#and why is ray trying to make it impossible for another human to be able to play his solos and riffs uncool dude

[literallygeeway]

why are mcr songs so hard to learn on guitar like please ray im just trying to play thank you for the venom why are you trying to break all my fingers simultaneously and make me sell my soul to the devil for this goddamn song

[my-blind-album]

hi!! could i please ask for leonara lesso prompt 1 please? thank you! :)

yes, and i apologize for the late post

Lady Leonora Lesso x Female!Student!Reader

Prompt 1 - "Eyes Up Here, Ever." Lady Leonora Lesso Prompts

It's been three months. Each one more drastic than the other. There have been numerous rumours circulating about the dean of evil and a particular student pulling practical jokes on one another. At first, the joke was small and simple, the dean would make insults about an ever student by the name, Y/n Y/l/n. The insults were nothing more than comments about her clothing saying that it was either too revealing or not revealing enough and about the ever girl's hair saying that it was either too messy or too neat. Y/n wasn't really triggered by these words till a day came when the dean thought it would be hilarious to ruin Y/n's favourite dress.

At this point, Y/n reached her breaking point. She was upset with the grinning dean, and she moved quickly to exact retribution. Y/n secretly added a serum to the dean's tea during her lunch break. She took a sip and immediately felt her tongue start to burn as if she had sipped directly from a spicy condiment. She violently slapped her fist against the table in anguish as she trembled. She drenched herself entirely by pouring milk, white, and every other liquid she could get her hands on onto her tongue. The professors and students were all taken aback and perplexed by her antics until Y/n's laughing broke the tension in the room.

Then that's when it began, the pranks. Everyday it was either the dean would pranks Y/n in the morning then Y/n would get her revenge at lunch. Everyone was quite shocked by their foolish fights but also confused as to why the dean hadn't taken the ever girl to the doom room, which is where she takes all her students who crossed her. However, the had to admit that the stupid pranks the two would throw at each other were quite entertaining. The Nevers would cheer for their dean whenever, she played her game and occasionally helped her. The Evers on the other hand would be Y/n's cheerleader and support her silly game with the dean. Even Professor Dovey was supportive of Y/n. She saw it as good beating evil once again and would encourage the Ever students to assist her if required.

From making Lady Lesso's renowned red hair pink for a full week to limiting Y/n to only hearing the dean's name when she talked. Their jokes continued growing funnier, stranger, and crazier. Up until the day Y/n transformed into a gecko so she could enter the dean's bedroom covertly. When she arrived, she proceeded to the dean's wardrobe, which was stocked with her clothing. The sound of a door opening and closing stopped her from taking on her human form. The dean was wrapped in a black towel and standing outside her bathroom, her wet red hair falling flat.

Fortunately, Y/n was still in her gecko form, so the dean couldn't see her admiring how wonderfully the sun's rays reflected off her half-naked body. The dean massaged her arms and legs with lotion as she sat on her queen-sized bed. She was about to remove her towel till she stopped, looking around the room. Y/n was horrified; to say she was frightened would be an understatement. She was afraid because of how the dean's gaze scoured the room even though she was in her gecko shape. She saw her, right? She couldn't have because geckos are rather small animals, making it impossible for anyone to have noticed her. Later, the dean's gaze landed on her wardrobe, and she started to move slowly in that direction. What the fuck?! Y/n thought.

Now the dean was standing right in front of her wardrobe. Y/n was underneath it trying her best to not make a single sound or it might attract the dean's attention not that the dean would know it was her in the gecko form but then her prank wouldn't be able to be done. The dean was about to open her closet till she heard the sound of glass breaking. The dean noticed her kitten, Minerva, examining the broken vase to her left. "Minerva, you've broken my favourite vase twice now; just because I can use magic to fix it doesn't mean you should carelessly obliterate it." She spoke. Caring her cat into arms, she fixed her vase before walking away into her lounge room while still half-naked. I never knew, Lady Lesso had a cat, interesting. Y/n thought.

Y/n emerged from hiding shortly after taking on her human form. She opened the dean's closet and used her magic to make them disappear, replacing them with an outfit she had personal made for the dean to wear. It wasn't anything bad or ugly but merely sexy. The fact that the dean barely altered her dress yet had the nerve to make fun of Y/n for her attire kind of irked her. Therefore, Y/n made sure that the dean would have no choice but to wear one of her outfits as retaliation for her criticisms on her attire and destruction of her favourite dress. "Now try and comment on my attire," Y/n muttered under her breath.

As the dean's voice grew louder and louder, Y/n shut the dean's closet, transformed into a dove, and flew out the window to return to the school of good. The dean yelled her name angrily as she was flying away. Y/n merely grinned to herself before moving on. Upon entering her bedroom, Y/n grinned joyously to herself as she climbed into her bathtub. When she emerged from the bathroom, she noticed that her hair was red, but not just any red—it was the same shade of red as the dean's hair. Her earlier smirk had turned into utter terror. Fuck you, Lesso! She said to herself. Opening her closest, she collapsed totally. All of her clothes were replaced with replicas of the dean's clothes. There was even a cane that matched hers. I've been bamboozled. Y/n thought to herself.

When the bell rang, breakfast could officially begin. Since the dean made it apparent with the multiple copies that it was all Y/n would be wearing, she had no choice but to transform into a little version of Lady Lesso for the day or even for several weeks. Indignantly carrying the cane, Y/n stormed out of her bedroom and along the hallways. Although she couldn't see it, Y/n appeared to the other students to be a little version of Lady Lesso, given that the dean was generally angry when she was around. Everyone in the dining hall, including the dean, who had a grin on her face, focused on Y/n as she entered.

Instead of stomping over to the dean to confront her about taking all of her valued clothing, Y/n looked down at the dean's apparel and noticed that she was wearing the clothes Y/n had left for her. The dean looked down and saw that Y/n was staring at her attire, which made her enraged. This was Y/n's chance to sneer. The dean promptly got up from her seat and approached the one student who was trying to flee despite wearing the dean's 3 inch heels. The dean seized Y/n's arm and teleported to her room using magic while holding onto Y/n. The moment they got there, the ever spat a fit and shoved the dean's hand away from her arm.

Y/n had the opportunity to observe the dean in person and get a good look at how the dean appeared dressed. She appeared gorgeous. She wore Y/n's dress that hugged her hips and displayed all of her curves. The dean's long, lovely legs were seen due to the high thigh cut. Not to mention that Y/n could see her breasts almost in full view. The thought of them between her lips made her heart hurt and her knees unbearable since they appeared so round and plump. "Eyes up there, Ever." Lady Lesso said. They both turned to look at each other. When Y/n noticed the dean's sneer, she had to finally admit that it made her heart skip a beat and her folds slightly moisten. "Do you like the view?" she asked.

Because she didn't want to give in just yet, Y/n bit her bottom lip to keep from uttering the obscene noises she so strongly wanted to. The dean reflected in a nearby mirror, "You know, I think I was wrong about you, your style is quite alright," she said. She carried on about how attractive I'd look if I wore that outfit and how desirable I'd look out of it, "I wonder how sexy this will make you look, don't you agree?" She stated, looking at me with a relaxed expression as if she hadn't just seduced me, "But anyways, I should be heading to teach my lessons and you should be heading to your school."

The dean used her magic to transfer the ever to her appropriate school before Y/n had a chance to object to departing. Y/n finds herself in bed with a duvet and blanket covering her when she opens her eyes in surprise. Everything was all a dream, a filthy dream. "What the hell!" she yelled while shoving a pillow into her face from behind her head. "I've been screwed!" No one other than her wife was able to take the pillow out of her hands. "Love, why are you shouting at this hour of the morning?" "Leonora, in my dream I almost got fucked by you! Up until I woke up, the good stuff was about to happen." Y/n voiced their displeasure.

Leonora responded by rolling her eyes. "If you cuddle me, then I'll give you the best fucking of your life." "Really?" Y/n questioned. "Definitely, even better than what the dream version of me could have done." "Okay." Y/n relaxed in her wife's arms and encircled her waist with her own. "You know, I was a smaller version of you in my dream." said Y/n. Her wife was perplexed and questioned, "What?" "Yeah, I was completely dressed like you, even had the same shade of hair like you and shoes, even had the cane!" The redheaded woman only grinned at her wife as she rambled on about her dream. I'm relieved I married this moron. As she continued to hear her wife's story, Leonora grinned to herself.

WHAT LADY LESSO WAS SORTA WEARING;

[wolveria]

The Raven's Hymn - Ch 43

Pairing: SCP-049 x Reader

Series Warnings: Eventual smut, dubcon, slow burn, violence, horror, death, monsters, human experiments, dark with a happy ending

Chapter Summary: “I regret it has come to this, my dear.”

AO3

Perhaps knowing you were “safe” for the remainder of the day, 049 waited to enact his plan. You were grateful to have at least one more night with him. You didn’t know what would happen when it started. You didn’t know what you’d do it if went wrong.

Dread settled in your stomach worse than any time preceding. You’d thought waiting for the humiliation of Leahy’s program was like waiting for an execution. You’d been sorely mistaken. At least you’d had an idea of what he wanted. This was... unknowable. Dangerous. Terrifying.

All you could do was wait for 049 to make the first move. But for now, you laid in bed with him, pressed to his chest and listening to his heartbeat against your ear. It was a steady, soothing rhythm you hoped would continue beyond tomorrow.

Or maybe his plan wouldn’t happen tomorrow. You didn’t know when he would cause the distraction. There was too much you didn’t know, and no way to discuss it with him. There was, of course, the possibility of another shower, but you knew if you held him close like that one more time, you wouldn’t be able to let him go. The thought of what the guards would do to him tomorrow was enough to stir the borderline panic in your veins.

As if sensing your distress, 049 stroked his gloved fingers along your hair. It hadn’t escaped your notice how often he touched you now. Whatever barrier had previously kept him at a polite distance seemed to have vanished. Your own defenses had been brought down, and 049 had always been effective at getting around them anyway.

The morning came too soon from restless sleep. You didn’t move at the slot opening to deliver breakfast, you simply pressed yourself closer, breathing in deep the hollow space between his neck and the edge of his hood.

049 shuddered and wrapped his arm more firmly around your waist. You closed your eyes, taking another breath to steady yourself. It would be so easy to keep going, to surrender to your new normal. You might even have considered it, if not for the whole point of the program. The possibility of a child, and then of letting them be taken by the Foundation, wasn’t something you could accept. Not if there was a chance of escape.

But deciding to escape didn’t mean you wouldn’t miss this part of your captivity. You were too scared to think of the possibilities of “after.” Just surviving and leaving the facility was impossible enough; trying to imagine life afterwards was like trying to imagine what it’s like to live in the aphotic zone. You had no point of reference.

You both remained that way, quiet and secure in each other’s warmth. 049’s fingers caressing slowly up and down your back, your own tracing along the subtle wrinkles that marked his robes. Underneath the layers of hide was a human skeleton, the only marked difference in the skull. His brain casing was larger, but more startling than that was the beak that grew directly over his mouth. His human teeth could even be seen by X-ray, trapped behind the chitinous structure that protruded from his face. It was why no one could figure out how he ate or drank when he chose to, as no one had seen the beak open before. Hell, no one was even sure how he spoke.

Perhaps if you survived, you’d ask him. You didn’t know if he was human once, or if he had always been this way. Had someone given him the name Valens, or had he chosen it himself? There were still so many questions, but despite that, you liked who he was, what he was, and you wouldn’t change anything. Your only regret was that you would never be able to kiss him properly.

The intercom clicked.

“Tonight.”

You winced.

049 drew you closer, which you didn’t think was possible, but he managed it by slipping your leg between his. He didn’t need to say anything. You knew it had to happen today. There would be no tonight.

Unwilling, and after a time, you sat up first, your body sluggish with reluctance. 049 did the same, leaving the bed so you would be able to follow. He always positioned himself between you and the door, and it was probably the reason you slept at all these days.

Going through the motions of breakfast, you kept 049 in the corner of your vision. Not just because you wanted to be ready for his distraction, but... you couldn’t help it. The dreaded sense at the back of your thoughts that told you this would be the last time you ever saw him.

You hit the shower after, half-hopeful you would be joined, but you washed alone. It didn’t take more than a few minutes for you to finish, not wanting 049 to be out of your sight for long. Drying off swiftly, you got dressed in the usual smock and leggings. Most days, you didn’t bother with the bandeau bra, finding it pointless. You wore it today—your laughable attempt at gearing up for war.

By the time you returned to the middle chamber where 049 waited when you needed privacy, something had changed. He paced along the floor in front of the observation window, his head bowed as if in thought, wrists held at the small of his back.

After giving him a worried glance that wasn’t part of the act, you went to the lab counter where you kept your research journal. You had the idea of staying there as a vantage point, your back to the corner that divided the middle and inner chamber. You had a clear view of everything, including the outer containment doors, and the doctor’s bag was...

...missing.

Where was it? It wasn’t on the counter or on the autopsy table. You were sure you’d spotted it just this morning—

“Dalliance!”

You looked up, blinking dumbly at the shouted word.

049 stopped pacing; he stood in front of the window, his shoulders stiff in an intimidating hunch. If you hadn’t known this was the plan, you’d have believed it. He slipped back into form a little too easily for comfort.

“We waste time on the Site Director’s frivolity while the Pestilence continues to thrive amidst your very ranks!” 049 snarled at the darkened glass. “You believe I had forgotten? That I could be preoccupied by a warm body? Your mockery is as offensive as it is pitiable.”

He leaned close to the glass, his voice dropping to a growl.

“I see you, wretch. Beg your Site Director for forgiveness. He will hold you accountable for this.”

049 turned away, strode to the autopsy table, and pulled out the bag from beneath his robes. You’d forgotten he could do that, and your spine shot straight when he reached inside and pulled out a gleaming scalpel.

“Come here, assistant.”

He seethed the words, and for a moment, real fear curled around your neck. You obeyed, moving off the stool with stiff limbs, your heart racing at the appearance of the predator you hadn’t glimpsed in weeks. He placed a hand on the space between your neck and shoulder, squeezing you. Not harshly at all.

His back was to the observation window, and they couldn’t see his face. His eyes shone with urgency and clarity. Your good doctor was still in there, playing the role they expected of him.

“I regret it has come to this, my dear.”

The sharp edge of the scalpel shone within the corner of your vision.

“But nothing can sway me from my duty. Not even you.”

He brought the blade up to your neck.

Dispensers hissed overhead. 049 whirled you around and pulled you close, an arm going around your chest as the scalpel remained pointed at your throat. Even as the lavender mist drifted over you both, he remained upright.

“Old tricks, Director. And not so effective with the aid of my assistant—”

049 went stiff, his limbs frozen, and you were close enough to hear the hum of the contact between the shock collar and his flesh.

He opened his shaking fingers and dropped the scalpel, giving up the instrument so as not to cut you with it as he convulsed. You gripped onto the arm holding you, helpless to do anything to stop his torment.

The containment doors slid open, no less than four guards storming inside with their rifles raised.

049 pushed you away and to the side, giving them a clear shot at him.

“No!” you cried, forgetting you were supposed to play the role as 049’s shaken victim. But the guards didn’t fire; 049 staggered to the autopsy table, and in his weakened attempt to grab onto the edge, sent his bag toppling to the floor.

Instruments, glass jars and beakers, and copper tubing spilled from its depths, creating a chaotic mess of shattered noise and aromatic liquids. Between that, and the shouting men, you ducked down beneath the autopsy table and hunched as if cowering in terror.

With the table blocking the view of the observation window, you scrambled for the lip of the bag now lying on its side. Taking a deep breath, you jammed your arm inside.

Give me what Valens wants me to have.

Something rested atop your palm, lightweight but with a familiar shape. You curled your fingers around it, small enough to fit inside your fist, and quickly pulled it out. Making as if to clutch your chest, you slipped the object down the front of your smock into the depths of your bra.

Peeking over the top of the table, you watched as 049 was dragged half-unconscious from the room. The doors closed and you stood the rest of the way, your fear genuine as you held a hand over your stomach, breathing hard.

You hardly had any time to think before the door opened, Kenneth’s lanky form slipping through the door before it completely opened.

“Hey, you okay?” His eyes were a little too wide, his face pale. “Did he cut you?”

You shook your head, leaning against the autopsy table for support in the haze of post-adrenaline jitters.

“I’m fine, just—"

The door opened a second time, two men stepping through. One you didn’t recognize, an older man in a lab coat and white hair. The second one, you knew very well.

He was fuming.

“What the hell did you do to set it off this time?” Leahy growled, stalking past you as he took in the disaster of the floor. Antiseptic fumes and other odd smells from the spilled liquids made your stomach turn.

You opened your mouth, but no response was forthcoming, caught between confusion and indignity.

“Excuse me?” you finally said.

The doctor began examining you, but you shied away from his touch. Not only had the staff members instilled a sense of aversion in you, but you didn’t want him to find what you’d hidden.

“Did you say something?” Leahy pressed. “Do something?”

“You tell me. You watch everything we do.”

Leahy’s glare turned from the broken beakers to you, his eyes dark behind the rim of his glasses. He moved forward with deliberate steps, and you backed away until you bumped into a warm barrier at your back. You didn’t know who it was, and it forced you to remain in place as the Site Director towered over you.

“I know it was you.”

He gripped your jaw and turned your head upward, forcing you to meet his eye when you looked away.

“And I’ll scour every second of footage to prove it.”

Your chin trembled, but your voice held firm.

“I bet you’d enjoy that.”

His lips curled into a silent snarl, and you thought, this was it. You’d reached the limits of what the Site Director would tolerate, and he would order one of the guards to shoot you.

Instead, he released you with a rough jerk of his hand.

“She can’t stay here. Put her in another room until this shit’s cleaned up.”

He walked past you and out the door without another word, the doctor following after him. That left Kenneth, the person you’d been trapped against when the Site Director had thrown his tantrum.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, as if this was all somehow his fault. He rubbed the back of his neck, taking in the rest of the room. “He is right, though. That’s a lot of glass, and, uh... whatever that green stuff is. I think it’s eating through the tile.”

You nodded, too tired to argue, especially when it would amount to nothing. Something reflective caught your eye; the scalpel 049 had mock-threatened you with was under the autopsy table just of reach. You entertained the idea of grabbing it and smuggling it with you, but hiding a surgical blade in your brassier wouldn’t be one of your better ideas.

Leaving the scalpel was the right choice. As soon as you exited the chamber, two guards were at your flank, one of them patting you down and forcing your arms straight, palms open as he hooked you into shackles.

Kenneth, followed by the two guards, led you a few corridors over to a door that wasn’t the high security mechanism of a containment chamber. It looked closer to a D-Class cell, and you realized that’s exactly what it was, a temporary holding pen for one of the wayward cattle. The guards took off your shackles and ordered you inside. You followed their instructions in silence, glancing blankly at the single bed and toilet melded to the wall.

When you turned, you were surprised to find Kenneth lingering in the doorway.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” he asked. “Not that there’s a whole lot of—"

“Where did they take 049?”

His lips pressed together, and he unhappily glanced at the two guards, but they didn’t seem to be paying any attention to the conversation.

“I don’t know.”

“When will we be returned to his containment chamber?”

“I don’t know that either.” He avoided your eye as he backed out the door, mumbling one last apology, “Sorry.”

The door slid shut, leaving you alone in the small room. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d been truly alone, and you sat on the edge of the thin mattress. Impatience nipped at your thoughts, but you forced yourself to wait until you were sure they wouldn’t come back for you anytime soon.

Once a few minutes had passed, your anticipation got the better of you. You reached down your bra, grateful the guards hadn’t thought to search your cleavage, and retrieved the object you’d smuggled out of the containment chamber.

A USB flash drive. It seemed ordinary on the outside, a matte grey color that didn’t seem particularly special, but it had to be. You refused to believe 049 had risked his limited freedom for you to retrieve something that didn’t matter. He’d said this would help you escape, and it made sense now why he’d wanted you to be taken to an office.

It wouldn’t do any good here. You slipped it back into your bandeau, hoping you would have an opportunity to use it soon.

It wasn’t long before anxiety got the better of you. Pacing the small room, all you could think about was 049 and what they were doing to him. You tried not to imagine the worst-case scenario, but considering Leahy’s threats, there was an endless supply of them, each worse than the ones before.

You alternated between pacing and sitting hunched on the bed, tapping your foot with nervous energy. When was someone going to tell you what was going on? What had happened to 049? Would you ever get to return to the containment chamber?

As if in answer, the door slid open. You froze and eyed the entrance without breathing. No one stepped through.

You waited. And waited. The doorway remained empty, and the hallway beyond was unusually silent.

You slowly rose to your feet and approached the door. You edged past the threshold, expecting a guard to grab you by the scruff of your neck like an unruly kitten, but the corridor remained empty. There was no one here, but the keypad kept a steady green bar to indicate the door was unlocked.

For whatever reason the door had opened, this was your chance, and yet... your feet remained glued to the floor. Your breathing was shallow, confusion turning into fear. As terrible as your life had been the last few months, it had been structured. Controlled. Someone always telling you what to do, even if it would lead to pain and misery.

When you stepped outside the room, there was no guarantee of what you would find. You could be caught. You could be killed. It was enough to leave you frozen, fingers gripping the door frame.

The only thing that shook you free was the knowledge that you weren’t doing this just for you. 049 had no one else. If you surrendered now, there was no hope of rescue for him. He would be at the mercy of Leahy’s punishment, a situation he found himself in only because he wanted to save you.

You didn’t have a plan, but you had a destination. Get to a computer, insert the thumb drive, and the rest would follow.

Steeling yourself, you stepped outside the cell.

Next Chapter

[siriannatan]

Empires & Hermitcraft One-Shots

It might be a bit rushed but I really wanted to post it before bed.

I might write another vampire!fWhip piece but with Scott… There might be biting there because, you know, Scott is Scott.

AO3

fWhip sighed at the tables bending under the best food Katherine could serve her royal guests and sipped on the Mezalean whine servers roaming the ballroom offered to royals and nobles. He was seven glasses in and could barely feel anything. The joys of being a vampire, making dull parties more bearable with alcohol was pretty much impossible. And he had to not let Gem see how much he was drinking. And he couldn't really eat anything. It would only taste like ash, he swallowed enough of that in the various workshops and labs his mansion was filled with just because he did not need to sleep and needed to keep his hands busy somehow. And it would make his stomach upset later.

If the sun had already set he'd be able to excuse himself with some boring meeting and fly home but seeing as it stubbornly hung low in on the sky for seemingly forever in Glimmer Grove. Damn fae and their time tricks. It'd probably be stupid late by the time he got home and he'd have to get ready for a spot of slumber on his own. Stuff like that was shockingly difficult if one lacked a reflection like fWhip did. Another reason why he was avoiding the many mirrors decorating the ballroom as well as the rays of the sun. Why can't he have an umbrella indoors? Or his hat - Sausage might call the wide-brimmed top hat dumb looking but it saved fWhip from sunburns on multiple occasions.

But no amount of brimmed hats and fancy coats and helpful servants helping him look decent for a change. Or Mezalean weak wine. Could save him from dull parties. And Katherine threw, as befitting of fae princess. the dullest parties. If only he was stuck in a Mythland ball. Celebrating Sausage felling like a corrupted dragon or a liche. With proper strong drinks. Loud singing. And a lot of meat. Where no one would find fWhip drinking blood weird. The cult of the blood sheep had weird traditions to do with blood so it was a common sight in Mythlandian feasts and celebrations. And some braver knight actually tried drinking blood here and there.

But fWhip was in Glimmer Grove and the last person he wanted to talk to just stood next to him. Greeting him with barely a nod. They had a proper greeting earlier so it was fine. The Cod Father himself. Man of water and rivers, both did not agree with fWhip's vampire status.

"I'm pretty sure your sister's currently dancing with her husband," fWhip said, fixing his posture slightly. A ball was a ball no matter how much he hated being there. And thus required proper attitude and manners. That and he did not feel like arguing in the fae lands. 

"I'm aware," Jimmy sighed. "I just needed a minute away from the usual crowd. Your brother's arguing with some fae lord about dragon hunting," he explained and pointed to where Gem was trying and from the look of things failing at stopping Sausage from arguing with local lords. "Aren't you going to help her?"

"Gem is more than capable of dealing with Sausage," fWhip shrugged. The argument was happening in the full, setting, sun and he was not getting sunburned for that. And, seeing that Jimmy was not leaving, he swapped his empty wine flute for a fresh one. Maybe this one would finally get him slightly buzzed? "Your brother-in-law's wine is terribly weak," he pointed out and took a long sip.

"I think Mezaleans aren't good with that stuff. He got completely smashed after just one cup of what we brew," Jimmy chuckled looking at where Joel and Lizzie were dancing. A bit awkward due to the difference in their height. "I might get a snack, you interested?"

"No. The wine is probably the only thing I can stomach in all of Glimmer Grove," fWhip shook his head and bared his fangs. Other rulers sometimes tended to forget he wasn't quite human. Jimmy most of all with how few proper interactions they had.

"Oh. Sorry. I still forget... You'd think Katherine would have something for you..." Jimmy mumbled, starting at his feet. 

"It's fine, I'm used to it," fWhip shrugged. The whole change was nothing big or bad once he found a way around the more annoying parts of it. Shapeshifting was nice when Gem wanted to complain to him. Or if literally anyone else had any problems talking to him and he didn't feel like it. He used it a lot whenever Scott wanted to talk to him in recent times. Luckily he was busy with some avalanche problem tonight and could not attend. fWhip wished he had a good excuse to not attend. Scott not being around was probably why Jimmy was talking to him in the first place. The two were all over each other whenever they were somewhere together. "It's nice she even bothered to invite me. Fae don't like the undead much and I'm technically one of them... I'm not at all offended but I'll probably leave once the sun sets. I'd hate to do something stupid due to hunger..." he chuckled, only half joking. A hungry vampire was a dangerous creature and fWhip was fully aware of how bad he got when too hungry. "I did have a bigger mean before leaving, don't worry."

"Actually... I was planning to ask Gem but you're probably better... I think there might be a vampire hiding around my lands and attacking my people... Would you mind coming over to take a look at that?"

[pluvio-et-luna]

to the love and light of my life.

my cooper. my sweet little baby cooper.

it has been exactly a week since you breathed your last. my cooper. i am devastated beyond words. the pain in my heart indescribable. words of love and comfort came pouring in once i told our loved ones. but my cooper... it's so difficult to make sense of all these thoughts and emotions that have occupied my already chaotic mind and heart. so i turn to writing. as i have always done. for myself and for you. this honestly might not be as good as how i used to write. i know this would reflect how my brain is right now. all over the place. but i know you'll be able to read all of this. after all, you are such a smart boy.

---

"good morning, world! good morning, sun. good morning, sky. good morning, clouds. good morning, birds..."

our morning routine. i would carry you and look outside the front door while greeting everything in this world. when it wasn't so hot and if i had extra time to spare, we would go to the garden and i would let you smell the leaves and say hello to the ants and other insects. sometimes i would let you peer through the gate for a bit. your little head perfectly fitting between the metal railings. we would stay indoors on rainy days but we'd say hello to the world just the same. or sometimes we don't because it's too cold and it's so good to stay in bed with you. my cooper... i have always dreaded mornings. i hate waking up, i didn't want another day to start. but you made every waking moment worth it. my i love greeting each day with you. but this time, the morning rays won't find us both by the door anymore. do you think the birds perched on top of the trees miss us? do you think the wind is wondering why it doesn't carry our voices anymore? do you think the leaves are waiting for you to sniff them again? cooper, i don't think i could greet them any time soon. not by myself. not without you.

there is a flame in my heart that i am trying to put out. cooper, how should i feel when they say that you are in a "better place" now? i know it's just me being in denial that you are gone, refusing to accept that you will no longer be beside me. this was your place. this home is your place. it will always be. you filled every corner of this house with traces of you that it would be impossible to not break down when i peeked at those spaces without you there. i want to scream at the heavens because it angers me that they decided your time with us was up. i am so desperate to cling on to every bit of you that was left here. it's so unfair. i did everything that i can. we all did. i wanted more years with you. more seconds. more minutes. more days. a lifetime. i still need you, my cooper. we still need you. but. i also know that it would be unfair to you if you had to suffer more.

so, my cooper. it's okay. i will be okay. i could endure a lifetime of grief if that would mean that you would not feel any pain anymore. i will learn to pick up the broken pieces of my heart and find the others that have gone elsewhere. it might take some time but i will get there. i will plant a garden in my heart just like the one we have at home. our memories and moments will be planted in that garden. 10 years worth of memories. from the day we got you, so tiny and lovely and kulit. to the nights you would stay up late with me into the wee hours of the morning, as a student, as a professional, and as a human being with an unhealthy sleeping patterns. to the moments i was alone at home but i was never really alone because you would keep me company. to my darkest moments, through losses and heartaches. to my brightest moments, such as when i graduated, when i passed the board exams, and whenever i got accepted into a new workplace. you were there to wipe every sad teardrop with your kisses and you were there to melt into my hugs to celebrate. you were always there. you might be gone physically now but i know you will always be there to watch over me and go through all the moments still.

years ago, i made a piece for my tumblr account inspired by Chella Man and MaryV Benoit. i asked my friends to describe love as the 5 senses. i cannot remember if i even answered that myself. maybe this is my chance. you are the embodiment of love, my kupi. but if i had to describe love as a sound, it would be the sound of your bark that resonated within the house, the sound of you whimpering as you did a good scratch on your ears, the sigh you let out when satisfied or when you want to be judge us, the little grunts make waking up as you stretched, and the cute and precious sounds you made when you melted into my arms for a hug. as a touch it would be me feeling you snuggle beside my body and into the nooks and crannies of the bed, it would be feeling your soft fur when i hug or pet you, and it would be the kisses you would plant to my face. it would also the sound of you scratching at the door to be let in. it is also the scratches you would leave on my arms and legs when you ask to be carried or when you are just being so likot when you are excited. as a sight it would be your brown eyes which are so full of love, kindness, and curiosity. it would also be seeing you run around, dance, and play. it would be seeing you run or walk to us whenever we call your name. it would be seeing you do the "i love you" pose to us whenever and wherever. it would be you waiting at the door for me after coming home from work. as a smell it would be your good stink that i would so gladly sniff, the smell of your fritos paws, the smell of shampoo when you're done taking a bath at home or from your grooming session, the smell of the very first time you farted while i was carrying you (it smelled of chicken), and your smell that is left on your clothes after you wear you.

the past months made me realize that love could also look and feel a little different than what we are used to. love is the feeling of my tears rolling down my cheeks every time doc trisha showed me the results of your xrays. love is preparing your food and medicine even when we both get frustrated, me because you would refuse it sometimes and you because you hated the sight and smell of it. love is my hand smelling of your food and medicine because sometimes the only way that you'd let me was to have it fed to you with my hand. love is you giving in and letting yahku give you your meds even if you hated it. love is staying up late to wait for an update because i was utterly worried for you during that one night you had to be confined. it was the first time in 10 years. love is falling asleep seated at the sofa while i try to distract and calm myself down until i fell asleep at 3am. love is the sight of you giving all your strength to sit up to look at me and nuzzle your face into my palm when i visited you during my break time. love is me not caring if i paid 100 php to the trike because i didn't have any loose change with me. i was frantic during the short trike ride which felt like forever. i needed to get to you as fast as i can. love is you waiting for all of us to be together with you. love is you hearing how pogi and cute you are in between the sobs of "i love you"s and asking you to hold on. love is hoping that you would make it and then we'd go home as we always did. love is so painful. love is clifford nudging my arm and looking at me then to you as if to tell me to wake you up. love is me contacting the crematorium for the nth time this years even if it pains me even more because it's for you this time. i never imagined it and i never wanted to. love is driving you there using Inno, your car. love is breaking down because you weren't there to ask for a french fry after we bought mcdo on the way home. we didn't even touch the fries and other food because we were heartbroken. love is breaking down into tears every night and at any random moment. but love is learning to accept that i would have to live life without you here.

someday, i would be able to look at the places you've stayed in even if you're physically gone now. i would be able to scroll through the pictures and videos i have of you without the feeling of being punched in the gut. i would be able to share your memories with my friends fondly. i know we'd all gush over you, like people always do when they see you. then one day, maybe i could greet the mornings with much love as i did with you. maybe i could hold on to the hope that the birds, the butterflies, and the wind could carry my words towards the heaven and reach you. i hope we could spend another lifetime together, napi. i would find you or maybe you could find me, we'd come running towards each other, and then we can live life together again. no matter how it ends. i will always choose to meet you again and spend another 10 years or more with you. from the brightest to the darkest times and all the moments in between.

mahal na mahal kita, bebi babi kupi ko. achi will always do. i'll see you soon, bebi napi kupi.

[four-loose-screws]

FE7 Novelization Translation - Chapter 13 Section 2

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Chapter 13: Light (Section 2)

"Wow… so this is a Legendary Weapon?" Hector said at first sight of Durandal, the Blazing Blade, moved by its shining light.

After Roland disappeared, a sword appeared upon the shrine. It was the Legendary Weapon the Little Hero Roland himself had used.

"...It's strange. This must be the first time I've seen it, yet I feel as if I have seen it before…" Lyn was enraptured by the blade, so beautiful it looked as if it had been polished several times.

It was nearly as wide as it was long, making it look quite heavy.

This first time he held it, Eliwood worried whether or not he would be able to wield it, but it felt just right, as if it was a sword he'd used for decades…

It must have been because the soul of Roland himself chose Eliwood as its worthy owner. There was no other explanation for it.

"...With this, I can fight even Nergal! Let's go, to the Dragon's Gate!"

But just then… as if it was trying to tell Eliwood and the others something, Durandal's blade started glowing faintly.

"The sword… is emitting a light… Be careful, everyone! Something's coming!" Eliwood shouted.

The light pointed in a single direction. Everyone's eyes followed it as if they were hypnotized by it.

"What…?!"

"Is that… a dragon?!"

At the end of the light was another large ball of light. When it disappeared, a dragon with light green scales appeared from within, looking directly at them. 

At this unexpected appearance of a dragon, Hector reflexively shouted, "Impossible! What is a dragon doing here…?!"

"Stand down, everyone!" Eliwood raised Durandal and stood in front of all his friends to protect them.

The dragon was moving straight towards him.

Anxiety and fear welled up deep inside of his heart. As if to cut it all up and make it go away, Eliwood jumped at the dragon approaching him and swung Durandal down at it.

The dragon emitted a crazed shriek, then it's massive body fell to the ground, causing a large shockwave.

"Are you alright, Eliwood?!"  Hector asked.

"Yeah… my body moved on its own, as if it was being guided by the sword…"

"The Blazing Blade was forged to slay dragons… When one wields its power, nothing is impossible. But this ice dragon… it can’t be…" A possibility formed in the back of Athos' mind.

The instant it dawned on him, all of the color drained from the archsage's face.

"What's wrong, Lord Athos?" Eliwood asked.

"No…"

"Allow me to answer that question for you." Nergal cut in.

"Nergal, you fiend!" Eliwood shouted, and raised Durandal towards the dark druid appearing before him, shrouded in darkness.

Lyn and Hector also put a hand on each of their weapons, and glared at Nergal.

But Nergal ignored them and said, "Ninian is no longer of any use to me, so I have come to exchange her." He raised his arm and shot out a ray of light, where Nils appeared, who was supposed to be with the convoy.

"Nils!"

"It is no use. He will not awaken for some time. I shall finish my plans with Nils, as a replacement for Ninian."

…She would no longer be of any use to him.

…He needed a replacement for Ninian.

Nergal's words sparked a violent reaction from within Eliwood. "Damn you! What have you done with Ninian?!"

"I have done nothing. It is you who has done something to her, Eliwood."

"What…?" Eliwood stared at Nergal, unable to comprehend what the villain was saying.

"Eliwood, haven't you ever wondered? Why I need the siblings to open the Dragon's Gate…? Why it must be Ninian and Nils…? The answer is simple. The Dragon's Gate cannot be opened by humans. Only those who are not human possess the ability to open the gate… Only dragons."

"...What…?" That thought crossed Eliwood's mind.

He could not accept it. He shook his head, trying to make it go away.

Nergal laughed mockingly at him before continuing, "Poor girl. She was fooled by my honeyed words, and passed through the gate… Unable to return, she wandered the land to flee and avoid helping me… Only to be killed by the one she loved in the end!"

"What… are you talking about…"

'It can't be!' Eliwood screamed in his head.

"Have you guessed wrong? Or can you just not accept it? Then I shall tell you, Eliwood. The ice dragon lying over there… The beast you killed yourself…"

'No! No! No! No!' He repeatedly denied it over and over again.

But then Nergal said, "That is Ninian. The girl who loved you. The girl you swore to protect. Though she returned to her dragon form and lost her human memories… she continued to think only of you, and came here… The very girl who died by your hand!"

"...Ah…" Eliwood looked numbly at the ice dragon he slew.

Its chest was sliced open, and its body convulsed, signaling it was on the verge of death.

"Yes, look at her! She is mustering up the last of her strength to return to her human form. I think now is your only chance to say goodbye. Though there is no longer anything you can do to help her."

Just as Nergal said, the fallen ice dragon - Ninian - was enveloped in a pale light, her giant body was slowly becoming smaller and smaller.

Finally, the light took on human form.

The moment his eyes saw it was her, Eliwood's words of denial were violently crushed, and in their place, he was consumed by an anger even he himself could not control.

"Damn you, Nergal…" Eliwood swung Durandal at Nergal, but he had no chance at landing an attack while overcome by his anger. 

Nergal slipped into darkness and easily dodged the attack, then reappeared in front of Eliwood, and said as if he was casting a curse, "It was not me, Eliwood, but you! You killed her! You…!"

"Grr… Ahhhhhhh!!!!" Having such a truth that he could not change shoved in his face made Eliwood utterly lose himself. "I…! I…!"

'If this drives me to insanity right now, then… then…’

The moment that thought crossed his mind in his attempt to escape from his sadness and the sin he had committed, Eliwood heard a faint voice reach his ears.

"Lord… Eliwood…"

"...Ninian?!"

Ninian had finally fully returned to her human form and regained her consciousness.

Eliwood rushed over to her. "Ninian! Ninian!"

"Lord… Eliwood."

"Ninian… please… don't die… I… I don't know what I would do…" Eliwood said, his words barely coherent as he held back the warm tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

'However much she may hate me, I can't change it… I… I deserve it…'

He had betrayed everything. Her trust, his promise, their love. He blamed himself over and over again for it.

'No matter how hateful her words towards me might be… it's only natural that she would feel that way…' He thought as he cradled her body. 

But her words defied his expectations.

"Thank goodness…"

"Huh…?"

"Thank goodness… you're safe… Lord Eliwood…"

"Ninian…"

She spoke not words of resentment, nor blame or hatred, but smiled softly.

Eliwood stared in utter shock at her calm expression.

"..Lord… Eliwood. Please… protect… this…land…"

"Nin… ian. Ninian? You can't… Please, answer me… There's still so much I have to tell you… You… can't…"

Before Eliwood could tell her, Ninian's life was cut short.

"Niniaaaaaaaan!!!!" He screamed, still holding her body, unable to accept her death.

Nergal shouted at him mockingly, "It is over! Now you will wait for the end of this world, trembling in fear in the shadows of the dragons!"

"I won't let you! Take this, my greatest power!!" A red torrent shot out from Athos' outstretched hands.

The swirling flames, burning bright and scorching everything in their path with a thunderous roar, engulfed Nergal's body.

They rose into a fiery pillar that stretched to the heavens, and covered the surrounding area in thick smoke.

But when it cleared, and Nergal reappeared, only his left hand was burned. All it took for him to withstand the mighty flames was for him to sacrifice one hand.

"Anima magic's flames of hellfire, Forblaze… I would expect nothing less from you, Archsage Athos! However… you are no longer any match for me! Just look! Even with one of the Legendary Weapons, you cannot even inflict one serious wound upon me! Ha ha… ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Nergal's loud laughter echoed through the air.

Athos growled in frustration. "...Grr…"

"How pitiful you are, Athos! However, I will retreat here for now, to show my respect for the great person you once were... And because five hundred years ago…we were once friends who walked the same path towards the same goal…" Nergal vanished, leaving that curious bit of information behind.

All everyone left behind felt was the despair experienced when one has stood before an enemy too great for themselves to face.

"What are we to do…? Not even the Legendary Weapons can defeat him, can they?" Hector muttered, utterly dumbfounded. Even his expression darkened, despite always being so bold and dauntless that he did not flinch before any enemy.

Just then…

"...Uh…"

"Nils! You're awake! Are you alright?"

"...Ninian! …Ninian. Ninian?! Where is she?!" Nils began to search for his sister the moment he awoke. 

He'd lost consciousness when Nergal tried to take him, but his bond with his sister was so great that he always felt her energy. When it suddenly vanished, it immediately worried him.

"...Nils… I'm… sorry…" Eliwood said to him in a small voice.

The moment he saw his sister in Eliwood's arms, Nils took it to mean they had been able to safely rescue her. But Eliwood's words, and more significantly, the sight of the large, gaping wound that traveled down her body from her right shoulder, made Nils realize what had happened to her.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" He wailed in a despair darker than darkness itself.

☆

Ninian was dead.

It was a fact no one could reverse, and a reality none could accept.

Taking the heartbroken Eliwood and mourning Nils with them, the army followed Hector's proposal and first returned to Ostia.

Inside the most well fortified castle town in all of Lycia, they rested their exhausted bodies and started discussions to decide what they should do next.

As they talked…

"...All of you have a right to know…" Athos said, and began to reveal everything he knew about Nergal.

"...I met Nergal five hundred years ago, in the Nabata Desert. He was the same as I, a man fascinated with the truths of this world."

Both Athos and Nergal were equals in strength and knowledge. The two were fast friends, and together, they could solve all of the mysteries of this world… or so they thought.

The reason that resulted in their split was a disagreement in opinion on their greatest and what could be considered their final discovery.

"While roaming the Nabata Desert, we discovered a curious village… To our disbelief, both humans and dragons… were living there together in cooperation."

"Humans and dragons? Can… live together?"

At Hector's question, Athos nodded and said,

"At first, we did not believe our eyes either. But it did truly exist."

"That's… amazing."

Athos saw dragons with his very eyes. Some resembled those he had fought as one of the eight legends, and others did not. They had all lived peacefully with humans since long ago.

"They were those who hated the idea of fighting against humans, and fled to the Nabata Desert during the Scouring. They wished to live out of the public eye, so Nergal and I put up a magic barrier. We created an oasis, and… they invited us to live with them."

Life there was very calm and fulfilling. At some point, the village had come to be called Arcadia, a peaceful place for lost travelers.

And so, Nergal and Athos started to live in this Arcadia.

"...We became absorbed in the dragon's knowledge. We hungrily studied their language and history. One hundred years went by, then another… Time passed in the blink of an eye, and… our ways of thinking gradually went in two different directions."

"...How so?"

"I… wanted to spread the dragon's knowledge to others, and someday expand Arcadia."

"And Nergal?"

"He wanted to use the dragon's knowledge… to steal quintessence from other living beings, and discover ways to increase his own strength."

It was a frightening thought.

When they realized what Nergal was doing, Athos and Arcadia's dragon elders argued passionately for him to stop. But in his lust for power, he would not listen to them, and absorbed himself in his study of the forbidden magics. He first started with small animals, then moved on to larger ones, from dogs to horses… when his targets shifted to humans, Athos banded together with Arcadia's villagers and defeated Nergal.

"Or so we thought… Nergal narrowly escaped death, and fled to Bern… He gathered power gradually, so that we would not find him…"

Nergal used a great amount of quintessence to create puppets he called morphs to do his bidding. They took on physical appearances that were attractive to humans, and also possessed intelligence that surpassed humans'... Eliwood's army had seen them on many occasions. 

Ephidel and Sonia were two such examples.

They had black hair, pale white skin… and lips so red they looked as if they were painted with blood. …But what left the greatest impression of all were their glittering gold eyes…

Athos paused to breathe a sigh, then continued, "...To create morphs is an act of blasphemy against the gods. Once Nergal could act using the morphs, his power was too great for me to defeat him. His next target after humans… was the dragon's quintessence…

"There was no doubt in my mind he was targeting Arcadia. I conjured a sandstorm to hide the village, and waited in the underground ruins… to fight him. I thought that even if I could not win, I could sacrifice myself to cripple him… then lure him into the desert, where he would reach his end…"

"...But Nergal never came, did he?"

"He did not. I do not know how he did it, but… he beckoned the siblings from the other side of the Dragon's Gate. Now, he… is attempting to bring even more, many more, dragons to this land. The final hope is the powers of the remaining Eight Legends. It will take too much time for us to gather them all ourselves. I will now go to the Shrine of Seals, and tell Bramimond everything. We must borrow his strength…"

Having heard the rest of the story, Eliwood made his decision. "We will go to the Dragon's Gate."

"That may be a good idea. Even if we cannot hold our own against Nergal himself, we can weaken his forces."

"Yeah, it's not like us to just wait around!"

Boh Hector and Lyn agreed with Eliwood's proposal.

Eliwood's sadness over Ninian's death and his feelings of regret for the sin he had committed still raged within his heart. But falling into the depths of that despair would not bring Ninian back. What was more important was the fact that letting Nergal be would only increase the number of people feeling the same sadness as him.

The sight of Eliwood, having vowed to continue fighting, as well as Hector and Lyn supporting him, made tears of nostalgia well up in Athos' eyes.

"...You are all… so much like Roland… Ha ha… to think that something could surprise even me, at my age…" Memories flooded his mind of a certain member of the Eight Legends he fought the dragons with one thousand years ago.

"To change a predetermined fate… takes tightly knit bonds. …Go, young ones. Press onwards, towards the Dragon's Gate."

Athos said to the three, then turned directly to Eliwood and asked, "Eliwood, what did you do with Durandal?"

"...It's here." Whenever he unsheathed it, it made him relive what he had done to Ninian.

"I want to cast a spell on it to try and make it even stronger. Do you mind if I take it for a bit?"

"Not at all."

Athos took Durandal from Eliwood, and said to remind him, "...Eliwood, I understand how you feel. But… without this weapon, we cannot harm Nergal… You know that, right?"

"...I do. Next time I wield it… I will not falter." Eliwood said as he stared at his sword hand.

ー

[lexosaurus]

Going Angst Week 2021: Instinct

Read: [1: birth]

Warning: Ghost Hunger

---

Ectoplasm was poisonous to humans. Danny knew that, it was one of the first things his parents had drilled into him when he was a kid.

If humans ingested small amounts of ectoplasm, they’d be sick but would likely be fine the next day. If they ingested large amounts of ectoplasm, they’d be rushed to the ER to get their stomach pumped, and if they didn’t make it there in time, they’d die.

Danny had accidentally eaten ectoplasm-infused cookies enough times in his childhood to be able to taste it’s gross battery-acid flavor. He’d felt enough stomach cramps from his mother’s cooking before Jazz insisted that they install a second fridge in the lab to store their samples inside of to know how much the human body hated the substance. 

Ectoplasm was poison. Period.

So then why was it that when he stared down longingly at the carnage before him, did he want nothing more than to dip his hand into the delicious pool of green and scoop it into his mouth?

He knew he should leave—his parents would be arriving soon—but as he stared down at the unfortunate remains of the giant ectoplasm mosquito on the pavement, all he could think about was how hungry he was and how sick he’d been all week and this was it, this was the thing that would cure him, he just needed to reach down...

Danny shook his head in disgust. He was still partially human, he couldn’t just eat ectoplasm. 

But he was so, so hungry.

Nothing he’d eaten in the past week had satisfied his hunger. No, this was something else. Something that originated deep down in his core. No human food could fix this, he knew that on instinct.

Ectoplasm was poison.

But he was starving.

Danny closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. This wasn’t the first time he’d gotten these strange cravings. They’d been happening ever since he learned how to shoot ghost-rays with his hands. 

At first, it was easy to ignore. Just a twinge of his stomach here, a slight watering of his mouth there. Little annoyances, but nothing he couldn’t blame on exhaustion or academic stress.

But lately, the hunger had been getting worse. Just looking at a pool of ectoplasm made his heart skip a beat, and the sight of an entire ghost mosquito carcass was enough to make him want to collapse in relief.

He needed to do something. Leave. He couldn’t stay here, he was going to lose it. 

God, this was horrible. He was disgusting for even entertaining the idea.

Danny glanced back at the mosquito. Its core had smashed somehow during the fight, allowing its fresh ectoplasm to pool onto the pavement before it. The sun was setting, and it was hitting the fresh green in just the right way.

“Shut up,” Danny snapped. He wasn’t some feral vampire, he was Danny Phantom. Amity Park’s local ghost protector. He wasn’t just going to…

He glanced around. No one was here, and no one was passing by on the street either. Maybe he could afford just one little taste…

...just one…

...no one else had to know…

...he just needed to reach down and…

His fingers brushed the cool liquid, and as if he were shocked he jolted up, pressing his back into the brick building behind him and breathing hard. 

That was close. Too close. He needed to get out of here quickly before he lost control.

But as he stared back down at the gooey carcass, it was as if a trance had overtaken him. His mind fogged up, and all his worries and stresses seemed to melt away.

The only thing he knew was that he was starving, and there was food. 

Danny crouched down over the mosquito and shyly stuck his hand back out over the glowing pool of liquid. He hesitated, as if there were still some part of his mind that was trying to resist when he knew that he just needed to chill out, Danny. It’s okay. Trust yourself.

He was a ghost. He knew what he was doing.

Closing his eyes, he dipped his hand into the ectoplasm. He shuddered, allowing his hands to explore the cool liquid. It felt...nice. And his hunger seemed to yell louder until he couldn’t ignore the voice in his head goading him to eat the ectoplasm, just eat it, eat the ectoplasm, eat the food.

He brought his hand up to his mouth, and it was as if something inside him shorted out. 

His brain switched off, all thoughts left his body. The only thing that mattered was the ectoplasm, the food, his hunger, god this tasted so nice. 

His world was green, and that was all he needed.

---

“What’s wrong with me?” Danny cried. “Why can’t I stop?”

His hands were plastered in ectoplasm, and he could feel the sticky substance dripping down his suit, threading in his hair, smearing across his face.

“Well, isn’t it obvious?” Vlad said, hardly looking up from his paperwork on his desk. “You’re starving yourself.”

“But—but I don’t…” Danny collapsed in a chair and buried his head in his hands. 

“Daniel, really. I thought you were better than this pointless drivel.”

Danny shook his head. In a muffled voice, he whimpered, “Please, just tell me how to make this stop. I—I can’t stop. Please. I don’t want to be this monster.”

Vlad sighed and set down his pen. “Halfas have unique biologies in that due to the nature of our deaths, we have naturally powerful cores. The more powerful the ghost core, the more self-generating ectoplasm they can produce for their bodies, which then can offset any ectoplasm lost through daily functions. Like blood cells. Except, if you use more ectoplasm than your body can produce, it starts looking for other ways to replenish it. Typically for ghosts, the ambient ectoplasm in the Ghost Zone would do. But in the human world, there isn’t enough ambient ectoplasm for us to use, so we starve until our core takes matters into its own hands.”

“So, what. I have to move to the Ghost Zone? I don’t understand. Do you get like this?” Danny lifted his head up to see Vlad massaging his temples.

“Well unlike you, I’m not a complete moron who lets themselves get to the point where they can no longer control themselves.”

“But I don't want to do this! I don’t want to...to eat other ghosts.”

“Then don’t.” Vlad stood and yanked Danny through the floor and into his lab. He shoved Danny into the corner of the room. “Clean yourself up. I won’t have you dripping used ectoplasm all over my clean floors.”

Danny hung his head in a mixture of shock and shame as the hot water from the decontamination shower sprayed down on his body, washing the green stains from his suit onto the floor and down the drain.

Meanwhile, Vlad flitted around the lab, wasting no time in between plucking various tubes and files from their shelves to simultaneously berate Danny. “Really, Daniel, I know you’re an idiot but even you can’t be this appallingly stupid. There are many ways to consume ectoplasm that don’t involve tearing the cores out of your adversaries. Of course, if you continue to insist on being a toddler about your different biology then I have no doubt you’ll be back in this sorry state sooner than you can imagine.”

“Please, just tell me what to do.”

Vlad pulled out what appeared to be glowing green lettuce. “These are ectoplasmic vegetables. They grow in the Ghost Zone. I tend to prefer them with a nice cherry vinaigrette and paired with a glass of dry chardonnay. Do you understand, Daniel? The Ghost Zone is a parallel of the human dimension. If there are plants in the human world, there will also exist a variation of those plants in the Ghost Zone. You find the right ally, and you have your dinner.”

Danny stared dumbly at the plant. He’d only been to the Ghost Zone once before, when he was terrified his parents were getting divorced. And that trip had left him too scared to even think about going back.

“Where do you get yours from?” Danny asked.

Vlad put the lettuce back in the metal refrigerator. “Skulker. You know, my lackey? You may have heard of him.”

“Right.” Danny furrowed his brows. He couldn’t ask Skulker if he could have some of the plants—the ghost wanted to kill him. Again.

But he didn’t know anyone else who had ecto-plants either.

“I don’t know where I’d get them. I don’t know any ghosts.”

“Well, that seems like a personal problem.”

“Please!” Danny begged. “There has to be another way. I don’t know anyone! I can’t do this again. Please, Vlad.”

The true question was hidden underneath. But Danny knew what Vlad was going to say, and judging by Vlad’s vicious smirk, Danny’s assumptions were correct.

“Maybe if you stopped fighting your true nature, you wouldn’t have to beg for my food like a pathetic child.”

“Vlad, I—I don’t know what to do.”

Vlad transformed into his ghost form, his eyes glowing a harsh red against the dim light. “You may be a human, but you’re also a ghost. It’s time you started acting like one.”

He could feel it. His core, taunting him from under his skin. Telling him to give in, just trust it, trust his instincts.

But he couldn’t do it. He was scared, he didn’t understand why his instincts were telling him to act certain ways and do certain things. Why were the emotions of his friends and family suddenly so important to him? Why did he feel so compelled to play protector to the town? Why did he have to try to be so normal around Sam and Tucker?

Why couldn’t he go too long without transforming into his ghost form? Why did it feel like an addiction that was impossible to break?

What was wrong with him?

Give in, just give in. 

“I can’t.”

“You have to, Daniel.”

“But if I do that…”

“Then you’ll finally be admitting the truth of what you are. Why is that so wrong?”

Because I’m a ghost, ghosts are evil, ghosts are wrong, they shouldn’t exist, ghosts and humans don’t mix, ghosts are cruel creatures, they’re selfish, they’ll only act in their own self-interest.

But that was what his parents had told him. Was that true?

Did he know anything about ghosts?

Not really. Except for one, crucial thing:

Ghosts were different. 

Danny Fenton couldn’t be different.

---

<previous / next>

[rcksmith]

Geniuses — Five Hargreeves

Request: “Hi! I am just the annon that recently sent the request 3,11,16 and 22. You asked what I wanted, I forgot to put that I got them from the “fluff” prompt list. I am so sorry!! And don’t worry! It’s not your fault I didn’t see the list 😂😂 but thank you so much! I really like your fics and your writing style so much! 🥺🥺💖💖”

Fluff prompts:

3“You’re staring again.”

11. “Wow- you look…amazing.”

16. “I love you. You enormously stubborn pain in the ass.” 16. “I heard that!” 1 .“You were supposed to!”

22. “well the probability of that is 0, but you go ahead”

A/N: We not tolerate any pedophilia here !!

I write about Five with their 20s. I write the same about the characters of Harry Potter.

Haha love, it’s okay💖💖 i hope you like, because I really like to writing tis. Thank you for resquest. Love u❤️

English is not my first language, so I so sorry if have a mistake.

Requests are open. Love you ❤️

Couple: Five Hargreeves/Fem! Reader.

Warnings: nothing, just bad words and fluff.

(gif not mine)

— — — — —

It was fun to think that Five never had an equal opponent, someone as smart, canny, sarcastic and ironic as he. Five Hargreeves was always used to being the smartest person in the room, always being the one with the quickest response on the tip of his tongue.

And, well, it was fun to think that it all went up in the air when you showed up.

You were cruelly intelligent, able to correct errors in Five's math equations, sarcastic and always had a cheeky smile on your face. You weren't used to being underneath, which is why when Five wanted to show that he was better than you, well, you wouldn't give up.

But unlike the time traveler, you didn't have super powers, you weren't extraordinary, you didn't have any skills, but that didn't stop you from being equal to him in every other way.

Whenever Five wanted to come out on top with the argument that he had powers and you didn’t, you raised an eyebrow, looked at him as if he had made a basic math mistake, and said: “I don’t need powers, I’m a genius, you should try to be one too.” And it made him furious, and, truth be told, you just liked to tease him too.

But just as the two of you had personality differences, the ability to handle emotions and people well was different from Five. You were kind, funny and wanted to make people comfortable around you. Being a genius didn't mean you shouldn't be a nice person, and Five usually forgot about it.

As you and Five spent more time together, it became clear that you two were no longer able to stay away from each other. Five liked (secretly) to have someone to really talk to. Someone that understood and followed his line of reasoning, that understood the equations he did, and that considered him a genius instead of crazy with some reasoning.

Being with you was like, for Five, meeting another human being in a dog-only world, and when he kind of told you that in other words, you laughed out loud and said: “Or how to find an equal sign in an equation.” And that's when he felt his heart pounding for you.

Five remembered when you beat him in chess for the first time, no one had ever done it before, and he agreed to play with the full awareness that he was going to win again. Well, that is not what happened.

When you checkmate his king, Five was stunned. He leaned over the board, looking at the pieces as if they had created a head. And you laughed, leaned back in your chair in a victorious smile.

“This is impossible.”

“it's actually just intelligence, why don't you use it now and then?” You were kidding, it was obvious, you couldn't stand hurting people and Five knew it. The dynamics of the two of you who were exchanging barbs.

“You must have stolen or something, this is very much your style” He returned, eyes on you as you laughed “Let's play again and I will give you a the most brutal defeat.”

“Well the probability of that is 0, but you go ahead” You accepted, first because you wanted to show that you would beat him as many times as possible, and second because there was nothing you liked more than spending time with Five.

The matches started, and you won every time. And when the sunset and the breeze was cold, you and Five looked at each other, with the peach rays of the sun illuminating their faces, and the mutual smile they gave out sweetly.

He were really enjoy the game and you knew that, and he knew you not just want the victory. You two know Just more matches would make you spend more time together. And... Five didn't remember if anyone ever really engaged in a game just to want to be around him.

But things really got more real and serious when Vayna asked you to go to one of her violin performances too. And, well, you wore a long, red dress, firm in all the right places, and Five couldn't get his eyes off you just one second.

It was as if, when he saw you, all the equations in his life had been solved. And a single thought rang in his mind: “I want her”

And the certainty of that was absolute. He wanted you as an overwhelming force, which shook his whole body. He needed you like needed oxygen. And there was no way to deny that anymore.

But it all happened in a fraction of a second, and you had just chosen that moment to approach him and ask:

“So, how am I look? Are you going to make a little joke about berries or something?” You laughed.

But Five could think of nothing but that if there were the personification of sin and perfection, it would be you. He looked at you as a whole, a fucking beautiful woman with a fucking brilliant mind. You are incredible and he had no other adjectives for you.

“Wow- you look… amazing.” You felt all the intensity and truth in that sentence, and your heart pounded in your chest.

For, truth be revealed, you had dressed up for him. Because wanted him to think you were beautiful. Because you thinking him were a young God with all the vigor and beauty.

Five really wanted to focus on anything but you. Not In the swing of your body, in the outline of your lips, in how he wanted to put you out of that dress. He really tried. But his eyes were always drawn to you at the end of the effort, as if you were the only thing worth seeing.

“You’re staring again.” Luther whispered in his right ear, while Five kept his eyes on you for a moment that seemed to him seconds, but to Luther it was hours.

But who could blame him? You looked like a mirage, too beautiful to be true. And Five wanted to record every detail of it in memory.

“Take care of your life!” He replied, taking his eyes off you.

After that night, Five already knew that he could no longer keep his hands off you. He couldn't just look at you anymore when the hunger to touch you started to hurt physically. As soon as you got back to the mansion, he grabbed you by the wrist, in a strong, firm grip, and pulled you with him as he climbed the stairs towards his own room.

Five needed you. A kiss, a caress, a body-to-body contact, anything, he just needed it. And it had to be now, he not wait for you to go home and come back later, he couldn't wait days...damn it! He couldn't wait seconds!

Then he knocked and locked the door behind you when you entered the his room.

“What the hell?” You rubbed your wrist that he must not have measured how much firmly him hold you “You're acting like a nut and I thin ...”

But Five didn't give you time to continue. He couldn't give you time. He could not explain something that for him was still a mess. So he showed you.

Five came to you in big, determined steps, and he fit your face in his hands before tilting and sticking his lips to yours. And then the world seemed to make sense for the first time.

Everything was suspended. The people, the rotation of the earth, the wind, the noise of the streets. Everything went into a black hole and was no longer important. The only thing that really mattered was you. And Five kissed you until the oxygen was strictly necessary.

“I have been waiting for this for some time.” You confessed, and Five blew out a low laugh, answering you with another kiss that ended up taking you to a bed and messy sheets.

After that night, Five became more attached to you, and the relationship grew stronger over the weeks.

“You know this is wrong, right?” You said as you took a look at the equations he had made that afternoon.

Five looked at you with a frown, irritation in his eyes, but you were trying to contain your laughter.

“You have nothing else to do no?”

“Besides seeing your accounts wrong? No.” You had fun, taking one of the white chalk Five was using and erasing an equation from it, redoing it in the right way.

You could feel his gaze on your back, but you did your best not to laugh and return the chalk complacently.

“Now it's right.”

Five looked at the account you redid, and gave you an expression of so few friends that you couldn't control your laughter anymore.

And his expression closed even more. You shook your head and were already on your way to the door when when you heard him mumbling:

“I love you. You enormously stubborn pain in the ass.”

Then you laughed even harder and turned to Five, who had been doing his math again on the walls of his room.

“I heard that!”

“You were supposed to!” He countered without even waiting a second, and then you came back towards him, the laughter still present in your voice, your eyes full of play and love.

You put your arms behind his waist, still with the remnants of laughter coming from yours lips, and leaned your head against his broad back.

Five felt and heard your laughter, and then controlled himself not to laugh too, before giving yours hands that were hugging his waist a few gentle pats.

“You are unbearable.” You mumbled, but full of love overflowing with the words “But I love you.”

Then Five laugh came and he exchanged pats for an affectionate affection on yours hand, signaling that he also found you unbearable, but that he loves you.

[lilsuzn]

MLQC Lucien - NSFW abc headcanons

Sorry I was gone for so long. I was busy doing hot girl shit.

Fandom: Mr. Love: Queen's Choice

Warnings: S.M.U.T.  (the reader is gender neutral, but I quote Lucien’s “silly girl” at one point so idk)

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

It’s probably because of this relationship you two have. One that Lucien thought he could never have.

Frankly, he didn’t really want one. Even with you.

But it was impossible to stop himself from jumping into that rabbit whole.

You are not even a human for him. You are far superior.

A goddess.

A greater being that must be worshiped. Cherished. LOVED THOROUGHLY and Lucien can't stop himself from doing all that.

He would help you clean up with so much care. Hold you like he’s about to lose you. Wisper praises and declarations of love into your ear.

Prefers to stay in bed, but wouldn’t mind to do it in a bath either.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

He never really gave it much thought, but if you’d ask him, he would probably say - his neck.

Because he noticed how much attention you give it. That given a choice you would always kiss and bite on the neck.

And the unreformable tease he is - he loves your ears.

The way you twitch and squirm when he licks the or softly blows around them. The way you flush when he leans in to whisper directly to it.

All those small reactions get his blood pumping.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

A big fan of cuming onto you.

Your ass is his staple favorite, but chest, stomach, back or… basically anywhere else is not bad at all either.

If he ever comes inside you without a condom… and gets to see his seed dripping out of you… IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE FOR HIM.

Nothing can beat the look of his seed spilled on your pretty butt, BUT… damn that’s a nice sight.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

He doesn’t believe that some deeds can be dirty or naughty.

He's a scientist. Explorer of human's brain. He knows that every single of those is a normal, human thing.

But given that we all know what is this question all about…

Lucien really liked to draw when he was a kid and he still does it from time to time.

And what else could he sketch in his free time if not the most beautiful creation of this world? You. Naked.

He has countless amounts of those at this point. Every part of you has a separate piece. He likes to go through them from time to time.

Meaning every day when you're not around.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Lucien is not a virgin but he had never been in a real relationship before you.

He had some one night stands. A few booty call relationships, but he had never been with someone the way he is with you.

So you were still a challenge, because he could not allow himself any shortcomings when it came to you.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

That’s a spoiler for the future, but Lucien is more than willing to try everything and he doesn’t really feel any special bond with a particular position.

However he does have a particular group and if you remember what I said in C above, you know where I’m going.

From behind. Seeing your butt shake. He’s an ass man. (would love to try anal if you’d show an intrest in that)

Major bonus points if you turn your head to the side and look at him. With your lovely, beautiful face that he loves oh so much.

He instantly speeds up to the point that no man should ever reach and will happily carry you around for a day or two - you’ll need it.

Because after that there could never be only one round. Or even two or three.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

I wouldn’t call it goofy.

It’s very intense. Almost in a spiritual sense.

For Lucien sex is a metter of high importance. There’s no room for fooling around.

He needs to focus, so afterwards you’re completely spent, blissed and fucked to the point where you could never enjoy sex with any other man.

Toxic trait of this cutesy otome boy - possessiveness, and although he won’t try to control what and with who you do... 

(the man has some dignity and respect for your autonomy)

He will make sure you won’t be able to forget who makes you feel so f*in' good and being ‘goofy’ won’t make the statement.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

I think Lucien would be somewhat groomed, but not bold.

Shaving just isn’t natural and therefore necessarily good for one’s body.

Therefore, if you shave he might try to convince you to stop.

I want to touch a woman, not a girl - he would say.

Carpet matches the drapes (however I like to think that Lucien has ginger pubes dontjudgeme)

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Said first in A, now will be more specific.

With Lucien sex is some kind of a ritual of worship.

It’s a sacrifice for his goddess. His energy, his time, his most attentive care.

Love beams from his eyes even stronger than light does from the sun.

The foreplay will be elongated. You need to come at least twice before he enters you (see T).

During he roams your body with his hands. Boldly, but not aggressively… unless you’d like it.

Afterwards… well, just read A again.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

He’s a very busy man, so he doesn’t get many chances, but…

When he can he’s right at it… thinking of that pretty ass of yours.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Lucien is quite kinky.

He's in for anything that doesn’t go under N conditions. Anything. 

Likes bondage. No. He loves it. On you. And blindfolds.

SPANKING.

DOM BOY, but wouldn’t mind to go sub from time to time for you.

You want you to submit thoroughly, so he can thoroughly please you. Give you all that can be given.

Lives for roleplaying.

He also is really into body worship. He will praise you to the point of incredibility. 

See T gir. It’s really an intense game.

Lives to hear you beg for him.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

He likes to be in a private, comfortable place, when he doesn’t have to worry about any interruptions or other inconveniences.

Best in your or his place.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

First of all he really needs no convincing.

BUT.

The beast is awake momentarily when you wear his clothes. Like his sweater when you're cold. Or a shirt after a passionate night.

"You make a very nice sight indeed."

Other thing is lingerie. He likes it dark and erotic. Satin and straps. Maybe some nice, sheer mesh.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

No humiliating one another.

Nothing that even comes close to making you feel like he might have attempted to disrespect you.

Also - no outsiders.

And no hiding one another's fantasies. He’s there to please and satisfy you. Don’t take it away from him.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Eghem.

Can you stay up all night

Fuck me till the daylight 

34+35

If you don't get it yet, it means he wants to 69 with you.

All night. Every night.

The taste of you in his mouth is heavenly.

The feeling and sight of your mouth enveloping his groin is pure ecstasy.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

He doesn’t have much of a fav.

It all depends on his mood.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Meh...

It’s not like an unacceptable option, but he prefers delayed gratification.

Will agree if you insist, but won’t ever offer.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? Do they take risks? etc.)

OF COURSE. YES. PLEASE.

Why would he ever limit himself to known and obvious, when there might be something far, far superior to what both of you already know.

He enjoys erotic literature. Sometimes reads online articles about interesting positions, toys or new ways to make you come harder and faster.

Won’t shy away from many things. Just remember about what I said in N.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

This man rarely sleeps. Rarely even rests.

This man is a rabbit.

It's more likely you will pass out of exhaustion then that he will take a break from fucking you. Weather it's with his hands, dick, lips or… other things. 

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Speaking of other things.

And fucking.

Lucien invested in a nice collection for the two of you. Vibrators. Rings. Suckers.

He likes to please you in every way he can. 

While the toys take care of you, you suck onto him.

Sometimes you just embrace yourself as the toys take care of your needs. And you go like this for hours. Until you can't take it anymore.

And let's not forget the bondage equipment. Ropes, handcuffs, blindfolds, gags, whips….

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Obvi. What did you expect?

A lot.

For hours.

Until all you’re able to say is “Lucien” and “Please”.

Edging is not negotiable. Happens every time. Often to the point when you come so fast and unexpectedly he just couldn’t stop on time.

Will talk dirty to your ear in public to then “accidently” stroke your nipple or if he feels particularly bold that day - your crotch.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Not shy at all. No shame.

Will moan, groan, pant and hiss all he wants and as loudly as he wants.

Let the neighbors hear. Why would he feel ashamed of fucking you?

LOVES when you do the same.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

He would love to take you for a weekend trip. In the mountains. Renting a nice cottage.

Necessarily with a fireplace. And a jacuzzi.

He would have it decorated with many, many gleaming candles. Set all around the cottage.

The soothing music would play.

His fingers would play with your sex while you soak yourselfs in the jacuzzi.

Then he would lay you on a soft carpet in front of the fireplace and make love to you. True, unmistakable love.

It would be a trip to remember for the rest of your lives.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

First off all, see this meme.

He just emanuates that massive dick energy. That’s just facts. No one in the bunch can relate. I’m sorry stans of the other 4, it’s not my fault, don’t @ me.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

High. Very high sometimes.

Okay - usually very high, sometimes extremely high.

All nighters will happen at least once a week unless one of you really has a tough week or just had one and still tries to get everything together.

Otherwise no mercy. His lover needs to have all her needs fulfilled. Lucien would never allow you to walk around hungry or cold. Why would he let you be unsatisfied in this category, silly girl?

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Not right away for sure. 

He wants to watch you fall asleep. And then see those cutest expressions you make in your slumber.

Sometimes he just grabs a book and holds your hand until you wake up.

Other times he isn't able to resist it and falls asleep. You in his arms. His world at peace.

[theredsuzuran]

Yandere Muzan x Reader

I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors, also for my crappy writing I hope It does not bore you lol. Slight mention of gore

It was the time of summer

A multitude of people hovering over one another in the vast space of the lively Asakusa city occupying the streets like tiny ants. Unfortunately it was same monotonous sight for kibutsuji Muzan progenitor of the morbid demon race, who seems to be roaming around uninterestingly looking for a suitable prey to hunt. The fleeting lives of mortals, their compassion, happiness, sorrow, pain held no value to him. They are pests who belong in the dirt or beneath his feet, inferior compare to a perfect being like himself. Nothing more than a tool that he won't hesitate to discard after his desires are fulfilled. All of a sudden his gaze felt upon a petite figure near a tailor shop, a large number of people gathering around her.

What's the matter, mister? Muzan inquired to a man next to him.

"if you are new definitely try her kimonos, now make way" the man said quickly as he rushed to the shop pushing all the people away. He was interested to know what the deal was about so he decided to stay for a while hoping it's worth the wait.

After a long delay muzan finally got the chance to view the women. As their eyes locked the dazzling city lights broader than the day itself felt dull in comparison for a moment, the once monochromatic world seems to change vibrantly with her luminous presence, As if goddess Amaterasu, the diety of sun herself have ascended from the heaven into the mortal realm. The demon lord stood there mesmerized by her breathtaking beauty, how can someone so close to perfection exist alongside those barbarians.

"How can I help you mister?" She questioned politely with her soft vocal. His endless thoughts were interrupted breaking the silence.

"Show me your kimonos"

And so his obsession started..

Days passed since his last encounter with the woman. He have come across numerous marvelous humans in everlasting lengthy life but never have his ruby eyes caught a glimpse of someone as alluring as her. The girl possesses an unique aura that differentiated her from the rest of the crowd, able to draw attention from the cold hearted creator of cannibalistic demons. At first muzan was just curious to know about that woman, possibly persuade her to become one of his underling because of the potentials she may carry. He frequently begun to visit her shop to but or sew different fabrics. Gaining basic information, like her name, likes and dislikes, etc. Her grandfather owned the tailor shop which sold finest quality garments from the beginning and were highly respected for their excellent tailoring. Continued by (y/n) at her family's will, who runs the shop with equal undying devotion.

She treated him with such kindness even though he was a ruthless demon not that she knew about it or let alone the existence of demons. The deepest corner of his dark heart illuminated with pure light whenever she was around and he came to the conclusion that she was the ray of sunshine he desires to perceive. Eversince he was cured from his fatal illness the only goal in his life was to conquer the sun which prevents him to achieve absolute perfection, in order to live an eternal and indestructible life or so he thought until that very day his eyes laid upon you. It would be stupid to think that demons are capable of experiencing love, concepts of feelings are completely foreign in their conciousness, it was more like obsession. His megalomania makes him believe he needs you no he wants you.

Alas, if only it was a fairytale. The king does not always gets what he desires and same goes for the demon lord when he finds out that his beloved darling already has a lover. As he witnessed the sight of you hugging your partner with passion. The way her eyes flutter infront of him when he caresses her cheeks making her turn away bashfully and how she hold his hand with her delicate ones while exchanging vows of love and loyalty towards each other made his blood boiled with fury. If anyone who can hold her fragile frame is none other but the demon lord himself yet there she was sharing intimacy with some filthy creature. His narcissistic self was put down with a lowlife, he cannot accept that his (y/n) was claimed someone else's. It was something he would never allow to happen.

"Kibutsuji san would you like to buy something today as well?" The women who now acknowledge his presence asked him cheerfully.

"Should I visit you later" a force smile graced on his pale features.

"Oh no, it's fine, let me introduce you to my fiancee" she said excitedly.

"Nice to meet you kibutsuji san" your fiancee said

"Pleasure to meet you as well" The demon scoffed under his breath but Kibutsuji was quite adamant he knew it was not hard to turn the tables anytime sooner as with a blink of an eye he can get rid of him by simply ordering his underlings without even hesitating to dirty his hands exclusive for his precious darling. But that was not what muzan was planning to do at all as his mind was engulfed with much sinister thoughts.

To insanity?

"You have been restless for a long time, what's wrong my child?" A man asked with a look of concern written all over his face looking straight at the figure of an anxious woman roaming around impatiently within the house.

"Its been a week father since he last wrote a letter to him" she mumbled softly disappointment painted across her features. The father could not help but laugh a little by her daughter's remark.

"Father please it is serious"

"I am sorry sweetheart but it might be that your fiancee is busy with wedding preparation" which made sense because the wedding would be taking place after three day and it was obvious that he was caught up with the arrangement. However there was a strange feeling inside her stomach which made her believe otherwise.

As the days passed the wedding day came close, with (y/n) still not receiving any message from her lover. Worried her to the core at this point all she wanted was to make sure of his safety as something constantly felt off. The guests came in one by one for the wedding ceremony but there was no sign of the groom.

It was getting unbearable for her to remain confined. Ignoring her father's request to stay inside she went outside in hope to check whether or not her lover was approaching but once again she was greeted with emptiness. Her eyes swell up with tears forming on both corners allowing her body to slowly hit the surface as she convinced herself that her lover will never come. The worst was yet to happen and before she could make any movement the ground beneath her feet started shaking and a shoji door opened consuming her into the darkness.

It was just the start of her miserable life under the demon's control.

"So you are finally awake", a sudden voice came echoing into her eyes as she slowly opened her eyes after regaining her consciousness. She moved her hands upwards in order to ease the headache only to find her hands tied up with shackles, a chilling sensation of overwhelming fear filled her entire senses as she remembered what happened prior.

"Where am I? Why am I chained?" Who are you?" she demanded furiously at the mysterious figure infront her which was now advancing at her direction from the dark corner of the dimly litted room.

"You are quite an impatient one?" The man gripped her chin roughly as her eyes protruded out with bewilderment.

"Can't even remember your daily customer?" A wicked smile curved across his countenance.

"K..Kibutsuji san" she parted her lips. Tears forming in her eyes once again. This made muzan even more irritated as he tightened his grip on her chin. (Y/n) whimpered with pain crying out loud.

"Your shouting won't help dear nobody apart from me can hear you scream" he said bluntly with his cold apathetic voice.

"Why?" (Y/n) lowered her head down holding his hand with her delicate ones trying her best to get a hold of him.

"Pardon?" Muzan inquired as he stared at your quivering form with his souless eyes there was no empathy in them or whatsoever although he felt pity. He cannot deny the fact that he was indeed attracted to her that's the reason why he put her into so much hassles.

"Where is my lover?" She asked sternly with her voice shaking a bit.

"Oh" muzan responded his hand still holding her chin tightly. This made her even more anxious she was unaware of the power he might possess and definitely she didn't had any intentions to risk her life.

"Why can't you humans move on and accept circumstances given before you?" it startled her as she cannot process what he meant.

"I don't.. u..understand" she said.

"Then you have to learn to accept me as your partner" muzan replied coldly (y/n) sat there looking at him with disbelief her heart and soul belonged to someone else and for a long time they have been together it's absolutely impossible to change the reality she was accustomed with just because some maniac wants to make her his partner.

"I can never" she murmured with disgust hinted in her voice. "I love him" throwing daggers in his direction not ready to submit her futile attempts of protest should pissed the demon lord even more but to her surprise she saw him smiling menacingly and in the corner of her eyes she saw the figure of her debilitate lover.

"Start from his fingers" muzan ordered one of his subordinate as they began chopping one of his finger making him scream in pain.

"No! please don't hurt him" trying to break free from the shackles she was tied with realizing it was fruitless she fell on the demon's knee begging with all the strength left within her in a last desperate attempt.

"You left me with no other choice, dear" he explained playing his sick games of manipulation on her. This was exactly what he needed to break her mind and she cannot help but rely on him pleading for his forgiveness feeding on his massive ego providing him ultimate satisfaction to witness the quivering frame of his darling clinging onto his knee in pure submission.

"Please I will do anything you say" she requested shaking like crazy.

"Anything?" Muzan questioned raising his eyebrow

"Yes" she replied without any hesitation.

"Be mine"

She already knew that he wanted this and she readily obliged in order to save her beloved, sacrificing her own life. Her only purpose was now to satisfy the demon lord, he was successful until the very end and it won't take long to make her completely his.

[loop-hole-319]

Goodbye little Elk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzWmKlZtrU&ab_channel=nova60

At first glance this panicked creature may look like a fully grown Cervitaur of a Caribou, and it may appear that he has an antler deformity causing his antlers droop down to the sides of his head. But this is not the case, this is in fact this is an adolescent Irish Elk Cervitaur with a scientific name of ‘Megaloceros giganteus Elaphocentaur’. His future fossil records suggest that he is around the age of 15 to 16, and that he lived approximately 8000 years ago. This specific individual also appears to have some form of hyperpigmentation disorder on his lower half, causing the normally brown fur of the species to appear black. This young bull has been separated from his herd and has been searching for it for the last several hours. But little does he know his search is about to come to an end in the worst way possible.

Danny was well aware that he was a dumbass, his sister would constantly remind him of this fact. Of course it was all in good fun.   “MOOOHEEEEEUHHMmmm” He called out to his mother knowing that his shrill cry out to her would carry for miles. While keeping an even paced trot, he scanned the foggy horizon of the chilly morning dew fields for her and his sister. Tears began threatening formation, he had at this all night and there hadn't even been a response call back. His self-hug tightened in on himself as he slowed to a stop, the tidal wave of emotions and realizations that he had been holding back we're starting to crack the dam.

 The tears that now fell freely down his face were much warmer than the chilly air, a dry heave came up through his throat as the conclusion that he had been ignoring for the last several hours finally reared it's ugly head. He was alone, completely and utterly alone. He had no idea where his herd was and they had no idea were he was. For all they new he could be being eaten by a saber tooth right now. He knows how dangerous it is to stray from the heard, his antlers aren't even two feet long yet so why the hell did he wander.  

His ears shot back on a swivel point and he froze as he was pulled back into reality, he had heard something out there. Slowly he turned himself around to point in the direction of the sound and flicked his ears forward straining them to pick up the smallest sounds. There out in fog was a small movement. 

Danny took a step forward leaning his human body forward and subconsciously extending his opposite back leg out to balance his already tremendous weight. Danny squinted and placed his hand above his eyes to block out what ever early morning rays were able to creep through the overcast sky. He sat there staring out over the land for a moment or two try to see if he could spot what ever was out there. 

The wind picked up and blew in his direction just as he was beginning to abandon his side search and a familiar sent slammed into him. His eyes widened in recognition and his ears dropped down to the side of his head. He could practically hear his own heart begin to palpitate in his chest. “No, no no no no”  A loud howl erupted a good ways away the source of it being shrouded by the fog. A pack of dire wolves was approaching him. 

 Danny stumbled backwards away from the smell as he began to hyperventilate, he stumbled over his own four feet as he turned around to flee. The thunderous sound of his hooves slamming into the dampened dirt cut through the other wise quiet and serene landscape. The beat of his hooves hitting the floor alongside his heavy breaths that were laced with fear created a harmonious rhythm that was only interrupted with splashing as he ran through what he believed to be a shallow pool from the other days rain. 

Danny’s pace was slowed significantly once he entered the pool, he internally cursed himself for not just going around the shallow puddle. Although the puddle was much shallower than he originally believed it to be and the ground was much softer in the dirt in the surrounding area. Perhaps the water pulled above it combined with how hot it was the day before had made the ground soggier.

Danny’s heart felt like he had just jumped from a cliff with realization.

A Tar pit.

He was stuck in a tar pit.        “OHH GOD” he yelled out. “SHIT” He leaned his upper half forwards with one of his front hooves in an attempt to move himself out of the tar. He may have succeeded if he pulled up out of the tar and then moved it forward, but fear clouded his judgment and the offset caused him to tilt forward and land sternum first into the tar. Danny lay on his human stomach and his deer rear facing skyward, his arms spread out in front of him in an attempt to keep his head off of the tar. He could feel his back hooves slowly sliding away from him, in a split second before another wave panic struck him, he wondered if his legs would slide out from under him or if they would buckle under his weight first.

His question was answered for him as a squelching sound from his hooves sliding through the tar reached his fuzzy ears. And in the moment that his hindquarters landed on the tar he attempted to push himself up with his front legs, only to feel them sink deeper into the pit.  He cried out in shock as this happened, although the new position removed some pressure off his neck, which not only had to hold up his head but as well as his antlers that reached a little over 5 feet from tip to tip. And he knew as soon as he put his head down the underside of his antlers would become stuck in the tar, if that were to happen it would become impossible to remove his head and seeing that in this position, he was barely able to hold his head up let alone put out of the sticky oil what spell disaster for his already doomed self.

Danny breathed in deeply in an attempt to calm himself before taking a moment to collect himself to pull all of the emotion that he had been feeling throughout the day to place it on a back burner. His sister had always told him that if he got himself into danger, he needed to be able to think clearly. So he took another deep shaky breath before starting the grounding exercise she had taught him to do. So he sat there in tar quietly feeling the sticky tar cover his under belly, the tar itself smelt like shit. It also felt like shit in his fur. 

The smell reminded him of the onetime his sister dared him to stomp on an abandoned terror bird nest. He felt warm rays of the sun as they begin to peek through the clouds is it ascended into the sky. Feeling calm enough he decided to attempt his stand once again, the sense of calm but he had managed was quickly overshadowed by fear and dread as sudden shift in weight began to pull him further into the pit of crude oil.

 He began to panic and pulled his top half off of tar a sudden boost in strength given to him bye fear, that new weight combined with his panicked flailing pulled his legs even further under. “MOOOHEEEEEAAAAAEEEEUUUHHMmmmmmm” He struggled and cried out again for his mother, panic filling his voice.     He cried out for her again and again only stopping when the winds sudden change in direction reminded him that he was not alone.  

His ears flipped back and his eyes widened at the sound of large paw pads slamming against the earth. At this point his level of panic had reached its Max and he could do nothing but watch as the dire wolves walk carefully around the edges of the puddle searching for the piece of land that had the shortest distance to him. one of the younger possibly less experienced wolves paced impatiently as its elders searched for a good entrance point.

 Several of the rougher looking wolves had already decided that they were to wait until he tire or pass out for exhaustion, they let him know this by going and laying under some underbrush nearby not once taking their eyes off him. The majority of the wolves however, continued to sniff along the edges of the bank gauging the distance between himself and the edges of solid ground. The younger impatient wolf disappeared behind him out of Danny’s line of sight.

Then suddenly Danny feels a great force impact him from behind, the wolf has jumped onto his back. The sudden force from the impact sends his body down several inches more into the tar and the wolf begins to scratch and bite at his human back. Danny cries out in pain and through his hands over his head reaching desperately for the wolf. Danny in an attempt to reach back further he bends his upper half backwards and successfully manages to grab the wolf by its scruff. feeling the matted fur in between his fingers Danny throws himself forward, sending the wolf sailing overhead landing upside down in the tar. The force of the impact since the wolf down several inches into the thick oil and begins to whimper loudly as it realizes that it's back and entire face have been submerged in the tar. The force of him throwing the wolf over his head and into the tar cast himself to be slammed into the viscous black liquid and now he lays on his stomach his arms spread out in front of him to keep his head from landing in the tar.

It has been several hours since he has sent the wolf flying overhead, since then the wolf has stopped moving completely. The sun is now completely overhead it's heat evaporated bear entirety of the puddle that hid the tar pit from view. Danny lay miserably in the slowly heating tar as it radiated heat and bubbles slowly rising to the surface popped around him at random.

 His throat was sore form calling out to his mother and he was beginning to feel lightheaded from the intense heat and the amount of water that he had lost and crying. One of the elder wolves stood up and began to slowly make its way over to the edge of the solid ground. Danny let out a single self-pity filled chuckle as he eyed the wolf. his neck and arms felt as if they were on fire he had never needed to hold up is heavy head like this for so long.

 His arms had begun to tremble a while ago and he could feel the muscles giving out underneath him. And just like that his arms buckled from the weight of his own antlers, he wondered to himself how much longer would he have lasted if he did not have them. And with a resounding splat he landed in to the tar, he miraculously managed to keep his chin above the tar as it fell. Danny tilted his head to the side and allowed his antler to touch the tar, he was not going to be getting up from this anyways, so it didn't matter now. His eyes slid shut as he began to pass out from exhaustion the only sound now was of the wolves getting ready to feast on him.

[c-optimistic]

My vote would be for either 16 or 47 with Kara and Lena. You know I’m always up for some heavy feels and well written angst.

I'm trying to cheer you up+you’re not making any sense

Sometimes, when the world gets too loud and her heart feels too raw and there’s a bitter taste in her mouth (a taste she’s not quite able to overpower with any sweet, not ice cream, not Eliza’s chocolate pecan pie, not even the sticky buns she loves so much from Noonan’s), Kara slumps into herself, wrapped in her favorite blanket, and finds herself staring blankly her ceiling for hours.

It doesn’t happen often, not really. Alex likes to call it ‘Kara’s Day Off’ and Eliza has always assured her it’s normal, necessary even. Kara’s sure that if she was brave enough, if she could find the words to describe what she was feeling, Kelly would have some very reasonable explanation. 

You know, Kara imagines Kelly saying, Kryptonian and human psychology, as far I’ve seen, aren’t so different. 

She shifts in bed, turning from her back onto her side, and stares out the window. A part of her thrums with irritation—at what, she’s not quite sure—and she tugs her hand out of her blanket cocoon, staring at it with narrowed eyes. 

Odd, that her hand is capable of so much. Strange, that she can do so much with it and feel so utterly...useless. Small.

Insignificant. 

Sometimes, when her bones ache from the stress of carrying her entire world on her shoulders—keeping Krypton alive with each laborious breath, each painstaking step—and the pressure on her chest makes her feel like she’s back in that pod, floating aimlessly in space, Kara wonders if she was the right one.

The right one to survive, the right one to carry this load, the right one to live when so many others never even got a warning their life was in danger. 

As her thoughts grow darker, she burrows further into her fort of blankets, wincing at every sound, the notion of responding to any of the calls or texts she’s ignored feeling grating. 

She’s on edge, she’s feeling too much, rubbed raw and aching with every single beat of her heart, closing her eyes and dropping her hand onto her bed as she’s utterly overwhelmed.

That’s how Lena finds her, hours later—sun long set, Kara’s focus shifting from the last rays of golden sunshine peeking through clouds to the twinkle of the city lights as night falls. 

“Hi, love,” Lena says softly, approaching the bed but not touching Kara. It’s fair, she supposes. When Lena had left for work in the morning, Kara had just said she didn’t feel well, planned to stay home, wouldn’t meet Lena for their lunch. 

(Lena hasn’t dealt with this before, not yet, despite the fact they’ve been together for six months. Kara’s been on a veritable high lately, elated that Lena feels the same way about her as Kara feels for Lena, ecstatic that Lena had been willing to give them a chance. 

And before, when they were just friends, Kara had never turned to Lena for help, had never wanted Lena to see her like this—embarrassed even now at her own weakness.) 

Kara hums in greeting, but she doesn’t speak, she doesn’t turn. She’s not quite sure how to explain that words are hard when she’s like this. That it’s too much, that she feels like she’s drowning, that using her voice saps energy she just doesn’t have. 

There’s silence for so long that Kara thinks Lena has left, but then she feels the bed dip, feels Lena’s warmth, can smell her girlfriend’s perfume, the last vestiges of whatever experiment she’d been working on in the labs today, the faint aroma of her dinner with a board member lingering on her clothes. 

Several seconds pass, and Kara feels Lena shift, still not touching her—still obviously unsure if Kara would want that. 

“What do you call an old snowman?” Lena asks after a beat, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she knows how grating noise is on Kara’s ears at the moment. She waits, just a few moments, then offers the punchline. “Water.” 

Kara tears her eyes away from the lights of the city, turns to her other side, now facing Lena. She’s laying on her back, hands settled on her stomach, legs crossed at the ankle. She’s not looking at Kara at all, but at the ceiling. 

“What?” Kara says, voice hoarse from disuse. 

“Why are ghosts such bad liars?” Lena asks in response, turning her head to look at Kara. Her eyes crinkle at the corners, her lips curl into a soft smile. “You can see right through them,” she finishes, eyes roving carefully over Kara’s face.

“You’re not making any sense,” Kara mumbles, but she finds herself glad Lena’s not asking her what’s wrong. That she’s not trying to push Kara to talk, that she’s here and warm and looking at Kara like there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her. 

“I’m trying to cheer you up,” Lena explains, though the glint in Lena’s eyes suggests that she knows better than to try to just ‘cheer’ someone out of this. “What about another one? Why do artists constantly feel cold?” She shifts, touching Kara for the first time, gently brushing her hair out of her face. “They’re surrounded by drafts.” 

“I’m sad,” Kara tells her, an explanation she realizes that Lena doesn’t need. She wants to say more, but she’s too deep in it right now, feeling too bare and vulnerable, and she figures the real explanation—a longer talk, maybe—has to wait for another time. But for now, she hopes the I’m sad manages to convey all the things she’s yet unable to say. 

Lena shifts again, this time to her side, the hand that brushed hair out of Kara’s face now rubbing a soothing pattern into her temple. The softness of it—the gentle touch and the understanding eyes—nearly brings Kara to tears. “It’s okay to be sad, love,” Lena says softly, and that does it.

Kara’s vision blurs, several tears roll down her cheeks. 

As if this was what Lena had been waiting for, she pulls Kara into an embrace, one hand scratching gently at the base of Kara’s skull, the other rubbing circles into her back. “Will you stay?” Kara asks, voice muffled as she presses her face into Lena’s neck, her own hands gripping onto Lena’s collar, for once not thinking about accidentally ruining her girlfriend’s expensive clothes. 

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” Lena tells her, pressing a kiss into Kara’s hair.

(Sometimes, when her eyes burn and her arms feel too weak to continue fending off all her demons, when she’s scared to face even her own dreams, she finds strength in those she loves.

And here now, clutching Lena to her and allowing the tears to come, Kara feels impossibly strong.)  

[voids-colourful-creations]

Ships Passing in the Night and Sailing Together Until Morning - Chapter One

Promises and What it Takes to Keep Them

Rating: T Warnings: None Pairings: Satoshi/Goh Summary: Goh's been making a lot of promises lately. To Satoshi's friends and family, for the most part, and always the same thing. A promise to care for Satoshi. But Goh begins to wonder what that promise really means, and exactly he'll go about keeping it. And is he really doing all this for someone elses sake, or does Goh care about Satoshi more than he's willing let himself admit?

[Read on Ao3!]

[Next Chapter>]

--

Goh regretted the fact the first time he promised was for such a shallow reason. Surely, he thought, a promise as important as a vow to care for a person would be made with stronger resolve. At the time however, he had hoped the promise would get a rise out of Satoshi. And it did, which was the only goal of making it at all. Seeing him whine at his mother was amusing at least, and he was nothing if not a suck up to the nearest adult. At least, if you asked his classmates.

Goh’s stomach turned slightly when he looked back at the memory. Although it was no excuse, he had thought— rather, he had feared— that Satoshi had been like every other tentative friend, bar Koharu.

Of course, Satoshi wasn’t like anyone Goh had ever met before, and Goh loved him for it. Satoshi’s passion, his drive, was a glowing light in Goh’s life that he now welcomed.

He knew now, at least, the promise was genuine. Or rather, that he would make it genuine, even if it hadn’t been before.

Selfish as it was, he knew what there was at stake now, and desperately, he wanted to protect it.

If you asked Goh, he wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the exact moment he decided. There wasn’t a solid moment where he said to himself, “It’s not just pretend anymore, I want to see him safe.”

Maybe he should have. For as he kept the words locked inside himself, the feelings behind them only grew deeper, like vines taking root around his heart. It grew and grew and grew, until it tangled with his veins and nerves.

And soon he just knew. He would take care of Satoshi, just as he had promised. It was just a bit tricky, Goh mused, a promise to care. Was it closer to a protector's role? Guardianship, companionship? It occurred to Goh he wasn’t exactly sure what it meant.

This was not going to stop him from making good on his promise.

Maybe that’s why he went to the effort to reassure Satoshi’s mother. It was unnecessary, really, to promise a second time, particularly when he doubted she meant anything more than platitudes the first go around.

But despite the smug and teasing voice he made his second vow in, he meant it with his heart. The teasing voice wasn’t much more than cover, a way to keep his voice from shaking if he had said it with the emotion he felt it deserved.

Maybe he was just feeling emotional. It was hard not to, that day. Goh could still picture the panic on Satoshi’s face so clearly when he realized Pikachu was nowhere to be found. He could look at him now, even as he grinned and laughed and ate with seemingly no concern, and see the grin contort into a worried frown. The sight of it still hurt him to see, even as it only remained a vivid memory.

The pain in Satoshi’s eye was evident, though in no way pinning the blame on the one shouting him down. It was guilt that swirled in his irises, plain as day.

Goh understood, couldn’t blame him either. This was his partner after all, and he hadn’t noticed how upset it had been, having to have it pointed out by Koharu, instead of noticing it himself. Koharu was right, of course, she had an annoying habit of being right, but still… Goh understood how it stung- why it stung.

Their relationship, Satoshi and Pikachu, had taken Goh a bit of time to get used to. In books and movies and all sorts of research, trainers and performers and professors alike would talk endlessly about the bond between pokemon and human. And Goh had thought he understood, he’d thought he knew what it all meant, but when he saw for himself, that all seemed like cheap imitation. A scribbled replica of a masterpiece.

Goh wondered, and hated himself for it, if he and Rabbifoot could ever even hope to reach that level of cohesion. A thought which only grew after Goh nearly left him behind.

But then… at least he could understand this, now. The fear that maybe your friend, your partner, truly despised you.

So he stuck by Satoshi’s side as they travelled to Masara Town, promised him that Pikachu would be there, promised him Pikachu would forgive him.

He held Satoshi’s hand in his own, watching Satoshi watch the trees blur past the train's windows.

Perhaps it shook slightly, perhaps Goh gently stroked Satoshi’s thumb with his own, and perhaps neither of them acknowledged it. Light touches barely registering, yet just enough, just the right amount.

“He hates me now.” Satoshi whispered, more to himself than to Goh.

“No, he doesn’t.” Goh replied, quietly. He spoke plainly, stating fact.

“He’ll never trust me again.”

“Yes, he will.”

“I’m scared.”

This, Goh could not deny, and for a moment he merely bit his breath. It was fine to be scared, and he would not deny that, but that was hardly the reassurance he should provide.

“It’s alright. It will be alright.” He ended up settling on.

“I’m here.” He added, and hoped it was the right thing to say.

Satoshi wouldn’t meet Goh’s eye, the brim of his cap tilted down so that the shadows cast over his face made his expression impossible to read. He never responded to Goh directly, but Goh could feel Satoshi’s grip tighten on his hand as he replied, and that was enough.

Secretly, quietly, Goh worried. Not that Pikachu wouldn’t come back, no, that he was certain of. But that one day, there would be more than a slight shake of a hand and a mix of negative thoughts; that the world would shatter, and he and Satoshi would end up on different pieces.

Quiet, he told himself. This wasn’t the time for his own foolish fears. This was the time to focus on Satoshi, this was about him.

As the train rounded another bend, the trees beginning to thin out as more and more hills rolled onto the landscape, Goh savoured the quiet moment guiltily. Satoshi had been there for him, this was the least he could do.

He hoped it was something at least.

Satoshi had never been good at waiting, as far as Goh had known him for, and from the stories he had heard in the past.

It wasn’t that Satoshi didn’t understand it, and he was far from selfish. There was no sense of entitlement for whatever he waited for, it was different from that. More that Satoshi experienced everything so intensely, breakneck paced and passionate, that the quieter stiller moments were sometimes difficult to embrace. Embrace them he did of course, when there was something about the moment to truly embrace. There was something about that Goh found endearing.

But the waiting, waiting like this… Satoshi wasn’t so good at that. And partially, Goh understood, because waiting often seemed so unfair. When there was so much out there to see and do and experience, that type of waiting when the anticipation kept building, was fun in part. Increasing the future joy when whatever you were waiting for finally arrived. A birthday, a trip, something of the like.

But the other type, the anxious sort of dreadful waiting, held a special sort of malice. Was it better to hope that things arrived quickly to get them over with, or delay the inevitable to prevent the pain?

Goh supposed the worst choice was when it wasn’t in your hands at all.

Satoshi pressed his face against the window, staring intently at the road. His fingers tapped at the wood lining the glass pane impatiently. He hadn’t moved since they had arrived and greeted Satoshi’s mother, and Goh had long since stopped trying to convince him to tear himself away.

So he sat next to Satoshi, and hoped his companionship was something to offer. Satoshi didn’t say a word, neither did Goh, but then did they really need to?

Goh hoped at least, that he didn’t.

The sun tauntingly dipped below the horizon, and Goh could feel the anxiety radiating off of Satoshi. It enveloped him, filled the room.

Goh opened and closed his mouth a few times wordlessly, unsure of whether to break the silence.

Satoshi startled upwards and wordlessly bolted out the door.

“Come on,” Goh nudged Rabbitfoot gently as he whispered. “Let’s go meet him.”

Rabbifoot nodded gently, concern in it’s eye quickly being hidden again. Giving Messon a gentle pat on the head, Goh followed Satoshi out the front door.

There was something relieving about watching it all, the sheer joy in Satoshi’s very posture as he embraced PIkachu. Less so when he was immediately shocked, but at least Goh was expecting that.

Still, something about it just felt right, and somehow, removed from his own feelings about Rabbifoot and Messon and his partners, he felt so happy to see Satoshi happy again.

A confusing thought.

That night, after the tears and laughter of reunion and reconciliation, Goh stared at the unfamiliar ceiling as he lay in a bed not his own. His arms were beneath his head, Messon tucked in close and Rabbifoot sleeping against his legs. It was comforting, somehow, Satoshi’s house, in a way his own never was. Perhaps it was simply the allure of the quiet countryside.

There was more to it than that, he knew. Satoshi’s home was warm and bright, even with the lights turned off that glow persisted. It felt lived in, loved in, like an old favourite sweater. Goh didn’t dislike his own home, it was home of course, but this… this was different. This was good.

It was odd, how the sunlight streaking through the large glass windows of his bedroom made it feel so empty. How it felt like there should be more reflected in the rays than specks of dust drifting to nowhere. Odder still was how that same sunlight flowed into this home as if it were filling it. One felt like a natural completion, the other an exposé of the lack of life.

This was perhaps too much credit to give to the sun.

But the feeling he got in Satoshi’s house was both comforting and sickening. Comforting in its everything, it’s very essence that of love and home, sickening in that this was never meant for Goh.

He knew this, he couldn’t let himself forget, and yet...

This was a new feeling. A good feeling. Goh wished he could take the feeling of that moment and bottle it up so he could always have a piece of it.

But technology only went so far, so he settled for shutting his eyes and focusing as hard as he could in committing every detail of the moment to memory.

Messon’s fin brushing against his arm as it snored lightly. The extra warmth against his legs where Rabbifoot lay. The soft feeling of Satoshi’s spare comforter, the squishiness of the pillow, the dull but consistent hum of the air conditioner running.

Goh held every sensation in his mind and tried to make them as strong as possible.

The still night air carried Satoshi’s half asleep melodic murmurs, and Pikachu’s off tune squeaks. Goh paused, eyes remaining closed, deciding whether or not this should become part of his memory too.

The song was not for Goh of course, nor would it ever be, yet he found himself soothed by it anyway.

In a warm and cozy room, the stars shining above but out of reach, Goh slowly let himself slip beneath the land of the waking.

His last thoughts before succumbing were a reminder, that this is what he promised to take care of, that this was why he promised.

That warm feeling wasn’t the result of the room, but because of the boy who lived in it. That song was only meaningful to Goh because of who sang it.

Maybe they weren’t the right reasons to hold the moment dear, but nevertheless, he liked the warmth of the future memory.

Goh fell asleep, intangible dreams of safety and warmth and light filling his mind's eye.

He didn’t remember what he had been thinking of the night before the next morning.

[End of Chapter One]

[thedragonemperess]

I Saved Your Life! - Superhero Kaz/Bionic Chase AU

Fandom(s): Lab Rats/Mighty Med

Pairing(s): Kase/Chaz

Rating: G

Warnings: Slight language

Tags: @starspangleddummy @tronagon

Notes: Based off of these two posts by @starspangleddummy

       “That was a great job, guys,” Chase said to his team as they exited the hydro-loop, dropping a duffel bag with supplies.

       They had just gotten back from a mission. Another one of Mr. Davenport’s devices had become unstable and they were sent in to fix it. Specifically, Davenport Industries was messing with a new form of renewable energy, but they overdid it. The workers had to be rushed out, but some of them were blocked in, not to mention the fact that the device handling it was gaining more energy each second, getting ready to explode if nothing was done. After rescuing everyone, they rushed to the main location of the warehouse and found some more people hiding. Amy and Micheal (who could lace their bodies in metal) took the remaining three scientists and hid them in front of them, while Teresa used her force fields to surround the area. Chase used his molecular kinesis to push it through the roof and into the water nearby, so that it wouldn’t cause as much damage.

       “Thanks, Chase, but we owe it to our Mission Leader,” Teresa said, playfully punching him in the shoulder.

       Chase shook his head. “As nice as that compliment is, you were the one that came up with how to contain the energy and Micheal and Amy’s quick thinking protected the people working there. I may have got us in, but you guys deserve just as much credit as I do.”

       “Yeah, what he said. Now can we please go to our capsules? I would really like to shower after all of this,” Micheal asked.

       “Yeah, that would be nice. Then hopefully we could relax a bit. I mean, we’ve had missions all week,” Amy added

       Chase nodded at them. “Go ahead. I need to talk to Mr. Davenport real quick, but I’ll be close behind.”

The others nodded at him in return before jogging down the hall.

       Chase watched them until they were out of ear shot, and then walked over to the cyber desk in order to call Donald, who was at home with Tasha and Naomi at the moment. He was about to press call when another mission alert came up. He quickly dismissed the alarm and read into it.

Super villain by the name of Professor Slime running rampant in Philadelphia. Urgent.

       Chase weighed his options. He could take his team with him, who is in desperate need of a break, or go alone and fight some guy with a very terrible code name. He laughed to himself at it. Anyone with that silly of a name must be fake news. He came to the conclusion that it was either a false alarm or the people in the area were overreacting.

       He heard footsteps coming from behind him. He turned around to find his team on their way over.

       “What was the mission alert for?” Teresa asked, exhausted.

       “Oh, it was nothing. It was a false alarm. Someone must have still had a business card from when Leo started advertising us. It was just some cat stuck in a tree. I called the fire department for her, it’s nothing to worry about,” Chase lied, brushing off any concern they might have had.

The others gave a small cheer.

       “Yessss! I can finally finish reading my book then!”

       “You do that, I’m going to sleep.”

       “If you need me, I’ll be out on the beach.”

       Once they turned around, Chase looked back to the cyber desk and hit one of the buttons, saying that someone’s on the way. He runs back to the hydra loop, grabbing the duffel bag on his way. He sits down and looks through it, grabbing a teleporter that he and Douglas had made a year ago. The doors close and he zips back to the mainland. He puts in the coordinates, and as soon as he exits the hydro-loop again, he disappears.

_____________________________________________

Chase flew into the concrete wall, sliding to the floor. Professor Slime walked up to him slowly.

       “The fact that you ever thought you could defeat me is amusing, and then the fact that you actually tried is even more so, but sadly, I’m going to have to kill you now,” he proclaimed. He raised a ray gun and aimed it at Chase, looking down on him.

       “Not on my watch!!” a new voice came from the side. Chase looked over slightly, seeing a blur of orange, black, and brown fly by, tackling Professor Slime.

       The blur was on top of him, holding him down to the road. “Hey! I got him! I actually got him!”

       “Why don’t you try again?” Professor Slime exhorted, dissolving into slime and slithering away.

       “What the hell--?”

       Professor Slime morphed back into a human behind him, and kicked the blur down to the ground.

       “I guess I’m going to have to kill you too, then!”

       The gun powered up, but a blast of ice knocked it out of his hand, its ray hitting a mailbox while being thrown against the wall by Chase. Professor Slime looked over to the person that owned the cryo blast with a scowl.

       “Who are you people, and where are you coming from?!”

       The other boy moved his hands to his hips and looked off into the distance, attempting to look heroic.

       “The name’s Cold Front, and what you’re doing, isn’t very ice.”

       “Really dude?” the blur asked?

       Cold Front looked at him and back at Professor Slime, changing his pose to a fighting stance, his expression changing to a more serious one.

       “Come at me, Archie.”

      Professor Slime, or Archie, ran at Cold Front, who was barely just barely able to dodge him. Professor Slime stretched his arm, and grabbed him, lifting him up. The blur shot a blast of fire at his arm, melting the slime off of him. Cold Front dropped to the floor, falling forward onto his knees. Professor slime ran to the parts of him that melted off and tried to gather it back into his body.

       “Cold Front! Blast him! Now!”

       Cold Front did a double take, but reached his left arm out and blasted him, getting up as he did so. Professor Slime’s form slowly froze, until he was completely covered in ice. Once done, Cold Front turned to the blur and put his hand in the air.

       “Up top, Pyre!”

       The blur, now known as Pyre, high-fived him. “Heck yeah, buddy!”

       Chase looked over to the ray gun, still next to him, and grabbed, weakly pointing it at the two of them. “Who-who are you?! And how were you able to….well, that!” he gestured to Professor Slime, whose frozen body was hunched over on the floor.

Pyre walked up to him and stuck out his hand. “Dude, relax, we’re just here to help.”

       Chase shook his head frantically. “But what you just did was impossible! Are you bionic? Are….are you alien? Are you one of those superheroes? Even if you were any of those, what you just did goes against all laws of science! Am I dreaming? What just happened? For real?”

       Pyre rolled his eyes. “You got your ass handed to you. I saved your life!” A loud coughing noise came from behind him, making Pyre roll his eyes again. “Okay, we saved your life.”

       Chase finally looked up at Pyre and froze. “Oh god he’s cute. What do I say, now? Do boys like confidence? Yeah, be confident!” he thought to himself.

       “Well, I didn’t need your help.”

       “Not that confident!”

       “Sorry for trying to help someone in trouble, then. Jeez,” Pyre stated, retracting his hands and turning around to head to Cold Front.

       Chase panicked. “Wait!” He pushed himself up, leaning back against the wall.

       Pyre turned back around. “What is it? I thought you didn’t need our help, and we got other things to do.”

       “I, uh,...look. What I said came out wrong. I just panicked. Thank you, Pyre, was it?”

       “Yeah, Pyre. And no problem.” He started to turn again, but Chase stopped him.

       “Wait! Again. Sorry, but can I keep this? To study? I don’t know if you know who I am, but, uh, I’m Chase Davenport.”

       Pyre’s face seemed to light up in awe and realization. “Oh! Yeah, sure! Umm, we’ve met before! At the island. Remember the whole thing with the Incapacitator? I was the better looking Frank.”

       (“Hey! I can hear you, y’know!”)

      “But if that was you, how were you able to do all of,” Chase gestures to Professor Slime, again, “that?”

       “It’s a long story that I will make sure to tell you some other time. But I have to go bring Archie, over there, to jail. So keep the ray gun, erase anyone who saw me and Cold Front’s memory, and I’ll see you around.” Pyre turned around completely, and jogged over to Cold Front.

       “Ready?”

       “Ready.”

       “Wait, wha--”

       Chase was cut off with a flash of light. When he looked over to where Pyre, Cold Front, and Professor Slime once were, there was nothing. He looked around him to see if they were anywhere close by, but when they were nowhere to be seen, he scanned the area for his duffel bag. After locating it, he walked over to it and took out the Neural Scrambler. Doing what he was asked too, he talked to anyone who saw the battle and erased their memory of it, just as confused as they were.

[emma-nation]

The Devil In I - Bela x OC (Resident Evil Village AU) - Chapter 9

“Step inside, see the Devil in I”

Summary: Aleena Novak is a 19 years old orphan who desired more than living in a village in the middle of nowhere. A talented artist with a big future ahead, she gets the scholarship of her dreams in United States. But everything changes when her twin brother, Auryk, steals an important artifact from Castle Dimitrescu.

In this adventure, Aleena will find way more than she expected.

“You’ll realize I’m not your Devil anymore”

Pairing: Bela Dimitrescu x f!OC

Genre: Between T and M (Trigger warning: for violence, blood, abuse and eventual smut)

Tag List: @nydeiri

Castle Dimitrescu, Lady Dimitrescu's Bedroom - Present Days

What did dying feels like? Bela couldn't remember the day she died, before she was turned. For many and many years, she wondered how it even happened. Maybe she was incurably ill. That would be the only plausible explanation on why Lady Dimitrescu decided to transform her into a vampire. Having an illness herself, she must've felt sorry for Bela being so young and already losing her life.

But that night, after being drugged by Mother Miranda, the memory from that tragic event returned to her memory stronger like never.

It was a cold night in the 1950's. Alcina threw a special dinner and invited her three favorite and most loyal servants. Three young girls. They felt honored sitting at the same table as their mistress. They were chatting and giggling but then... something started to feel strange. Starting by the fact none of the servants were around.

It began as a burning sensation in Bela's stomach. She tried to ignore it but it'd only grow stronger. She dropped the silverware she was holding. She attempted to swallow another sip of tea. By her side, she noticed one of the other two girls, the brunette one, starting to show signs of discomfort too.

"What's wrong, my dear?" Lady Dimitrescu asked when the red haired girl, the youngest of the three, started coughing.

"I can't..." she tried to answer, but the words got lost in her throat as she began to suffocate, "b-breathe..."

Bela tried to stand up and help her, but her surroundings started to spin. She held on the table for support. At this point, the brunette girl was already lying on the floor, having some kind of seizure. She looked at Lady Dimitrescu again, but she didn't seem to be worried. She seemed abnormally calm.

"W-What have you..." before she could finish the question, her lungs could no longer fill with oxygen. Her throat and her airways started to burn. She tried and tried to breathe, but it seemed impossible. The weakness started on her legs and spread to the rest of her body really quickly. In fact, she barely felt when she collapsed on the floor. When the seizures started, she was barely conscious. Her vision was already going black, but she still had time to see the Countess staring at her body, almost lifeless, as she said:

"Don't worry, daughter. Everything will be alright."

Poisoned. She was poisoned.

When Bela woke up it was already morning. She could tell by the rays of sunlight entering through the windows. She hadn't died this time, but the sensations she experienced were quite similar. Her head was aching intensely and her vision was still blurred. Whatever Miranda had injected in her blood had affected her senses very badly.

"Aleena," she finally remembered. She tried to get up but her legs were still weak. "I need to find her."

She kept moving slowly, using the walls and furniture for support. If only she could transform into flies, it would be a lot easier, but it hurt to even try.

"Fuck!" Bela cursed, frustrated. She threw herself on a couch for a moment. She needed to rest.

Her eyes analyzed her surroundings. Although Bela was in her mother's chambers, Lady Dimitrescu was nowhere to be seen.

Hours had passed since she was drugged. Anything could've happened during this time. She wondered if Aleena was still there and if she was okay. She had to be. But what if she slept for days? What if the ritual had already happened? Aleena could be dead in that exact moment and she wasn't there to protect her. That thought made her stomach feel sick. And rare were the occasions she felt sick after being turned.

"Bela!" Daniela opened the door, she seemed so confused and scared as she was. "There you are, sister! Oh my god, I was starting to think you were dead."

"You wish..." Bela moaned sarcastically. She couldn't miss the opportunity. "What the fuck happened, Dani? Where's that bitch?"

"Who? Cassandra?"

Daniela handed her a cup full of human blood. Bela drank it all in one sip. That was the only thing able to restore her body from the damage Miranda caused.

Cassandra. She remembered her middle sister being the one who told her to go to her mother's office. Traitor! She should've known when she appeared to be so supportive of her relationship with Aleena in the previous day.

"No, Mother Miranda."

"Mother Miranda was here?"

Before she could answer, the door opened with a slam. It was Cassandra, looking completely fine. She had blood around her mouth and all over her dress. In a blink of an eye, Bela lunged forward, pinning her against the wall.

"How could you?!" She yelled. "You sent me directly to a trap!"

"What are you talking about?" Cassandra argued. "Somebody caught me on a corridor and stabbed my neck with a needle, then I passed out."

"Come on, don't lie to us," Daniela shouted. "You entered my room last night and drugged me."

"And why I would even do this to both of you?"

Realizing what happened, Bela immediately let her go.

"Mother Miranda," she huffed. "She must have shapeshifted into you and attacked us all."

It was time to tell her sisters what she learned from Heisenberg. Miranda had already started to proceed with her plans and it was a matter of time before she attempted to kill them.

"This bitch is going to die!" Cassandra punched the wall. "Nobody pretends to be me and lives."

"This is the least of our problems," Bela said. "She can be anywhere right now, pretending to be someone we trust and ready to kill us all."

"Where's mom?" Daniela asked. "I couldn't find her anywhere."

Lady Dimitrescu was the last person Bela wanted to see. She lied and betrayed her, besides helping Mother Miranda to drug her.

"I don't know, I searched for her everywhere," Cassandra told. "On the bright side, there's fresh breakfast spread all around the castle."

"What do you mean, Cassandra?" Bela wanted to know.

"The servants. They're all dead."

"What about Aleena? Have you seen her?"

"No, I thought she was with you."

Bela transformed into flies and went straight to Aleena's bedroom. It was completely empty. The bed was still made as in the previous night. She went to her own bedroom next. The diary was opened on the bed, right on the pages where her father confirmed what Miranda told her in the office, Aleena was indeed the vessel.

Mrs. Volkov corpse was lying on the corridor and not so far away, there was a trail of blood, Aleena's blood. She froze in place, too terrified to even think.

"It doesn't mean anything," Daniela placed a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe she managed to escape."

"She probably did, that girl is fierce," Cassandra added, noticing how disturbed her older sister looked. "I mean, she's not one of the Lords or a servant. There's no reason for that crazy bitch to murder her."

"There is," Bela sighed deeply. "She's the vessel. Miranda was playing us like puppets. The goblet thing was already intentional, to bring Aleena to the castle where she'd be safe until she prepared the ritual."

"Oh fuck, this is bad."

"I... I'm going to the village. Maybe she's hiding in her house."

----------

Eastern Europe, Village - Present Days

When Bela left, she didn't even bother to check the temperature or to mount one of her horses. She transformed into flies and started to fly to the village as fast as she could. Everything that mattered was finding Aleena. She wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead. They were going to California together and they'd start a brand new life.

She stopped by her house first. The door was locked and the extra key hidden in a vase at the entrance, just where Aleena placed it before they returned to the castle.

"It doesn't mean she's not here," Bela tried to convince herself. "She must have found another way in, to not make it obvious she's hiding here."

She used the key to open the front door. The house was dark and silent. There weren't any signs of somebody's recent presence. She checked every room, the basement, the secret weapon storage... Aleena definitely wasn't there.

"Maybe she's at the pub or at one of her friends' houses," Bela concluded.

There was no way. She had to do that. She took a deep breath, gathering enough courage to enter the pub. There were only three people in there, a middle aged woman behind the counter, a blonde young male cleaning the tables and a girl, who was strangely similar to Cassandra, chatting to both of them. Bela recognized them from the pictures Aleena showed her. They were Olga, Gustav and Elena.

"Hello," she announced her presence. They all stopped to stare at her, but none of them had freaked out yet. Maybe they hadn't noticed the tattoo.

"How can we help you, darling?" The older woman asked. "Are you a foreigner?"

"I... uhh... I'm looking for Aleena Novak."

"She isn't here," it was the boy who answered this time. He had a lot of anger in his voice. "She was taken to Castle Dimitrescu a few weeks ago. We don't even know if she's still alive."

"She is," Bela told. "I've been taking care of her."

They finally understood. Their expressions all changed to pure terror and panic. The two younger adults hid behind the counter, together with the woman. The male grabbed a shotgun.

"Get the hell out of here!" He ordered. "And if Aleena escaped, don't you even dare to touch her again or I'll kill you. I'll find her and bring her home."

"Trust me, manthing. This is exactly what I'm planning to do. Mother Miranda has kidnapped her. She has been planning to sacrifice her in some kind of sick ritual tonight."

"Liar!" Cassandra's doppelgänger shouted. "Mother Miranda wouldn't do such a thing! She's always guiding and protecting us. Everything she does is for the best of all of us."

"Listen, little one," Bela exhaled deeply. She had no patience for humans. That was the reason why she avoided them. They'd usually annoy her to the point they became her prey. "I have proof. Aleena's father has left this diary, reporting everything."

"That man was insane. Most of the villagers hated him."

"But he never lied," Gustav spoke. "Adrian had some crazy theories nobody ever believed but... I've never seen him lying before. He was a man of his word."

"This is true," Olga added. "We grew up together. He was absolutely nasty, a real bastard, but not a liar. He wouldn't invent such a thing, especially when it came to protecting Aleena."

Olga locked the door and the group reunited in one of the tables, analyzing the notes Adrian Novak left.

"Fuck," Gustav cursed, while trying to speak on his phone. "Auryk must've gone after this contacts. I can't reach him."

"Do you have any ideas of where Aleena could've gone to, if she was trying to hide?" Bela asked.

"Other than our houses and the pub? Well... we had this fort in the woods when we were children. Maybe she's hiding there."

"Show me the way, little man."

But Gustav wasn't the one who was most familiar with the path to Aleena's childhood fort, it was Elena. The young woman followed them, complaining about literally everything and praising Mother Miranda.

"Mother Miranda would never do that!" Elena protested. "I'd trust her with my life."

"I was about your age when she did this to me, without my consent," Bela took off the hat she was wearing, exposing her scar. "And do you think immortality is a blessing? Try spending your life locked inside a castle, without being able to go outside most of the time."

"Why are we even trusting her, Gustav? She feeds on human blood and now we're alone with her in the middle of nowhere."

"If that makes you feel more comfortable, I've already had breakfast. Besides, I prefer drinking men's blood."

"Can we just focus on Aleena?" Gustav scolded both of them. Bela had finally found a man she respected. That boy was completely loyal and protective of her girlfriend, so he deserved some credit. "God knows why Bela is searching for her but... we have the same goal here."

"We're dating," Bela informed them of the latest news. "I love her. For real."

Both of the young humans stared at her in shock.

"It seems like we'll have a lot to catch up when I see Aleena again," the boy shook his head in disbelief. "I thought the vampire thing was just a phase."

They finally found the small wooden fortress in the middle of the woods. It was mostly destroyed, but it still could fit one adult person inside it.

"Aleena!" Gustav called. There was no answer. Still, Aleena was hurt. Maybe she was unconscious.

"Go," Bela poked Elena and ordered. "You're the shortest of us. Check if she's in there."

The girl rolled her eyes, but obeyed, ducking and entering the small fort. But there wasn't even a sign Aleena was there recently.

"Where do we search now?" Elena asked.

"I'll go to the other Lords," Bela told. "Maybe one of them is keeping her for Miranda. Thank you for your help, little humans. It was a pleasure to meet you."

Bela walked away from them. Maybe in another life, they could've been friends. The priority now was to find Aleena. She wondered if the girl went to Heisenberg seeking for protection or if Miranda had captured and taken her to that creepy cave. There wasn't much time to think, she needed to act.

She followed to Heisenberg's factory. As usual the man was swearing and torturing human beings on his basement.

"What brings you here, kid?" He asked. "Did you find the diaries?"

"Yes, but too late unfortunately," she answered. "The information we were searching for: all the women in Aleena's family have some kind of immunity against the creatures and their mutations. They healed after getting bitten by Lycans, Aleena healed when you attacked her... she's the vessel."

"We have to kill her immediately. Before Miranda puts her hands on her. If that happens, we're fucked."

"She already did. She showed up in the castle last night, drugged me and my sisters, killed the servants and now... I can't find Aleena anywhere."

"Girl, you had the opportunity in your hands," he clenched his fists. "If you had killed her, like you freaks do to every single human that steps into that castle, we wouldn't be in this situation."

"Shut up, Heisenberg!" Bela grabbed a piece of metallic scrap from the floor and threw in the man's direction. "I had no idea. Even if I did, she's my girlfriend and I have to save her before she's sacrificed on Miranda's ritual."

"Good luck with that. The crazy bitch is very good hiding things."

And Bela knew that. Next, she went to Moreau's, Miranda's most loyal follower. She didn't reveal any information, she simply tricked him by inventing an excuse, that stupid freak was easy to fool. But Aleena certainly wasn't there either. Using her flies, she checked the entire place. She did the same at Donna's house. While she entertained the woman and her creepy doll having a tea party with them, her flies inspected every corner of her eerie house.

She was about to follow to Miranda's cave when she ran into Cassandra, in the middle of the way.

"What are you doing, Bela?" She asked. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?

"I'm searching for Aleena. She's gotta be somewhere and the last place I must check is the cave."

"Mother is home," her sister announced. "She wants to talk to you."

----------

Castle Dimitrescu, Living Room - Present Days

In Bela's imagination, Lady Dimitrescu would apologize. Admit she had made a huge mistake and promise her they'd find Aleena together. That was who her adoptive mother was, she'd always do anything to make her daughters happy. But at the same time, she was also that same woman from her memory. The selfish Countess who killed three young girls to have them as her adoptive daughters. She killed, violated and turned them into monsters. What kind of mother was that?

The three sisters were sitting on the couch, waiting as their mother brought a tray with tea and some other treats. That would probably be their only food for days, as Lady Dimitrescu and Mother Miranda had killed all the servants.

Lady Dimitrescu sat on an armchair in front of them, looking at Bela mostly.

"I understand you're confused, daughters. But I'll explain everything."

"Where's Aleena?" Bela quickly asked. That was the only thing that mattered. Who cared about Mother Miranda's child who died ages ago? "What have you two done to her?"

"Bela, daughter... I understand you're upset and frustrated. However, Mother Miranda has been searching for the perfect vessel to bring her daughter back to life for many and many years. This vessel happens to be Aleena. It's her fate, her purpose."

Bela eyes were burning in pure rage. How could Alcina be so blind? Even Heisenberg, that scumbag of man, was smarter than her mother was.

"Her fate is to live her own life, to go to California and achieve her dreams. Her fate is to be with me!"

"I apologize for having to get rid of all of our servants," she clearly ignored her daughter's objections. "They wouldn't understand what's to come. Once Eva is back to life, things will change. I'd like to ask you girls to behave and treat her well, like if she's a new sister of yours. We'll be throwing a party to welcome Eva to our family and I'll need your help to organize it."

"Party?!" Bela let out a sarcastic laugh. "Are you naive or only stupid? Miranda is going to kill you before this ritual is even finished! It has been her plan all along."

"Bela!" Lady Dimitrescu's eyes narrowed and she raised her voice. "I'm your mother! You owe me some respect, little lady."

"I don't! Not when you drugged me and let Miranda kidnap my girlfriend. I want to know where she is."

"Daughter..." Alcina grabbed her by the shoulders and lowered her voice. An useless attempt to help her to calm down. "Aleena is gone. She's dead."

The world seemed to stop. As well as the clock. The voices. Everything. Not even Bela's brain was capable of working and processing the words she had just listened. Dead. Aleena was dead. Her Aleena. Her girlfriend. The woman she loved. She stopped breathing. Her stomach ached as much as in the night she was poisoned. She felt she was about to collapse and die again. Her heart was beating in a strange manner. It was out of control. She was out of control.

Bela raised her golden yellow eyes, filled with hateful tears and stared directly into Lady Dimitrescu's eyes.

"You..." she clenched her fists. "You lied to me... You betrayed me..."

"I was willing to let her live, daughter," the woman tried to excuse herself. "Until the last meeting. Mother Miranda told me the truth and asked me to give her the vessel."

"HER NAME WAS ALEENA," using her strength, Bela grabbed the heavy coffee table and threw it across the room, shocking her mother and sisters. "She had a name! She was NOT a vessel."

Very rare were the times Bela actually cried after being turned. She cried when she first woke up in excruciating pain, with that huge wound on the side of her head. She cried later, when she felt lost, without knowing who or what she was. And she was crying now. Without Aleena, she felt lost again. She had nothing left. She no longer wished to live. A life without that girl's contagious joy, optimism and bravery was meaningless.

"Bela..." Lady Dimitrescu tried to touch her, comfort her somehow, but the blonde girl slapped her hand away.

"I always did everything you asked me... I always tried to be the perfect daughter for you... AND FOR WHAT?" Bela sobbed. "The only thing I ever ask you, you denied me. You took Aleena from me. You chose Miranda over your own daughter!"

"I had no choice, daughter! She'd turn against us if I refused to give her Aleena. Who knows what she'd be capable of doing?"

"She's doing it anyways. She's going to kill us all now she's gotten what she wanted."

She started to walk away. She had to be alone. As far away as possible from that woman, from that family, from that stupid castle. That small bed & breakfast at the village seemed like a good option.

"Daughter, wait," Alcina went after her, as she entered her bedroom.

"Don't you ever call me daughter again, Lady Dimitrescu," Bela angered. "I'm not your daughter. You kidnapped, killed me and turned me into a monster. Who knows what you've done to my real parents. We're not your daughters, we're only your toys, your dolls. You're not that different from your sister, Donna, after all."

She slammed the door and locked it. The bedroom was still the same way they left in the previous night. The candles, the flowers, the discs... Aleena's perfume was still on her pillows. Bela threw herself on the bed, holding the pillow against her body as she cried uncontrollably.

This was all her fault. They should've finished reading the diaries earlier and found out the truth before Miranda's visit, but she distracted Aleena, wishing to spend as much time with her as possible before she left to California. She should've been there to protect her, she promised it. She shouldn't have trusted the woman she used to call 'mother'. She was an idiot and now, Aleena was gone. Forever.

----------

Castle Dimitrescu, Guest Room - Present Days

Memories. Only a few days earlier Bela was afraid memories would be everything she'd have left from Aleena and now, it really was. Without anybody noticing, she went to the guest room the girl had been staying during those weeks in the castle. She obviously wasn't there, but traits of her presence were still all around.

Her clothes were still in the closet. Some where lying on the armchair or even around the floor. Bela grabbed one of her t-shirts, one from Aleena's favorite TV show. It still had her perfume on it.

"I miss you, love," she inhaled deeply the sweet fragrance. "So much it's killing me."

Then, she took the sketch book from the desk. Aleena was the most talented artist Bela had ever met. Her sister, Daniela, was a good artist, but she wasn't so creative, so expressive and precise on her traces. Bela had many classes with Lady Dimitrescu, and though she could paint decently, it wasn't her strong suit.

The drawing was still there. The one Aleena where was drawing her face. The reason why they kissed that night in the library, when she said Bela was worth being remembered.

"And now I'm the one who have nothing to remind me of you, Aleena. Remind me of every detail of your perfect green eyes, your smooth brown hair and those sweet freckles all over your body."

Her cell phone was still inside the bedside table's drawer. Bela turned it on. Aleena had set a picture of them together as her lockscreen. She smiled. In the gallery, she found many and many pictures of all the days they spent together, since the lunch Bela threw on her birthday when she arrived.

There were videos too and as soon Bela heard Aleena's voice, she couldn't help but start crying again. Why did her mother betrayed her like that? She could've helped her to save Aleena. She could've helped them to take down Miranda. That was what a real mother was supposed to do!

"Hey," she rolled her eyes, noticing she had forgotten to lock the door again. Cassandra was standing right behind her. "I'm came here to check on you."

"Leave me alone, Cassandra," Bela angered. "You didn't even like her."

"This isn't true. Aleena wasn't my favorite person in the world, not that I have one by the way, but still... I didn't want her to die."

Bela ignored her. Cassandra didn't have maturity enough to understand how she was feeling. Sometimes she wondered if her sister was even able to feel empathy for another being. But then, she was surprised by her next move.

"I'm sorry," her middle sister touched her shoulder slightly, tenderly. "I know she made you happy. Deep down, I was rooting for you both."

She forced a small smile before pulling her sister for an embrace. It was probably the first time they exchanged such a genuine moment of affection.

"We'll make her pay," Cassandra stroked her hair. "Let's kill Bitch Miranda."

The three sisters gathered together in the library. Lady Dimitrescu couldn't be aware of their plans. Daniela revealed her sisters she once heard about a dagger their mother possessed, one that was able to kill any monsters and demons.

"Are you sure about this?" Bela asked to confirm. Daniela had a creative and delusional mind after all.

"Yes," her youngest sister said. "I stole one of her diaries once. She was reporting everything about this dagger, except for its location."

"Then I'll keep her distracted while you search for it," Cassandra suggested. "I'll pretend to help her with her party for Miranda's daughter rebirth."

"What about me?" Bela wanted to know.

"You're not okay, sister. Let us handle this. Save your strength for when we stab the bitch and end her for good."

"As long as you let me do the honors, it's fine by me."

That was it. Bela would pretend to be alright. She would pretend to forgive her mother. And when the time came, she'd get her revenge against Miranda.

But then... there was nothing left for her in this world. With Aleena gone, she lost her only chance of living a new and normal life. She lost the only thing that made her feel happy and human. And if the dagger could kill any monsters and demons, well... it would be able to kill her too.

Still holding Aleena's shirt against her body, Bela lay on the bed and fell asleep, thinking of the moment they'd be reunited again in death. However, she had a terrible nightmare. Aleena was dying in her arms and there was nothing she could do.

She got up and drank some water. It had been hours since Daniela left the room to search for the dagger. She wondered if something had gone wrong. Lady Dimitrescu would never agree with that plan. She was about to leave the bedroom when the red haired girl entered the room so excited she could barely breathe.

"Bela..." she panted, "I found her!"

"The dagger?!" Bela asked. "Where is it?"

"No! Aleena. She's alive in the dungeons!"

----------

Castle Dimitrescu, Dungeons - Present Days

I opened my eyes, but I couldn't see anything. The environment around me was different from everywhere I had been in the last few weeks, the air was humid but still suffocating. It also smelled terribly, like rotting flesh and blood. I tried to stand up but my leg was still badly injured. I wondered how long it'd take for the amulet to heal my body again. Maybe it only worked once. Or maybe it had to do with the fluid Cassandra injected on me before she threw me inside that nasty cell.

Speaking of Bela's sister, I was pissed. Truly pissed. It was no secret she never liked me, but I never thought she'd be able to betray her own sister like that. Telling Bela to go to their mother's office only to bring me to the dungeons was a low blow, even for her. And there was Mrs. Volkov too. I couldn't believe she was dead.

"H-Help... somebody help me..."

I tried to scream but the blood loss and the drug made me too weak. I had to find a way out. A way to regain my forces and escape that place.

It didn't take long for me to lose my conscience again. As much as I attempted to stay awake and hear any signals someone could be around, I just couldn't. I was trapped in that endless cycle of waking up for a few minutes, moan in pain and passing out again. That was it. The Mother Miranda bitch was certainly behind it. When the right moment came, she'd come and take me for the ritual. Drugged as I was, I wouldn't be able to fight it.

"Aleena!" I heard Bela's voice, approaching. Maybe it was just another hallucination. "Oh my god!"

The cell's door opened, allowing some light to enter. I was able to distinguish my girlfriend's beautiful face among all that darkness.

"It's okay, love. You'll be okay, I promise you."

I forced a small smile as she placed my head on her lap. Using a blade, she opened a small gash on her wrist and forced it into my mouth.

"Drink it," Bela ordered. "My blood is going to heal your wounds and the drug effects."

I felt my stomach twisting from the metallic taste of blood going down my throat. I definitely wasn't born to be a vampire. For a second, I thought I was going to throw up.

"Shhhh," she held me still as the nausea struck. "Just breathe. Hold it down and you'll be okay."

I did as she told. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, the nausea was slowly going away. Bela started to caress my face and I felt as some warm tears dropped on my forehead.

"Hey, I'm just a little beaten up," I assured her. "But I'm starting to feel better."

"I... I thought you were dead. My mother told me you were dead."

Why would Lady Dimitrescu do such a thing? Of course, she needed to make sure Bela wouldn't ruin Miranda's plans. She needed to convince her to not search for me.

I was already strong enough to sit. I hugged Bela very very tightly. She was sobbing desperately. Her heart was beating so fast inside her chest, it seemed like it'd explode at any moment.

"I'm so sorry," I kissed her forehead. "I'm here and I'm not leaving you ever again. I promise."

"You're the vessel, Aleena," Bela told me. "Your body is immune to the attacks of any creatures in the village. And now Miranda wants to use you to bring her daughter back to life. She believes your body is going to accept the mutation."

She also told me about my amulet. Miranda was the one to sell it to Auryk. I immediately ripped it off from my neck.

"I knew about being the vessel. I discovered it right after you left the bedroom. My father knew it and Auryk did too, this is why he wanted to get me out of the country so badly."

Bela wasn't listening to me. She was still staring at my face in disbelief, her eyes glistening with tears from the relief of finding out I was still alive. She cupped my face between her hands and pressed her lips on mine multiple times.

"I'm going to fix this," she was still crying. "I promise you. We have a plan to kill Miranda. There's a dagger hidden here in the castle, it can kill any monsters or demons. Daniela is searching for it, while Cassandra is distracting my m-," she hesitated to say that word, "my mother."

"Okay, but Cassandra was the one to kill Mrs. Volkov to capture me. We can't trust her at all!"

Of course. The bitch had more tricks I wasn't even aware of. She could shapeshift. Now I finally knew how my father was probably killed or how Auryk obtained that amulet from her. It was also obvious who attacked the castle that morning, Miranda was willing to test my healing properties again.

"She didn't. Mother Miranda can shapeshift into any person, this is why we need to be careful. We have this safe word, to know we're the actual Dimitrescu sisters. It's 'blowfly'."

I sighed and attempted to break the tension.

"And how do you know I'm the real Aleena?" I smiled.

"Trust me, love. I know," Bela kissed me, slowly and passionate. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this. Imagine how disgusting it would be to kiss that crazy bitch."

We both broke into laughs. Then, she took my hand and helped me to stand up.

"We need to get you out of here. My mother can't know I've found you. Miranda is coming to pick you up at midnight for the ritual."

Through the secret passages we made to the stables, where Bela had already left my bags and a horse prepared to take me to the village.

"Once you get there," she told me. "Just drive as far as you can. Go to the city, find your brother and fly to United States."

And then I realized.

"But Bela... what about you?"

"I'm staying here, love. I'm going to kill Miranda, together with my sisters and Heisenberg."

"And then you'll meet me there, right?!" I raised my voice, fighting hard against the tears that insisted falling down. "You'll go to California."

She was in silence for a moment, trying to find the right words, but I already knew what she wanted to say. First, she handed me my cell phone.

"You said you wanted something to remember. Now you have plenty of pictures of me in this device of yours."

"Bela... what are you saying?"

"Let's be honest, Aleena," she looked down. "It was never a possibility and you knew it. We'd have to stop at the first temperature drop we came across. We probably wouldn't even make it to the airport."

"I said I'm going to find a way! It's Summer, dammit. It's not so cold away from the mountains and once we arrive in California, it'll be even hotter."

"You know your world would never accept me, love. Look at me, I have this nasty scar, this weird tattoo, I need to drink human blood to live..."

"STOP MAKING EXCUSES TO BREAK UP WITH ME! I'LL FIND A WAY! FOR ALL OF THIS. IF THEY CAN'T ACCEPT YOU, THEN FUCK THEM! I LOVE YOU AND IT'S ALL THAT MATTERS."

"I love you too," Bela kissed my forehead. "And this is why I'm letting you go."

"Even if I go, Bela," I argued, punching her shoulder slightly, "it doesn't have to end! I'm going to call you. I'm going to write you. And I'll come here to visit you too."

"In the first few weeks, love. Then, you'll become too busy to write. Our phone calls will become shorter because you'll be too tired. You'll disappear for a few days. We'll start to fade, little by little. And finally someday, you'll meet somebody new. Somebody who can make you laugh and distract you from your tragic past. Somebody who can take you to an actual date. Somebody you can introduce to your family and friends. Somebody who actually deserves you. Who can give you a future with marriage and children. Because she isn't dead. Because she isn't... me."

"I don't want any of this! I want you and only you. This future? We can have it! Here in this fucking castle or in my old small house. I don't care if I have to serve tables for the rest of my life, as long as I have you."

"You deserve a lot more than that."

"And so do you. What are you going to do, huh? To keep playing house with the woman who killed and turned you into a vampire? Serving her every wish and pretending you love this life? Or sleep with a different servant every week to hide the fact you're completely lonely and miserable?"

"Yes, Aleena. It has been this way for six decades now and it's not going to change. I have no choice, I'm sorry."

She vanished into a swarm of flies and disappeared, leaving me completely alone in the stables. I fell on my knees again, sobbing and screaming my lungs out.

"Bela, come back here!" I cried. "I love you! Please... come back..."

I still waited for a few minutes, but as I knew and as Mrs. Volkov always warned me, when Bela made a decision nothing would change her mind. Not even her mother or her sisters. Not even me.

----------

Castle Dimitrescu, Bela's Room - Present Days

"I'm hungry," Cassandra complained from the couch. "Pretty please... I'm helping you with the secret mission. A scrambled egg is enough."

"Tell Lady Dimitrescu to cook," Bela remained unmoved on her bed, staring at the ceiling while wearing Aleena's jacket. The one she borrowed her when the castle was attacked. It was the only memory she'd have from the woman she loved. "She was the one to kill all the servants."

Bela was listening to an old love song from the 60's. It was the one thing she was actually capable of doing in that moment. She couldn't even manage to create different scenarios about how she could kill Miranda inside her mind, or even wander around the castle searching for the cursed knife.

She knew Aleena had safely arrived in her house at the village. She sent one of her flies to follow her and observe her for how long it was possible. The girl was completely devastated, heartbroken and it killed her to see that. She could she glimpses of the moments where she sobbed while packing her bags and taking them to her old truck. But it was the best for both of them. She'd never be safe by Bela's side. Especially while Miranda was still around.

"This music is making me nauseous," Cassandra went to the disc player and turned it off. "You should've gone with her then."

"It was the safest for her. Mother would come after me immediately and take her back to Miranda's claws."

The brunette sister went to her own bedroom and returned with a book in hands, what surprised Bela because Cassandra wasn't much of a reader.

"Check this out. I asked the Duke to get you the sequel," and she started to read, adopting the same dramatic tone as usual. "As much as I struggled not to think of him, I did not struggle to forget. I worried — late in the night, when the exhaustion of sleep deprivation broke down my defenses — that it was all slipping away. That my mind was a sieve, and I would someday not be able to remember the precise color of his eyes, the feel of his cool skin, or the texture of his voice. I could not think of them, but I must remember them. Because there was just one thing that I had to believe to be able to live — I had to know that he existed. That was all. Everything else I could endure. So long as he existed."

"Ha ha, very funny," Bela rolled her eyes. Deep down she absorbed those words. She feared someday she'd forget all those small details about Aleena too, but knowing she existed someday, and that she loved her back, was enough for her to be able to live for the rest of her immortal days. "Next time, get us something useful. Like that fucking dagger."

The door opened and Daniela walked inside, pushing a food cart.

"I brought us dinner," she announced.

"Did you kidnap a villager to cook for us?" Cassandra asked, immediately grabbing a plate.

"Of course not! I cooked it myself. If Bela can do it, I can too."

The two eldest sisters exchanged a suspicious glance, before deciding they were not so hungry after all.

"And here is the main dish..." Daniela said, lifting the lid and revealing the content inside the silver pan. "A poisonous dagger."

"You did it!" Bela exclaimed, surprised and proud.

"Yes! Let's chop that bitch to pieces."

Daniela hugged her eldest sister again. It was happening too often lately, for Bela's discomfort. But this time, she accepted the hug.

"Where's mom?" Cassandra interrupted the moment. "I haven't heard from her since I left her alone in her bedroom."

The castle was way too quiet. It wasn't the first time the servants had to be gotten rid of and they were completely by themselves. Or maybe sometimes, Lady Dimitrescu would lock herself in the Opera House to play the piano or even read a book alone in her bedroom, but that wasn't the case this time. That was a different kind of silence. A silence that indicated danger, a threat.

"Mother?!" Cassandra called, followed by her two sisters. "Where are you?"

There was no answer. They were about to reach the library when the power went out, as well as the heating system. A wave of panic instantly spread over Bela's body. She feared the cold, more than anything.

"What the hell?!" Daniela yelled. "Who's there? I'm starving and angry, so don't mess with me!"

"Shhhh," Bela silenced her. She had a feeling, a hunch about who could it be. As they approached the office, her suspicions were confirmed by the argument coming from inside the room.

"Where is she, Alcina?!" They heard Miranda yelling. "You promised me to keep her safe!"

"Mother, I swear... she was in the dungeons! There was no way she could escape. The drug was supposed to keep her down until now."

"Your daughters... they must've helped her to escape. Decades trying to find the perfect vessel and they ruined it all. They'll deal with the consequences!"

"Mother, no! Don't hurt them, I'm begging you."

In that moment, the sisters witnessed as a powerful flock of birds started to fly around the caste, shattering all the windows. As the cold air of the night in the mountains filled the entire place, the three sisters knew their ending was imminent.

----------

Eastern Europe, Aleena's House - Present Days

The tears blurred my vision as I followed my way back to the village. Sometimes, I'd stop for a minute, hoping Bela would change her mind and come after me. Why would she assume I was safer without her? If there was someone who could protect me, that was she.

As soon as I arrived, I went straight to the garage, getting my old truck to come back to life. Then, I followed to my bedroom to pack my bags. There wasn't much I actually needed to take, mostly my clothes, my laptop and a few other important belongings. I didn't plan to sell the house anyways. I could come back and take the rest later, if I had to.

My books. I would definitely take at least my favorites. Most of them were gifts from my mom. I couldn't leave those precious treasures behind. As I grabbed one of them to place it inside of my luggage, a small piece of paper fell on the floor:

'Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. It is an ever fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken. Love alters not with time's brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom'.

I recognized it. It was an excerpt of William Shakespeare's Sonnet 116. Bela should've left it there when she was alone in my bedroom. In the end, she wrote: 'Please, think of me sometimes. I love you, forever'.

Of course I would. There was no way I'd ever stop loving that girl, or even forgetting about her at all. I could never forget about the girl who threw me the sweetest birthday party or made me the best pancakes in the world. And especially, the first girl I ever loved. I pressed the note against my chest, letting out a few tears. I placed it among my belongings, those I was going to take with me to California.

I heard the front door opening and I immediately grabbed my rifle and my blades too. Something had to at least cause some harm to that bitch. I was slowly going down the stairs in an attack position, when I heard a voice.

"Leena? Are you home?" That was my twin brother, Auryk. "I'm back."

"Auryk," I finally revealed myself. My first impulse was running to his arms, before I remembered all the lies and the betrayal. "You knew it. You fucking knew it and you hid it from me!"

"I'm sorry, okay? I was trying to keep you safe from Miranda. I planned to get you out of here before it all came to surface, but that bitch was already one step ahead."

"We have to go, right now. She's coming after me. I just escaped Castle Dimitrescu."

"Leena, no..." he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I thought I was clear when I asked you to stay in the castle until I returned."

"Auryk, she drugged me and locked me in the dungeons!" I yelled. "She was going to sacrifice me in a sick ritual tonight. Which part haven't you understand yet?"

"This was the plan, Aleena. When she was vulnerable, during the ritual, the agency would take the opportunity to explode this place and all these freaks."

"WHAT?! What about the village... and the people, their houses? What about ME?! What if I got killed in this process?"

"They're going to evacuate the village in a couple of hours," he explained. "And then, they'll help them to rebuild their lives or something... I don't know for sure. But they would protect us."

"Stop them!" I ordered. I couldn't let them hurt Bela or her sisters. Or even put the villagers in danger. Some of them, such as Olga, Elena and her father would never abandon that place and its traditions. "Right now! You're not going to hurt them. You won't!"

"Aleena, what the fuck? They're monsters! They're going to kill you!"

And then, I did the first thing that came to my mind. It was stupid, unplanned and completely reckless. I knocked my brother's head with the rifle. As soon as he fell unconscious on the floor, I tied him up and locked him inside Adrian's secret storage.

"I'm sorry, Auryk. But I must save my girlfriend."

[gothighunicorntolerance]

Baited

Logan is kidnapped by the Dragon Witch, a notorious super villain.

AO3

Putting his laptop in his bag, Logan stood from behind the librarian’s desk. 

“Bye, Logan!” His coworker Patton said. “Have a nice day!”     “Goodbye, Patton. You as well,” Logan slung his bag over his shoulder and started walking to where his car was parked, behind the public library where he worked. Stopping to fish his car keys out of his pocket, his thoughts briefly wandered to his boyfriend, Roman, who would probably be finishing up his shift at the restaurant he worked at.  When Logan got home to their apartment, they would change and then go out to dinner- they had been planning tonight for a few weeks now, and though Logan wouldn't admit it to anyone except Roman, he was quite honestly very excited. 

Right as Logan found his keys after checking all his pockets, he heard footsteps behind him. It was likely Patton, though he new Patton didn’t normally leave until later-

Before he could turn around, a pair of hands clapped over Logan’s mouth, muffling the shriek that escaped his lips.

He struggled, trying to shake off his attacker, but they were too strong. Logan was kicked to the ground from behind, someone still holding him. His head hit the asphalt and his vision became blurry- he was now just dimly aware of his hands being bound together.

He now lay helpless on the ground, his cheek and glasses pressing into the concrete, a knee on his back. 

“Get him to the boss,” someone said before a cloth was pressed over his mouth and nose. His vision blackened as hands grabbed him around the waist and started dragging him away from his car, away from tonight’s dinner plans. 

Roman sat on the couch, looking at his phone and waiting for Logan’s text that he was heading home. As the hours ticked by, Roman became increasingly worried. If Logan was staying late, wouldn’t he text? It wasn’t like Logan to miss or forget plans, so what was the hold up? He and Logan had been planning this dinner for weeks, and their reservation was in half an hour! 

Roman bit his thumb, a nervous habit that Logan was trying to get him to stop, and decided to call his boyfriend. Even though Logan was very strict about his rule that he had his phone on silent while working, surely he would pick up, right? 

    Roman took a deep breath and pressed the call button. It rang once, twice, and Roman mouthed “please answer, please answer, please answer…”

    He answered! 

“Logan! Hey, I was getting worried! Are you staying late?”

“If you want to see him again, you’ll come to number 7 Sanders Street. Be there in an hour or he goes. You will not tell anyone you have received this message, and you will come alone.” 

    The voice that replied wasn’t Logan’s, but it was a familiar one nonetheless. 

“You! Dragon Witch! What did you do with him!?” Roman shouted into the phone, already jumping off the couch.

“You’ll have to find out,” she crooned. “Be there. I’m waiting.” 

She hung up the phone and Roman let out a grunt of anger. How could he have been so stupid? He should have protected Logan better, he should have never made so many enemies! 

Logan blinked his eyes, and for a moment thought he was still asleep. He sat alone in a pitch black room. He tried to stand, but found himself tied to a chair, handcuffs on his ankles and hands, the other end attached to the metal chair. He tried to shout for help, but all that came out was a pathetic “mhph!”, the duct tape digging into his lips. 

And to make it truly impossible for him to escape, a rope was wrapped around his torso, tying him to the back of the chair. 

Suddenly a ray of light fell on his face as a door opened and someone walked in. 

Though he had never seen them in person, he knew exactly who just walked in. 

She stepped closer to Logan, dragging a talon across his forehead. When she pulled away, something dripped down the claw- blood. 

She smirked and, without warning, ripped off the tape that served as Logan’s gag. 

“Dragon Witch,” Logan spat through his stinging, swollen lips. 

A grin spread across her face. “Oh, you recognize me! I was sure I had to do some introduction!”     “Why am I here?” Logan snarled. “Let me go.” 

“Let you go? No, I don’t think I can do that. And as for why you’re here? Well, from what I hear, you’re very smart. So you should be able to figure it out.”

“Wha-” Logan was cut off by her hand covering his mouth- something he was getting very tired of people doing to him. 

Another piece of tape covered his mouth, this one much larger than the last, almost covering his ears that he now realized were not supporting his glasses. 

The Dragon Witch turned around, her cape flourishing behind her. Before she closed the door and left Logan in the dark, she looked over her shoulder and looked at him.     “Oh, and for your sake, I hope you boytoy comes for you.” 

As the door locked with a click, suddenly everything came into place. 

The odd bruises Roman came back home with. The odd scars Logan saw on Roman’s back. And Logan knew who he was here. 

He was bait for The Prince, the superhero who was also his boyfriend. 

    Roman drove, his heart pounding. The only thing he could think of was Logan- how afraid he must be, how angry Logan would be if he found out that Roman, of all people, was a superhero! Roman had planned on telling Logan, honestly! He just… was afraid of what Logan would say! But now Roman drove to 7 Sanders Street with his only fear being that Logan would be hurt. 

    He parked the car a block away and climbed up a fire escape. He would enter the building from above, find Logan, and get out, hopefully without confronting her. His cape dragged behind him and his mask was already sweaty from his anxiety for his boyfriend- oh, if he ever saw that damn Dragon Witch, he wouldn’t go easy on her! 

    Sparks flew out of Roman’s clenched fist, and he took a deep breath. What was Logan always saying? 

Be calm, or else things can go wrong. Anger can figuratively cloud your judgement.

Right, Roman had to be calm. “Logan, I’m coming,” he whispered. “Just hang on, my love.” 

Roman leapt across buildings, illuminated only by the moonlight, until he was on the roof of number seven. He opened the door that led to the rooftop and began his descent, his only light source a spark of electricity held between his fingers. 

He silently trod through the warehouse, looking for any sign that Logan was here. 

If he was the Dragon Witch, where would he keep his prisoners? He shuddered to think that Logan was a prisoner, but thought where he would be anyways. 

Of course! The most central room at the top story- it would be the most secure room, and surely she would be expecting him to charge in from the front door! 

Roman made his way toward the middle, and listened for any signs of struggle. 

There- a faint noise behind one of the doors! 

Roman closed his hand around the door handle and searched for a sign of life- he was able to find heartbeats after he learned from Logan that every human being gives off a small amount of electricity! 

And there it was! A heartbeat! 

Roman slowly opened the door, his other hand ready to blast electricity at anyone who wasn’t Logan. 

But there, in the center of the room, tied to a metal chair, was Logan, his head slumped to his chest. 

Roman rushed in and knelt beside him. 

“Lo?” He whispered, touching Logan’s cheek. “Lo, it’s me, please look at me!” Roman said tearfully. 

Logan’s eyes fluttered open and then widened in surprise. 

“Lo, I’m going to get you out of here. Nod if you understand. Logan nodded. 

“Okay. Okay, this is going to hurt a bit. I love you so much,” Roman said, peeling the tape off Logan’s mouth and cringing as he saw the extent of Logan’s injuries: a bloody lip, a black eye, and a cut on his forehead as well as a multitude of bruises on his arms and neck. 

“R-Roman, I-”

“Logan, I’m so, so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner-”     “It's okay, love. We’re going to talk later,” Logan said hoarsely. 

Roman nodded and began untying the rope around Logan’s torso. With the rope gone, Roman saw the next problem. Everything else was metal- the chair, the handcuffs that held Logan down still, and even the floor. 

It was as if the room had been designed to keep Roman from using his powers. And, knowing the Dragon Witch, it probably had. 

Logan noticed his hesitation, because he said, “Roman, what’s wrong?” Roman could hear the twinge of fear in his voice. 

“I- I don’t want to hurt you,” Roman hesitated. 

“What can you do?”     Roman looked away. “I’ve said too much already, and you probably figured out the rest… but I generate electricity, and- and everything here is metal.” 

“Oh.” Was all Logan said. “Well, that explains the static.” 

“Logan! I’m going to hurt you if I use my power, and you’re going to get even more hurt if I leave you here!” Roman was close to full tears now- he couldn’t see a good solution! 

Logan thought for a minute. “Take my shoes off.”     “W-what?” That was not what Roman was expecting to hear. 

“Take my shoes off,” Logan repeated. “My socks, too. Then I need to put my feet on the floor, and then any electricity you use will be conducted by the metal and away from me.”

“Okay. Okay, Lo, I swear I am going to get you out of here. I love you so much.” 

“I love you too, Roman. Now stop wasting time and do it.”

Roman did as instructed and looked to Logan. 

“Don’t tell me when you do it, I need to be relaxed. Now come on, Ro,” Logan closed his eyes as Roman put his hands on the cuffs, ready to spark. 

Concentrating on the cuffs, Roman pictured electricity running through the chains to the locking mechanism, forcing the pins to open. And with a click, the locks around Logan’s wrists sprung open. 

Logan stood from the chair, though his ankles were still bound. 

“One more, Lo,” Roman crouched, putting his hands on the other set of cuffs, and with another click, the cuffs fell off. 

“Can you stand?” Roman asked, holding out a hand.

“I think so-“ Logan got to his feet but collapsed with a quiet shriek.

“What’s wrong?”

“My- my knee-“

“That’s okay, I’ll carry you out of here if I have to,” Roman said. 

“Ro-” Logan was cut off by a shriek. 

“You!” Roman turned around to face the Dragon Witch. “You did this to him!” 

Logan, his knee still injured, stumbled back into the chair as he watched the confrontation with a mixture of fear and awe. How could he be so lucky to be in love with someone who was so fearless? Who would face injury or death to protect him? 

The Dragon Witch unfurled her leathery black wings as Roman’s hands crackled with electricity. 

Roman took a step backwards and put himself in front of Logan, ready to Leo in front of anything aimed at his boyfriend, his love, at the nerdy librarian he was so lucky to have seen that night….

Her wings flapped, a gust of wind blowing Logan’s hair in his eyes. Her taloned fingers began to move in a circle, black mist sprouting from around her. 

Then, before Logan could react to the burst of light shooting from the Dragon Witch, he was being thrown over Roman’s shoulder. 

Roman sprinted out of the small room, the Dragon Witch right behind them. Roman ran up the stairs the way he had come, but all too late he realized the flaw in his plan.

He wouldn’t be able to jump around the rooftops and carry Logan at the same time. 

Logan saw his hesitation, and, as Logan was prone to do, came up with a plan. “Roman. The authorities, while utterly useless, always come to the fights they think are going to cause collateral or infrastructural damage, right?”     “Yeah, but I don’t see what that has to do with getting you out of here!” Roman shouted back, still running. 

“It means you need to put me down and fight her! Then the police will come and take me to the hospital or something! I’ll say I got in the way of her plan or something, so she took me to this warehouse and then you saved me!”

Roman realized that Logan was right, as he usually was. 

“You might get hurt!” Roman had reached the rooftop, the Dragon Witch still thundering after them. 

“I know. But that’s a risk we have to take if we want to get out of here,” Logan explained, cupping Roman’s cheek as he was set down by some discarded wooden pallets. 

Roman turned to face the witch as she climbed up to meet them. 

“Dragon Witch,” Roman said with more anger than Logan had ever heard. “You hurt him. You will pay for this!”

“Will I, now?”     She lunged at Roman, the black mist gathering again. A bolt of electricity shot out of Roman’s palm, striking her in the wing. She howled in pain, forcing Logan to clamp his hands over his ears. He watched with a morbid fascination as flurries of blows were exchanged, each landing hits on the other. 

Roman’s fist connected with her shoulder while her talons scratched his arm, blood dripping onto the concrete roof. Angling himself into a sitting position behind the pallets, he clenched his jaw as he heard sirens approaching from below. 

“Hey! Up here! Help!” Logan shouted, peering over the edge and waving his hands. A firefighter looked up in horror and began to run inside while another started to set up a ladder. The Dragon Witch looked over and let out a yell of fury. As Roman, unaware, readied another bolt, the witch dove in front of Logan just as Roman let the bolt go. 

Logan couldn’t move, only seeing it come towards him. The white hot energy crackled through the air as it pummeled toward Logan. 

It hit him square in the chest, the electricity spreading out through his arms and legs. The tingling sensation spread until he was numb all over and his eyes closed, but not before seeing Roman’s screaming face. 

***

Logan woke in a hospital bed, IV tubes and heart monitors and other medical equipment in and on him. 

The first thing he registered was the beeping, and not a moment later a group of nurses came in. The next hour was a blur of activity, of being asked questions like what did he remember (he was on the rooftop, watching the fight), who’s the president (that orange asshole, but not for long!), and who he wanted to see. 

The last question was the only one he truly paid attention to. 

“Roman,” he said. “I want to see Roman.” 

A minute- or perhaps an hour- later, a nurse came in, followed by Roman, red eyed and disheveled looking. 

Roman gasped and ran to his side. 

“Logan, I-”

“Ro. Roman, I love you so much. C’mere,” Logan put his hand over Roman’s.

“Logan, Logan! I thought I lost you, and I couldn’t live with myself if I had. It would have been my fault, and I love you too much to ever be able to let go. Starshine, I love you so, so much. I love you more than there are stars in the sky.”     Roman began crying again, and Logan put a hand on his face to wipe away the tears. 

“It’s not your fault, Love. Please don’t blame yourself.”

“But Logan, I hurt you!” 

“No, no you didn’t. You saved me, Roman. If you hadn’t come, I would still be tied up in that dark room, and I wouldn’t know where you are. But I’m here with you, and that’s what matters to me. Now stand up and kiss me, you sap.”

Roman knelt over the hospital bed and met Logan’s chapped lips. Never had he been so glad that he was kissing his boyfriend, his Starshine, the love of his life. 

And in that moment, Roman resolved that nothing, nothing would ever lay a hand to hurt Logan ever again. 

And in that moment, Logan knew that Roman would do anything for him, and he would do anything for Roman. 

“I love you so much,” they murmured against each others’ lips.