of glasses filled with sparkling orange juice. “I figured we’d start the day right.”

Wanda appeared a moment later, her face lighting up at the sight of the spread. “It looks beautiful, Agatha.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Agatha quipped, though the pride in her eyes was clear. “This is a once-a-year kind of effort.”

The three of you settled at the table, sharing stories and laughter over breakfast. Agatha’s pancakes were surprisingly good, though she claimed it was her “innate culinary genius” rather than the cookbook you’d given her the night before.

After breakfast, it was time for the annual snowball fight—a tradition that had started your first winter in Westview. Bundled up in coats and scarves, you headed to the backyard, where the pristine snow was perfect for forming snowballs. Agatha, ever the strategist, immediately began building a snow fort, while Wanda used her powers to craft perfectly round snowballs with uncanny precision.

“You’re cheating!” Agatha called, dodging one of Wanda’s throws.

“It’s called being efficient,” Wanda replied, her laughter ringing out as she launched another snowball.

You joined in the fray, your sides aching from laughing as Agatha’s fort crumbled under the onslaught of Wanda’s precision and your sneak attacks. By the end of it, all three of you were breathless and covered in snow, collapsing onto the ground in a heap of giggles.

As the sun began to set, you returned inside to warm up by the fire. Hot cocoa was passed around, topped with marshmallows and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Agatha leaned back against the couch, her eyes half-closed as she sipped her drink.

“This,” she said softly, “is what it’s all about. Days like this.”

Wanda nodded, her hand finding yours. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

You smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the life you’d built together. The holidays weren’t about grand gestures or elaborate celebrations—they were about moments like these, filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of family.

[justmeinadaze]

Inescapable Part 5 (Steddie X Y/N)

A/N: Ok I have one more part left...I think lol I'm 90% positive I have one more part left but sometimes I type and more of a story flows lol

Enjoy!

Warnings: Convicts Dom Older Steddie (Sir Eddie/ Daddy Steve) & Fem Sub Younger Y/N, SMUT, dirty talk (all the dirty talk), trying to be quiet, praise, etc. FLUFF, they love her and she loves them, Steddie being good dads to Olivia <3

ANGST (😈)

Coming off the last chapter they are on the run, a guard is hurt (brief mentions of blood), the guys finally tell her what happened in 86 (slight season 4 spoilers), mentions of PTSD (especially with Eddie), Reader and Steve get into a small fight (very brief), brief mentions of Y/N and Olivia being considered hostages while they're all on the run, Cliffhanger ending! Involving an idiot from their past and they are prepared to let their dark (slightly toxic) side take over to resolve the problem.

Word Count: 6843

Inescapable Series/ Donate to Me :)

Steve’s eyes continually flick to the rear-view mirror as you stare out the window of the third car they had stolen on this trip alone. It had been about 24hrs and you still looked incredibly worn out. Eddie made sure you took all your pills that were listed in your chart and sat in the backseat with you to keep an eye on Olivia when you finally fell asleep. 

“Shhh… Everything’s ok, sweetheart. You just had to get here early, didn’t you? Were you worried about your momma to? Yeah?”, he grinned when his daughter cooed.

“Alright, I’m going to pull over here. That way we can all rest and get something to eat.”, the other man conveyed as he pulled into a hotel parking lot. 

After grabbing a key and hiding the car in the back, Steve carried you inside and placed you on the bed beside where Eddie had placed the baby. 

“Go ahead and relax. I’ll run and grab some food. I saw a diner next door and we still have some formula from the convenience store we stopped at.”

Nodding at his friend, the metalhead pushes down his baseball cap over his long hair he had pulled up into a messy bun and hurries out the door. As it closes, the loud thunk stirs Olivia as she begins to whine. 

“Oh no, honey, it’s ok.”, Steve tries to sooth as he picks her up and bounces her carefully in his arms. “It’s ok. Daddy didn’t mean to scare you. You have to be quiet or else you’re going to wake up mommy.”

After grabbing the pacifier and climbing into the bed beside you, he can’t help but smile as you curl tighter into him. This is all Steve ever wanted, a little family of his own. When they started interacting with you, his mind was always a buzz with fantasies of waking up beside you every morning or going down the stairs of a big house to find his kids cackling as they ate their breakfast. Coming home after a long day at the office to find you and Eddie working together to help the children with their homework and make dinner. 

Images like that fueled him as he used it for motivation to get through each day until they were set free…until your dad ripped that away…

Steve’s nose scrunched in anger as it ran through his body before his daughter sighing brought him back to the moment. 

***

“Goddamn it.”, Eddie grumbled as he tripped over his feet reentering the hotel room. Spotting you three passed out on the bed had his heart fluttering as he placed the food down on the table. 

You looked so tiny against Steve’s large frame as his palm rested on your temple while Olivia was asleep on his broad chest with her father’s protective hand keeping her steady. 

This is all Eddie ever wanted, a family. Something he never got to have growing up. Wayne was the only person in the Munson line that seemed to give a shit about him and he promised himself when he got married and had kids they would never feel unwanted. 

When they met you, he envisioned a picture-perfect life with you and Steve by his side with a bunch of little rugrats running around. He would take you somewhere outside of Hawkins where you three could start fresh and feel safe. 

Maybe that was still something he could have if you three made it where you were going. 

The sound of you stirring and wincing grabbed his attention as he checked the clock before digging into a bag to grab your pills. 

“Hey, sweetheart. Come on. Time to take this next set of meds and I got some food for you to.”, Eddie whispers as he takes your forearm and helps you to the table. “How are you feeling?”

“Hm…better, thank you.”

“Tell me about the birth. What happened?”, he asks as he begins sorting everything. 

“The doctor thinks it was stress that induced me. It hurt so bad, Eddie. Derek rushed me to the hospital and I was there forever. After she was born, I guess I lost a bit too much blood and passed out. Told you, she was a vampire.”, you smile as the man across from you tries to do the same but can’t hide his worry. 

At the sound of the bags jostling, Steve’s eyes open and the metalhead hastily scurries over to move Olivia so he can get up to eat as well. 

“Thanks, man.”

“She has my last name. I wanted to give her yours but—”

“We know, baby. Your, um, your dad told us.”

“Is he the one that gave you those bruises?”, you ask as you reach out to touch the other man’s face.

“Let’s not talk about that right now, ok? I called Dustin and he said he’s going to send us some things at a P.O. Box a couple towns over so—”

“I want to talk about it now.” Your tone is firm, much stronger than it had been these past couple of days. “What happened? What made you escape now instead of before? You said my father saw me leaving…”

Annoyance darkens their eyes but you remain unshaken as you glare back. 

“You were covered in blood. Did you kill someone?”

“And if we had?”, Steve snaps. “What would that change? Would you take Olivia and run back to your asshole dad? Turn us in and put us back where we belong?”

“No, you fucking dick. I just sacrificed everything to be here with you two so don’t you dare talk to me like that.”, you growl before sighing heavily from exhaustion as you lean back in your seat.

Blinking, the pretty boy calms down, reaching for your soda, and holding the straw to your lips that you eagerly sip.

“I’m sorry, honey. It’s been a rough few hours.”, Steve exhales as he tilts back in his chair as well. “Your dad showed up with some of the guards who are his friends I guess and beat the shit out of me and him.”

“He was going to separate us.”, Eddie added with a crack in his voice as he stared at the table in front of him. “He was going to send me to Indianapolis where my father is and Steve to Washington. Y/N, part of the reason we’ve made it this long is each other. We protect each other.”

“That first week we went in some guy jumped me because of my last name. Munson beat his ass and anyone else who even had the idea. Later on, inmates tried to hurt him to get to me because I’m soft…or so they thought… One night some fucker stabbed him so I did the same. No body messed with us after that.”

“If he separated us, Steve would have been hurt or worse and my dad with his own asshole goons…”, the metalhead shakes the thought from his brain as his eyes meet yours. “You’d have been trapped in Hawkins alone…”

“Did—Did you have to kill someone to escape?”

There’s a long pause in the conversation before Eddie finally shook his head.

“What the fuck are we going to do, Ed?!”

“I don’t know, Steve.”, the man replies with a flat expression as his friend manically paces in their cell. 

“We’ll both be killed and what about Y/N? She and Olivia will be all alone with fucking Derek and her asshole father!”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah?! Just yeah?! In Washington, I can’t protect them or you! Eddie, if you go to Indianapolis, your dad is going to fucking teach you a lesson! I guess it doesn’t fucking matter though because as soon as they throw me in a cell up there someone is going to hurt me. The only reason I’ve lasted this long is you!” Steve feels his body fold into itself as he begins to really panic. “I can’t leave you or Y/N. I love you both. How am… I’ll be all alone… I should have just let the bats fucking rip me apart—”

As the boy spoke, the metalhead felt himself get steadily ramped up till he couldn’t take it anymore and rushed forward capturing Steve’s face in his palms as his lips crashed to his own.

“I’m not going to let that happen. I didn’t let you die then and I won’t let anyone hurt you now. Do you hear me?!”, he roughly growls as he tries to control the tears that want to break free. “You won’t be alone, sweetheart, I promise. I don’t care what I have to do.”

Eddie kisses him a bit softer as the other man nods and clings to his wrist. 

The lock to their cell slowly opens and both men prepare to fight before coming face to face with a guard they trust. 

“Come on. We have to move fast.”, Bobby whispers as he ushers them out with his hand and they hastily follow. After leading them to the area he allowed them to leave through last time, he paused and handed the long-haired boy a small knife. “Ok, you remember how to get out right? Now since you aren’t coming back I need it to look like you overpowered me.”

“Wait, can’t we just hit you or something?”

“No, that’d be too suspicious. If this is really what you want to do, you need to decide now.”

Both boys glance at each other before Eddie steps towards him and places his palm on the guard’s shoulder. 

“Thank you, man. For everything you’ve done for us and Y/N.”

“I always knew you were innocent and Y/N has always been kind to me.”, Bobby smiles softly before nodding his head. “Try and hit this side here. I’ll radio it in, in two minutes so you better fucking run. Good luck, guys.”

“It was so fast, Y/N. As soon as we hit the woods, the alarms started going off. I didn’t think we’d get to you.”, Eddie sighed as he finished his story, their eyes flicking your way as you started to cry. “No, hey, no. Don’t cry, sweetheart.”, he pleaded as he got out of his chair to fall on his knees in front of you and take your hands.

“This is all my fault. Maybe if I had listened to you and left with my mom or—”

“Maybe all of this would have happened anyway.”, Steve cut you off as he pet your head. “Your dad isn’t exactly a trust worthy man.”

“I love you so much and everything is going to be alright.”

“Yeah, princess, it will.”, the long-haired boy beamed as he kissed your lips. 

##################

Three Years Later

“Olivia!”, you giggle as your daughter continues to dance around while you try to pull on her jacket. “Do you want to play outside or not?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok, then you have to let me put this on you or else you’re going to freeze to death.”

“No, mommy! I no freeze to die!”, she laughs, her cackle reminding you of Eddie as she shows off all of her teeth and gums. 

It had been three years since you made it over the border into Canada with your convict boyfriends in the trunk and Dustin’s falsified papers at your side. You managed to make it to a tiny little town and create a new life for yourself that you absolutely loved. 

With their friends help, you were able to convince a small law firm that you had graduated from college with high marks. Granted it wasn’t criminal law like you had been studying but you were still able to help people and that made you happy. 

Eddie absolutely despised cutting his hair but to keep a low profile he did what needed to be done. Like Olivia, he tended to keep it longer than normal but as soon as it started to go too low past his ears, he went to the shop to get it cut. Because they didn’t want to be too far from each other having been in a small cell together for over 10 years, both men got a job at a car dealership with him in the automotive shop and Steve as a salesman.

Out in public, people called you three by different names but in your home you were still Y/N, Eddie, and Steve. The little dwelling the pretty boy was able to find was modest but perfect for your family with two bedrooms and a large backyard for your daughter to run around in. 

Thankfully for her, she never sensed anything was amiss when it came to her life and you hoped to keep it that way for as long as you could. 

After lifting her into your arms, you carried her outside where you watched her run off to climb her jungle gym. 

“Be careful!”

“Or what?!”, she teased.

“Or else I’m going to tell your daddy and he’s going to tell Santa you were bad!”

“Nu uh!!”

“Yeah huh!”

“What in God’s name are you two shouting about?”, Steve grinned as he opened the back door to join you guys outside. 

“Our daughter is being mean.”

Eddie kisses your lips before running towards Olivia who opened her arms wide to give him a big hug. 

“Ew, daddy! Smell bad.”

“Oh yeah? I know, we had a car in today that I’m surprised didn’t explode. How was your day, sweetheart?”

“Good. Mommy take me t-to work.”

“Did you two have fun?”, the other man asks as he leans down to give her a big hug as well. 

“Yeah! Mister…Mr. Jackson gave me cookie!”

Grinning, the three of you sit on your back patio as you watch Olivia play. This was everything they ever wanted and they were so grateful to be able to experience this with you.

***

“Mmph—fuck, Steve. Feels so good”

“Shhhhh, baby.”, the pretty boy scolds making you smile as you pass by the open bathroom door in your shared bedroom before throwing yourself down in front of your desk and turning on your bulky computer. 

As the years passed, both men seemed to open up more when it came to their love for each other and you absolutely encouraged it. You wanted them to feel safe and loved not just with you but themselves. Now that there was no longer the looming threat of prisoners and being hurt, they confided in you that it no longer felt like survival but genuine affection that they could now feel openly without fear of it being exploited.

Sliding on your headphones to give them extra layer of privacy, you did what you do every night and began double checking information online. 

That first year, message boards and police sites were full of information trying to hunt down the two escapees and their “hostages”. You assumed your father thought that would not only protect you from any prosecution (or embarrassment for him) but make people hunt for them harder if they believed they had kidnapped a baby.

As time progressed news began to dwindle and for that you were thankful. There was the occasional “sighting” but when you read the article you breathed a sigh of relief realizing it wasn’t even close to where you were. 

The feeling of fingers in your hair brought you back to the moment as you leaned your head back just in time for Eddie’s lips to softly land on yours. 

“Anything new out in the world?”

“Mmm…no.”, you grinned as you placed your headphones and CD player to the side. 

“Fuck me, it’s cold.”, Steve whined as he scurried out of the bathroom and hastily threw on his sweats with a long sleeve shirt. “How are you two not cold?”

“You would think he’s never grown up around snow.”, the other boy teased as he leaned his head on your shoulder. “One of these days one of you will have to show me how to use this thing.”, he gestures towards the computer. “Especially since Dustin and Mike showed Wayne how to sign up for email.”

“Is that safe?”, Steve asks cautiously as he places his hands on his hips behind you both. “I mean can they like…track who he emails to…”

“He may have a point. It’s ok. We’ve all had to make sacrifices to be up here.”, Eddie sighs as he tries to smile your way. 

“Baby, I don’t see why it would be a problem. All of our information is under our aliases so if they did look it won’t seem odd.”, you comfort as you place your hand on his thigh. 

“Naw, sweetheart, he’s right. I can just keep sending him letters without the return address like we’ve been doing. I’m, um, I’m going to go grab a beer and check on Olivia.”

After kissing your forehead, he sullenly heads for the kitchen and you rise to your feet to smack Steve’s chest. 

“Ow! What?”

“Steve, he deserves to talk to the only other family he has. He can send him emails under the Ronnie name. It’s not like the police are going to descend from the ceiling as soon as he hits send.”

“Y/N, you don’t think the cops will wonder why Eddie Munson’s uncle is sending emails constantly to only one person who’s supposedly NOT his nephew?”

“You’re over thinking it.”

“Am I? Or are you not thinking enough? Honey, we can’t afford to jeopardize—”

“Don’t. Don’t you dare give me that lecture again, Steven Harrington. I worry about our safety to ok?”

The man exhales heavily as he turns and throws himself into bed, folding his arms like a toddler as you stomp away in the opposite direction to check on the metalhead.

“And then Smaug flew over the people of Laketown spewing his fire breath…Roar!”, Eddie growled as he opened his arms and pretended to fly around the room breathing fire as you watched from your hidden spot by your daughter’s doorway. 

Olivia giggled as she clapped her hands and he fell to his knees beside her bed pretending to land. 

“The dragon felt like he would be triumphant but he did not expect…the bowman…” When he widened his eyes, she did the same as she hung on every word. “Bard stood his ground amongst the flames with the one weapon he knew would take out his foe.”

You and your daughter waited for him to continue but when he didn’t you peeked around the corner to see him standing completely still. 

“Daddy? Are you ok?”, Olivia asks in a small voice before her eyes meet yours. 

“Baby?”, you ask as you slowly enter the room and place your palm on his back. His eyes were glazed over as his bottom lip began to tremble. “Hey, Eddie, look at me.”, you whisper as you cup his cheek to turn his face. 

You had seen this happen before with both of them but the triggers never made sense. You originally thought it was the trauma of being in prison but a little while after moving into your home, you went for a walk to explore the town. Everyone was exceptionally friendly including a little old Russian man who told you more about the sea food store he owned near the water. 

Steve zoned out as the man spoke and when you tried to take his hand in yours, he flinched and tried to cover his face with his arms. You showed your daughter a lot of movies from your childhood and one day during a family movie night a bat just so happened to appear in the background of the scene causing both men to stiffen. 

You never wanted to push but you always felt so helpless. 

Olivia stood up on her mattress and wrapped her tiny arms around her father’s neck. The action seemed to bring him back as he gradually lifted his own limbs to hug her to his chest. 

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Daddy got lost in his own adventure.”, he tried to comfort as his voice cracked. Taking a seat on her bed, he placed her under the covers and smiled as he tucked her in. 

“On your ad-ventures, did you fight a dragon?”

“Something like that, princess. Your dad went into the castle and burned the dragon while he was sleeping while I used my sword outside to protect them…just like Bard.”

“Whoa…where was mommy?”

Eddie chuckles as his eyes flick to you before focusing on his daughter again. 

“Mommy was resting safely in her own castle which is good because daddy wouldn’t have wanted her to get hurt.”

You could tell he was still trying to keep it together when he bent down to kiss her good night and took your hand to lead you back to the bedroom.

“What happened there, Ed?”, you ask as he exhales and falls back first onto the mattress. “Where did you go when you were telling her that story?”

“It’s hard to explain, baby.”

Blinking, you make a decision as you grab your desk chair and wheel till your directly in front of them. 

“What happened in 86?” That grabbed their full attention as they sat up to face you. “I know you didn’t kill those people and I’ve never pushed because I don’t want to hurt you but it’s been four years and everything we’ve been through I deserve to know.”

They exchanged a glance you saw many times between them; two people who knew a truth you didn’t. 

“Just 86? Or should we go back to the beginning in 83?”, Steve asks in a flat tone you weren’t prepared for. “That’s when Barb went missing… one of the crimes I was accused of.”

“I… I don’t know. Just tell me what you feel comfortable telling me.”

“I don’t feel comfortable telling you any of it.”

“What. Why?”

“Because you won’t believe us.”, Eddie cut in. “And when we tell you the truth…you’re going to call us crazy, realize you were wrong, take Olivia, and go back home.”

His words pierced your heart and cracked it open as the tears stung your eyes. 

“Jesus… three years and you still think so fucking little of me.”

As you got to your feet to leave the room, Steve hastily blocked your exit with his body. 

“Y/N, the last time part of the truth came out, it was retracted and used against me to put me in prison. I’m…WE’RE scared.”

“Steve, I don’t know what happened but whatever did is very real for you two. I see it in your eyes when you both zone out or flinch at something. There are so many things I’ve witnessed and heard in your case that don’t make sense but maybe the truth well make those puzzle pieces fit.”

Gesturing with his palm towards the bed, you took his place against the headboard while he sat in your chair and Eddie adjusted his body to face you. 

“It all started when Will Byers went missing…”

***

They continued to stare at you as sat their absorbing their words after telling you their entire story. Your logic brain had taken over as your eyes fleeted from left to right sifting through information in your head that you had researched before you met them. 

“Say something, sweetheart, please.”

“How…how didn’t the fire and the mayor being arrested not give validity to your case?”

Steve exhaled a breathily laugh as he leaned forward balancing his elbows on his knees.

“After everything we just told you, I like how that’s your first question.”

“And they didn’t look into…hospital records…after you were…beaten…”

“I didn’t go to the hospital—”

“Ok but EMS took care of you!”, you shouted as you struggled to catch your breath.

“Whoa, Y/N. Ok, what’s going on, baby?”, Eddie tried to soothe as he reached for your trembling hands. 

“And…and you…you almost died…someone hurt you and they didn’t…didn’t…”

“Y/N, sweetheart. I need you to breathe ok?”

You began to sob as you tried to do what he asked but you were beginning to feel super overwhelmed. Not just at the fact that monsters exist but at the notion that for years unbeknownst to you there was a group of people keeping you safe and in return they were either killed or punished including the two men you loved the most. 

“Look at me, little girl.”, Steve commanded in a tone you knew well. “We need you to breathe. No, no. Look at Daddy, baby.”, he says sternly as he cups your cheeks. “There you go, honey. Inhale, exhale.”

“Neither of you deserve what you went through.”

“You believe us? Just like that?”

“Eddie, you both talk in your sleep. I hear you wake up from nightmares that you don’t tell me about. I see it in your face when something happens or when you look at Olivia. I may not have been there or saw what you saw at the time but…I see it now.”

“I’m glad you weren’t there. It’s…it’s an awful place, Y/N.”

“I wish I could have been there during your trial or when you were at the hospital. I would have taken care of you. I would have—”

“Shhhh… hey. Put the logic brain away, nerd.”, Steve teases as he pets your head. “You’re here now and it’s our job to take care of you.”

Nodding your head, your eyes glance down at the light scaring around his neck that you had seen so many times. Noticing your gaze, he takes off his long sleeve shirt and slides closer allowing you a better look. 

“The bites hurt more than anything…like little knives piercing your sides…”

Glancing towards Eddie, he scoots closer as well and takes your hand in his placing it on the scar near his heart.

“This one… The doctors kept saying how they were surprised I was still alive.”

Tears started to trickle down your cheeks again and the metalhead quickly cupped them in his hands as his forehead met yours. 

“It’s ok, baby. We’re ok. Everything…is ok.”

“I hate the idea of you both being in so much pain.”, you whisper. 

“We aren’t anymore, Y/N. Not that kind of pain anyway. We all know how sometimes Steve and I can be a bit rough.”

When you laugh the tension in the room breaks. 

“Yeah but you know I like it when you’re rough.”

Eddie quirks up his eyebrow in a teasing manner before capturing your lips with his own. As the passion between you begins to grow, Steve climbs in on the other side of you, bringing your mouth to his as the metalhead’s trail down your neck.

Their strong palms knead your breasts as Eddie’s fingers continued their descent down your smooth frame. 

“Oh…”, you whine eliciting a small smirk from his lips as his middle and ring fingers rub slow circles against your clit.

Your eyes close as your head falls back against the pillows, only opening again when you hear the subtle smacks of their lips interlocking. 

“She’s so fucking wet.”

“Mmm—fuck her with your fingers, honey, and make her cum. She deserves to.”

“Fuck…YES—”

As Eddie did what Steve suggested, you struggled to control the volume of your moans as his digits hit every sensitive button inside you that only they knew how to reach causing the pretty boy to slam his hand over your mouth. 

“You have to be quiet, baby. Do you need the gag?”

You shake your head and he tosses a smile your way before bouncing between your legs and tossing your panties by your head. Oh, they loved this game. Pushing you to the edge while you try not to scream from pleasure. 

While Eddie’s fingers curled inside of you, Steve’s lips wrapped around your bundle of nerves. Your legs tried to close around his head but his strong hands kept them still and open. 

“Fuck…please. That feels so good.”

“Yeah, baby? You feel good?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl. So beautiful. God, your pussy is so fucking tight, sweetheart, I can’t wait to feel you cling to my fucking cock—shit.” Eddie stifled his grunt in your neck as your palm reached down to stroke him through his sweats. “Reminds me…when you came to visit us…and I fucked your hand through my pants like this. Fuck, baby, all I wanted to do was bend you over that table and fuck you till you were screaming my name.”

At his words, your cunt clenched around his fingers as Steve’s tongue flicked and applied the perfect amount of pressure to your clit as the coil snapped. You moaned a bit too loudly and Eddie shoved your panties into your mouth to silence you. 

“Haven’t gotten better at being quiet though.”, he growled but when your glassy needy eyes met his he felt his resolve begin to break. “Fuck, how can I be mad when you look at me like that. You ready for my cock, sweetheart?”

After your nod, Steve moves out of the man’s way as he quickly slides down his pants just enough for his dick to spring free before finding home between your legs. You jump as he taps your nub with his length, grinning at your sensitivity as he guides himself inside your entrance. 

“Goddamn.”

The metalhead sets a steady pace as his hands find purchase on your hips. 

“We talked about this a lot on the inside. What it would be like to fuck you…”, Steve coos as he sits on his knees beside the bed petting your head with one hand while he licked the other before placing it around his cock. “Eddie always thought your pussy would taste sweet like you and your letters smelled. Mmph. Sometimes your perfume would still be on our hands from the envelopes and we would jerk each o-other off imagining it was you.”

The more Steve spoke the faster Eddie’s rhythm got as he repeatedly hit that spongy spot inside of you that had your eyes rolling. Falling on top of you, he removed your panties from your mouth but kept them bunched in his hand as he grunted into your ear on the opposite side of his friend while he continued to talk.

“At night when the lights were out—mmm—I would imagine you in my arms. Sometimes we would climb into the others bunk and grind our cocks against the others ass until…”

“Sir—fuck—M’gonna cum.”

The metalhead was prepared, clamping his hand around your mouth as he pounded into you.

Your whimpers turned to muffled screams as you were blinded by white and your arms wrapped around his neck. As your pussy quivered around him, Eddie mewled your name into your ear till you felt him paint your insides with his release.

As soon as the other man pulls out, Steve lifts you under your arms and moves you around until you’re on top of him straddling his waist. His large palms cling to your hips as you lower yourself onto his length, your movements stuttering slightly at the sensitivity of your last orgasm. 

“You got this, pretty girl. Take all the time you need. You just have to be quiet.”

“T-Tell me stories, Daddy, please. I wanna hear ‘em.”

Eddie breathily chuckled as he rolled over till he was on his back beside Steve. 

“Steve had never done anything dominate with anyone before so I would let him practice with me. Sometimes, sweetheart, when he would fuck me I would tell him to pretend I was you. Boy, did he have a filthy fucking mouth.”

“Y-You liked it.”, he giggled as his head tilted to kiss the man’s lips. “I would say how you belonged to us. How I wanted you on your knees choking on my dick. Fuck.”

“He would fuck me so hard, Y/N, I would feel him for weeks. Like a silent reminder that we belonged to each other.”

Gripping the back of your neck, Steve yanked you down till your cheek was between his and Eddie’s. 

“And that you belonged to us.”, he whispered as his hips thrust up roughly punctuating his words. “A quiet promise—fuck—of what we would give you when we got out.”

“Please…”

A wicked grin spread across his face as the metalhead pushed your panties back into your mouth before Steve covered it with his other hand. 

The obscene sound of skin hitting skin filled the room as he slammed his cock deep within you causing your eyes to roll as your head hung as much as it could. 

“That’s right, baby girl. You take Daddy’s cock. Good girl. I can feel it, honey. Cum. Cum on Daddy’s cock, Y/N.” You do as he commands, your throat vibrating as you tried to be heard through the gag and Steve’s palm. “Atta girl. Let it go. Ride it out for as l-long as you can. Shit—I’m gonna cum.”

The man’s arms wrapped around your waist as his rhythm faltered and he thrust his spend into your now overstimulated cunt. Fingers reached between your sweaty frames and removed the gag from your mouth. 

“Such a good girl. You ok, sweetheart?”

“She…She said yeah. Fuck that was good.”, Steve answered for you after you whispered the answer exhaustedly in his ear. 

“As always.”, Eddie beams as he starts to take you in his arms, chuckling when you groan. “I know, I’m the worst person. Come on, babe, you need a bath. Steve, you wanna get her some water and check on Olivia?”

While the pretty boy does what he asked, the metalhead quickly gets a bath ready and places you inside the water, smiling softly when you sigh in pleasure. 

“We, uh, we didn’t just talk about you sexually on the inside. I feel like I should tell you that.”

Your eyes blink as he sits beside you, now in a pair of his blue boxers. 

“What else do you two talk about?”, you ask as you lean forward and run your fingers along the arm he had resting along the porcelain. 

“We wondered how we would have met you if we hadn’t of been locked up. You worked at The Hideout and I used to play there. Maybe you would have seen me up there playing my guitar or you would have served me a drink.”

“You were a law student and knowing my dad I probably would have been working with him.”, Steve added as he entered the bathroom and sat on the edge as he handed you the glass of water that you chugged down. “Olivia’s still asleep… I probably would have run into you at the Hawkins Library doing some research for a case or something.”

“We’d definitely be self-conscious at first but act like we were a confident badass.”

“Why would you be self-conscious?”, you giggle. 

“Because you’re beautiful, smart, and young with your whole life ahead of you.”, Eddie answered as he reached up to caress your cheek and you kissed his palm. “We’d just be some old assholes—”

“Eddie.”, you scold making him softly smile. 

Steve bent down to carefully lift you out of the water, placing you on your feet to dry you off. 

“More than anything, Y/N, we talked about this life here. Living with you in our own little house while our kids wreak havoc.”, he chuckles as he focuses on his task. 

“W-Would you want to have more kids with me?”

When they glance at each other before looking up at you, you know they’ve already had this conversation amongst themselves. 

“Of course.”, Eddie murmurs as he carries you into the bedroom and picks up the other man’s shirt off the floor to tug over your head. “Of course, sweetheart. Olivia is so fucking amazing and you’re a wonderful mom. We’d love to have a couple more little Munson/Harrington kids running around…”

“But…”

Pushing you back, they climb under the covers with you as the metalhead pulls your back to his chest while Steve moves some stray hair away from your face. 

“What if we have to run again? What if we get caught and you’re left to raise these kids alone? What if—hey…”, Steve tuts in a firm tone as you sigh in annoyance. “Stop. Y/N, we literally fought to have the life we have now and we’d do anything to keep it.”

“We’re just worried, baby.”, Eddie adds. “There’s a lot of risk bringing another little life into our world.”

“I love you both…so much…I won’t push but…whenever you’re ready I’m ready.”

Both men smile at you as your eyes steadily close and you fall asleep.

###################

“Hey Miss Franklin!”, the daycare administrator greets you as you walk in beaming through the front door.

“Hey Tasha. How was my little monster today?”

“She was good. Told the other kids her father fought dragons.”, the lady giggles as you playfully roll your eyes. “Let me go grab her.”

As your eyes scan over the children playing, you notice the administrator’s demeanor stiffen while talking to one of the other ladies before nervously smiling your way.

“Miss Franklin, Lily says Olivia’s uncle came to pick her up about an hour ago.”

Your heart drops as your eyes widen.

“Uncle?”

“Yeah…tall fellow about your age.” As she continued to describe him, the bile in your throat began to rise as anger clouded your brain. 

“Did he give you a name?”

“Uh, yeah it’s right here.”, she replies cautiously as she shows you the sign out sheet. 

Derek  

Speeding down the road and running every red light, you practically swerve into the dealership, sprinting inside to find the guys. Steve notices you first, his protective mode kicking in as he grabs your wrist and tells the front desk to send the other man to his office. 

“Y/N, honey, I can’t understand you when you talk fast like that. What’s going on with Olivia?”

Eddie hastily enters, the door slamming behind him as he steps forward to cup your cheeks. 

“What’s going on?”

“The daycare said Olivia’s uncle came to pick her up.”

“Who?”, he growls. 

“Derek’s name was on the sheet.”, you grumbled matching his anger. 

Steve’s office phone rings and he recognizes the number immediately, answering it and placing it on speaker. 

“Hello?”

“Hi, dada!”, Olivia shouts excitedly causing you to let out a sigh of relief that at least she sounded ok and wasn’t hurt. 

“Hey, honey. What are you doing home without mommy?”, he asks trying to sound calm. 

“Uncle Derek picked me up! When are you comin’ home? He wants to talk to mommy.”

“Baby, is he nearby? Can I talk to him?”, you inquire, listening to her little voice speak to someone in the background before a gruff tone pulled through. 

“Hey, babe. Long time no see.”

“If you hurt her, Derek, I swear to fucking God…”

“You must think so little of me. I don’t want to do anything to her. That’s why I tried to give her a better life with a better father.”

“Fuck you, you fucking dick—“, Eddie cut in before Steve grabbed his wrist.

“Ah good. Edward is there to or should I say Ronnie and Ben.”, he snickered. “Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?! Your dad reneged on our deal since you disappeared and my family lost everything. EVERYTHING, Y/N!”

At his outburst, you hear your daughter whine and both men’s eyes grow dark with fury.

“What do you want?”

“I’m at your house. Come here so we can talk. If you aren’t here in an hour I’ll take her back home with me to your father.”

“This was a mistake.”, you growled. 

“Maybe, Y/N. Maybe but for once in your fucking life you’re going to hear what I have to say. Olivia! Say goodbye to your parents.”

“Are they coming home?”, she asks cautiously.

“Yes, sweetheart. We’ll be there soon.”, Eddie answers her and his eyes close as he listens to her laugh. “I love you, Olivia.”

“Love you to, daddy. Love you, dada and mommy!”

The phone hangs up before you or Steve can reply.

“We have an hour…”, the metalhead says more to himself then you two. “I have guns stashed away a couple of miles from the house—”

“You are not pulling a gun with my daughter in that house.”, you hiss. 

“What do we do, Y/N? He’s not going to let us go and even if he was…he kidnapped our daughter. He’ll be lucky if he leaves the house still fucking breathing.”, Steve retorts in a dark tone you had never heard from him before.

“I’m not saying I disagree but I refuse to let any of this affect her. As far as she knows she’s a normal child and I want to keep it that way.”

“Then answer his question, Y/N. What the fuck do you want us to do!?”

##################

@lemme-slytherin-that-dick @micheledawn1975 @paleidiot @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes @noooah @baileebear @dashingdeb16 @nailbatanddungeon @rockmusiciscalming12 @mikeyswifie @poofyloofy @eddiexmunsonlover @dreamliners @munsonmoonshine86 @bexreadstoomuch @kitkat80 @myherometalhead @hardladyheart @sheisjoeschateau @chelebelletx @yesimabratandwhataboutot @cherryxhaze @utterlyinsanity

[vulpixisananimal]

<Null> {Mal Du Pays} [Loop] (Siffrin)

(Polaris is from @neoncityrain )

<Captions, lights, action.>

(You jumped downstairs two at a time, Ramos right behind you. Second take, the heros bravely fight the Sadness. You'll win this time, right?)

{Focus.}

(Like that'll be easy with both of you around.)

{We'll keep quiet, then.}

(You got to the main room, again. Frozen Odile, Bonnie and Nille. No sign of Vixul or Wren. And, of course, the sadness stood dominant above all. Like last time, Nille got distracted by you and got hit, too fast to react.)

". . S-SIS!!" (Bonnie screamed, like last time.)

(You breathed in, and out. Settling so easy into the routine, the script. Mirabelle stepped into the doorway outside moments later, and like last time, you warned her not to unfreeze Odile.)

"What the blinding-" (You look to your side, Polaris had followed you downstairs. He looked worried.)

"You should run, we can take care-"

(You're cut off by him punching you in the shoulder.) "Don't tell me what to do!" (He took an offensive stance, pulling out some needles from, somewhere.)

<Don't strain yourself. It's you, Ramos, Bonnie, Polaris, and Mirabelle. One more than last time. As long as you focus, and->

(Now is not the time, you shake your head. The sadness was looking at every one of you, one at a time, before settling its sight at Mirabelle. Bonnie slipped away while it was distracted, getting back into their backline position. Mirabelle looked at you from across the room and nodded, waiting for your mark.)

(You glanced at Polaris.) "Are you sure? It's not a normal sadness."

"What do YOU think." (He huffed. You nodded, turning to Ramos.)

"Ramos?"

"I'm ready, Sif!" (They responded. Alright. Are we ready?)

{I am.}

<Put those stones in, helps me focus.>

(. . . Weird, but fine. You take out those stones, and put them in your ear. You hear music.)

"Then lets go." <You dash in, holding out your hand and swiping, time to hit Rock Bottom, heh.>

<The attack connects in a flash of darkless stars, a strong hit, so it IS weak to rock, just immune sometimes, for some reason. The sadness screams and you jump back.>

(You feel a small jolt run up your spine and make your hair stick out on end, glancing over, Polaris had flicked out two fingers, energy crackling around him. You felt lighter on your feet.)

(Ramos time, they used the new speed to dash in with their own rock attack, unleashing a flury of blows from their tonfas before jumping back.)

(Keeping up the rhythm, Mirabelle claps her hands, enveloping you all in her shield, it still feels warm. No worrying about being frozen now.)

{The sadness looked at you with fury. Move, it's about to attack.}

<You jump back, narrowly escaping the claw that looked like it could pierce air.>

"Keep it up!" (You snap your fingers with a lightless spark. Your feet felt light.)

(You felt a breeze as Polaris rushed past you, fast. He ducked under the sadness and plunged a few large needles into it, and he was out before the sadness even let out a scream. You chuckled.)

(Crackling energy? Static craft skill?) "Gotta say Polaris, you shock me."

"Oh shut UP." (He makes a face. Right on the money, then?)

"Well I thought it was funny!" (Ramos yells while getting in for another strike.) "Electrifying, even."

"I'm leaving, you guys can fight on your own." (Polaris pouted.)

"P-please can we keep this untill after!?" (Mirabelle yells, she focused and clapped, you felt stronger.)

<Scissors, Scissors-rock, Scissors-paper, and, hmm, also scissors? And the sadness is weak to rock. It'll heal, and it'll protect itself. We need a plan.>

(The sadness roared, dashing and swiping at Polaris, not fast enough, he took the hit and flew back. He took a knee, bleeding from the mouth, but not K.Oed.)

{Hit it hard, and fast. Kill it in one hit, before it can respond and defend itself.}

(You run over to Polaris, focusing hard and breathing, willing the wounds to heal, and offering a hand. So, we have to take it down in one hit? How!)

<A jackpot cold work.>

"Starsdammit-" (Polaris let out a groan.) "Do, do you even have a plan?"

"I do, actually." <You turn to the other party members.> "Let's set up for one big attack!"

"Sounds good!" <Ramos nods, going back in for another strike.>

<Mirabelle rushes next to you and Polaris.> "A-Are you alright?"

"No but that's fine." (Pol responded, getting ready for whatever came next.) "Blind it if I'm dying easy."

"Okay just. . ." (She starts, then huffs, turning to you.) "Are you sure that plan will work?"

<No.> "I'm sure of it."

<She nodded, and guarded. She's important. If anyone is frozen, only she can unfreeze them.>

(The sadness lashed out, catching Ramos just a bit. Your turn, you rush in with your own rock skill, hitting the sadness with the hilt of your knife then dancing back.)

"Hey crab face!!" (Bonnie whizzes past you, tossing you and the others tonics. Snack duty, just like before, huh? You thank Bonbon and drink it.)

(You snap your fingers again.) "Ramos, now!"

"On it!" (Spurred on by your words, Ramos counterattacks, hiting fast and low, they looked tired, it was an intense fight, after all. Just one more good hit.)

(Polaris waited, rubbing his own cloak, you could feel craft energy building. Getting ready for the big attack? Smart. Mira ran to Ramos and clapped, healing them up.)

(The sadness looked ragged, on the back foot, as it were. You all weren't letting up, both you, Polaris, and Ramos were all so fast, and Mirabelle wasn't that far behind. It roared, and clapped its hands together.)

<That must be like before, a shield.>

"What was that?" <Polaris looked on edge.>

"A shield." <You respond.> "It'll block some attacks, we need to break it, then. . ."

"I GOT IT!!!" <From what looks like out of NOWHERE Bonnie rushed in. You reach to stop them but it was too late, they rush in, the sadness swings, hesitates, and Bonnie gets the hit in.>

"Polaris!!" (No time to be distracted! Now's your chance! Bonnie got away safely, so.) "Go!!!"

"Right!" (He threw needles at the sadness, a few sticking in the thing before Pol threw a scissors sign. Craft energy crackled, and the Sadness siezed up.)

"Ramos!!" (The two of you nod at each other dashing forward, holding out your craft signs, both of your craft skills colliding with the sadness, it collapses.)

"Mira!!" (You turn as you land, sweating, just in time to see Mirabelle rush forward with her rapier and squewer the sadness.)

<. . . . It doesn't scream.>

(. . . You breathe out.)

[Mirabelle is now level 48]

[Ramos is now level 23.]

[Polaris is now level 38.]

(You're panting, is, is it over? Did, you do it?)

<Did it in two? We're getting better.>

{Don't get relaxed, you two.}

(The sadness is staring at Mirabelle, unmoving. Mira steps back, she's breathing heavy, and shaking.)

"Did, stars did we do it?" (Polaris collapsed backwards, Bonnie runs over to Mira.)

(You hop up and rush over to the sadness, it, still wasn't moving. Was it dead?)

(. . . You poke the sadness with your dagger.)

(It crumbles into dust.)

"Oh CRAB!!!"

"No way. . ."

"We did it?!?"

"I, I think." (You're smiling.) "I, think we actually did-"

(THUNK)

(You turn. Mirabelle is lying on the floor.)

"'BELLE?!?"

"M-iss?!?"

"W-what just-?!?"

(You all run over to her, what's going on?!? What, just, what just happened?!?! Polaris is paniced, Bonnie is shaking her, Ramos is checking her pulse, you, you, you-)

{Calm d-}

(What's going on she, she, s-she, she's--)

"I-is she okay?!?" (Bonnie's looking at Ramos.)

"I- I don't-" (They're panicked, shaking.)

"She's- do you, smell-"

(You're hyperventilating, smell, smell, you smell it, burnt sugar, searing, strong, disgusting, and, and, s-so, so strong.)

"M-maybe it's her heart?!?"

"I wouldn't know!!"

(You can't focus you can't think you can't breath you can't scream you can't cry you can't hide you can't run you can't, can't, can't.)

(Your mouth is numb. You have static in your ears. Your head is screaming.)

(You-)

"F-frin. . ?"

(You look up. Bonnies crying.)

(You feel a tug. On. Your. Stomach.)

[modanisgf]

7. DAHOOD CONNOISSEUR.. (HALF WRITTEN)

wc: <1k

danielle woke up to the ringing of her phone, turning in her bed to answer.

“hello?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.

“DANIELLE?!” a voice who she assumed to be hanni yelled, making danielle wince.

“could you be any louder?! i just woke up.” danielle says, getting out of bed to get ready.

“you have criminals after you and you didn’t tell us??” haerin says, presumably being with hanni.

“it was gonna come up some day.” danielle shrugs.

“mo jihye.” minji warns, “you could’ve died yesterday!”

“hello, are all of you there?” dani asks.

“yes, we’re waiting on you outside.” hyein replies.

“waiting on me? OUTSIDE?” dani says, before the phone hangs up.

she peeked out her blinds to see none other than her entire friend group standing on her front porch, the four of them constantly looking around probably in fear of dani’s enemies coming to visit.

danielle sighs, but continues to get ready regardless and makes her way outside. her eyebrows furrowed at the backpacks they all had on.

“were none of you gonna tell me i needed to pack a bag?” dani asks, to which hanni responds.

“oh no you’re okay, just come on follow us.” she says, the rest of them start walking hanni and danielle trailing behind.

the five of them pass yn’s house, dani staring at it as they passed. she missed you dearly, and wanted to apologize for the past week. maybe she’ll do it on the way back.

—

when danielle’s friends made her leave and walk somewhere, she didn’t expect it them to go to minji’s house. why couldn’t they have just called her driver?

“minji, why couldn’t we have just gotten your driver to take us here?” danielle asks.

“he’s on his break right now.” minji shrugs.

“maybe if someone had their license we wouldn’t have to rely on her driver.” hanni says, earning a side eye from minji.

“i don’t have time for drivers ed.” minji says, rolling her eyes.

sometimes danielle forgot that minji was truly a rich girl, moments like these proving it. minji unlocked the door, and the five followed her as she led them to a room.

the room was extremely closed off, the window on the door being covered by a black paper and caution tape being attached to the front side of the window.

“was this really necessary?” haerin asks, her eyebrows furrowing at the exaggerated precautions minji had done.

“yes, nobody else can get into here if we want to keep this secret.” minji says.

“wouldn’t this just make it obvious it’s something secret?” hanni asks.

minji sighs, choosing to ignore the question and opens the door. the door revealing a full fledged lab, gadgets and more all around.

“how the hell did you get something like this in your house?” danielle asks, her jaw dropping.

“i have my connections.” minji shrugs, walking in to let her friends follow behind.

“we’ve all known about this except you dani, we were sure you would’ve told us to not get involved.” haerin explains.

“but we want you to be safe, so minji designed this so we could make you things that can help you whenever you’re out and think someone’s after you.” hyein says.

“well by we, mainly haerin and minji. more on that we thought about it, since you’re probably gonna be fighting those guys— why don’t you fight crime like the comic spiderman?” hanni says, recieving a look from danielle.

“i barely even know how to use my powers? wait— don’t tell me you guys made a suit..” dani says, getting nervous smiles from all her friends except minji.

she clicked a button on a remote, revealing a spider suit inspired by the comics altered to fit danielle more.

“you guys are crazy.” danielle mumbles, too busy being in awe of the suit.

“me and haerin are still making adjustments to it, but it should be done and ready for you in a couple days. just stay on the down low for a bit alright?” minji says, to which danielle nods.

“anyways, we need to train you if you agree to this being your side job.” hyein says.

“and how are we doing that?” danielle asks.

“connections!” she replies.

“we found someone who’s willingly to teach you some martial arts, but that’s not until tomorrow.” hanni says.

“so go hang out with yn or something for now, we’ll let you know our schedule soon.” haerin says.

“are you guys like my bosses now?”

“do you wanna die?”

dani sighs, taking her leave. she could not believe her life had taken this sharp of a turn.

prev | next | masterlist

a/n— hey yall….

TAGS 🏷️ (OPEN): @jayjj7 @haerinsloverr @mxl633 @hrjunluvs @kissablening @mah4u @idkwhatim-doinghere101 @xen248 @dexthzone @kaypanaq @multiliker @addorations @edenzeepy

[bonny-kookoo]

Lock Me Up | Short #1

In which he realizes some things, but denies himself others.

Tags/Warnings: Detective Agust D my friends, Criminal Kitty!Reader, hybrid Yoongi, mentions of murder, mentions of violence, mentions of blood, mentions of past abuse, strangers to enemies to I don't even know, sexual tension?, dead dove do not eat

Length: Mid/short

-> Series Masterlist

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"Takehiko is under arrest currently, and is being watched until we can all agree on a court date. She's still with you, right?" The detective is being asked, as he takes a drag of his cigarette outside his apartment on the rooftop.

"She is." He agrees.

"But..?" His superior questions over the phone, knowing Yoongi well enough to realize when he's got something to say. "Don't tell me she wants to retract her statement. Tell her she's safe-"

"No, no that's not it." Yoongi denies, flicking the ash off of his cigarette while he leans his arms on the railings. "Rather.. unforseen circumstances that will probably push anything involving her back by a week or so." He explains with a sigh. "At least."

"So she's in heat." His superior chuckles, and Yoongi feels a bit irritated. Kim Seokjin might be a smart man, but he sure knows how to draw amusement from Yoongi's struggles every single time the chance is there.

"Not quite yet, but probably soon. She's medicated, but still, she won't be able to make any date you might have in mind right now." He explains, flicking away the smoked bud somewhere down to the ground while he checks your tracker- just to make sure.

Legally, any statement you make in court won't have any weight as long as you're in heat- so right now, you're pretty much holding the whole process in the air until you're no longer under the influence of any drugs or your hormones to say it bluntly. Yoongi himself entirely forgot about the possibility of this.

"Oh, I was about to ask how you wanted to handle that." Seokjin chuckles.

"Anything else would've gone against proto-"

"Ah come on Min Yoongi, everyone steps over the protocol here and there!" He laughs over the phone. "Do you not like her? She seemed cute when I met her, not going to lie."

"…" Yoongi can't answer. He wants to- but he realizes in this moment that he just.. never thought about it. Does he like you? Or has he just gotten used to you?

Well, he certainly doesn't mind you.

He neither minded going out to get your medications, nor does he mind how you sometimes reach for his hand at night when you sleep. He doesn't mind how you constantly try to rile him up or get on his nerves, and he definitely doesn't mind your presence when he works. But does he like it?

He.. kind of does, come to think of it.

"It's alright to admit it, you know." Seokjin hums over the phone. "I'm not testing you or anything."

"That would be exactly what you'd say if you were testing me." Yoongi argues back defensively. "Listen, I'll supervise her while she's on her meds, and I'll ring you up the minute she's through with it."

"Well, you do you detective blank-face." Seokjin jokes. "Have fun!" He laughs, and Yoongi rolls his eyes before ending the call and walking back into his apartment where you're laying flat on your stomach-

In the middle of the main room.

"And.. what is this?" He asks, though you just groan into floorboards in agony.

"I'm gonna die~!" You wail, and he sighs.

This is going to be the longest heat he'll probably ever have to sit through.

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"Stop- hey, slow down alright? One is enough for now." He tells you, taking away the pack of snacks from you. You immediately become teary eyed, grabbing after them- though his arm is longer, palm pressed against your sternum keeping you away.

"But I'm hungry!" You cry out. "I'll starve! You're gonna make me starve, is that it? Did I bother you so much that you want me dead now?" You ask dramatically, and he takes a deep breath.

"You're not starving." He clarifies as carefully as he can manage, putting the snacks back into the highest shelf where he keeps most of your foods at the moment since you use any moment where he's not looking to practically consume everything edible in his household. "You just feel empty, and you confuse that with hunger." He explains, and now you just look annoyed.

"Yeah well, who's fault is that?" You accuse with crossed arms. "Anyone else would've just screwed me already to get it over and done with." You say, and he looks at you with a blank face.

"I'm not anyone, however." He reminds you.

"I know.. I'm sorry- you're tryin'a be nice and I'm such a bitch for no reason.." you suddenly deflate, walking away from him to crawl underneath a blanket on your chaotic bed, hiding.

It's your medication- and he honestly feels sorry for you.

When you're not cramping and uncomfortable and most of all nauseous, you start to feel empty and hungry, not to mention the mess that's your emotions. One moment you're irritated by nothing, the next you're scared of everything. It's a little tough to handle, he won't lie.

Mostly because he wants to help as much as he can, but there's really a tough limit to what he can actually do without.. well, that.

"Here, drink something instead, that's more important right now." He offers, squatting down at the side of your bed with a bottle of water.

There's no answer.

"You're not asleep."

"How'd you know?!" You suddenly ask, throwing back the covers as you sit up, holding your heat quickly from the whiplash.

"Its not that hard to tell." He- chuckles?!- before he unscrews the cap of the water bottle. You drink eagerly- though you keep your eyes on him the entire time, as if you're thinking of something that involves him. "What?- no no no, my God..." he sighs as you try and talk without having swallowed down the last gulp of water, immediately forcing yourself to cough.

When you finally stop, he tries again. "First drink, then talk." He reminds you, and you nod.

"Can I ask how you got that scar? Like, who did that?" You wonder, finger reaching out to touch it- and he instinctively leans away from you. "Oh sorry, my bad." You apologize, and he shakes it off.

"Its not a cool story, really." He mumbles quietly. "Nothing what you might expect." He shrugs, screwing the cap back onto the bottle before he stands up to put it back into the fridge.

"..so?" You ask meekly, still wanting to know. "I mean you don't have to say-" you start, but he cuts you off as he washes some dishes in the sink.

"Me." He says, and you freeze in your spot. "You asked who did it." He says over his shoulder when he notices your silence, and at that, you watch him with an unreadable expression, before you get up. "What, you wanna look at it aga-"

But he's caught off guard when you simply quietly hug him from the back, soft purring trying to somehow get your feelings across.

And he understands.

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"What is it?" He asks when he notices you pacing again, not wanting to sit down at all it seems like. Your tail snaps upwards at the sound of his voice- but you're not answering for a moment.

"I need to go outside." You say, and he puts his pen down, ready to argue. You've already argued twice about this very specific topic- he can't let you outside like this on your own, the risks too high. And unbeknownst to you, it's not just because you're still a key witness to his case- but also because he personally doesn't want you to roam around outside while clearly still in heat, medicated or not.

He doesn't want to admit it yet, but his reasoning aren't just because he's a hybrid and therefore influenced by you.

"I know! I know you said I can't but I really need something and-" you argue instantly, standing in front of his desk with your legs pushed together suspiciously.

"I bought them already." He tells you nonchalantly, picking up his pen again to continue working. "They're in the bathroom, underneath the sink." He explains, and you stare at him for a moment, before you squint your eyes in suspicion, walking where he told you he'd pit what you need.

There's no way he actually-

He did.

It's definitely a more expensive brand you'd be using- but you won't question it for now, rather glad to be able to clean up and regain some comfort as you do your business and line your underwear with the hybrid-heat pads.

Maybe that'll help him, too.

You know he's affected by you inside his home even if he doesn't admit it- it's not hard to notice. He tends to go outside a lot more, he keeps a window open next to him when he works, he tries to keep any close contact to a minimum. You like that he stays respectful, sure- but you also feel awful about it, because you're just making his job and life so much more complicated right now. No one wants to willingly take care of a medicated hybrid in heat- it's exhausting, annoying, and most of all-

"Everything alright in there?" He asks through the door, knocking pulling you out of your thoughts.

"Y-yeah, no issues!" You call out, and he seems to leave at that, making you deflate. The detective seems to be a pretty good guy underneath that weird tough guy persona he puts up during his work- but it's clear to you that while he might tolerate you, and doesn't truly mind you, he doesn't like you either. He's still someone who despises his own genes, so it's a no-brainer that he probably doesn't like you either.

And you don't blame him at all.

Walking outside the bathroom, you rub your eye- and he immediately gets up to check on you. "What happened?" He wants to know, thinking you're crying, but you wave him off.

"..got.. something in my eye.." you mumble, making him click his tongue as he holds your face in his hands to tilt it upwards so he can see better. He's concentrated on his task, but his grip isn't rough or anything- he's awfully gentle, careful in locating and brushing the hair out ofbyour eye, before he lets go of you again. "..thanks." You mumble, and he nods, walking back to his desk.

"No problem." He simply answers, orange hue from the setting sun coloring the entire interior of his apartment.

"Hey, Detective.?" You ask, carefully pushing some things on his desk with your leg as you sit on the corner, making him furrow his brows at your antics- though he's used to them at this point. "Do you have like- hobbies?" You wonder, and he clicks something on his laptop before he closes the device, leaning back in his seat with crossed arms.

"Not really, no." He answers dryly.

"Boring." You huff. "Not even old-people-stuff like, I don't know, collecting stamps or something?" You ask, and he shakes his head.

"No." He simply answers, and you let your shoulders drop.

"Oh come on man, I'm trying to make smalltalk here!" You whine, and he chuckles- something he's been doing recently, and it fills you with happiness, in a way. "You gotta help me out!"

"Why would I?" He asks, leaning his head to the side a bit. "You're pretty entertaining like this." He shrugs.

You, in return, pull out your tongue, before jumping down to walk into the kitchen, attempting to climb on the countertop to reach your snack-stash.

"Hey- stop that!" He immediately calls out rushing to you, pulling you down but your middle before setting you back down onto the ground.

"But De-te-ctive~!" You wail dramatically. "I'm gonna-"

"You're not going to starve, I told you." He reminds you, but you simply suddenly fall limp in his grip, practically melting through his arms like liquid before you're on the ground, giggling. He sighs.

"Your life is gonna be so fucking boring when I'm gone." You joke-

And he knows, deep inside, just how right you are.

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"Pssst, Detective.!" You hiss- but he's dead asleep. "Detective!" You hiss again, but still, he's unconscious.

It's unusual for him to sleep this tightly, not even reacting to you when you're pulling on his arm. And it's freaking you out- because you know for a fact, someone's on the roof, and its a stranger.

You're just about to slap the man, when the window crashes, making you instantly try and hide- but it's no use, because his apartment isn't big at all, and gives you nowhere to truly go in the spur of the moment like this.

You notice how the detective's eyes slowly open, as if he's fighting to wake up- but he still doesn't move.

The food delivered. The young delivery guy at the door that seemed awfully nervous. The soda only he himself had drunk yesterday.

He's so fucking stupid, he thinks to himself.

You can feel Yoongi's grip trying to hold you close to him as you hold onto his hand- but he can't bring himself to do anything else as you finally slip from his fingers, a hit to your head making you go limp as you lose consciousness right in front of his eyes.

And suddenly you're gone, apartment cold and empty again.

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[silentmoths]

A cold cure for Insomnia

Hey look, it's not a genshin fic

wild huh?

I'll preface this with 2 things: 1: I am, for some reason, incredibly nervous abt posting a fic that is 100% outside my wheelhouse. I've never actually posted anything but genshin fic since I started uploading a couple years ago, only like, one friend has ever seen anything else from me so this is a bit of a step. 2: this is nothing put pure, indulgent lesbian bullshit and I'll also note that I have no idea how to write f/f smut, so be gentle with me.

If you're only here for my genshin stuff, have a nice day and we'll be back to regularly scheduled bullshittery shortly. Until then, please enjoy me, self indulging over my pokemon wife.

Elite 4 Rika x Fem!Reader 7.4k words, not proofread, we die like prof. sada

NSFW, honestly it's just a whole lot of fkn smut with some fluff sprinkled in there, praise kink, hair pulling, use of toys, oral, tribbing, koraidon being an unintentional wingman.

What a day.

Sometimes you wonder how Nemona did it, rushing around doing champion things all the time. Honestly, ever since you’d beat Geeta all those years ago while you were still in school, it felt like every day was ‘go here, check this gym, go there, check that gym.’ And you were getting a little tired of it.

Especially recently, with Nemona currently travelling somewhere in the Kalos region doing Arceus knows what, and Geeta being stuck in paperwork hell with the Academy preparing for their annual treasure hunt, you’d been swamped, needing to go and check every. Single. Gym. to make sure they were all up to par.

(who knows maybe this year a new student would claim the champion title and you could retire? That’d be nice.)

Montenevera was the last stop on your trip, and while the vibe was always lovely in the snowy mountain town…you’d never been particularly fond of the cold… Only made worse by Rhyme and her gang of ghost pokemon sending a particular shiver down your spine that you just couldn’t shake.

Night had fallen by the time you finally walked out the sliding doors of the League building, only to be greeted by your one nemesis. 

Fucking snow.

Here, on the outskirts of Mesagoza.

You wanted to scream, but that wasn’t very becoming of a League champion now was it?

So with a sigh, you reach for a specific pokeball on your hip. The trek home wasn’t far, but in the sleet and cold, you knew it’d be faster if you rode.

Koraidon however, apparently had other ideas. 

The moment his feet touch the cold ground, he yelps and backs right up and into the League building once again.

“Koraidon…c’mon bud, we just need to get home.” you sigh “I know you’re tired too…I promise to make you the best dang sandwich when we get home…yeah?” 

The paradox pokemon simply looks at you with wide, sad eyes and a low chitter before he willingly returns to his ball. 

Great….just great. Not even your most reliable pokemon was willing to brave even more snow, not after today.

“Woah-ho, what’s gotten under his scales?” a familiar voice sounds from behind you, snapping you from your despondent staring at Koraidon’s pokeball. The familiar click of dress boots give her away before Rika steps into view.

How she always managed to look so very casual while pulling off suspenders was beyond you, but every time you were anywhere in the vicinity of the first member of the Elite four, you found your mouth running dry and your mind wandering very far away from here. She tilts her head at you and it takes her waving her hand in front of your eyes to realise you were absolutely staring at her.

Way to go.

“Woah, you alright? You look wiped.” She comments, her brow furrowing as she looks you up and down. 

“A-ah…yeah, sorry…s’been a long few days…” you eventually mumble, turning your gaze to the floor as you clip Koraidon’s ball back to your belt with the others. “Geeta’s had me checking and rechecking all the gyms to make sure they’re ready for the next treasure hunt…we just got back from Montenevera…cold…tired…and now it’s snowing a-and Koraidon is just…too tired to take me home..” 

A slender, comforting hand gently rests between your shoulder blades, rubbing small, soothing circles and it takes everything in you to not crumble apart there, man, how desperate did you have to be to nearly cry at friendly touch? “You live all the way on the other side of town, dontcha?” She asks, her free hand raising to push some of her green hair from her face as the look of worry on her features only seems to grow “Ain’t no way you’re making that walk in this state…”

“I’ll live…” you sigh, hanging your head and readjusting your bag as you lift your head to look at the snow flurry that was definitely only getting heavier.

“Nah, C’mon, you can crash at mine tonight, it’s closer.” Rika chimes, patting you on the back and passing you a wink before she heads out the door. 

You blink, watching her back in silence, there was no way she had just invited you to spend the night, absolutely no way. You needed to go see a doctor and maybe get your hearing checked-

“You comin? Or did Rhyme’s Toxtricity paralyse you up there in Montenevera?” She calls, stopping and looking over her shoulder. There's a…a look in her eyes that you can't quite make out, but it makes your heart jackhammer just that little bit, especially when she turns and offers her hand “C’mon, let's get you home, yeah?”

You swallow the lump in your throat as you blink at her outstretched, gloved hand and then up at her smile.

Arceus, you were weak…how you ever made champion when you can’t even look the first of the Elite four in the eye without feeling your cheeks heat, you’ll never know.

Finally, you reach out and take her hand, not expecting her to tug you into her side, arm draping over your shoulders as she starts walking again, all but pulling you along with her. Her hand gives your shoulder a reassuring squeeze as she shares her body warmth with you on the trek down the mountainside towards the tunnel. For someone so slim, she was…much warmer than you expected, and you find yourself sleepily zoning out, simply focusing on one food in front of the other.

Thankfully, Rika was pretty alright with not needing to make small talk. This wasn’t the first time you had both just…existed in the same space in silence…to be fair the silence on your part before was because you had no idea how to talk to her without muddling your words like a lovestruck idiot, and perhaps that was still the case. Regardless, you play up the ‘tired’ aspect and simply bask in being close.

The unfortunate downside to the tunnel from Mesagoza up to the League headquarters, was the wind. Right now? Frigid and inhospitable, the icy chill stinging at your eyes, at least until your companion comes to your rescue, shifting you behind her taller frame and blocking the wind, hand moving from your shoulder to your hand, giving that same reassuring squeeze as she looks over her shoulder, small smile on her face.

You swear you can feel her thumb gently rubbing over your knuckles as she bends her arm behind her back to keep a secure hold on you.

Rika…she really was something else, something you didn’t deserve.

The moment the tunnel spits you both out into Mesagoza’s side streets, she takes an immediate right. Had you been walking home, you would have had to take a left and trudge all the way to the other side of the city, past the academy and almost to the pokemon centre by the west gate. 

The flurry of snow was only getting worse, you can feel your clothes growing heavy and damp, and the concrete was getting slippery. Thankfully it’s not all that long before she tugs you into an apartment building and into a blessedly warm elevator. Holding you steady as your world begins to spin and blur at the edges. Perhaps you really had pushed it a bit too much today, hitting Cascarrafa, Glaseado and Montenevera in a single day…

“Hey.” Rika murmurs as your head rests against her shoulder “Stay with me, nearly there, kay? We’ll get you inside n’warmed up, yeah?” 

“Mmh…kay..” you manage to mumble back, simply enjoying being held, even if it was light. Her arm wrapped around your torso as you just breath. She smells like Cedarwood…and maybe a hint of Ozone…might have something to do with her Camerupt… but it’s not an unwelcome scent at all. You only get a few moments to enjoy it before the elevator chimes, and you’re gently tugged out into, and down a hallway. Rika’s free hand fishing her keys from her pocket. She has to let you go to get the door open, muttering something about a stuck lock and needing to call maintenance, but with a bodily shove of her shoulder, the lock clicks and the door swings open.

Her apartment is blessedly warm, she must have left the heater on when she left for work this morning, because the warm air nearly takes you out before you even enter the door, needing to lean against the frame with a relieved sigh, knowing that even if you had made it home tonight, your heater had definitely not been on, and hadn't been for several days.

Rika only laughs softly, gently pulling you inside so she could close the door. 

“Here…lets get you to the bathroom and into the shower…you’re absolutely freezing.” She mutters. Half-carrying you down the hall. Her apartment is…honestly what you expected. Neat enough, but not overly tidied. Lived in, comfortable, Inviting. Shades of soft greens and earthy tones scattered everywhere, a few large pokemon beds scattered about for her pokemon to enjoy outside of their balls. The only things really alluding to the fact that Rika was far more well off than most had to be the massive TV mounted to the living room wall, and what looked like one of the newer game consoles…the ones that had been super hard to get because of a manufacturing supply issue…fancy.

You don't quite register that she’s slowly pulling your clothes away from you until she’s already got your beanie, scarf and jacket off, each item thrown into her laundry hamper, at some point she’d also already started the shower for you, the room already beginning to fill with steam. You snap back to reality when theres a gently tug at the hem of your shirt, silently asking for your permission to remove it. 

“O-oh, I uh…s-sorry…” you mumble, raising your arms above your head anyway, cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment as she pulls the item away, the tank top beneath still leaving you modest enough to not die on the spot. “I-I can handle it from here…” 

“You sure?” she murmurs softly “S’no big deal to me.” 

“Y-yeah…I’ll be fine…thanks.” 

You watch as the tiniest hint of…disappointment? Flickers across her features…no, surely you were imagining…but she doesn’t push it any further.

“Alrighty, I’ll go find something you can wear for the night and then throw your clothes in the laundry once you’re in the shower, yeah?”

“Mm…t-thank you Rika…you really…you didn’t have to-” you mumble, unable to meet her gaze, but she just smiles and shrugs, her fingers slowly pushing a stray strand of hair out of your face. 

“And what if I wanted to? You look like you need a break.” She retorts, sliding past you and continuing down the hall before you can reply.

Soon enough, the rest of your clothes join the laundry hamper and you slip into the shower, beneath the scalding spray and you want to cry all over again, your fingers begin to prick with pins and needles as they slowly regain feeling, serves you right for leaving your gloves at home.

A few minutes into your shower, you hear the distinctive, soft thud of cloth hitting the counter. “Here’s some jammies, sorry if they’re a bit big.” Rika chuckles before vanishing back down the hall. You almost don’t want to get out of the hot spray, especially not once you start giving yourself a good scrub down with whatever fancy-branded body wash she kept in here.

At least now you know what to buy that would make you smell like cedarwood…

After you feel the last of the day’s grime finally wash from your body, you shut off the water and poke your head out of the shower. Thankfully Rika had already left a towel waiting atop the clothes she’d sacrificed to you. It’s as you’re drying off that you finally get a good look in the mirror and…wow…

Now you think you understand why she’d been so concerned…you look like you had two black eyes, that's how tired you were…

–

You find Rika relaxing in the living room watching TV when you finally emerge, changed into a fresh set of long pyjamas and- you can’t even stop the giggle when you notice the clodsire slippers.

“Where on earth did you get those?” you ask, pointing to said slippers, earning a grin and a snicker from their wearer.

“Larry actually.” She chuckles “secret santa a couple years back.” With that, she pats the spot on the couch next to her, and you, now warm and content, plop down beside her without a second thought, leaning against the arm of the couch with a content sigh. “How’re you feelin?” she asks, idly flipping through the channels.

“Mmh…much better…thank you again…I…I don’t think I would have made it home…not in this weather.”

“Oh I coulda told you that, Honey. In fact I’m pretty sure I did.” She snickers, her lips quirking at the side when she notes the way your cheeks flush pink at the pet name. “I’ve ordered some takeout, s’too cold to go out n’ grab food...and I’m usually too beat after work to bother cooking.” 

“Then how the hell do you stay so skinny?” You snicker at her, receiving a wink in response.

“Oh I take my cardio seriously.” is all the response she gives before she finally decides there is nothing decent on regular TV, and switches over to a streaming service, throwing on some random popular movie. 

Once again, you both settle into a comfortable silence, Rika rising from the couch half an hour in to fetch the dinner left at her door before returning, at some point with a blanket in tow. You sit up a little as she places the food on the coffee table and plops down right beside you this time, draping the blanket over both your laps. It’s not until you take the first mouthful of that delightful galarian curry, that you realise just how hungry you are, barely paying attention to the movie as you scarf down your meal, fighting back tears at Rika’s acts of kindness for the third time today, and only seemingly taking a breath once you’ve finished your meal, leaning back into the arm of the couch with a content sigh, only to squeak when Rika finishes her own a few minutes later and bodily leans into your side, head to your chest and arms slowly wrapping around your torso as she pulls her legs up and gets comfortable beside you with a content huff.

Arceus she was just so…so handsome, breathtaking… and she was just…cuddling you like you’d both been doing this kind of thing for years… it was sudden, but it didn’t feel wrong…and slowly, you bring your arm down from where it had been splayed along the back of the couch, to gently card through her hair, pulling some of her bangs from her face and tucking them behind her ear.

“Hmm…you should get some sleep, kiddo…arceus knows you need it.” She hums, glancing up at you from her spot on your chest. You know she’s right, and she doesn’t complain when you shift, even reaching behind her to hand you an extra cushion to tuck behind your head as you lay out along the couch, Rika coming to rest between your legs, head once again leaning onto your chest, her extra warmth and weight just adding another layer of comfort as you both go back to watching the movie.

Now usually, usually you were the kind of person who could drop off watching a movie quite easily. But on very rare occasions, you would find yourself struck with bouts of insomnia, and unfortunately for you, they always seemed to happen after periods of prolonged stress.

Like needing to go and personally make sure every gym was up to standards… 

Before you even knew it, the credits begin to roll, you’re exhausted, but offensively awake, to the point where even Rika is surprised, blinking those beautiful crimson eyes up at you. 

“Can’t sleep?” she asks with a tilt of her head. 

“Sometimes Insomnia is a bitch.” You concede, she makes a noise of understanding. 

“Ah, yeah…I know that feeling…” she admits, staring up at you, to the point you feel your cheeks heating again, and you avert your gaze “but, thankfully, I know the best solution for that.” She adds, shimmying to push herself up on her hands and knees, looming over you, some of her hair, having been free’d of its usual ponytail, cascading over her shoulders to tickle at your face.

“O-oh? And…what might that be?” that look in her eyes is back, the one you couldn’t quite read properly back at HQ, but here, with her inches from your face? It’s loud and clear.

Hunger. 

“Do you trust me?” She asks, her lips quirking into a smirk as you shrink beneath her. 

“W-would I have followed you home if I hadn’t?” you manage to squeak back at her, nowhere near as confident and commanding as it had sounded in your head. It’s enough to make her chuckle, and you watch in a daze as she licks her lips, a single hand coming up to softly grip your chin, lifting your face. 

“Hm, touche…” and with that, her lips are on yours, she swallows the squeaking gasp that you let out, taking the opportunity of your mouth being open to send her tongue in to explore. To you it feels like electricity, like you’d just taken a thunderbolt to the senses; She’s soft, gentle, probing, gauging your reactions. Apparently she must have liked what she got, because she deepens the kiss, nipping at your lips as one hand tangles in your hair, rougher. You like this a bit better. 

You’re the one who needs to come up for air first, pulling your face away with a loud, breathless gasp as you try to catch your breath. 

The look you find waiting for you is…predatory, is the only word that comes to mind, and if it wasn’t for the fact she was already between your knees, you’d be squeezing your thighs together so tight, because it’s doing something…funny to your insides.

“Hmm…you ever done anything like…this before?” She asks, voice low and husky and you’re very ready to pass away, but you manage a shake of your head and the grin you get in response? 

It’s like a Mightyena who’s just found it’s lunch. She was going to eat you, and she was going to enjoy every second of it. 

“Well then, we’d best move…couch sex is great n’ all, but I’d rather your first time be somewhere a little more comfortable.” she remarks, pulling away. You whine at the loss of her extra warmth, but that whine quickly turns to a yelp when she takes your arm and drags you up with a strength she hadn’t shown you before. Always full of tricks, Rika was. 

The admittedly short trek down the hall to her room is…hindered. Every few steps you’d find yourself pressed against the wall, Rika towering over you as hands tangle in your hair and lips crash to yours as she steals what little breath you manage to catch before you’re separating, taking a couple more steps and repeating the process. 

Right outside the bedroom door, the slim trainer actually lifts you up the wall a ways, enough so that your legs instinctively wrap around her waist, nothing but her pyjama pants and the thin boxer’s you’d borrowed off her keeping you apart, but already entirely too much clothing in the way. You moan loudly when she rolls her hips into yours, the sensations all new and overwhelming, but you don't think you’ve ever felt this good before in your life.

Her hands find your ass as she pulls back from the wall, holding you to her firmly as you both finally stumble into her room, only given a second to brace before she’s throwing you down into the blankets, and even less time before she’s on you, grinning and hungry as hands fly up your top, pushing it up your chest so she can finally access some skin.

“A-ah! Rika-” her name was lost on her for the time being, far too engrossed in leaving open mouthed kisses along your chest and stomach, mouth latching over one of your nipples while her hand works at the other. Your own hands twisting and clenching at her blanket, your squirming only made worse when she shifts again, her knee pressing between your legs and right against your aching cunt. 

At some point, she manages to wrangle the top off you completely, throwing it to the void so her hands can explore the expanse of your chest properly, she leaves no patch of skin untouched, no freckle or blemish uncharted, and when your whining begins to pitch as the nipple she sucks on becomes too sensitive, she gets go, only to latch to your collar bone instead, hands roaming your body.

You let out an embarrassingly pitiful mewl when her fingers dip beneath the waistband of your borrowed boxers, and you immediately bring a hand up to cover your mouth. Rika, apparently, doesn’t like that. Her hand retreating from its place as she props herself on the other, pulling away entirely, even shifting her knee back, depriving you of that delicious friction. Your hand is tugged away from your mouth and pinned to your side, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

“Don’t.” She scolds quietly “I wanna hear you.”

“B-but-” 

“Don’t be a brat.” she interjects, eyes flashing dangerously “I know that aint’ you… you wanna be a good girl, yeah?”

Oh.

Oh no.

That shouldn’t have such an effect on you. 

There’s no hiding it from Rika either. Her smirk widens as she stares smugly down at your trembling frame. 

“Oh? You like that huh? Well then, are you gonna be a good girl and do as I say?” she hums “I’ll make sure you feel real good, yeah?”

“M-mhm…” is all you manage to squeak out, earning a raised eyebrow.

“What was that? Didn’t quite hear you there, princess.” Rika snickers. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and the humiliation burns your ears and makes your insides squirm in a way you didn’t think would feel as good as it did.

“I-I’ll be good…” you whisper, your hands twisting into the sheets as Rika hums, leaning down to press a chaste kiss to your burning cheek. 

“That’s a good girl.” she purrs “you just relax n’let me handle things, kay?”

You actually sigh into the kiss when she does finally return to what she was doing, your arms wrapping over her shoulders as she shifts back into place, hands lightly roaming your skin, teasing and testing sensitive spots, occasionally getting a little rougher, just enough to rile you a little more, before settling again. Before she can get back into your pants however, you tug at her shirt, whining into her mouth; thankfully, Rika is smart, she gets your hint and pulls away just long enough to tug her top off.

Her skin is soft, smooth, a few burn scars and claw marks here and there as she settles beside you, one of your thighs caught between her knees as she wraps an arm under your shoulders, pulling you close to her chest as the other hand grazes southward, she doesn't dally once her fingers breech the waistband of your boxers, quickly locating the sticky mess between your thighs with a pleased hum.

“Mmm, look at that…” she hums as a pair of fingers easily delve through your pussy, retracting from your boxers entirely so she can admire the glistening slick dripping from her fingers. “You’re so wet already, honey…” Rika makes sure you watch as she pops those two fingers into her mouth and you squeak, face burning in embarrassment. 

She doesn’t give you much time to react, the moment she pulls those slender fingers from her lips, she shifts, your boxers are wrenched off and you’re left bare before her as she parts your knees to settle on her belly between your thighs, eyes flashing devilishly in the low light, and hot breath ghosting over your most sensitive parts.

“R-Rika-”

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to get you into my bed.” She rasps between open-mouthed kisses along your thighs, arms wrapping around to keep yout hips in place as she takes her sweet time. “When was it… mmh, yeah I think it was…two years ago? Koraidon suddenly came out of his ball all sorry lookin’ in the middle of a meeting…”

Oh Arceus, you remember that meeting… Perhaps you’d been a little soft with Koraidon…he’d learnt that if he looked sorry enough, you’d make him a sandwich… but it was getting awfully hard to focus when a warm tongue suddenly licks a flat stripe into your cunt, and lips seal around your clit, shocking you from your thoughts as her strong hands prevent you from accidentally crushing her head with your thighs.

“Without even stopping to think, you got up n’ you got him what he needed.” she whispers into your thigh once she finally pulls away “middle of a meetin… n’ heres our newest champion, making a sandwich for her pokemon.” she chuckles “I dunno…something about how casually you just…did that…I’ve wanted this ever since but Geeta’s always had you running all over the place, pinning you down has always been impossible…least until today.” 

“Rika…”

“You’re always doing everything for everyone else… you deserve to relax.” For a brief moment, she flashes you a genuine smile, not a hint of that handsome smirk that you’re so used to; just genuine warmth before she tugs you down by your hips and returns her mouth to you, long strokes of her tongue between your folds that leave any words dead in your throat, and your hands tangling in her hair for any semblance of control. You didn’t want to hurt her, but when she sucks harshly on your clit, you cry out and yank on her hair a little harder than you’d meant to, any apology dying when she groans and shudders, her eyes rolling back for a moment. 

“You’re killin me, kid.” She sighs in the brief moment she brings herself to separate from you “keep doin that and you might end up in trouble.”

It sounds like a threat… but the way she suddenly looks so…debauched, has you tugging at her silky hair again when a pair of fingers slowly begin to prod at your core, spurring her on as you squirm and mewl.

Eventually, you feel something deep in your belly, different from before, something building that has your breath coming harshly as you try to squirm away, stopped by a firm hand pressing just below your navel.

“R-rika-! s-somethings…I-I feel-” you whimper as the pressure builds, you expect her to pull away in concern, but her eyes flash with realisation, and she only seems to double down, her long, slender fingers curling inside of you and brushes against…something. Something that has you nearly scream her name as that pressure snaps and your world turns white, fingers curling harshly into her hair.

Somewhere, through the haze, you feel a weight resting on you, and a hand resting on your cheek, but it takes a little longer for your ears to finally stop ringing and realise Rika was gently calling your name.

“There you are..” She chuckles softly as you finally remember how to uncross your eyes and look at her. “That looked intense…you ok?” 

“Uh…uh-huh…” you respond dumbly, resting your cheek against her hand “what…what was that..?”

Rika’s lips pull into a thin, concerned line as her brows furrow.

“They really didn’t teach sex-ed at the academy, did they?” She asks.

“I-I mean…they did…s’just…basic..” you mumble as you slowly come down from…whatever high that just was.

“Obviously.” she sighs with a shake of her head “Was that seriously your first orgasm?” 

Oh.

“oh…I uh…yeah…I guess it was.” and the humiliation was back. You knew what an orgasm was in theory…you’d just..never bothered to try it yourself. 

“Well…I suppose I should count myself honoured then.” She snickers, leaning in to kiss at your undoubtedly sweaty forehead. “Couple more of those N’ I think you’ll be sleeping like a Komala.” 

“M-more…?” you whisper, she laughs, catching your wide-eyed expression.

“Oh yeah, that was just foreplay, sweet thing…you did so well.” 

And the praise was back, despite the way your joints feel molten hot, you still manage to squirm beneath her. 

“I- s-should I…um…h-help you now?” your question is barely a whisper, all nerves…you have no idea how she did what she did but it felt…wrong to take and not give. 

But Rika only shakes her head. 

“What’d I say before?” she chides, slowly sitting back on her knees “Your one job tonight is to relax…I’ve got you.” 

“But…what about you-”

“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll get off eventually.” She chuckles, smirking when you sigh and relent. “I want one more outta you before then though.” She mumbles as she shifts out from between your knees, sitting and reaching for her bedside table as you stare at the ceiling, basking in the shaky afterglow. 

“D-did you…mean what you said before?” you mumble more at the ceiling than anything “that you’ve been…waiting for this..?” 

“What reason do I have to lie to you?” She chuckles as she fiddles with…whatever she’s fiddling with. “You earned my respect the day you beat me when you first took on the Elite four, my admiration when you beat Geeta and became a champion…”

“God…those stupid glasses haunt me.” you snicker, remembering rather vividly being sat, alone in a room with Rika when you had first taken on the league, you’d read up plenty on other pokemon leagues in other regions, but never once had any of them had an interview-style exam right at the start.

“Hey, I like my glasses, thank you very much!” Rika snorts as she finally shifts back over, pulling you close with one arm as something…new slides between your legs, a quick glance and- oh.

You never really took Rika for the kind to own toys…but…at the same time, you never really gave it much thought. It’s nothing extreme, but to you, who’s never had anything other than a pair of slender fingers inside you very recently, the silicone toy is still rather intimidating. 

“This ok?” She asks, mouthing at your neck and shoulder “if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“I…I do..just..nervous is all.” 

“Mmh, good girl, so trusting…” there she goes again with the pet name that makes you shiver, not helped by the cold press of lubricated silicone against your still-sensitive cunt, gently pressing just that little bit further as Rika mouths your neck, nibbling down on the juncture between throat and shoulder, an adequate distraction as she pulls your leg out of the way with her own and sinks the toy in, slowly, almost tender as she coos comforts, coaxing you to relax, praise falling from her easily. 

“Look at that, you took it so well.” She praises once the toy reaches the hilt “fuck, you’re making me regret not buying a harness… might just have to pick one up so I can fuck you proper, yeah?” 

You can't even bring yourself to respond to her dirty talk, blinking hazily downwards as you gently press a hand just below your belly-button, taking the hint, Rika pulls the toy almost all the way out and then thrusts it back in. The feeling of it inside you, plus being able to feel it beneath your hand makes you moan loud and long, head falling back against the pillows as Rika lets you go, using her now free arm to prop herself up to watch you as she begins rhythmically working the dildo in and out of you, a small shift of her thumb has it brushing against your clit every time she sinks the silicone back into you, only adding to the layers of pleasure as your toes curl and your legs twitch.

“Look at you taking it like you were made for this, good girl.” she purrs, licking at her lips “I really shoulda found another reason to get you alone waaay before now.”

“Ungh…please…p-please…more…” It takes more than you feel like it should to beg, good as it felt, you’re worried that Rika was perhaps treating you just a little too softly. “Rika please…please please pleas-”

“Woah there, settle down baby.” She whispers, kissing at your cheek “Lookit you, telling me what you want like a good girl…who am I to deny the champion?” 

Your attempt at telling her she didn’t need to use your title is quickly drowned out when she sits up, plunging the toy deeper inside of you with this new angle, brushing up against that one spot that had triggered your last orgasm. Her free hand pins your chest down as she smiles down at you, predatory and hungry for your reactions as she ups the pace, occasionally stopping to really grind the toy deep inside of you, right against that sensitive spot that has your voice pitch higher while you grip at Rika’s hand like your life depended on it.

As your next orgasm draws closer, you whimper, tugging at her hand, overstimulated ,overwhelmed, knowing you needed something, but not quite sure what that something was. At least until Rika pulls you to sit up, not even interrupting her pace as she braces you against her chest so you can hide your face away into the crook of her neck. All the while she mutters praise and pet names into your ear. She groans when that knot snaps for the second time tonight and you cry her name into her throat. You don’t pass out like you’re pretty sure you did last time at least, but as the shocks of pleasure begin to fade out, you really do begin to feel the pull of exhaustion behind your eyes as you slump against Rika’s shoulder, whimpering quietly when she slowly pulls the toy from your sensitive core, feeling the way your muscles involuntarily clench around it.

“How was that, baby? You doin alright?” She asks, gently tossing the toy back towards the bedside table as she turns her attention back to you. You were dizzy, dazed, and exhausted, yet through all that one thought still persisted.

She’d been doing all of this for you, and she still had her goddamn pants on.

Her breath hitches when your hand drops to her thighs, pressing beneath the waistband as you try to swallow down your nervousness to return the favour properly, biting your lip as you find the slick, wet mess already waiting for you; in a way, it was comforting to know that she was in fact, turned on by all of this. You’re clumsier than Rika at this, inexperienced and nervous, but you listen as she lets out a shuddering breath, her head leaning against yours for a moment as you slowly gain some confidence. That is until she grabs your wrist, ignoring your whine as she pulls your hand away and lays you back down, taking a moment to kiss any air out of your lungs, trying to calm your fraying nerves at being denied the chance to please her. 

“Hey… It’s ok sweetie.” She murmurs against your lips, uncaring of your wide-eyed pout “One more…”

“Nooo.” you whine, wiggling in her grip “I cant…s’too much Rika…” truly, you didn't think you could take another, no matter how good it felt, the first two had been so intense, but Rika only smiles. 

“I know you can give me one more, sweet girl.” she purrs, watching as you squirm and shake your head like you could actually deny her. “Will you stop being a brat if I told you this one will also get me off?” 

At that, your squirming stops as you blink tiredly up at her, earning a chuckle and a fond shake of her head. 

“R-really?”

“Yeah, s’nice n easy on you too…you wanna try?” 

You seriously doubted she could get another out of you, hell, you seriously doubted you could stay awake for much longer, her initial plan definitely working…but if it brought her pleasure too…

“O-ok…I’ll try…”

“That’s my girl.” She whispers softly, pressing just as soft a kiss to your lips “Lay back for me, princess.”

You do just that, shifting a few pillows to get comfortable, if you thought your joints ached before, now you felt like you've made the trip to the three final gyms today on foot…perhaps you should make Koraidon his favourite sandwich as thanks for carrying you around all day.

You feel Rika take hold of one of your legs, lifting it so your knee bends over her shoulder as she settles into place, finally free of her own bottoms as she slots her pelvis against yours. You gasp at the feeling of your cores pressing together. It felt…soft, but almost way more intimate and intense than anything she’d done to you prior…whatever she was doing, definitely wasn’t covered in any sex-ed class you’d taken back in school.

You’re about to ask, when she rolls her hips and oh- 

Perhaps it was your already overstimulated state, or just the position itself, but as she slowly grinds herself against you, the friction leaves you breathless, even more so when you look at Rika’s face. Her brow is furrowed in deep concentration as she bites at her bottom lip, face contorting in pleasure as she groans into your knee, her nails digging into the soft flesh of your thigh as she rolls her hips just a little harder, the pain only adding to the sensation.

“S-shit…” she pants, “fuck you feel so good…good girl..” she moans, head tilting back as she stares up at the ceiling, shuddering when you whimper and lift your hips as she rolls down again, sending another jolt of pleasure through you both. “That’s it princess, j-just like that… you’re gettin real good at this…” 

Her words of pleasured praise do…something else to you, sparking that last bit of energy you had left to life as you continue to try and keep rhythm with her, grinding together slow and deep and watching in awe as the first member of the elite four comes apart in front of you for the first time, her sounds going from quite whispers to long moans and pleasured keens. 

“Rika- R-rika…” you pant “mmf-fuck… can’t believe it’s taken this long..” the words are out of your mouth before you have the forethought to think about them “I’ve had the stupidest crush on you since we first met back when I was taking the gym challenge… you were so- ah! H-handsome and intimidating…I…thought you were a-a man and nearly called you S-sir-”

“FUCK-” her shout actually makes you jolt, and you realise she’s cumming, cunt grinding deliciously into your own as she bites down on your leg, the sudden extra jolt of pleasure-pain sending you over the edge as well with an open-mouthed scream.

Somewhere in the haze before you pass out, you make a mental note to try calling Rika ‘sir’ next time…if there was a next time.

–

It’s light out when you wake the next morning, blinking sleep from your eyes as you look out the window.

Seems the snow had only picked up during the night, most of which you don't remember after…well, everything. Save for a straw in your mouth, Rika’s gentle voice coaxing a few sips of fluid into you, and a damp cloth wiping you down, hushing your overstimulated whimpers of protest. 

Somehow she’d even managed to get you dressed again without waking you…you must have crashed hard. Yet the thing that sticks out to you is that the bed is severely lacking in another body, Rika nowhere to be found.

At first, a pit of worry sows itself into your gut. Had she gone to sleep on the couch after all that? Had she had second thoughts-

A clatter from down the hall, and her warm laughter however, abate that somewhat.

“You’re such an ungainly thing.” you hear her snicker “Hold on a second it’s nearly done, needy lizard.” 

Koraidon’s telltale ‘i'm hungry and sad, feed me’ whine quickly turns to happy chirping at the promise of food, his head turning to the hallway as you shuffle out of bed, blanket and all to trudge down the hall. happily leaving Rika to her business as he trots over to greet you, shoving his massive snout right into your belly. 

“See? All your complainin’ woke her up!” Rika snorts, resting a hand on her hip. “N’here i was trying to make you breakfast before you woke up…”

Your cheeks heat a little at the sentiment.

“Keyword is try…good luck getting any cooking past Koraidon…” you mumble softly, petting said pokemon’s head feathers down as the other trainer leaves the kitchen, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. 

“Well, initially I’d enlisted him to help, but that turned out to be a bust..” She snickers. “G’mornin.”

“M-morning..” 

Rika tilts her head at you with an amused grin “aw, actin all shy after everything that happened last night?” she muses, chuckling when all the response you give is a slightly redder face before you drop your head into Koraidon’s feathers. Her amusement soon melts away as a warm, now intimately familiar hand, comes to rest on your back. 

“Hey…” she sighs “I enjoyed myself last night… I hope you did too…” 

“I-I did… its just…I…” you nibble at your bottom lip, unable to come up with the words to describe how you’re feeling. Giddy and nervous, emotional and excited, all wrapped up into one package.

Thankfully, your companion seems to take it in stride, pressing another kiss to your temple before she returns to the kitchen.

“Oh by the way.” She pipes up after a moment. “Geeta called this morning…snow’s a little too heavy today so HQ’s shut…looks like we have a long weekend.” 

Oh, an extra day off? That's probably the best news you could have gotten today, considering your legs were still shaking like a newborn deerling…

“Nice..” you giggle, slowly shuffling towards the couch, pulling her blanket up over your shoulders as you flop down by the arm and get cozy. 

“Thats what I said.” She snickers, soon joining you with a hot plate of food. If you’d thought the galarian curry last night had been good, this trumped it, your body screaming for food after last night’s exertion. 

“Y’know, if you want…you’re more than welcome to crash here for the weekend…” Rika throws the offer casually as she eats, content smile upon her face as she watches you from the corner of her eye “Snow’s only gotten heavier since yesterday, n’I don't wantcha getting hurt tryina get home..” 

This time, you can hear the intent behind her words, the intent you couldn’t read yesterday as you turn your head towards the window, to the almost whiteout of Masagoza. You contemplate the offer as you polish off your breakfast, placing the plate on the coffee table before you, watching as Koraidon happily trots up to lick the plate clean with a happy chirp.

“Hmmm…well, if you’re happy to have me…who am I to say no…sir.” you know it’s cheeky, you know it’s going to end badly for you, but watching Rika’s face suddenly go from cool, calm and collected, to beet red is totally worth it before she shoves the last mouthful of her own food into her mouth, slamming the plate onto the table before she grabs you by the collar of your shirt and hauls you up. 

You cackle all the way down the hall as she all but drags you back to the bedroom.

You were in for a long weekend indeed.

[stinklebug]

sometimes I just wanna read about korsica and peppermint going on a date. This is a request if you wanna

i think more ppl should write abt them just goin on dates honestly! let em have a nice time!

and yk, i'll take this opportunity to be the change i wanna see

It's a nice, breezy afternoon. The streets are a bit busy, but that's to be expected at this time of day. It's noisy. Could be worse, though.

Korsica breathes in deeply as she walks down the street. The fresh air smells good. The corners of her mouth quirk up. It's nice being outside after having been cooped up in her office all day.

As she nears one of the entrances to the park she's been making her way towards, she starts looking for Peppermint. She doesn't seem to be around. Korsica's brow furrows.

Coming to a stop, she pulls her phone out. Unlocking it, she's met with the sight of her work email's inbox. There's a new one. Immediately, she goes to open it up, but she hesitates right before her finger meets the screen. Her eyes flit up to read the subject. It's nothing pressing. Still, she should probably at least—

Korsica shuts her eyes. It'll be fine. I can get to it later.

She takes a deep breath.

She closes out of her email.

Opening up her texts, she taps on Peppermint's contact. Right as Korsica starts typing, the pleasant sound of her voice floats through the air.

"Hey! I, uh, didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?" Tucking her phone away, she smiles. "No, not at all." "Good." Peppermint returns her smile.

Korsica finds her gaze being drawn to the red, zip-up hoodie she's wearing. Something about it makes warmth blossom in her chest.

"I like your jacket." "Thanks. I like your...outfit." "Thank you."

There's a faint blush on Peppermint's face. She looks away, running her fingers through her hair.

Korsica smooths down the front of her blue dress. Then, she adjusts her jacket and gloves.

"Well...shall we?" she asks after a moment, offering her arm to her.

Peppermint meets her eyes. She smiles and takes it.

Together, they walk into the park. As they go, they chat about their days. It's similar for both of them: work, work, and more work. The amount has lessened a good bit, though. A few months ago, it was an endless sea. It's a lot more manageable now.

After a bit of walking and talking, Peppermint pulls Korsica to a nearby bench. She pulls away to plop down onto it.

"You alright?" Korsica asks as she sits down next to her. "Yeah, just tired," she replies, leaning against her.

Her face gets warm. After a moment of hesitation, she wraps her arm around Peppermint.

The breeze is gentle and cool. The sky is a gentle grey-blue, though it's beginning to grow darker. Clouds overhead block out most of the sun, hiding its steady descent.

Someone's playing fetch with their dog nearby. There's a group of students having a study picnic. Some joggers and bikers fly past. Kids are playing on the playground somewhere behind them, their laughter filling the air.

Korsica smiles. Everything's so much livelier than it used to be. Or maybe that's just what she thinks because she didn't have the time to enjoy it until now.

She gives Peppermint a squeeze. "Thanks for asking me out today." "You don't have to thank me," she replies. "Yes, I do. I needed this. I wouldn't have come out here on my own." She chuckles. "I guess we're both each other's excuse to get out." "I guess so," Korsica says with a laugh.

[tarastabz]

-it's not your fault

————————————

It was a normal day for 13 years old Tara, her mother was not at home as usual, and Sam was somewhere else, avoiding her just like the past 5 years.

Living in an almost always empty house was making her feel more lonely than she ever felt. But at least sometimes the house feels alive. The problem is that it only feels that way when her mother and sam are home, and apparently, they can't spend two seconds together without fighting and throwing things around.

Oh, how she misses those nights where her and sam used to spend the entire day together locked in either her or her sister's room, talking about whatever came to their minds.

But now?

Now Sam has disappeared from Tara's life, after that night when their father left, Sam stopped talking to her, and every time she tried to get closer and get her sister back, Sam pushed her away like Tara didn't mean anything to her.

And maybe it's true, she was not as important for sam as she was for her

And that's how Tara learned that this person isn't Sammy anymore. Her Sammy is gone, she went away with her father that night.

What didn't feel really normal today for Tara was her sister's behaviour when she woke up.

She was talking to her, and even asking about school, friends... it made Tara almost burst into tears right in front of her because she sounded so much like the Sammy she once knew.

And that's why Tara was hopeful again. Maybe things were starting to change for the better.

When Tara came back home, she was hoping to find Sam there, maybe she changed her mind and she likes me again now, but no, no Sam in sight. Maybe this morning, Sam was just feeling pity for her.

And now she's here on her bed staring at the ceiling, dreaming of a different life where her mother and her sister don't make her feel like a reject.

Tara's daydreaming is interrupted by a knock on the door. It must be her mother, at least she doesn't completely ignore her existence like Sam. She opened the door only to find out that she was wrong.

It's Sam, standing there, right outside of her room. "Hey"

"Uhm hey?" Tara for a moment, thought she was still in her head living the life she imagined for herself. "What's up?"

"I was thinking that maybe- we could watch a movie together" Sam looked nervous, which is something that took Tara by surprise.

You want to watch a movie? Sam only nodded at that. "With me?" Tara needed to be sure that her mind wasn't playing with her.

"Yeah, i thought i made that clear... i can also make us popcorn" noticing Tara's lack of response, Sam took it negatively and immediately added,"You don't have, if you don't want-"

"I WANT TO"

And that's how Tara finds herself living that life she was craving. She was on the couch with Sam right by her side, she doesn't really know what the movie is about because, for the most part, she's been looking at Sam making sure that she wasn't just figment of her imagination.

It feels so good. She feels happy with her sister by her side.

"This movie sucks please don't ever let me pick something to watch again" Tara is brought back to reality by her sister's voice. "Yeah, alright, i won't"

Again.

Does this mean there's gonna be another time? Maybe she was dreaming so hard of that perfect life that it turned into reality.

"Oh hey- It's midnight, you should head to bed, you have school tomorrow" midnight? Oh.

If it's midnight, it means it's already Sam's birthday. Her 18th birthday.

"Wait, don't leave! I have something for you just- just wait here, okay?" Tara ran back to her room to take the small present she had carefully wrapped a few days before. She even used sam's favourite colour.

She went back to her sister and let out sight of relief seeing Sam still standing in the living room, waiting for her. "Here, Happy birthday Sammy".

Sam took the present but she didn't open it, she just kept staring at it. "I'll open it tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, it's fine" Tara then nervously added "we could- if you don't have plans- we could do something together"

What Sam did next was more than unexpected, Tara felt two stromg arms pulling her into a hug. Was that a yes? Was that her way of kindly saying she didn't want to spend a second more with her?

"Tara, i need you to promise me that whatever happens, you will always remain the kind, sweet and caring girl you are now" Tara saw a few tears pricking Sam's eyes. "I promise Sammy" she said, holding onto her tighter.

Tara went to sleep for the first time in a while with a smile on her face, she was finally getting her Sammy back.

Her family is still not exactly how she wanted it to be. He father was not back, her mother was still not caring about her like she used to

But her Sam is coming back.

And as long as she's here, Tara will be fine.

The next morning, Tara woke up excited to spend more time with Sam and celebrate her birthday. She immediately noticed how quiet the house was. Usually, in the morning, it's filled with her mother and Sister's screams.

While Tara was getting ready, she saw something.

Attached to her door, Tara found a note.

It's not your fault, Tara - Your Sammy

Sam left her. Her room was completely empty. She left in the middle of the night and this time she was not coming back.

Yesterday was a lie.

Sammy is dead.

[samynnad102687]

Marauderstober

Oct 25 - Pandora & Regulus - Pumpkin Spice Latte

1,188 words

Regulus was waiting for Pandora to come over. She claimed that she was taking him somewhere and was going to change his life. He was sceptical, as always, but sometimes Pandora did manage to surprise him with her little adventures. The last time she claimed that she was going to change his life, she brought him to the lake. He was hesitant since he never learned how to swim. His parents didn’t think it was a necessary skill. Pandora thought otherwise and taught him how to. James was ecstatic when he found out and declared that they needed a lake day at least once a week in the summer.

But seeing as it was October, Regulus doubted that she was going to bring him to any sort of body of water. He really didn’t want to deal with freezing cold waters to appease whatever she had her mind set on today. Regulus was in the kitchen putting the dishes away when the knock came on the door and Pandora’s voice flittered down the hallway. The knock was clearly just a courtesy.

“Reggie?”

“In the kitchen,” Regulus called back and Pandora appeared in the doorway a few moments later. 

“Are you ready to go?” Pandora asked with that mischievous smile of hers and Regulus sighed.

“Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

“That would just ruin the surprise, you know that,” she said as she patted his arm gently.

“Still didn’t hurt to ask. You know I don’t like surprises.” 

“Uh-huh, sure you don’t. You can’t fool me, Reggie.” 

He really didn’t like surprises or more it depended on who the surprises were from. Pandora’s surprises he could deal with with very little complaining. Barty on the other hand, he would need full details and the thought process behind the ‘surprise’ that he was dragging Regulus to. He genuinely enjoyed James’ surprises too but not his brother’s. It all depended on who it was, not that he was going to tell anybody that. Regulus preferred that everyone thought that he hated them.

Regulus stared at her for another minute before giving in.

“Fine, don’t tell me. Can I at least finish putting these away?” Regulus asked as he gestured towards the dishes still in the dishwasher.

“I suppose that would be alright. Do you need any help?”

“No, I got it. I’m almost done anyway.”

Regulus finished putting the dishes away while Pandora sat at the island and messed around on her phone for a minute. If he had to guess, she was looking up directions for whatever it was that she had in mind for their afternoon.

“How long is this little adventure going to take?” Regulus asked as he put the last of the mugs away in the cabinet.

“It shouldn’t take too long,” Pandora replied absentmindedly.

Regulus grabbed his jacket and slipped on his boots before gesturing for Pandora to walk ahead of him so he could shut the door. He went to his car only for Pandora to walk right past it, so he shrugged and followed her. He didn’t mind a little walk as long as it wasn’t too chilly outside. They walked for about ten minutes but it felt like three since they were chatting about nothing of importance but it did distract him from the wind that had picked up as they walked. It took Regulus a few seconds to realise that Pandora had stopped in front of a coffee shop.

“You know that I could have made us coffee at my house,” Regulus said as he looked at Pandora. She wasn’t walking in, more just standing and staring at the sign.

Regulus dragged his attention away from Pandora to see what had captured her attention so thoroughly. Come and try our new Pumpkin Spice Latte! It will change your life! Bold claims from a sign, Regulus thought. 

“Did you seriously drag me to a coffee shop to try a seasonal drink that every coffee shop in town sells?” 

“Not just to try the drink,” Pandora said absentmindedly. “I wanted to get you out of the house too.”

“I left the house the other day,” Regulus declared, offended.

“Taking out the rubbish is not what I meant. You haven’t gone anywhere all week. I’ve seen James out and about but not you.”

“I’ve been busy.” Pandora glared at him for a second. “It still hasn’t been that long,” Regulus said like a petulant child. 

“When was the last time you went out?”

“Friday?” Regulus said but it came out as a question.

“It’s Thursday. You haven’t left your house in a week.” Regulus pulled out his phone to check the date and it was indeed Thursday. Where the hell did the week go?

“Fine, so I haven’t been out in a while. Sue me.”

“Come on,” Pandora replied as she grabbed his arm and practically dragged him into the coffee shop. 

It was cosy and warm. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad to enjoy some coffee with Pandora. He didn’t know about this Pumpkin Spice Latte though. He much preferred his black coffee or espresso. Regulus wasn’t really into the sweet drinks all that much. Not that he could convince Pandora of that. 

They walked up to the counter and ordered two Pumpkin Spice Lattes and a breakfast sandwich before finding a table in the corner away from everyone else. Just because he could tolerate Pandora dragging him around didn’t mean that he wanted to deal with other people. 

“What do you think?” Pandora asked after she took a sip of her latte.

“I haven’t actually taken a sip yet, Panda.”

Pandora sat there quietly and stared at Regulus until he took a sip of his Pumpkin Spice Latte. It was sweet, just like he expected but he didn’t expect the different warm spices. Granted, Regulus never bothered to look up what was actually in a Pumpkin Spice Latte. He just knew it was a seasonal drink and was known to be a drink for white girls. Was it going to be his new favourite drink? No. Could he finish this one? Probably, he only got a small one in case he didn’t like it and he doesn’t like to waste things. 

“It’s alright, I guess,” Regulus said after a few minutes. 

“You want your black coffee, don’t you?” 

“Kind of, yeah.” Regulus shrugged. 

“You’re no fun sometimes,” Pandora huffed before taking another sip of her drink.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright, I still love you.”

“Love you too, Panda.”

They spent the next hour in the coffee shop. Regulus got his black coffee and they chatted about what he’s been writing for his book and when he was going to let Pandora read it. He wasn’t ready for anybody to read it yet and he told her as much but what he didn’t tell her is that he promised James that he could read it first, when Regulus was ready that is. After they finished their coffees and sandwiches, they walked the ten minutes back to Regulus’ house and put on a movie to watch until James came home from work. 

@cazzythefrogking @clementinewoolf @maladaptivewriting @multiimoments @lavenderhaze @literally-the-prettiest-star @thebibutterflyao3 @seiworf @emjayeingray @remusregulusrosekiller @heartsoncover @accuratewhereabouts @belowthestarrs

[flowerbarrel-art]

Stargazing

Fic request from @yelenayasss. I know it took forever to write this so thank you for waiting! Hope you enjoy (and I’ll do my best to not take so long if you have other requests in the future!)

Here is the link to it on AO3 too.

Chosen yawned as he walked down out onto the desktop towards the Wi-Fi portal.

He glanced down and saw the time on the desktop read just after midnight.

“Chosen?”

Chosen jolted in surprise and turned to see Yellow.

“What are you doing up so late?” Yellow asked curiously.

Chosen gave Yellow a slight smile; there was Redstone dust on her face except for a goggle-shaped spot around her eyes.

“Couldn’t sleep. What about you?”

“I uh…should sleep,” Yellow sighed. “Been working on some Redstone projects.”

”I’m glad you were wearing your goggles,” Chosen said. “Are you alright?”

Yellow chuckled.

“It wasn’t too bad,” she said. “Thanks though!”

Yellow glanced around the desktop curiously for a moment.

“Were you going somewhere?”

“There’s a place I like to visit when I can’t sleep,” Chosen said. “You’ve been there…it’s that spot by the ocean outside of Stick City.”

Yellow nodded, raising her eyebrows a bit.

“I could show you if you like,” Chosen said. “Unless you’re going to do band practice with the others soon.”

“No, not tonight…uh, well…it’s technically morning now, isn’t it?” Yellow chuckled sheepishly.

Chosen opened the portal and gestured.

“I’ll carry you,” he said.

Yellow nodded and Chosen picked her carefully up.

“You’ll still be able to fly carrying me?”

Chosen nodded.

“I can fly with flames from my hands or feet,” he said. “It’ll be a little jerky to start, but it’ll get smoother after we take off.”

Yellow slipped her arms around Chosen’s neck.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

Chosen smiled reassuringly and stepped into the portal.

Yellow kept her eyes closed for the whole flight, only opening them when Chosen touched down.

“We’re here,” Chosen said, setting Yellow down carefully. “You feel okay?”

“I’m just a bit dizzy,” Yellow said. “Better than the first time we all came here though.”

Chosen nodded and gazed out at the moon that was rising.

“Sorry,” Yellow mumbled after a bit. “Shouldn’t have brought that up.”

“It’s hard not to, considering where we are,” Chosen said. “I brought you here, so you’re alright.”

He glanced at the moon again.

“I come here every now and then when I can’t sleep.”

Yellow turned and gazed out at the sea, where the moon was making the water glow.

“I can see why,” she remarked. “The view is lovely.”

“This is the first place Dark and I found after escaping Alan’s desktop,” Chosen said. “We were busy finding somewhere safe at first, but a few days later we just sat watching the ocean until the sun went down. Then we watched the stars for a long time.”

Yellow laid back in the cool grass and stared up at the stars.

“I’ve never stargazed like this,” she said. “Sometimes I try stargazing in Minecraft, but it’s hard to sit still for long because of all the Mobs.”

“It’s safe here,” Chosen said. “I’ve explored all over and it’s just forest all around the city. I saw animals sometimes, but they didn’t ever bother me.”

“That’s good,” Yellow laughed. “Most of them are probably asleep now, I’ll bet.”

“Probably,” Chosen agreed with a little grin.

“Hey, look…that’s the Milky Way Galaxy up there,” Yellow said, pointing. “You can see it even in the city. Stick City technicians control the weather and sky mainframes and can make stars appear even though the city lights block them out on the Outside.”

“I’ve never seen them from the city,” Chosen said.

“We could go together sometime,” Yellow said. “Only if you’re comfortable with it.”

Yellow gasped suddenly.

“A shooting star!”

They watched the stars and were silent for a while.

“I used to see a lot of those,” Chosen said when they didn’t see any more. “Lately I haven’t been coming out here as frequently.”

“We’ve all been busy, haven’t we?” Yellow asked.

“Mmhm,” Chosen said. “But it’s better to stargaze with someone.”

“Yeah, it is!” Yellow agreed.

“I’m glad I came to the desktop,” Chosen said. “Even though I wasn’t very enthusiastic about it back then.”

“I’m glad too!” Yellow chimed. “We could finally help you a little in return for helping us.”

“It was more than a little,” Chosen said. “I wouldn’t be here if not for all of you…and you especially.”

“Me?” Yellow asked, looking puzzled.

“It’s thanks to you that Alan was here to help,” Chosen said. “You figured out how to use the computer in no time.”

“Oh, well…” Yellow said, laughing a bit and glancing away. “Someone had to do something. I’m glad I got it to work!”

Chosen looked back up at the sky, letting out a small sigh.

Yellow glanced over, then slowly took Chosen’s hand.

“I don’t want you to be lonely,” she said. “I’d love to come out here anytime you want to.”

Chosen gave Yellow’s hand a little squeeze a moment later.

“I’ve learned some constellations recently,” he said. “Want to pick out all the ones we can?”

“I’d love to!” Yellow said. “I want to finally use what I’ve been reading in all the astronomy books at the library.”

“I’ve only read books online so far,” Chosen said. “I want to try going there in person sometime. I think it’d be good.”

“I’ll show you around!” Yellow said, beaming. “We’ll get you a library card too.”

“Library card?” Chosen frowned curiously.

“If you have one you can check out books and take them home,” Yellow explained. “We’ve all got one. We’ll get you one tomorrow if you want to go then.”

“Yeah…let’s do that,” Chosen said. “Maybe we should go back and get some sleep if we’re going to have an outing though.”

“Mm…good idea!” Yellow said. “We can do some reading tomorrow and then come back here in the evening.”

“Ready?” Chosen asked, and Yellow nodded.

Chosen scooped her up and took off, flying slowly so she could watch the stars.

Before Chosen reached the portal back to Alan’s desktop Yellow had drifted off to sleep with her head resting against his chest.

[magpie-moon]

I was conceived without thought

In the last bitter moments of a fruitless marriage 

some say it was at the airport

a flight to somewhere without the other

but only the perpetrators know for sure

I am ashes and fire and rain

Air and water

And red-brown leaves barely hanging onto skeletal trees

I was born to rage and wrath

a mother screaming

a baby crying

funny how I never fit the mold

I am warm nights and early sunsets

I won’t go outside

But the sentiment is always nice

I am hidden objects in odd places

I am a puzzle missing half its pieces

I am ink smeared across desperate fingertips

Impossible to scrub away

I was born to a mother

who sometimes forgot her child

alcohol is a thorough distraction

I am pages of unread books

An encyclopedia of useless quotes

A library of disconnected and mangled memories

Thoughts litter the ceiling like stringless balloons 

I am a too vivid photograph

My contrast turned all the way up; 

I am ear numbing static 

I was born to stepdad number one 

though he was more babysitter than parent

but back then I couldn’t tell the difference

I am nothing if not perfect

I am nothing if not wrong

I am nothing if not nothing at all

I was born for eggshell floors and soft footfalls

for clothes brushing skin in the darkness of a closet

for yelled accusations drifting across a terrified house

I am sunshine that tastes like sky

I am dust motes that feel like pixie dust

I am a fallen feather

Just along for the ride

I was born for summers spent in sticky heat

and long plane rides to anticipated destinations

for layovers in Phoenix

I am an underling to all that is just enough to make you wonder

But never enough to do anything more

I am the end of a dream

That feels all too real

That holds you hostage like blankets wrapped around your sweat-dampened legs at midnight on a Monday morning

I am the burnt toast that you still have to eat

The stuff your mother tells you will polish your teeth

I was born for fearful plane rides

I was told this was vacation

I never got to say goodbye

I never went back

I am a breath held in too long

a lamp that flickers more often than it shines

A door that shuts all on its own

Don’t worry: I am just a ghost

I was born to stepdad number two

he was neither babysitter nor parent

even then I knew that

he drank and fought

she met him blow for blow

and I didn’t exist

I am the pennies

Thrown into a decrepit wishing well

I won’t do what you expect me to

I was born an adult

a child who knew the ways of the world

I knew to cook

I knew not to clean (I never did it right)

I knew, by instinct, when leaving my room was alright

I knew what time to walk to school

I knew when to come home

I was eight years old

I am thousands of sticky notes stuck to a mirror

full of the impossible 

I am a twinge of pain that you can’t quite feel

But I am always there 

I was born for shut off water

for unpaid electric bills

for dogs who bit you if you weren’t careful

I am a song that you can’t remember

Lyrics that fill your parents with fear

‘are you okay. this music doesn’t sound like you’re okay’

I am fine. I promise 

I was born for a road trip that wouldn’t end

for a backwater catholic school (it could have been worse)

for a different hotel every other night

I am the words that won’t come out

The thought you won’t speak

The stupid idea you’re glad you never voiced

I was born for forgetting the return

I assume it was a long arduous one

full of cats smuggled into pet-free hotels

I am wet, raw weather

I am unable to get warm

I am colder than you ever thought possible 

I was born to a townhouse

we lied about the address  

they found out eventually

I am that kid

Who won’t come out of their closet

I’d sleep in there if I could

I am a small, safe, dark place

The kind that feels like home

I was born to eviction

and if objects were memories

I’d have none

no one told me we weren’t coming back

‘just pack your bags; fill them with clothes’

I am an instrument that doesn’t sound right

Doesn’t matter how many times you take me to get fixed

I still don’t sound like you want me to

I was born again in a homeless shelter

a grandparent paid for private school

but no one knew how bad it was

not even me

I am thousands of blankets

Piled high on top of you on a cold night

I seem good in theory

But I will suffocate you 

I am sorry

I was born to be picked up one day

in the middle of fourth grade

by my grandparents

I am an old car 

That no one wants to drive

But everyone keeps around because I haven’t really broken down yet

When I get close

Someone comes and patches up my fatal wounds with band-aids 

And tells not to be sad

And tells me not to worry

I was born for it not to occur to me that would not see my mother again

until much later

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a relief

I am obsessive

Easy distracted

Oblivious and headless

I can’t see five feet in front of me

But I jump anyway

I was born once more, a couple weeks later in Vienna 

to a father who didn’t know me, or care to

a sister who knew better than me, in all things

a stepmother who liked the idea of mothering better than being a mother

I am not easily impressed

But somehow I am fascinated by everything 

I start millions of projects

I never finish 

Even when I want to

I was born for anxiety

it knots my stomach

makes me nauseous

and everyone thought I was bulimic 

but no

just anxious (I feel better now, really, I do)

I am a Christmas tree kept up a little too long

With cracked paper ornaments held together by glitter and glue

I look great from a distance

And then you see me up close

And I am falling apart

A fire waiting to happen

I was born again to move back to Texas

back to my grandparents

It hit like a train I heard from miles away

but refused to acknowledge 

I swear I saw it coming; the snide remarks made it apparent

It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did

I am metamorphosis

Caught between one world and another

Tug of war

And no one’s winning

I was born once more in sixth grade

And everyone thought me sweet

I had no backbone and I didn’t know anything

I am blood and bone

A snake in need of shedding

I am too tight for my skin

I can’t make myself fit

I was born for seventh grade

when I discovered sarcasm

and when I learned that people who were too nice

lost themselves to others

I was tired of being lost

I still am

I am falling asleep at a desk at two am

And forcing yourself awake to work on one more thing

I am exhaustion 

The inability to keep your eyes open even though you sleep all day

I was born for eighth grade

I let myself fall without reserve

they had dimples and smiled like the sun

they blinded me and I couldn’t look away

I didn’t really want to

I am a vulture waiting for someone to push me off a cliff

Waiting for someone to make me fly 

I am stagnant now

Powerless and reckless

What I do won’t matter

So why not do everything

I was born again for ninth grade

and nothing turned out well this year 

I’ve forgotten the sky

and I’ve forgotten the people who live under it

I am overwhelmed

but I still feel nothing

funny how that works

I am grey and blue and black

The bruises that came from nowhere

That you only notice when a dull pain shoots through your limb

‘where did you come from’

But there’s no good answer

I am alive

And I suppose that’s all that matters

[sstwins]

Femslash Feb Day 17 - Light - Poppy/Barb

this is probably my longest parb story yet

tbh i was having a tough night but i really felt like this healed me

just the right pairing for today

Brief Summary: Barb was jolted awake by her trollfriend poking her. What did Poppy want before it was even light outside?

Word Count: 604

I’m still accepting ships for femslash feb!!! Send me your fave fem pairs and I’ll write you a fic sometime this month!! (2 spots left)

Barb was jolted out of her very peaceful slumber by repeated poking. She startled awake, throwing her fists out to protect herself and clonking her very cute little trollfriend in the head.

“Oww! Oww oww,” Poppy yelped, backing off. Barb blinked, trying to adjust to being suddenly awake. To make things worse, it was still dark outside.

“What’s up?” Barb asked, coming to awareness. “An emergency? We’re being attacked. I’ll protect you, babe-”

“No, Barb. We’re not being attacked.”

“Oh.” Barb settled back into bed. “Thought it was something serious. Sorry I hit you. Well, I think I’ll go back to bed.”

She jumped again as Poppy resumed the poking. “Ah! Stop that. What is it? It’s so early.”

“Well…” Poppy bobbed back and forth on her feet. “I thought we could catch the first light of the day if you got up now.”

“Pop-squeak, you know I went to bed way late, right?” Barb tried to hold her ground. “And I won’t be on my game tomorrow if I don’t…” Oh no. Poppy was blinking those big, beautiful eyes at her. “And I…” She sighed. “Alright, fine. Let’s go.”

“Yay!” Poppy cheered. “You’ll see. It’s beautiful. I don’t think you’ve ever seen the sunrise at Pop Village.”

Truthfully, Barb doubted she’d ever seen the sunrise ever. It was definitely an adjustment coming to live with Poppy. There were way more hugs. And random disturbances. But it did have its awesome moments. She got to see her trollfriend every single day. That was pretty rocking.

Barb slumped around the room, grabbing her coat and re-spiking her hair a little in the mirror. “Alright,” she said finally. “Let’s go.”

Somewhat unsurprisingly, life was already beginning to stir at Pop Village. There was someone out for a run, and vague noises from inside some of the houses. Poppy held Barb’s hand and walked her to the top of a little mound just outside the town. Already, the sky was starting to lighten.

While they stood there, Poppy kept holding her hand. As the sky continued to brighten, she spoke up. “I know you haven’t lived here very long…”

“Mhm,” Barb replied, encouraging her.

“And I know that when we first met, we were kinda sorta enemies.” 

Barb chuckled at that. “Yeah. Sorry I wanted to destroy your home.”

Poppy squeezed her palm. “But I was just wondering about your plans. For the future.”

“Plans?” Barb stared out at the sky. “I dunno really. I guess I was thinking I would just stay here.”

“Really?” Poppy had a burst of excitement in her voice. “That’s so great!”

“Why do you ask?” Barb looked over at her. “You don’t wanna break up or anything, right?”

“OMG. No.” Poppy shook her head so hard some sparkles came off. “I was just hoping you didn’t want to be roaming around. Being a free spirit. Like you were. Or living somewhere that’s not here. Because I know you’re not the biggest fan of pop.”

Barb lifted her arm and squeezed Poppy’s shoulder. “Eh, pop’s not as bad as I thought it was. Plus you’re here.” 

That elicited a glowing blush from Poppy. The two stood quietly as the sky continued to brighten.

“So, what do you think of the sunrise?” Poppy piped up after a few moments. “Pretty gorgeous, right?”

“Yeah. Very cool.” Barb smiled slyly. “But not as pretty as you.” She leaned over and gave Poppy a kiss on the cheek. And yeah, maybe she would need to take a nap when she got back home. But making Poppy blush so hard after the kiss was well worth it.

[team-magma-leader-maxie]

[ @falsegold ] not going to lie as soon as i saw you had an account on here i wanted to ask things. 6, 11 but specifically the last question, and 35? coming from orre i know even the shittiest criminals have at least some redeeming qualities or neat interests so i may as well shoot my shot and fish for them here

Alright, let me answer these in order, it seems you have selected quite a few.

Question 6: What kind of tasks do your pokémon do to help you in the day-to-day?

The first thing that comes to mind is my dear camerupt. Shes retired from battling and has taken to mothering me every day. She sleeps by my desk while I work, and nudges me when she thinks I aught to take a break from the screens and have a walk. I do tend to get wrapped up in my work. I suppose my legs might have just fallen off by now if I didn't have her. (ha ha) My mightyena refuses to retire in any capacity, and will pick fights with other grunts or pokémon, so I have to take him out to spar pretty often, burn off all that excess energy. Lastly, my golbat has moved to the security department. He stays in the entrance of the hideout, warning of intruders and slowing them with initial battles. I do make sure to visit and spend time with him, he's still my pokémon after all, and I intend to take care of him.

Question 11A: do you battle, coordinate, study, or something else?

I am (still) a leader. Specifically, the leader of Team Magma. In my youth, I thought I would become a professor, and teach geology, but the many crises of humanity shifted my goals.

Question 11B: Why did you decide to do that?

Because I believed that with combined intelligence and coordinated effort, we can change this world for the better. I still believe that, in fact, but I understand now that the consequences of ones actions need to be taken more seriously. Risk margins aren't excusable, things need to be safe, you can't just put people in danger, even if your end goal is altruistic.

Question 11C: Have you ever tried to do one of the other things?

I was a tutor for a short time. I needed to make money while in college, so I started a tutoring service to help fellow students get their grades up. It was not particularly fulfilling, and I doubt any of my students liked me. Not my true calling, to be sure. Sometimes I think about retiring and teaching again, but with my reputation shattered, likely permanently, I can't think of a university that'd even think of hiring me. I'll likely get a small house somewhere in Hoenn, or maybe Alola to avoid people bothering me as I grow old.

Lastly, Question 35: How do you like to spend time with your pokémon?

Most of it is grooming. I take my time brushing out my camerupt's fur and polishing off her facets. She enjoys the attention, certainly, and is having a wonderful retirement being pampered, hmhm. We go on walks, though I can't say where to protect my privacy, though our walks are becoming shorter as time goes on. My age is catching up to me finally, and my joints don't appreciate the abuse. Mightyena has a short tolerance for pampering, and prefers to play. I have this device, a sort of stick with a cup on the end that holds the tennis ball, and I'll use that to give him a good run. All three of them will simply "hang out" with me while I sit atop the hideout and help Owen garden. Really I sit in my outside chair and Owen gardens, but I have had a very busy life, and if I don't want to play in the dirt, I'm not going to. Owen and I chat, and he feeds berries to both of our pokémon. It's actually my favorite way to relax. A cold drink and the ocean breeze, chatting with my son under an umbrella while he tells me so passionately about his garden or the latest additions of his collection. I almost forget about how broken the world is in that moment, it's just... peaceful.

I am unsure of what the scoring system is for this game, but I hope these answers are sufficient. If the points are granted based on length of writing, I believe I may be better at this game than I first thought. Best of luck, all. - Maxie

[sharksa-shivers]

Sharksty self care shiz, oooooooo, my favorite thing to write 💙💙💙~

Sharksty peeps, come get y'alls fix --------- (Sometimes The Trio derps will camp outside somewhere to save cash cuz hotels be goddamn expensive. Either way, had this thought, they're like taking turns keeping an eye out for shit that could attack em for context lol.)

Kristy:(waking up, she leaves her tent and sees Sharky's up near the fire. He's busy sketching some stuff, his sword at his side in case of demon shenanigans…Kristy goes over and sits down)Heyyyy, watch going good so far i take it?

Sharky:(drawing, tired, doesn't really look up)Ehhh, pretty quite so yeah. Nature sounds are pretty and peaceful. Haven't heard anything off…

Kristy:(caring)Well, speaking of peaceful, maybe i could take over shifts…I can't really sleep well and uhhhhh, you honestly look like you could use some shuteye heh…

Sharky:(shrugs, finally looking up, chill)I mean, i can stay up still. It's cool, i don't need that much sleep.

Kristy:(trying to nudge him into self care)Cmon dude, i can see that tired look…Your eyes are carrying so many bags i'm surprised it's not hurting your back.

Sharky:(self conscious for a moment)…Is it really that many? (Stares at Kristy who just stares back, sighs)Ok, ok, ok, i got the memo, fine. I guess i can try and snooze a bit…(starting to pack up his art stuff)I'll do it because i care about you and i wanna make you happy…

Kristy:(trying to navigate Sharky in a better direction)You should do it for yourself dude…

Sharky:(shrugging his bag on his shoulder, grabbing his scabbard and sword)See, the problem is i…Don't really……….Care much about myself…But i do care about you so…

Kristy:(stops him, getting up as he makes his way towards his tent, grabs his hands, looking him in the eyes)You should care about yourself. You deserve to care about yourself.

Sharky:(a bit confused, tired, a bit of of self hate in his voice)……Why? Like…Genuinely why? What even is there to like about me?

Kristy:(hugs him tightly, Sharky just looking down at her)You have no idea how long that list is but…….Alot…So so much…But you deserve to care about yourself because you're a person too…I love you and i just…I want you to love yourself too…

Sharky:(we see his eyes glimmer a bit with tears but he wipes them quickly with his hand, moving a hand down and patting Kristy's head, Moving down some and hugging her, tired after a moment, smiles softly)……Ok, i…i'll try to do better…I…I'll try and remember that…

Kristy:(moves out of the hug and kisses his forehead, caring)Please do…You deserve it…And yknow what else you deserve? A nice cozy rest.

Sharky:(standing up fully again, tired, smiles some)…Yeah, that does kinda sound good heh…Guess i'll go do that…You sure you got this shift?

Kristy:(amused)If i don't and something happens, i'm sure you 2 derps will hear it…And i'm not gonna stay up all night, i'm gonna get Max up in a bit for his shift since he's been sleeping like all day, it's only fair… Sharky:(moving into his tent, caring)Alright…Just…Get me then if you need me…Night Kris, love you.

Kristy:(sitting back down, caring)Love you too tuskuda… ----------------------

These 2 own my fucking heart, i swear to fuck...Literally, i adore them so much, so soft and adorbs and ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH This is something that happens alot and just...I adore it, Sharky being like that with himself and then Kristy coming in and being like "Oh hellllll no, we're self caring today, you ain't gonna keep going without food and sleep while i'm here!!!" And Sharky just like...yeah...

[endofroxd]

"Yeah yeah..." repeating after her again, only this time there's gentle mockery to his voice, not a cruel kind...more the sort of tone you'd offer a child. And he was starting to feel more at ease in her presence, with their mutual distaste out in the open, there was no pressure for him to prove himself, to watch his words or accommodate her feelings. In spite her not knowing the secrets he buried beneath, he didn't have to pretend to be this upstanding citizen. To give a shit about her well-being, to be whatever the hell people expected him to be at all fucking times. He could, for the most part, just be himself. And for whatever that was worth, it made Cherry better company than he could hope for to stick out the night.

There's a sort of dizziness that alcohol pushed through his body, so he got up and walked over to the couch, crushing down on it against the pillows that prompted his head up just enough to keep an eye on her. And he took out the rolling papers he'd stolen from colony house and began working on a joint. Even if mixing booze and smoke was not exactly a recommended endeavour, he wanted to numb out the screams, the shiver that ran through him with every screech of the things outside. --

Her question does make him question the passing thought, and while he was not being literal about the concept of hell, he did think of it in a literal sense right now. "If hell is real, it's this right here. I mean, forget the Biblical stuff --" he'll pause for a moment, and feel the same way he did back home in his trailer, having late night discussions with his cousins, pondering over life and death. And how stupid his remarks had been back then. How little he understood of reality. If this was all possible, who's to say heaven or hell were not? "I think when we die that's it...we're dead, it's over. But us being here, in this fucking place -- maybe it's as close to hell we'll ever be. And you know what gets me thinkin?" he'll pause, and he feels sort of exposed, just sharing in his thoughts so freely. "We still choose this. We'd rather be alive here, in this version of literal hell...than be gone. It's, I don't know there's something about that -- maybe suffering still beats....nothingness, you know?"

He's focused on rolling as she goes on, only looking up at the mention of a baby before she quickly followed it up by noting it was a car. Adam was fairly certain relief was obvious on his face, as was the emotions he took on with the rest of the story. His face, when not controlled, could always express exactly how he felt. First shock, confusion, then a sort of joy at the idea of such a car, amusement at it's perfectly appropriate name, even a chuckle to back it up. And then sorrow, no, anger -- that she lost it. That they took it. And while he was certain that's not the exact loss she'd insinuated earlier on, it was still a loss that was worth mentioning, and he did not know what to say. "I'm sorry." he'll remark before a shrug passes over his shoulders and he does his best attempt at lighting up the situation. "I mean think of it this way, if you had your ride here they would have taken her for parts. Least out there she's somewhere...waiting for you to get out..." maybe that was pushing it, getting out of here, alive, it didn't seem like something they'd ever get to see. But hope was a bitch, and that bitch fucked him a ton.

Now he laughs, genuinely, and it's been a while since he permitted himself to do that. "Alright, I guess I didn't mind the attention." eyes back on her. "Sometimes." he'll close up the joint and use his thumb to mimic the motion of a lighter, hence asking her to pass it. "I'm sure you were wanted for more than that. I'd go as far as to say some might've wanted you for your car --" it was an attempt at a joke, he needed that. Though it wasn't entirely a lie, a person as real as her had to have been wanted for more. Without much thinking he unbuckles the holster and takes the gun out, tossing it her way. "We could shoot at them, ya' know?"

CHERRY CAN'T HELP BUT GIVE HIM AN EXASPERATED LOOK AT THE COMMENT . it's truly more amusing than she would like to admit, and a flicker of that amusement might glint in her eyes for a bit but cherry tries to cover it up with another drag from her cigarette as she mumbles, " yeah, yeah ..." she smokes for a beat in silence . it's almost enough to compose her again . if she ignores the carnage outside, and the details of her company, and this whole fucking place, than for a moment cherry almost feels relaxed . but then he goes on, and cherry can't help but blink . " you think this place is hell ?" her brow arches with the question . cherry finds herself studying him anew . looking at him from his toes to the tips of his hair and trying to picture him as an alter boy or something . it's a hard image to mesh with the one she already has of him but even that one is unstable as all hell, so what cherry know, really ? after all, she wasn't particularly gung ho on god and yet the thought had passed her mind too . cherry's pretty sure anyone who got even a sniff of the bible would consider as much upon getting here . her expression is almost thoughtful as she considers him before his next question startles her out of contemplation . cherry blinks once but doesn't hesitate , " my baby ." an arch of her brow . " she was an impala ." the cigarette is at her lips . she takes a drag before looking down at it to gauge how much she's got until she gets to the filter . after all, waste not want not and all that . " she was gorgeous . red and sleek and sexy ." cherry licks the seam of her lips then shrugging almost casually . " i named her chevvy, cause, y'know . she was a chevvy ." cherry's eyes roll a bit at the obviousness of the explanation but then her gaze becomes intent again as she points to him with the cig to add, "but also cause i'm cherry, so we were chevvy and cherry ." cherry nods decisively before bringing the cigarette back to her lips with an almost conversational, " it was cute ." the lie slides off her tongue easy because there's more than half a bit of truth in it, really . after all, she did lose her car . it was just what was inside it that gut her open more .

but cherry decides not to focus on that . instead she holds her cigarette between her lips and brings two hands up as if she's gripping something vaguely above her head . " i had these two giant fuzzy dice hangin' off the rearview mirror ." cherry's eyes glint a bit at the description even as she mumbles around the cigarette before pulling it out to add, " and fuzzy leopard seats . she was a dream . drove like one too ." a wistful sigh as cherry looks down at the smoke streaming from her cigarette . she really was quite fond of that damn car . " she was a birthday gift ." what's almost a pout crosses cherry's features . " and now she's gone all cause of some idiots with badges ." cherry falls into a moment of nostalgia then . into memories of driving that car windows down, hollerin' and feeling free with the open road before her . now she can only road she can drive will lead her in circles . it's almost painfully ironic . adam's voice brings her back to the present and cherry comes to it with a roll of her eyes and what's nearly a snort . " yeah ? and i bet you're real torn up about it, huh ?" the words are almost teasing . cherry can't help but shake her head, the slightest of curves to her lips as she scoffs and swings her legs from where they dangle over the motel desk . " i've never met a guy who wanted me for anything but my body ." the words are dry more than anything . cherry's not really all that torn up about it either, truly . it's not like she was going around expecting random guys to appreciate her for her great intellect . so instead of answering as adam continues she merely snorts, eyes twinkling even as she turns her head to look at him, to meet his eyes as she bluntly says, " i don't believe you . but alright ." the liquor is making her accent as thick of molasses . the drawl of it is comfortable on her tongue . she blinks at his offer, arching a brow at it for a moment as she considers before ultimately shrugging and saying, " sure, why not ." cherry rests her cigarette between her lips as she moves to push herself to sit up, reaching a hand out for the gun casually .

[boundforwarp]

The Deep End

Where am I? After opening my eyes, the natural grogginess of awakening quickly fades from a sudden realization, I may not actually be awake. I could be, but it's hard to say. This place seems familiar, it certainly looks to be my room, but after a thorough investigation, I can conclude that the pitch black aesthetic with tentacles and black rose thorn bushes coming out of the wall cracks certainly aren't something I'd find in my room. The tentacles move ever so slowly, and are quite slimy, this is all so weird, it feels just like any other day, yet everything should be freaking me out. There's nothing else here, I woke up on the floor. My clothes, tv, bed, everything is missing, god damn these nightmare creatures, can't have anything in the North. Someone, or something, is crying outside. After opening the door I fall out into more darkness, I can't really tell what's what but I can see that there are more doors, rooms, with numbers on them. Oh great, I'm here again. The doors from left to right are marked 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. This is really weird, I don't think there should be a door that is above my age, I wonder what the heck is inside of that one, I'll save it for last. I almost forgot about the guide, she's weeping with her head in her hands, sitting in a puddle of her own light tears. Guide looks up from her resentment and asks me, "good morning muse," she sniffles and cries more before continuing, "which line would you like to take?" Then she weeps in an eternal sorrow for about 10 more seconds before I tell her that I would like to go through line 9. "Oh, okay, I will take your hand now." I reach into my pocket and I give her a hand, the hand feels bloody, but doesn't look bloody, how odd. I'm sure it's nothing. Guide then takes one of her billion tentacles and ensnares my entire body, up to my eyes. "This will only take a moment, muse." I feel an extreme amount of pain as the tentacle crushes my entire body, the immense pressure is unbearable. Guide is still crying of course, she must be really busy, after about a minute or so she stops. "Here we are muse, thank you for using the plaza transit, have a wonderful morning!" What a quirky public transport. My body feels like new after the ride, it seems that I'm somewhere in an old duplex. Ahh, I recognize this place, this living room is where this one neat thing happened, I forgot what it was, but I'm sure it was interesting. It involved a drunk teenage girl of sorts, I was 9. I'm thinking that it was probably bad because drunk people aren't usually good around here. The girl sits on the mattress, the mattress that hugged the wall, a dirty mattress that for some reason I feel got even dirtier after whatever occurred here. She doesn't seem to be busy, I forgot what her name was, something to do with Britain. "Hey, uhh, are you alright?" She isn't responsive, just seems to be staring blankly at the wall, occasionally jolting upwards slightly from rocking forward. She has about 2 tentacles, and when I sit down next to her she turns to me and attempts to fling them towards me, only to fail and end up on the floor face first. Silly girl, who taught you how to do that, you're only 16. Sometimes I wonder how kids could ever pretend to be adults. I check my pockets and I still have some hands left, none of them feel bloody, which is odd considering where I am. Is my memory serving me wrong? I check my mom's old room, and there is a lady, sleeping somberly on her floor mattress, there is not a single sign of a man. Oh how I wish this were it to be, she's passed out after a night of drinking of course, how do I know that? Well, I actually don't know, I'm just assuming. I put a blanket over her and turn on the heater in this dark, extraordinarily empty room, to about medium and shut the door. The girl with 2 tentacles has vanished, and in her place is a friend. What? Whatever, I guess I'll just take this friend to him then. I wonder what this friend's name is, it could just well be anyone. I’m sure that he’ll like his new friend, I recall wanting one so badly at this time, another to simply share my young childhood with. Oh how this tragic boy was so self aware of his misfortune, a finely tuned mind with an even more clear and desperate wish. Don’t worry little one, I am here. I head towards the bathroom with his new friend, and I enter the bathroom with one of my hands. And, well, holy shit, holy fucking shit. I was not expecting this. I can see a flow of uhh, fluid, dark fluid. It’s coming from the boy’s stomach, Jesus fucking Christ, I don’t remember actually stabbing myself this night, I do remember coming extremely close, but to actually do it. What a mess, Jesus Christ, I'm really glad that this isn’t what happened, but to see what could have been. It’s enough to make me sad. His new friend runs away in tears, holding a teddy bear, his new friend runs away in the face of this tragedy. I suppose it is time to go back, I’m ready to see the other doors. “Guide! I’m ready to go back now!” Within the same second of this sentence, guide appears behind me, in a puddle of her light tears. I give her one of my hands and step into the puddle. After closing my eyes, I focus on the sorrows that are coming from her and after opening them, we are back at the plaza. After a deep breath and some careful admiration of the scenery, my soul feels refreshed enough to enter another space in this beautiful nightmare.  “Would you mind if I could call you something less formal?” Guide looks up from her anguish and then asks, “What would you like to call me, muse?” I’m not sure what I want to call her, but I think I’d like to go with Natalie, it’s a nice name and I figure that having a name so close to my own would be fitting. Natalie then continues in her torment before my request. “Could you take me through door 8?” She wails and then gazes into my soul before I give her a hand, one of her tentacles brandishes a long blade, something akin to a katana, before slicing my body in half in horizontal fashion from my waist. There isn't so much pain with this one, but I feel that something is now missing. Vision slowly dissipates, and it’s almost like falling asleep, I lose air very quickly before nothing happens. “We’ll be just a moment, muse” And suddenly, like I just took a nap, I awaken to another familiar living room. It’s a small, cozy room, the walls have a nice floral pattern, something you’d see in a home from the 90s, a couch hugs the wall, with another couch sitting in the middle, across from an old fashioned television set. Is this my first home? It could be, but I really can’t tell. I can hear the unintelligible arguing of two adults above me, there is a stairway that leads up to them, the same boy from door 9, slightly younger, sits on the couch across from the tv. There isn’t anything on the tv, nothing that could take him out of all of this anyway. He hugs a giant bunny rabbit teddy. I can taste a salt after seeing this, kind of like the salt that comes from a liquid one creates when these sorts of things happen. He shutters with every bang that occurs above us. The room is dimly lit by the blue hue that the television is emitting. “Hey, are you alright?” The boy doesn’t bother to look at me, maybe it’s best to leave him be, I’ll take a look at whatever is happening upstairs. Every step feels haunting, the steps are coated with a carpet, yet every step feels like solid pavement, my soul drains the closer I get to this argument. There are 4 more rooms, 1 with a bed, 1 with many toys and a bed, a bathroom, and a room behind a locked door. I figure that I should give this door a hand, and the hand feels salty, which is odd, because it doesn’t look salty. The rambling of the two adults behind this door are still unintelligible, I don’t think I ever really understood what they were saying to each other, I was always too focused on escaping, intentionally being uncaring of whatever was happening around me, maybe I could have intervened back then, maybe I could have saved our little family. After the door opens, I’m met eye to eye with two adults, emitting things, dark things, things I don’t even want to describe. They both look excruciatingly angry, but it quickly fades as they stare into my soul, into an emotion that I can only quite describe as pain. Then they run over to me and hug me, each of them have 1 tentacle on their back. I wish I knew who they were, maybe they needed this hug. After some time, I hear words, but still have no idea what it means. Then they simply hold hands into a bed, with their backs toward each other, but with the tentacles holding them together. It’s almost like these two only know how to argue, but really do care about each other after all of it. I feel like no one taught them how to love properly, maybe they hate themselves, I don’t know. The floor begins to flood with a black liquid, it feels like water, but doesn’t taste like it. I run downstairs and can see the boy staring at the tv, it isn’t even on, his bunny rabbit is nowhere to be seen. The liquid fills the entire building and I end up drowning. It tastes quite like pain.