#any kind of warning?! what am I supposed to do here huh? BE NORMAL?!

[chaosinstigator]

i was gonna try to be productive before work but my brain is stuck in !!! thanks danny ahfkdj

[mamayan]

Hii can I request Gyomei x prostitute fem reader nsfw.....plsss

Gyomei Himejima x Fem! Reader

cw: NSFW • Darker Themes • Attempted murder (of reader) • Fem! Reader • prostitute reader • Fluff/Comfort • Size kink • Breeding kink • Sub/switch! Reader • Edging/Denial • Overstimulation • Oral (F)

“Namu Amida Butsu. Pitiful creature.” He doesn’t need vision to understand what was going on in the lively square of the red district tonight.

Normally a bubble of carnal desires and pleasure, many forgot the festering underbelly of this part of the city. He’s on a mission, needs to focus and do his job, but something keeps stopping him.

Possibly the kakushi by his side crying softly, pitying the poor soul on a trial meant to convict whether the offending party is guilty or not. How can an upright samurai be in the wrong in any way? It must be the fault of the lowly whore which should have known her place. Such disgusting beliefs made his gut churn, but he’s aware there is little one can do in this situation.

He needs to leave, walk away, and kill the demon living just on the outskirts of this district.

So why won’t his feet move?

“This bitch is getting what she deserves, and let her serve as a warning to all the workers in the district!”

“Oh no, is he going to decapitate her?!” The kakushi beside him gasps in horror, drawing his focus away from his chants to regain his will power and instead breaking his concentration as he focuses on the slurred drunk words of a man. The crowd is thickening, attention drawn to the spectacle but most of all, the promise of blood shed. “Gyomei-sama…” it would appear the kakushi wishes him to intervene.

He can’t. He’s not supposed to anyway. He knows nothing of the woman’s crimes nor any clear indication on how to pass judgement.

“For trying to run from the great Habuyoshi who mearly admired the beauty! For daring to raise these weak fists at the great Habuyoshi! For biting the dick of the great Habuyoshi! I am putting this filthy dog down!” The crowd was cheering, jeering him on, even begging he kill her after violating her for the crowd to watch, or wanting to do it themselves. Gyomei had heard the red light district was filled with glistening gold and red, and it enrages his heart to think such an auspicious color is tied to such a festering diseased place. No one won here. Ever.

Before the kakushi could move, he’d already made his presence known, easily knocking the samurai unconscious.

The crowd stared in awe and fear of the enormous man wielding only prayer beads, defeating the well known samurai of the area so easily with only a single blow.

“Who owns this prostitute?”

None speak up for a moment, tension thick in the air as a savior appears for a once thought dead woman.

“M-me…” an elderly woman far past her prime shakily steps out, her guilty and shifty expression not seen by the man looking at nothing, but her nervous energy radiated off in waves for all to feel.

“I’ll buy her.”

“Gyomei-sama?!”

“Huh—?”

You awoke with minimal pain.

The jarring events of the night prior swirling in your mind and dumbfounding you because what was that?

You nearly died because a strange man grabbed you off the street while you were running an errand and tried to rape you in an alley way. Of course you fought back, but it seems that’s a crime if the perpetrator is stronger than you.

Tears fell despite your anger. You were no longer a prostitute, your freedom seemingly bought out of kindness but you knew not to trust anything given freely. There’s always a price, and your life thus far had taught you to be witty and at least somewhat charming. Though it hardly did much for you last night when the crowd roared for your execution like your life meant so little.

Your new owner is more terrifying than your previous house mother. At least she’d been open about her greedy vile mindset, but this man is nothing short of an enigma. Why did he save you? What is the purpose? What should you do now? It left you riddled with anxiety as you sat in a bed more comfortable than you could ever remember sleeping in, the blankets and pillows too of better quality than the red light district ever provided even for the top courtesans. You’d been given plain but high quality clothing as well, allowed to bathe alone, and then fed a vegetarian meal so delicious you wondered if the Buddhist monks had it much better than you gave them credit for.

Now you slept, in a room all to yourself, with no idea of what was to come next.

Did he want you as a wife? That didn’t seem right though. He didn’t appear the romantic type, and his size alone mildly frightened you despite his soft demeanor and speech. Were you to act as a servant? Did he wish to sell you to another area and call it good karma, leaving the matter as that? It ate away until you could no longer stand it, rising from the bed you longed to stay in forever, and slipping out of your room to explore the estate.

It’s shockingly empty.

Not a soul in sight as you explored, stealing bread from the kitchen as you walked, pondering the possibility of ghost servants. You felt silly and dismissed it, but the eerie silence was begining to get to you. You turned and headed for an opening, finally finding a serene courtyard. You were awestruck by the landscape, attention quickly caught as you spot a small pond with a bridge.

Hope bloomed and then flourished as you spotted several fat pretty koi swimming about, different colored patterns moving around and hypnotizing you.

“Ssshhwink!” You jolted in shock at the loud sound of a blade being struck, eyes honing in on the source as you see a training ground of sort in the distance.

Shock was the least of your current emotions as you watched the enormous man, your supposed savior for now, swing around an axe and spiked flail attached to a very long chain. Surrounding him were multiple dummies, made from steel, as if you weren’t already shocked silly. For someone so large, he was graceful and fast, skilled in each tiny movement and it nearly made you think of a dance you’d seen long ago at a festival when you were a child.

He’s no one ordinary. That’s clear enough, and he’s not a samurai it seemed either.

He could kill you quicker than that man before and he could’ve killed that man too but chose not to. Your heart trembled, because you knew those that hesitated left empty handed, and if his goal was merely to rescue and abandon you then you’d find yourself back to being sold off or worse.

You needed him to keep you, no matter how his appearance made your knees weak.

“Are you hungry?”

One week. You’d been in his estate one week and this was the first conversation you’d had with him since that night he saved you.

“Namu Amida Butsu. Thank you.” He accepts the lunch you prepared, as you learned fast that once he’d brought you into his estate, he’d been abandoned by his cooks. His servants who cleaned or kept things in order were incredibly well trained and avoided you similarly. You’d been cooking his meals and leaving them outside his room in the morning, and he’d usually be gone for most of the day until very late evening where you’d leave his dinner outside his small study or prayer room.

This was your first chance to initiate contact with him, and it made you swallow your nerves as you came up eye level with his abdomen. He accepts the tray, sitting at the small table in the open courtyard. He repeats his chants while you observe him up close for a moment.

He is handsome in a rugged way. His scars surprisingly only adding character. His thin lips and long lashes would’ve made many woman jealous as well.

“This is very delicious. You’re a good cook.” You startle lightly from your day dream as you stare at him with wide eyes, his face still tilted down as he eats.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He hadn’t expected to find your company so pleasant.

Your presence was easy, comfortable and enjoyable after you warmed up more, chattering away similarly to the love Hashira at times. It made a strange sort of fondness form in his chest as he listens to your opinion on cherry blossom season, and why mochi is best served cold.

He finds himself rushing now after missions to return to his estate, something he’d never have done in the past. If only to hear your greeting of “welcome home” which makes the estate he’d been given actually feel like one.

You held his hand a few days ago, pulling him quickly and quietly to feel the soft fur of a sleeping cat you’d taken to adopting. He remembers the feel of your skin, the fragility of your hand within his, and how tiny you are. It shouldn’t affect him like this. Yet even as he sits below the icy fall of water in a lotus pose, his aching erection won’t ebb.

He’s ashamed the first time he wraps one big calloused palm around his leaking shaft and fucks his fist to the thought of you.

He’s even more ashamed when those thoughts haunt him in your presence.

He’s alarmed however when he wakes tonight to the sound of his shoji sliding open. Not by the intruder, your footsteps much louder ironically when you attempt to be quiet, but by the timing.

He released his cock and laid still, strangely nervous to appear asleep should you check.

Why were you in his room?

He chants in his mind when he hears fabric rustling, then a plop on the floor as something slides and falls. Were you… undressing?

His room felt hotter, or it may have possibly been him, as the sound of you nearing alerts him to a reason you’re here tonight.

“I know you are awake.” You sound bemused.

“I know you should be in bed.” He replies more shakily than he’d hoped to sound.

“I am trying, but you won’t seem to move over for me.” His breath hitches, and before he can think he’s scooting aside and feeling anxious for the first time in a long time. He’s too old now to be fearful of such a tiny woman, your charms and allure certainly difficult to dismiss but you shouldn’t make his hands sweat like this.

“Fuck,” he doesn’t mean to curse, but when you press your nude figure tight against his side, he nearly embarrasses himself by finishing what he’d started before you’d interrupted. Not that he nor his cock minded your company, in fact it twitched as if excited about your presence.

“It feels better if you face me.”

“What are you doing?” He feels flustered, hands desperate to grab you but unsure exactly if he should.

“Seducing you…?” He hears now the unsure tone you speak with, the way your fingers curl into his yukata to prevent him from pushing you away. He shifts and turns, the futon thankfully custom for his size and fitting you fully as he finally touches you. Your face first at least.

“Are you looking at me?”

“Yes.”

“Am I pretty?” He chuckles, smile making you press your thighs together due to the sheer masculine charm he oozed.

“You are soft.” He drops his voice as he presses a hand to the middle of your back and pulls you closer. His body radiates heat like none other you’ve ever felt, all pillowy muscles and smelling of sandalwood and sage, and something else beneath it that made your teeth ache. “You are considerate and empathetic.” His hands smooth over your cheeks, nose, forehead, and lips. “You are cute and witty, I find I laugh most in your presence.” His thumbs lightly graze over your eyes. “You are intelligent. I feel I can confide in you and be understood.” Down your jaw and chest, over your shoulders and down your arms to your hands shaking lightly. “You are also mischievous, I never know what you’ll come up with…” his hands come back up, one loosely and easily encircling your entire throat. “Like sneaking into a man’s room in the middle of the night and climbing into his bed naked.” He means to sound chastising but his lust is difficult to mask. Your giggle lets him know you take it lightly.

“Not some man’s room… your room, Gyomei.”

It’s like you want to set him off.

“Should I go?” He can’t deny the way it ignites him to have you here.

“No.” He groans lightly, hands finally taking the dip you’d both been aching for and feeling your chest. “You don’t get to leave now. At least not until you explain what is it is you search for.”

“Relief?” He frowns, but becomes quickly distracted by the malleable flesh in his hands, thumbs brushing over pebbled nipples and drawing little sighs from you.

“A-and… I guess confirmation.” He pinches on little bud, rewarded with a tiny moan and the arching of your back.

“Confirmation for what?” He murmurs, debating if you being atop him would be easier.

“That you like me.” He halts, startled by the confession.

“You thought I didn’t like you?” He clarifies, finally deciding and easily lifting you up by the hips to sit on his stomach, thighs on either side of him.

“I didn’t know if it was the sort between lovers or not…” he nods, finally understanding.

“I want you deeply, sweet girl.” He doesn’t miss the shiver which shakes you when he calls you that, smile tilting higher into a crooked smirk as he lifts his hands and runs them over your ass, gently squeezing each cheek and then moving to touch your thighs.

You don’t speak as he feels you up, quiet aside from small pleasurable mewls when he plays with your breasts or spreads your ass and let’s cool air hit your cunt.

“Do you touch yourself?”

“Y-yes…?”

“To the thought of me?” You feel your body heat.

“Yes. Always to the thought of you.” Your answer makes him groan, hips rutting up into nothing as he squeezes your hips.

“What do I do to you then, in your fantasies.” He’s desperate to know, desperate to recreate it. Your nails dig into the muscle on his chest, dwarfed on top of him like this.

“Oh, well, I… sit on your face.” He quirks a brow at the odd fantasy, unfamiliar with such an act.

“And do what?”

“Let you lick me, down here.” He allows you to guide his hand to the warmest place on your body, his mind blanking as he realizes.

“Oh.”

“We don’t have to do that though, let’s do what you want—oh!” He’s hauling you up like a doll onto his face, thighs spread on either side and your pussy spread and easily accessible now for his mouth. Gyomei doesn’t hesitate now, tongue slipping out as dragging through your folds as if he’s done this before. He hasn’t but he makes up for it with his wide and powerful tongue and eagerness to learn.

“Gyomei! I—ngh~!” Your moan when he licks at your pussy is more than he ever imagined. The wanton swivel of your hips as you grind down only make him more feral, large hands firmly on your ass and keeping you pressed down. Oxygen the least of his concerns as he licks and sucks until your writhing and digging your nails into his hair while you cry out for him.

He likes this act much more than his own daydreams of being intimate with you, the heady taste of your slick and sounds of your pleasure like a drug.

“I’m going to cum—!” You’re so close it’s a wonder you don’t tip over even as he lifts you completely off his face.

“H-huh?” You sound dazed and confused, so cute it makes him want to settle you down on his face again but he stops himself.

You’re on your back, looking up at his figure not blanketing you, one arm keeping him up as he lifts your chin and kisses you. You taste yourself on his lips.

“You can’t cum yet.” You feel irritable having your orgasm denied, pouty expression unseen but tone converting your emotions.

“Why?” Gyomei smiles, kissing you again and forcing your mouth open to play with your tongue, sliding his thigh between your own so you can grind on him for relief.

He breaks away with a string of saliva connecting you for a moment, warm breath fanning over you. “It will hurt taking me, but it will hurt less if you cum while I’m inserting it.”

Oh. It made sense actually.

Except he doesn’t move ahead to fucking you like you wanted, asking you for more fantasies you‘ve had of him.

“Using your fingers…” and he opened you up more than any man has ever with his fingers alone. Two alone stuffing your poor cunt seemingly to max and once more bringing you to the edge until you felt like crying when he pulled away.

“Shh,” he cooes, mildly upset he’s causing you distress and equally amused by how cute he finds your grumbling as he rearranges you again. This time he just rolls your clit gently with his thumb and kisses you, lavishing your neck in love bites you’ll surely need help covering in the morning and then giving attention to your breasts.

“Gyomei please!” Your third denial felt nearly painful, your core cramping with the desperate need for release as you wiggle and struggle beneath him.

“You’ll be very sorry if I take you now, be good for me, little lotus.” He kisses away your tears of frustration, once more spearing you open with two fingers until you’re moaning and rolling your hips into him, then he adds a third.

He stills when you hiss in pain, concern painting his features as he moves to pull them out only for your hand to stop him.

“It’s okay! I’m alright, it just stings a little.”

“We can stop here, I’ll make you cum and we can go back to sleep—,”

“No! I want you, please.”

He feels hesitant until you begin to relax, body finally accepting three fat fingers stretching your little hole out as slick drips down his palm and soaks into bed below.

“G-Gyomei please let me cum, I can take you even if I do, I just need—!” You’re so close again, but he’s stringent as he pulls free from your soft tight walls with a pop. Your whine of frustration goes ignored as he finally reaches his own limit.

“I’m going to sit you in my lap.” You’re pliant in his hold as he sits up and drags you with him, placing your back to his front as he unties his yukata and allows himself to be free. He gives himself a few pumps, balls swinging heavy as he sits down with you.

You regret looking down in curiosity. Having known some men, despite being quite big physically, can have small penises.

Gyomei isn’t one of them apparently, his caution not without cause as you see the enormous cock he carries, the thick veiny shaft frightening and leaking pre-cum like a stream. Even his balls were ridiculously large, and you briefly pondered taking his offer of going to sleep.

You shook it off as you felt a gentle kiss to your temple, body relaxing as he began another round of torture to your clit with more gentle rolls with his fingers.

“Relax for me, you’re being so good, all mine,” he’s mumbling, body tense as he holds himself back and prepares mentally to keep calm as he lifts you up and lets the plush tip kiss your entrance. Then you’re feeling pleasure and pressure like nothing you‘ve ever felt before, mind going blank as you cum while he stuffs you to full capacity, Gyomei similarly struggling as he moans feeling your gooey walls contract and try to push him out even as gravity drags you down on his cock.

“Gyo—hah—!” You can hardly breathe, body struggling to connect the pain while you’re writhing pleasure as he wraps an arm around your waist and lifts you up and down, still touching your swollen nub, bullying his cock into you one inch at a time. Your squeals of shock and euphoria nearly make him lose it, and when his tip finally smushes up against your cervix, he cums hard.

“I-I can feel it filling me—,” your eyes roll back as hot spurts of cum pump into your womb, Gyomei’s arm like an anchor as he groans and rocks you gentle against him.

“Feels so good…” he’d never known sex could feel like this, that you felt like this, but he’s unable to pull out despite his cock becoming sensitive. Instead he keeps you in place, plugging your little hole with his cock and keeping every drop of cum inside you where it belongs.

That thought startles him. Did he want to make you pregnant? Did he want a family?

More than anything—

Gyomei groans, hushing you as you whine and wiggle in his lap, feeling his cock swelling thick and hard again inside you. “Gyomei—s’too much,” you feel like you’ll burst, body already exhausted but he’s hardly done it seems as he begins to bounce you again, feeling more akin to a toy as his shaft splits your pussy open. The slick squelching noises blend with your moans and his grunts, his cock burying itself as deeply as possible each thrust as he murmurs praise down into your ear.

“So good for me. Taking all of me so well,”

“Do you like feeling my cum inside you? Do you want more?”

“I’m going to fill you up again, make you nice and full.”

“Going to put a baby inside you, let everyone know you’re mine now.”

You’re gone, too cock drunk to do much else but cum around him and moan, drool spilling down your chin in a thin line as he takes away all coherent thoughts.

You awake the next morning sore and groggy, face confused as you look at a room not your own.

You glance down at the arm keeping you trapped, merely draped over you but so weighted you’d need to wake him to move.

He got you filthy last night, cum coating all of you inside and out before he’d washed you and put you to bed. The memory brings heat to your face as you burry yourself into the bed and smile.

He’s yours now too.

Your story to be told as one from rags to riches.

Dividers/@cafekitsune

[hell-drabbles]

Mock-up Card 1

Basically it's just an L Card with the Embittered Companion and Lucifer working together because my brain is stuck on that for some reason? It's weird. Anyways, when you activate the Ultimate Skill of this card, you switch to either Lucifer or the Embittered Companion. A sort of, two-in-one card. Embittered Companion is all about dealing damage while Lucifer is all about healing. There's a boost to their ATK for a good while after switching. Don't ask about the numbers, I didn't think of them at aaaall.

Also I don't have it in me to write prose right now, so here be lines!!!

[First Encounter]

YOU: Hey. It's been how many years? You know, since I last took up a weapon to chase people away? It's pretty nostalgic, honestly. LUCIFER: …are you already forgetting what you promised us? YOU: I'm not gonna charge in head first, you two. Get off my ass.

[Level Up]

YOU: What I lack… LUCIFER: I'll make up.

[Evolve]

YOU: It would be nice, to have less lives lost. LUCIFER: But all we can do is continue on, until the very end.

[Ultimate Skill 1]

YOU: Go ahead and take a nap, Lucifer.

[Ultimate Skill 2]

LUCIFER: Sit. Rest. You're bleeding.

[Upon Death]

YOU: I'm still shit at keeping promises huh? LUCIFER: It's not your fault. Let's go.

[Victory 1]

YOU: Glad to see you've been focusing on the task at hand, Ra-on. Well, battle's over, so you can do whatever the hell you want.

[Victory 2]

LUCIFER: This is something to celebrate about, isn't it? …yes, you'll be invited to the party.

[Defeat]

LUCIFER: A mortal body such as their's does not deserve to have injuries like this. Keep quiet, they'll wake up. I know they will.

[Lobby Interaction 1]

YOU: It's kind of funny to me that, after all that, my normal body hasn't really changed one bit. Still the same strength, still the same weaknesses. LUCIFER: It doesn't make it any less remarkable to me. YOU: So you and Ra-on say. Well, I've been in this body longer than anyone, so I wouldn't know what to be impressed by. Everything about this body is just uninteresting to me. Doesn't make me any less happy that I'm back in it, though.

[Lobby Interaction 2]

YOU: Hmm? What are you staring at us for, Ra-on? We that good of a sight? …happy, huh? Yeah, I suppose Lucifer and I make each other pretty happy. Don't discount yourself though, buddy. Wouldn't be in the place that I am without your help.

[Lobby Interaction 3]

LUCIFER: Your hands. Let me see them. YOU: Huh? Alright, but why? LUCIFER: Ra-on told me you forgot about your blisters. YOU: Oh. Oh! No, yeah I did forget. Whoops. But hey, at least I'm wearing gloves this time around, so they're not that bad. None of them popped, so they should heal nicely.

[Lobby Interaction 4]

LUCIFER: If you wanted to destroy Heaven, would you? I wouldn't blame you if you answered 'yes.' YOU: …maybe a younger, more freshly wounded version of myself would've said yes, but as I am now, no. The fate of Heaven is not mine to control. I can only control the distance between me and that place. Besides, I'll hold onto hope that the angels will eventually weed out that sickening need to be superior.

[Lobby Interaction 5]

LUCIFER: Shh. They haven't rested well last night. Whatever it is you want to ask, save it for later. Hmm? Mm. Yes, they're… still haunted by everything. Not even in sleep can they be allowed to escape. A curse that not even my powers can relieve.

[Lobby Interaction 6]

YOU: You know, I haven't heard the name Solomon in a while. Did you finally put your foot while I was away, Ra-on?

[Lobby Interaction 7]

YOU: Another angel almost snatched me up today. Even in this human form they hate so much, they still want to whisk me up right back to that suffocating cradle. Thanks for the warning by the way. LUCIFER: While we were all once siblings connected through our love for God, I won't allow them to repeat that torture. If I must make my words absolute, then I will.

[Lobby Interaction 8]

LUCIFER: Have you adjusted yet? YOU: To what? LUCIFER: To your lack of extra limbs. To that body of yours. Is there any pain? Any noises that want to invade your eyes and ears? YOU: …There's nothing. Sometimes I'll feel like I'm missing something, but it's all blissfully silent.

[Lobby Interaction 9]

LUCIFER: Do you have no intention of staying here? YOU: I have no intention of ever forgetting you, Lucifer. But, I can't stay here. This is not my home. Our home, is right where Minhyeok is. Where our beloved earth is. Hell is nice, but I'm pretty sure Ra-on and I miss the comfort of our home's air.

[Lobby Interaction 10]

YOU: Lucifer? LUCIFER: Yes? YOU: If, one day, I decide to visit, would you welcome me? LUCIFER: …always. A small visit, or a promise to dedicate our existences to one another, I'll welcome it all the same.

[lostonehero]

Ok fuck cannon for both series mech tma au

Also mech Martin as a treat

"W-wait." Jonny stopped holding up his hand before Nastya could set the dimension hop.

"The great Jonny d'Ville stuttering? Never thought I would see the day." Nastya rolls her eyes. "What's wrong? You want to get Martin, right?"

"I..." Jonny sighs and looks at Tim and then back to the rest of the crew and eventually Nastya. He fishes out a pair of glasses from his pocket.

"Smarts Jonny." Ivy raised her brow.

Jonny sighs and crosses his arms. "Tim and I have other versions of ourselves in that universe."

"So?" Raphaella quirks her brow. "Extra parts to experiment with."

"Not exactly." Jonny takes a breath. "Any universe or reality doesn't like copies and to remedy that well... we won't be able to stay here." He starts to motion his hands as his tail starts to lash back and forth. "The reality has a way to correct this, and that is to physically fuse myself with my alter, and the same will happen to Tim. I literally have no idea what that will even do."

Brian tilts his head. "So what you're saying that that there is a chance you'll both dissapear?"

"Not exactly, but kind of." Jonny shrugs, removing his glasses. "Eh, it's whatever just wanted to warn you fucks. Tim and I agreed to go through it. We all were already fucked around with the promise of actual death and waking up before, and who knows Martin's world goes through a literal apocalypse so that will be fun."

Tim nods. "We both have bets going on about how it works. I also get to go to a less advanced version of where I'm from. I really want to see what's that like. Also, I saved Bertie, and he got a long life, so I'm honestly fine with a true death."

Raphaella looks at both of them. "If both of you truly die, can I do an autopsy of your bodies to see what came over?"

"Why the fuck not? I don't give a shit I'll be dead." Jonny hums and raises a brow at Ashes. "What?"

"You'll be human." Ashes motions vaguely to his obvious status as not human.

"Huh." Jonny scratches his stubble. "I'll miss my tail if I remember any of it."

Tim snickers. "I'll be fine."

Ivy smirks. "What if your alternate has short hair?" She pauses. "Also, I want earth books."

"I have a new fear." Tim sighs.

Nastya pauses. "Are you sure?"

TS smiles. "I Think They Already Agreed. Bring Me Back A Earth Cat."

"You heard them let's fucking go." Jonny reached out and grabs Tim's hand. "I ain't living for the rest of time without Blackwood."

"Neither I am." Tim nods. "All speed ahead."

Nastya sighs. "This is a terrible idea, but if both of you still remain, I suppose stopping the apocalypse would please Aurora..... oh hmmmm." She puts the ship full throttle, and in an instant, Jonny and Tim vanish.

......

Martin woke up on his back, which honestly is the weirdest way he could wake up second to the alarm on his... he knew the word for the thing, but he couldn't recall it. He barely fumbled to turn off that obnoxious noise. What was a much more pressing manner was the fact his body was wrong, well correct but that was wrong. He can't recall when he had normal legs and feet... he could, but he would much rather forget the time before the good doctor got her hands on him. He was abnormal for a mechanism since his mechanism was organic in nature his lower half was that of a spider. Of course, he didn't hate it he wanted something different after that.

Ok, at the time, he thought himself a monster and tried to kill himself a multitude of times. He grew out of it. Obviously, it would have been a bleak eternity otherwise. He had a vague feeling of where he was, but the word peaches and worms came to mind. He kind of knew what that meant, but he was more so annoyed that this afterlife was basically before he became a mech. He had to figure out what he was doing.

Maybe if he went too... uh oh right the Magnus Institute, that's when he worked a normal job on earth. This was earth he hoped it wasn't in his head that this was some elaborate death dream because that would be a first. He should try to recall more of this if he is ever going to get through this weird afterlife. He hoped it was an afterlife because if not it meant that he wasn't dead, and he didn't want to do that without Jonny and Gunpowder Tim, and of course, the rest of the crew.

He got showered after figuring out the old-fashioned shower and got dressed in familiar clothes he didn't want to remember. He knew he had to remember, but he really didn't want to. He knew how this world worked. Public transport was easy, and soon, he arrived at the very institute that set everything in motion. What's that saying like a hover bike? Or a bicycle? He will remember what to do and go through the motions.

"You're late." A pretentious pompous voice sneered at Martin.

Martin paused, staring at the man studying him, and he reminded him of Jonny, and a name spilled from his lips. "Jon?"

"Did you hit your head on your way here? Of course I'm Jon." The short man shoved a stack of papers in his arms. "Get through these and try not to fall behind."

Martin frowns and takes the stack of statements. He knew they were statements. Some real some fake, and he had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that this wasn't the afterlife. He sat at his desk and stared at a computer, which he didn't recall the password for, and just started to read. He couldn't think about who he saw by him.

"Geez Marto, you ok?" That was Tim, not gunpowder, but Stoker. He was rubbing his eyes, but it was still him.

Martin knew the moment he saw her not corrupted by a thing that wore her skin poorly he might add he knew he wasn't in the afterlife and his death was a fucking lie. He wanted his final death with the rest of them. Did they also wake up before they became? Before the doctor got a hold of them? He takes a breath and sighs. "I'm fine." He forced himself to say. He noticed Tim was bleeding around his eyes. He chose to get up and wet some napkins to help.

"Tim, you really should see a doctor for that." Sasha frowns.

"I'm fine it's probably from my contacts. I'll wear my glasses, and the problem should clear up." Tim gives finger guns as his eyes water.

Martin sighs. "Tim, you're crying."

"Not emotionally." Tim snickers at his joke. "I'm fine. I probably just need rest and to get new contacts." His eyes stop watering after a moment, but it doesn't stop him from rubbing them like they ached.

Martin wasn't convinced, but he knew better than to push it normally got him shot or someone crying in his arms. He knew that didn't matter here. This place wasn't.... he wasn't home. "I'll make some tea for everyone."

"Thank you, Martin." Tim smiles as he rubs his eyes.

"Amazing as always." Sasha smiles.

Martin nodded and distracted himself with making tea. It didn't last long enough as he gave out the tea. He stepped into Jon's office, and he raised a brow at the scene he walked into. Jon was sitting on his knees in a chair not built for that position. "I made you some tea."

Jon nods, rubbing at his chest. "Right."

Martin paused and decided to push his luck. "Why are you sitting like that?"

Jon scowls and takes his mug of tea, and takes a sip. "My lower back aches, and it is worse if I sit normally. My painkillers haven't kicked in."

"Ah, alright, just be careful, alright." Martin smiles, hoping he was acting enough like he did before.

.....

Tim groans as he stares at the bottle of eye drops the doctor gave him. It did literally nothing. His eyes ached and burned, and no matter what he did, the pain wouldn't go away. It's been two weeks, and it's only gotten worse, and he hasn't been able to do anything to relieve it.

He used the heels of his hand and pressed them into his eyes for any sort of relief that wouldn't come. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong and called him basically crazy because there was nothing wrong with his eyes. He knew something was wrong. He knew something was happening.

Tim was desperate. If the eye pain wasn't enough, he was starting to have weird dreams of a man with mechanical eyes. They would talk, and Gunpowder, the other guy picked that name. Don't ask him why it suited him. The memories... no dreams, he keeps having to correct himself. The dreams Gunpowder tells him are his memories, and he apologizes for them all the time. At one point, these memories became his own, but the only thing it did was make Gunpowder more solid in his mind.

Tim liked Gunpowder he was kind and a bit odd, but he didn't feel alone. He hasn't felt seen or known since his brother. Fuck he really missed Danny.

"You have his memories."

Tim nearly fell backward. That was Gunpowder, but he was awake if the pain was anything to say about that. His eyes scanned the small bathroom, searching for the source of the voice, but he didn't see anything. Maybe he was hearing things. The statements were probably getting to him.

Tim sighs and shuts the lights off, and heads to the couch. He just needed to sleep, that's all. Sleep came quickly these days, and he woke up not in Gunpowder's memories but to a futuristic bedroom. He knew this place from some more steamy memories from Gunpowder. Speaking of him, he was lounging in the bed holding a bottle that no longer had labels.

Gunpowder flicked his mechanical eyes to glance at Tim. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and a pair of goggles was around his neck. He held up the bottle. "Shit doesn't do much in here but wants some?"

Tim shook his head as he approached and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you say something?"

"When you started to spiral? Yeah." Gunpowder sits up, putting the bottle aside. "I'm not as well versed in this theoretical nonesense as Jonny is, but I think it's almost complete." He reached his hand out, and Tim allowed him to grab it. "Soon we'll be together awake and asleep, probably when my eyes finally form. Again, sorry about the pain."

"I don't think I'm able to believe you." Tim had that sinking feeling of dread that he knew Gunpowder was right. "Why?"

"We wanted to save our third to complete us." Gunpowder pulls his hand away. "Eternity isn't great when you're missing someone that helps complete you. We were also promised an apocalypse, and that did sound fun."

"Love is a good reason." Tim wanted to reach out again but refrained. "So would you be able to take over like a ghost?"

Gunpowder laughs. "I ain't no ghost, but maybe again, Jonny knows more about this bullshit than I do."

Tim nods and gets up approaching the door.

"Are you sure?"

"If what you say is true, I might as well know more about you." Tim opened the door and vanished into memories that weren't his own.

Gunpowder picked the bottle up again and sighed. "I wonder if Jonny is having a good time."

.....

Jon felt even worse, he however did not go to the doctor even at Martin insistent, he was acting odd more so than normal, and it made his work even worse. He stripped off his shirt and pants, then finally his binder and groans. The red spot on his lower back right on his tailbone he could pass off as bug bite, now ballooned into a throbbing red mass that was completely solid to the touch.

He really wanted to keep ignoring it, but he felt something move under his skin, and it scared him half to death. Every part of him felt wrong, to his privates they were extra sensitive more so then when he started T to his ears that were bright red and painful, to his head that he can feel growing bumps on his head. The worst of it was his chest, his heart was constantly beating erratically, and he could swear he heard a ticking like a metronome in his chest. Everything was wrong, and yet he just crawled into his bed.

No to Jon, the worst part were these dreams that were nothing but fiction, and this Jonny character was a idiot, a violent obnoxious idiot. Jonny talked to him. He purposely argued with him and teased him. That ass was crude and didn't have a fucking care in the world the complete opposite of himself. He was some vile creature that probably spawned from the statements he read.

Jon bit down on his pillow, he moved wrong, and his sensitive privates sent nerves and sparks through his body. He was asexual he shouldn't have these desires, and he shouldn't be thinking about his coworkers in this matter. Why the fuck was Martin a spider creature it scared him but also thrilled him and he hated these thoughts. Tim was mostly the same, but his hair was long, and his eyes were machines. He blamed Jonny for all of this. But he wasn't real his mind just wanted someone to blame.

That obnoxious crazed laughter rang in Jon's ears. He groaned, spitting out his pillow. "Leave me alone, you annoying hallucination." That only earned him harder laughter. He gave a frustrated yell into his pillow. He refused to listen to the just jerk off from Jonny and grabbed sleeping pills from his draw, and hoped for a dreamless sleep, which he knew was futile. He kept seeing memories that weren't his of some nonesense syfy fan wet dream. Jonny wasn't real, and what he saw wasn't real either.

.......

Sasha moved closer to Tim. "Eyes still bothering you?" She motions to his the dark sunglasses you couldn't see his eyes through.

Tim nods. "Yeah, doctors aren't helping. They feel like they're going to pop." He sighs. "Do you know what's up with boss man?"

Sasha shrugs. "I was going to ask about Martin. He seems more lost than normal, and he seems less jumpy but even more depressed? I don't know he keeps avoiding me every time I try to press."

"I can talk to him if you talk to Jon about his attitude. I watched him yell at Martin first 10 minutes, and Martin just took it with a smile like he didn't care." Tim frowns, rubbing his eyes his vision was getting blurry, and he could feel something wet drip down from his face.

"Eye drops first, you're crying again, and it's not clear." Sasha hands him a tissue. "I'll go talk to Jon."

"You're the best, Sasha." Tim smiles and rushes off to the bathroom. He barely makes it inside when his vision goes dark. He can only whimper in shock as fresh pain blooms where his eyes should be. A wet substance drips down his cheeks, and he barely registers hands on his shoulder, guiding him to sit on the ground.

Soft hands carefully remove the black glasses and a soft curse on his lips from a voice Tim knows, but he can't focus or see who said that. He could feel a wet cloth wipe whatever was on his face.

"Tim, you gotta breathe." That was Gunpowder. He sounded so clear, like he was right next to him. "I know it hurts, but you have to let the machines build themselves. It's actually really neat to watch."

The soft hands were done cleaning his face as he let out a sigh at the loss of touch. And a flash of light burned, and then he heard a soft click like that of a camera and a softer moving of machines like a soft roll. His vision came back way too fast, and suddenly, it was too perfect, and he saw too much. He saw a familiar sweater connected to a man leaning over him. "M-martin?" Of course it was Martin his hands were soft... he didn't know why he thought of them like a cat's paw.

"Blackwood!" Gunpowder gasps.

Martin takes the spoiled hand towel and puts it in his back pocket. "Tim, can you focus on me?"

The soft whirl of machines and Tim was looking at Martin. "What happened?" He could see the hand towel and had a few theories on what the stains were.

Martin smiles softly, and Tim feels calmer.

"Feels safe into the den of the spider." Gunpowder hums. "Do you mind if I just uh..."

Tim barely registered what happened until he was in the spot where Gunpowder was. He saw his body move without him, and he just watched unable to process until it clicked what had happened. "Oh." He watches Martin tilt his head as Gunpowder looks up at him, then he feels a stinging pain as Martin hits them.

Gunpowder holds his cheek and looks to Tim, realizing they both felt it.

Martin takes a breath. "You didn't heed any of my warnings."

Gunpowder smiles staring up at Martin.

Martin falters, and he moves and sits down next to him on the bathroom floor. "Is...?"

"Yeah, Tim's here." Gunpowder hums. "Don't think he made the connection yet."

"That is a given." Martin pulls his knees up. "I haven't.... yaknow, and I'm worried when I do..."

"You won't be able to hide." Gunpowder nods and reaches out to Martin. "Aha, he made the connection."

Martin smiles softly, interlocking his fingers with Tim. "Yeah, a lot of shit happened. Welcome to the madness of it."

"Oh, we're well past madness and circled back round to sanity." Gunpowder chuckles, taking the glasses back. "Talk later?"

Martin nods and watches Tim return to his body. "Are you ok?"

Tim blinks. Well, he thinks he blinks, but he's pretty sure he doesn't have eyelids anymore. "I uh... I think so." He paused. "So where's the spider parts? Don't tell me my shared memories and adult fantasies are a lie."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, you're both horrible. Ask Gunpowder, you ass." He gets up and holds out his hand. "Come on, we have to get back to work before Jon throws another fit."

Tim nods, getting up with Martin's help. "Seriously though, where are the spider bits?"

"I don't actually know, and I don't want to test dying to see if they come back." Martin sighs.

"Ah, fair enough." Tim continues to hold Martin's hand. "I uh...you know what happens..."

Martin frowns. "Tim, for me, it's been well over a few thousand years. My memory isn't perfect. I remember what my mind thinks are the important bits, but I've really tried to forget this happened. The ending isn't a good one." He sighs. "We can talk after work, in the tunnels."

"Tunnels?" Tim raised his brow following Martin, never unlocking their hands.

......

Martin pulled Tim back as emts rushed out with a stretcher. "Who got hurt?"

Sasha rushed over. "I went to check on Jon, and he... he was bleeding, and he was barely breathing. I called the ambulance, and they rushed him to the hospital."

Tim frowns. "Is he ok?"

"I don't know." Sasha gives a soft gasp as Martin pulls her into a hug.

"Hey, you did the right thing. Jon will be fine." Martin smiles softly. "We can visit him after our shift. I'm sure he wouldn't mind visitors."

Sasha hugs him back. "You're right. You're right. He probably knew something was wrong and refused to see a doctor."

Tim sighs. "That does sound like Jon." He paused for a moment. "I, uh yeah, back to work."

Sasha nods, wiping her eyes and pulling away from Martin. "I'm sure he'll appreciate a cleaner archive when he gets back."

Martin nods. "Of course, that sounds great." He grabs Tim's arm. "Tim and I can grab some boxies and start moving things around."

"Oh, that's great." Sasha smiles, watching them leave.

.....

"Why did you grab me?" Tim raised his brow.

"So I think I know what happened to Jon." Martin frowns.

Tim paused, and his demeanor changed, and he sags his shoulders. "Oh, this is not going to be good."

"No, it's not." Martin sighs. "Fuck everything has changed now."

"So, did we do it?" Gunpowder raised his brow.

Martin snickers. "Yeah, not even close. We both know that gods won't take this lying down even if it's Jonny."

"Eh, worth a shot." Gunpowder shrugs. "Blackwood has told me enough to know what Jon ends up as I'll explain later."

.....

Elias adjusts his tie and smiles, looking over his archivist. The unfortunate nature of the Flesh and Stranger working together does have this outcome. Of course, he can pull all the strings needed to have this little incident swept under the rug and tied in a neat bow. He smiles softly, watching him wake up. "Are you alright, Jonathan? You've given us all quite the scare." He stops seeing a scowl that isn't Jon's normal one on his lips.

Jonny's mouth felt like it was full of cotton, and his head was fuzzy, and Jon's nagging didn't exactly help him either. His gaze moved up to the man in a suit. He looked like a prick, an obnoxious wealthy prick. Jon was yelling at him that's his boss and don't fuck this up. Of course he wouldn't fuck this up he knew how to act proper and can copy Jon's boring ass. If he could just focus.

"Jonathan, are you alright? You may have hit your head on the way down. You're on some painkillers." Elias smiles, leaning over him.

Jonny furrows his brows. He hated painkillers and always took the fun out of pain and violence. "...fuzzy..." He managed to mumble. His tolerance to painkillers was null and void due to his affection for actual pain. Couldn't he just get Jon's tolerance and not just the fun new parts to explore. He scowls again at the man above his bed, he wanted to rip that smile off his face.

Elias chuckles softly. "Painkillers will do that, and you're not even on that heavy of a dose. I'm sure your coworkers will be visiting you soon. Hopefully, you'll feel better by then."

Jonny grits his teeth. He had a few choice words for that pompous ass.

"You can't kill him." Jon looked drowsy floating next to him.

At least Jonny wasn't the only one suffering in this cushioned hell. He huffs and turns his head.

Jon chuckles. "Don't be mad. You've got control." He was very out of it. He felt the same effects Jonny was. "What's.... what is uh...." He blinks, unable to form a coherent thought.

Jonny huffs and can't fight the feeling of sleep overtaking him.

......

"So Gunpowder Tim cut a bloody path...." Jonny stops, noticing that his head finally felt clear enough and reciting old ballads of his friends wasn't needed. He looked down at Jon, who was staring at him. He floated down to lay next to Jon. "What's with that look? I already explained our situation to you at nauseum."

Jon scowls, looking away. He then makes a vague motion, unable to explain why he suddenly felt wrong.

Jonny raised his brow. "You've got my dick. Ain't you special."

Jon scoffs, but his face is turning red because he feels that is true. "No..." He huffs.

Jonny paused, watching Jon get frustrated. He didn't feel like sharing in that. He learned early in that they shared emotions, and he had to get used to feeling things that weren't his own. It was honestly worse than Nastya, making him feel Aurora emotions. "I can tell you."

Jon felt himself be pushed out from his body as Jonny took control. He scowls but sighs, watching and feeling Jonny's own emotions. "So? What's wrong with m- us?"

Jonny scowls. "They cut off my fucking tail! It's a fucking bitch to grow that back." He raised his ands and feels around his forehead. "Good, they didn't cut them too short. Actually, I like them short, so this isn't an issue... I'm narrating for you Jon be grateful."

Jon raised his brow. "You can't hear my thoughts?"

"Can you hear mine?" Jonny spits back.

"Fair point." Jon sighs. "Are we ok?"

"Fuck if I know. Everything is new, raw, and sensitive. My dicks never been this fucked before." Jonny growls as he is forced back out by Jon.

"D-Dont do that." Jon pulls the blanket over his body.

Jonny shrugs, not understanding Jon. "Whatever, we just have to adjust." He pauses for a moment, pointing at Jon. "This is earth, right?"

"Yes?" Jon raised his brow.

"Tim and Blackwood always referred to me as a cowboy. What's a cow? I don't think I've ever seen an earth cow."

Jon blinks. "But you have parts like a bull."

"Wait, I thought it was called cows." Jonny returned a confused look.

Jon shakes his head. "Alien, right, you're an alien. You don't know human er earth animals. Cows don't have sharp teeth like you, but uh, bulls are basically male cows, but cows are the general term used."

"Can I see what they look like?" Jonny floated to lay next to Jon.

"Yeah, when I get my phone." Jon paused. "Are you upset I wasn't born a man?"

"Why would I care? You've got my dick now, and I have a new hole to play with. This is a win for me." Jonny shrugs and raised his brow feeling relief pour from Jon.

"Thank you." Jon says quietly.

"Ok?" Jonny shrugs floating to look around the hospital room.

......

Sasha slams on the breaks. "Tim what the fuck."

Tim's eyes clicked and whirled. He was told only he could hear this by Gunpowder. Well, both can hear since they share a body. He reaches for his glasses and realizes he took them off because his ears were bothering him. He could feel the look from Gunpowder and Martin on him. "It's a long story."

Sasha rocketed to a spot to park, and she twisted her body to the back seat. "Tim explain now!"

Martin bites his lip and blurts out. "It's my fault. I'm supposed to be dead, both me and Gunpowder. Promised an end to eternity, and it was a farce and I'm back here like this, and I really tried to forget about this part of my life. I mean for fucks sake you die and get replaced Sasha and none of us notice for a year because of how it worked. Tim dies in an explosion, destroying the circus, and that isn't to mention the fucked up paranoia from Jon and extreme levels of fucked up creatures that I mean now I can look back at and laugh but you can't you're mortal. I mean, these are fear gods, so I mean they will get to you eventually."

Gunpowder grabs Martin's hand. "Martin, that's enough. The only reason Jonny knew about my past was because he was playing soldier and was with me. You don't have to..." He stops as Martin waves him off.

"No, it's fine. Tim and Sasha deserve to know." Martin sighs. "I'll tell you what I can remember it has been a few thousand years since I've been through this."

.....

Sasha swallows. "I believe you."

Martin blinks. "Why?"

"I've had a bad feeling, and I knew Gertrude didn't just go missing." Sasha then points to Tim. "Also look at his fucking eyes Martin that's pretty good evidence."

Gunpowder nods.

Martin gives a nervous smile. "I'm sorry I've gotten used to things over the years. I like Tim's eyes."

"Yeah, yeah, don't boast his ego." Sasha puts her seat belt back on. "So keep your glasses on Tim. We're going to visit Jon if the same thing happened to him like you."

"It's equally as possible. Jon worked himself into a delusional state and just hurt himself." Martin shrugs.

Tim blinks back in control. "That's really dark."

"No, no, Martin has a point." Sasha starts the car again. "Remember that incident in research."

"I tried to forget, but I see your point." Tim sighs, putting his glasses back on.

Martin sighs. "Hopefully that isn't the case."

.....

Jon shifted uncomfortably as he sat up. Jonny wasn't lying. The tail thing was incredibly uncomfortable and annoying. He stared at the hospital food in front of him and was told he couldn't leave till tomorrow. He hated hospital food, and he hated hospitals.

"Stop pouting." Jonny rolls his eyes. "I can feel your emotions and pouting won't get you nowhere."

"Oh, then what can I do? Please enlighten me." Jon scowls taking a bite of his peas.

"For one, actually eat. How the fuck are you in such shit condition? Do you even know what fun is?" Jonny shook his head. "You can't do shit without meat on your bones, and you look half starved. You're a fucking disaster."

Jon continues to scowl, not saying a word.

The door opens to his room.

"Blackwood!" Jonny floats through him, trying to tackle him. "Fuck."

Martin smiles softly as Tim and Sasha follow behind him. "We wanted to make sure you're ok."

"You gave me a scare, Jon." Sasha crosses her arms. "You need to learn how to take a break, or at least see a doctor."

Tim was odd wearing sunglasses that completely hid his eyes, but he knew Tim was having trouble with his eyes. "You look awful."

Jon can't help but give a soft smile. "Just wasn't paying attention and hit my head." He motions to the bandages around his head and ears.

"Don't lie to Blackwood. That man can see through any lie you spit." Jonny crosses his arms. "Besides, I bet you control of my choosing that Gunpowder is in your Tim."

Jon ignores him. "Ah you didn't have to bring me anything."

Martin smiles softly as he pulls out a chocolate slice of cake. "It's just some chocolate cake. I mean, you don't have to have it..." He stops as Jon's demeanor changes in an instant as he pushes his food aside.

Jon was forced out and watched Jonny make grabby hands.

"Give it here, Blackwood." Jonny huffs. "Don't you fucking tempt me."

Martin's expression changed, and Jon could feel a shiver down his back. "You and your sweet tooth." He tisks, placing the slice down.

Jonny grabs the container. "Fuck you." He huffs and has enough decency to use a fork. "Your fucking lucky I have to fix this body or I would end you."

Jon watches Tim snicker. "You lost height!" His snickers turn to giggles.

"Piss off." Jonny scoffs.

Sasha raised her brow. "How did you know the cake would work?"

"d'Ville only has one craving he can't quit, and it ain't cigarettes." Gunpowder smirks, taking off his glasses, revealing his mechanical eyes.

Jonny scowls. "Oh fuck you. I don't deny myself pleasures like you."

"I have manners you lack." Tim spits back.

Martin chuckles and has a glint in his eyes and a sinister smile that again Jon can't tear his eyes from. "Now, both of you, that's enough." He moves closer and leans over Jonny. "How about you behave and finish all of your food, and maybe I'll convince the doctors to let you leave early?"

Jon can feel the tug, no the crashing wave of desire, and just pure love spill from Jonny, and if they had his tail, it would be wagging like a dog.

Jonny, for his part, nods eagerly. "It would be faster if you fed me." He purrs back.

Martin steps back. "Don't push your luck. I'm mad at you."

In a split second, that emotion was gone, replaced with annoyance. Jon had to shake his head from the whiplash.

"We agreed!" Jonny huffs stuffing his face with food. "It's not like you were there with your bleeding heart. You weren't there, I woke up after that bar in that... look, I'm not having this conversation."

Jon could feel a bubble of an emotion, one that he knew should leave unspoken. He remains quiet watching Martin.

Martin gaze didn't break, let alone change. He crosses his arms. "Did you do the same?"

Jonny swallows his final bite. "I can't say I wanted to change it, so I didn't."

Martin's gaze seems to finally soften. "Good, he didn't deserve forgiveness." He reached out and pat Jonny's shoulder. "That's my cowboy." He pauses. "What's with the frown?"

"They cut off my tail." Jonny sounded honest and small.

Jon was taken aback.

"I never said humanity was a kind species." Martin brushes a stray piece of hair out of Jonny's face. "It will grow back."

"Not the point." Jonny sighs. "How's your former mortal." His gaze shifted to Tim.

"Probably better than yours with the adjustment." Gunpowder slides his glasses back on. "You look like shit."

"Not my fault." Jonny mutters.

"Never said it was." Gunpowder muses. "Maybe you shouldn't have asked Martin for his story."

Martin rolls his eyes. "Just because you're bitter doesn't mean you get to drag me into this argument again." He walks by Sasha, grabbing her arm. "Would you like to hear more while they complain?"

Sasha nods. "Sure, why not." She follows Martin out of the room as he shuts the door behind him.

Gunpowder frowns. "Don't give me that look. I already got an earful from him, and to be fair, he warned both of us to wait. Now, why do you think this didn't happen the first time?"

"Aren't you just full of dumb questions." Jonny adjusts his glasses. "They were already dead and gone by the time we crossed the first time. This place was fine. I dunno Blackwood said it's been. I dunno fifty years since it ended and started again." He raised his brow at something Tim couldn't see. "You do know what apocalypse means, right? Right well that happened, and you died before I came here the first time."

Gunpowder waves his hand. "Jonny, stop, we both know what happened in the end. They don't know the full truth yet, neither of them."

Jonny frowns and stares at Tim. "How long do you think it will take till being the good guy gets old?"

"Who knows? We've never tried it." Gunpowder shrugs. "You should hold off on being honest about this world, as much as I know you like your stories and songs. Unless you want to deal with Jon."

Jonny waves him off. "Whatever, it doesn't matter now he'll learn as I will annoyingly to see his memories. Just let me figure this out, and as much as I hate to see you two on good terms compared to my situation. Just wait."

For what, Jon had no idea, but this Gunpodwer did, who nodded.

"Seriously though, figure something out with this Jon. You seriously look worse than when we were starving, as a competition." Gunpowder sighs. "Blackwood..." He looks through the door. "Yeah, he already convinced the doctors and nurses to let you go, and they are on their way. Enjoy your new home, alone." He smirks as he leaves.

Jon was flung back into his body, feeling Jonny fuming, but the other man was uncharacteristic silent. He had to think this over and what this actually meant. So he died the first time, but when and how? Before or after the apocalypse?

.......

He wasn't truly alone, not anymore. Jon sunk into his bed and opened his phone. "How did Martin even convince them to let me leave?"

"He's got a way of trapping people making them do what he wants." Jonny hums. "Now, show me a picture of a cow."

Jon wanted to press, but he quickly learned pleasing Jonny was the best way to get answers. He pulled up a picture of a cow and a bull and held it up.

Jonny was quiet studying the creatures he saw. He broke into a wide grin. "They look cute, don't they. Good cows."

Jon hums and sighs. "You said Martin told you what happens to this world. What happens? Why did he become one of you? What are you guys?"

Jonny frowns. "I rather not feel your stupid emotions." He scratches behind his ear. "You won't let this go. However, Blackwood warned me you were insistent, so I might as well spin you a tale." Suddenly, a harmonica appeared in his hands. "A tragic fate of star-crossed lovers doomed by forces beyond their control, and a man turned to a monster that was left in the ruins."

Jon listened to the haunting story on a soft melody. He learned how his coworkers, no his friends, died. How he roamed the wastelands the fears as the apocalypse he caused reigned, how Martin stayed by his side even though he caused this by being tricked. The story ended in a sharp blade.

Jonny stopped. "And you were no more as the pancoption crumbled the archive now, just a man taking his final breath. An ending driven by a man afraid of death and so willing to please a god who didn't care for him as nothing more than a tool. Blackwood crushed but was not dead. A familiar doctor just happened to be passing by the rubble. She wanted to try something new, just not machines anymore, something animalistic, something new. And so Blackwood became a monster a first of his kind." He stretches. "Immortality such a boring goal, isn't it? You would think you would want something more interesting."

Jon was speechless he couldn't string together thoughts.

Jonny frowns, feeling the rush of emotions. "Look..." He swallows and feels tears drip down his face. He was frustrated that he couldn't stop this. He hated emotions, and he hated being honest to himself, but Jon still viewed himself as mortal, and he won't be raw without his partners. He floated down beside Jon and let him cry. He couldn't stop it. The rush of emotions overwhelmed him.

Jon finally spoke. "How do I stop it?"

"Fuck if I know. I wasn't here. I heard the story from Blackwood." Jonny was purposely looking away from him. "You have to ask him, but we promised to play the good guys this time around, or well, until it gets boring."

"We're going to stop this." Jon tried to muster confidence he didn't have.

Jonny just sighs. "Go to bed. Watch some of my memories. If you don't start trying to fix your body, I will do it by force."

Jon pulls his blanket up and frowns. He falls into an unsteady sleep.

......

Elias raised his brow, watching his archivist return to work. "Jonathan, I did tell you to take time to rest after yesterday." He had a smile and a silver tongue.

Jonny scoffs. "He's worse sober."

Jon smiles nervously. "I'm fine, Elias." He adjusts his hat covering his new sensitive ears. His tail had already started to grow back, and Jonny said it's a side effect of immortality, which Jon didn't believe in. It's supposed to be much longer than a cow's tail and semi prehensile. He wanted to test it but knew better than to try anything in public.

Elias frowns. "Now, Jon, I don't need you working yourself sick again." He knew the effects of the stranger and the flesh it probably hasn't hit the man yet, and he didn't want him breaking down having him explain the truth.

Jon frowns. "I'm fine, Elias. I know how to take care of myself. I'm going to get back to work."

Elias frowns, crossing his arms and watching Jon rush off to the archives . He raises his brow, and seeing the start of a tail, he is informed that it is cut off. It shouldn't be growing back this fast. He had a few connections to pull to get more information. He had no desire to pick another archivist nor start again.

......

"We should kill him." Jonny floats next to Jon, his tail lazily flicking behind him.

"Elias is my boss. I'm not going to kill him." Jon scowls as he hears Tim snickers. "Tim, that's enough."

Tim hums, Jon can see his hair is curling and is getting lighter than the black he has. "I don't think so, bossman. We think it's quite hilarious Jonny's on a leash."

Jon was pushed out as Jonny took control. "Oh go fuck yourself you fucking cunt." Jonny stomps off to Jon's office making it a point to slam the door.

Martin snickers from the entrance and refrains from explaining Elias can see them. Oh, that would be hilarious. Does he know Jon and Jonny are sharing a body, or does he think that the fears changed Jon? Either way, things have changed, and he wants to see Elias... no Jonah squirm with the unpredictability. Martin will force him to realize immortality is not worth it, and death is a gift. He silently walks to his desk and takes a seat.

"Enjoying the show?" Tim smirks. "We are."

"Oh, I'm enjoying something else." Martin smiles back.

"Already knitting a web, I see." Gunpowder nods. "I always enjoy the finished project."

Martin taps his fingers against his desk. "You know I think it's not a Web I rather not get mixed up with that particular fear I think I can recall the avatar is kind of a right bitch."

"Really? You have to explain the fear thing better because some of them just sound fun or fun to kill." Gunpowder smirks.

"Later, and Sasha already made a list." Martin points to Sasha sipping her coffee.

"You two share a body. Did you not pay attention when Tim was reading it?" Sasha raised her brow.

Tim huffs. "I couldn't figure out how to turn off the Xray vision on these damn eyes until like an hour before I slept." He had a slight blush on his cheeks. "Then the damn things wouldn't stop focusing on objects miles away."

Gunpowder took back control. "To be fair, I still have trouble controlling them. Human biology and mechanical parts tend to fight until they get into a rhythm. Also, I have like a million years of experience, and Tim does not."

Sasha frowns. "That sounds actually awful. Does Jonny have these problems?"

Gunpowder shrugs. "He never complains, and if he dislikes something, he's quite vocal. I think he uses the ticking as a metronome."

Martin nods. "As boney as he is, he's very nice to sleep too. The ticking is quite soothing." He sighs. "Granted, I won't be able to enjoy any of that for a long while, I reckon."

"Shit, I remembered that this isn't a desert planet." Gunpowder pauses. "Jonnys going to be a little bitch."

"Why?" Sasha raised her brow.

"Jonny's originally from a mostly desert planet, so his tail ears and horns were basically made to keep him cool. Even the nights were hot, so he doesn't exactly have any defenses against the cold, and he makes his complaints known as Gunpowder said." Martin hums. "Although he loves the snow and rain."

"We never said the man made sense." Gunpowder shrugs, letting Tim back in control.

Sasha tilts her head. "What was the planet like that you're from?"

"Gunpowder is from the earth of a different dimension." Tim taps his pen against his desk and adjusts his glasses. "He did however blow up the moon."

"Now you're just fucking with me." Sasha rolls her eyes and heads back to her desk.

Martin chuckles. "Don't feel bad about it. In this time, we've barely had any people on the moon."

"See, I told you!" Tim huffs. "He wouldn't listen to me or the facts I provided."

"Tim, you have to understand where we're coming from. We lived on a spaceship." Martin hums heading to his desk to start working.

Tim sighs. "Still annoying."

.....

Martin stares at the bloody fingernails in the sink. He knew his luck was running out. His body wasn't going to wait till his first death. He could feel how tight his skin felt and how it was hard to walk to breathe. He wasn't scared to become what he was supposed to be, but it would make this so much harder. He flexed his hand, seeing the black claw nails start to poke through his flesh. He doesn't truly care he made peace ages ago with what the doctor made him.

Elias watched Martin with a curious gaze. He can feel the Beholder use his eyes to watch intently. He had a feeling in his gut something changed something twisted in the mere fabric of reality. He hasn't even checked on Jon since he arrived this morning, and the Beholder agreed that something more interesting was happening. Martin was unassuming and predictable, but this was new, and he wanted to know why. He wasn't an avatar, and that also fueled his curiosity. How is he changing without one of the fears?

Martin rubbed his eyes and sighed. He had time, and he had time to prepare. He wanted Jonny. He just wanted that soft ticking, Gunpowder could soothe his anxieties, but Jonny was a comfort. Sure, the man was brash rude and a devil, but he was his, and that was enough. Gunpowder wouldn't touch him till Tim was fully on board with him, and Martin respected that. Hell he was fucking happy with that. Jonny, however, was a mystery, Jon was tighter lipped, and he knew how long it took for Jon to even understand his emotions, let alone actually relie on others.

Martin gathered his fingernails from the sink and threw them out with a sigh. Maybe he could go to artifact storage to slow things. Well, that has just a likely chance to kill him. He doesn't care. Maybe he could convince Gunpowder and Tim to head to the tunnels properly. He finished washing his hands, not even flinching at the exposed nerves.

Elias's gaze intensified as he watched Tim enter the bathroom. More importantly, he removed his sunglasses, revealing new eyes. When did he get surgery? More importantly, how can he still see? He shut his eyes, and he was seeing from Tim's eyes.

Tim scratched his chin. "Martin, you alright?"

Elias saw a man in the mirror that wasn't Tim.

Martin sighs. "I'm fine." He stretches. "Just a bit achey, what about you?"

"I'm fine." Tim crosses his arms. "Ok, maybe not entirely fine, but I'm getting used to it."

The man in the mirror that wasn't Tim spoke and Elias could hear him.

"I know my scars aren't pretty, and I'm sorry." The not Tim sighs.

Tim shook his head. "Dude, I said it's fine." He turns back to Martin. "I'm more peeved about the hair than I am about the scars, and I still haven't agreed to grow it out."

Not Tim huffs.

Martin chuckles. "The two colors look good together, and if you don't grow it out, what else am I supposed to grab?"

Tim swallows, and Elias sees him in the mirror, and he figured it out that this not Tim was in control.

"Oh, don't tease the man. He doesn't understand the fun a simple act can do. Let alone one with those..." Not Tim stops staring at Martin's hand. "When?"

Martin huffs. "Gunpowder, it's fine. You know how you can't hide what the good doctor does to you. I'm fine. I just feel a bit stiff and uncomfortable, but it will pass."

Not Tim or Gunpowder, ridiculous name if you asked Elias. He smiles softly.

"Fuck the waiting, from what I've seen its going to be brutal and he shouldn't be alone..." Tim was speaking out loud now. "He shouldn't have to go through this by him....self... ah, you ass."

Martin raised his brow with a soft smile. "I appreciate the offer, Tim, but you're not exactly desensitized enough for my liking."

Tim huffs. "Then Gunpowder will watch and be out. You don't deserve to be alone through this. I know you have an issue with that, I uh well, Gunpowder knows, and I saw the memory."

"Fine, if you insist." Martin paused, and Elias shivers with that look. "I've shared things with Gunpowder in secret. I don't want you to share with anyone." He grabs Tim's shirt. "Understand?"

Tim swallows and nods.

Martin smiles again as his features soften. "Good, I'll come by your flat tonight."

Tim watches Martin leave with a shudder. Elias doesn't leave yet.

"I warned you about being caught in Blackwood's web. You're not close enough with him to get comfortable." Gunpowder clicks his tongue. "He's not the man you knew, so please don't underestimate him. I would rather not die before Jonny does. We've got a bet going on."

Tim swallows and slides the dark sunglasses back on, and Elias is shocked to see his vision didn't change in the slightest. "He's still a good person."

"That's... well, none of us are good." Gunpowder responds dryly. "It comes with the territory."

Tim didn't like that answer, but he remained quiet as Elias came back to himself. He had a lot to think about.

......

"At least you know how to tell a story." Jonny responds with a bored tone. "These statements still suck, I still suggest we burn the entire place down."

Jon scowls. "No." He stretches and pulls out the used tape. "Can you think of anything that doesn't involve violence.... or sex." He gives a glare.

"Now you're just plain boring." Jonny raised his brow. "Being serious all the time must be fucking exhausting."

Jon sputters. "Just because I'm not some guy who thinks he's immortal and some sex pest doesn't mean anything."

"I don't care what you think of me." Jonny stares directly at Jon. "We are stuck together for the rest of time, and whatever comes after."

Jon scowls. "I won't devolve to be on your level."

Jonny rolls his eyes. "I don't care."

Jon huffs and leaves his office.

"Jon, you ok?" Sasha smiles softly.

Jon stops and sighs. "I'm fine, just getting used to an unfortunate roommate."

"That's one way to call it." Tim mutters.

"You two should try getting along." Sasha hums. "You'll be stuck together forever, I guess. I think it would suck if you two were stuck together fighting for all of that."

Jon scowls. "Oh, he's a right ass only cares about violence and sex. He's nothing but a pest, and I abhor the fact that I have to share my own body with him."

"Oh piss off." Jonny huffs.

Gunpowder sighs. "His attitude comes with his age. He is the oldest of us besides the doctor, but we don't know about her, though, really." He kicks his feet up. "Jonny, I know you're listening. You should be cautious he's going to see memories that you've forgotten. Funny how the mind works even if we forget they still exist in there, just waiting for a trigger to pull them free."

Jon expected Jonny to kick him out and take control, but he felt fear grip his heart that no longer beat. He swallows the dread that wasn't his and doesn't look at Jonny. "I will keep that in mind for when I sleep."

The conversation dies as Jon leaves as the day has ended, and he doesn't want to linger.

.......

The rusty hinges creaked on the old shack the teen called a home. He made sure he tipped off his shoes before entering, and he saw his father passed out in a drunken stupor. He carefully made his way to the small kitchen connected to the living room. If you would call it, that and stumbled upon a note.

"Jonny boy, I've left to clean up after your father. He pissed off some old doctor at the edge of town. I've left old Bessie for you to make sure she's in better condition when I get back, boy. Now, if I don't come back, I know you won't end up like your father. You're too smart for that. Use your ears to find a target to shoot. We both know your eyes aren't the best use that good hearing of yours. Don't file your horns too short boy they grow for a reason, and I love you forever and always."

Wrapped in leather by the note was a familair old looking revolver, the name Bessie was carved crudely into the handle. The weight would become familair in the teen's hands. He took the note scowled at his father and then headed off to hunt for dinner since that lazy piece of shit won't do anything but gamble.

Jon woke up with a start. He could feel a rush of emotions that weren't his. "I..."

"Don't say a fucking word." Jonny scowls. "Don't go telling nobody about that."

Jon nodded he paused, squinting at the clock that glowed, showing it was 3am. He sighs. "I don't remember my mother, or my father, with died at different times, but I was too young to remember them. My grandmother raised me, bitter she had to raise another child. Never told me that directly, however."

Jonny braces himself and grits his teeth. "I don't remember what my mom looks like either."

"Then we have that in common. Maybe the next dream will be my memory, and you can pick apart that." Jon sighs and curls under his blanket.

Jonny nods. "Just go back to sleep."

......

Martin grits his teeth and groans in pure agony. He could barely register the hand going through his red curls. His legs hurt, and he couldn't move them. His skin felt like it was on fire, and he didn't particularly like burning to death. He was stripped down to his birthday suit, and it didn't help with the fact that he was in pure agony.

Gunpowder continues to run his hands through Martin's hair. "It's alright, you're ok. It will be over soon."

"Just fucking kill me." Martin groans.

"We both know that won't help." Gunpowder sighs. "Would you like to hear my story?"

Martin takes a deep breath. "Please distract me."

Gunpowder nods and begins to narrate his origins.

....

An obnoxious alarm pulled Tim from sleep on the floor. He was laying in something wet and the smell of iron... no blood filled his nose, which caused him to panic and flail completely awake. His eyes lock onto a large spider, half then blood, then flesh and bone. Gunpowder takes over before he can throw up.

"Yikes, I thought the shared emotions wouldn't be this strong. Man, you are super depressed." Gunpowder gets up, smearing the blood off from his body. "You're going to need a stronger stomach." He looked over Martin, who was out cold. "See, he's breathing.... please stop screaming. " he covers his mouth, feeling his stomach sour from the sheer fear and disgust from Tim. He swallows the bile rising in his throat, turns away from the scene, and heads to the bathroom.

Gunpowder barely makes it to the toilet to empty the contents of his stomach. He continues to dry heave for a moment before turning to face Tim. "Are you done?"

Tim was pale, and he finally caught his breath. He was still radiating fear and disgust, but he was stable enough to talk. "Is he still alive?"

Gunpowder wipes his mouth. "Of course he is. What part of we can't die, don't you understand?" He frowns, pulling back his frustration. "Sorry you can't control how you react yet. I didn't realize how much I would share when we feel strong emotions." He sits on his knees and sighs. "I'll clean up, just try not to get sick again, please."

Tim nods and shudders. "I.... I'm not desensitized to this stuff. I'm sorry."

Gunpowder gets up, feeling the soft twists of sadness and self-doubt. "Tim, it's not a bad thing, means you're still human. Don't be too hard on yourself." He pulls out some cleaning supplies from the bathroom cabinet. "Tell me about Danny."

Tim frowns and nods slightly. "He was my younger brother...."

.....

Martin wakes up to someone touching his hand. He furrows his brow, pulling his hand back, and skitters up to be his full height, staring down at Tim. He hissed and then blushed, finally realizing that Tim was, in fact, there, and he wasn't a threat. He covers his face and groans, playing out his legs to be shorter. "I didn't mean to hiss at you."

Tim looked over to Gunpowder giggling, and he felt a laugh bubble in his own throat, and wow, no wonder he got frustrated. He didn't exactly know how he felt about feeling someone else's emotions. He gave a soft smile and reached out again to hold Martin's hand. "Your hands are really like a cat's paw."

Martin smiles and lets Tim take his hand. "Spiders have padded limbs and toe beans if you actually look at them."

"That's actually really cute." Tim blushes slightly. "Oh shit how are we going to get to work?"

Martin shrugs. "Might as well scare Elias first."

"Really?" Tim snickers. "What is he scared of spiders?"

"No, he's scared of what they represent." Martin hums. "We're going to be late, and I need a shirt."

"Right, you brought a spare one, right?" Tim paused and rushed over to a bag Martin brought. "Also, you're going to have to talk to my neighbors because of all the stuff we threw out, and they probably think I'm a serial killer."

Martin snickers. "I think I'll scare them into silence."

"Man, I've seen too much of Gunpowder, and Jonny and you having fun together to remember that I'm supposed to be scared of you because you're a spider centaur." Tim tosses over a sweater.

"I suppose I don't find myself scary either. Honestly, the fear left pretty quickly once I realized how my new body worked." Martin smiles. "This will be obnoxious getting to work. I don't mind walking. You live much closer than I do, but being stared at isn't ideal."

"Maybe a blanket?" Tim stops and covers his face. "That wouldn't work."

Martin chuckles. "I appreciate the concept idea, but Jonny tried that once."

"Wait really?" Tim raised his brow.

"Yeah, ended up in a bar fight." Martin snickers. "Although it was fucking hilarious."

"Huh." Tim crosses his arms. "Just bite the bullet and head out?"

"After you." Martin hums and smiles.

.....

Elias blinks, and the scene doesn't change. What confounds him the most is the fact that this has nothing to do with the web. The Beholder is taking it all in, and he can feel actual confusion from his patron. He clears his throat and approaches. "Martin, I don't believe it's near Halloween unless you've got an event planned."

Martin hums impressed at how well Elias can mask his true emotions. "I don't think a costume would be strong enough to carry someone on." He motions to Tim who waves.

"He insisted that he carry me." Tim smiles.

"Well, yes, but I hope I don't cause you too much trouble." Martin smiles. "Why the surprise this is your institute, and shouldn't you expect the supernatural?" He has a smirk as he walks past a stunned Elias.

Elias doesn't have a response to that. His mind was completely blank, and the Beholder was eerily silent.

Tim was snickering. "Double boss man seems quite stunned."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, this is quite fun."

That thought came crashing down with a terrified scream and wide eyed stares.

Martin felt exposed, and he couldn't remember the last time he felt bad about his body until this moment. He knows Tim can feel him tense. "I..."

"Jon, seriously?" Tim huffs sliding off Martin's back. "It's not his fault he's like this."

Jon was trying really hard to keep his panic and fear in check, and he felt a growing bubble of white hot rage directed at him and feeling it. The feedback loop was really confusing. "I uh..." He was forced out by Jonny.

"Fuck off." Jonny took back control his tail was lashing and puffed out at the end. His ears were pinned back, and the hair on top of his head was puffing out. "Seriously fuck off I don't judge you for who you carnally desire. Blackwood is mine, and you have absolutely no right." He goes o continue his rant, but a tooth falls out. He blinks as confusion fills his features, and he crouched down to poke it.

Martin opens his mouth and closes it. "You know I remember now what he was missing, the teeth."

"The teeth." Gunpowder repeats with a nod.

"I'm sorry Martin, are you ok?" Sasha vaguely motions.

"I mean, it was painful, but it doesn't hurt now." Martin pauses. "I have to figure out how to use my desk."

Tim is getting back control, pulling his eyes away from Jonny, now messing with his teeth. "I mean, you can get rid of the chair and move from there."

"That could work." Martin hums and looks over to Jonny. "Are you ok?"

Jonny holds a handful of his teeth. "What do you think?" He scowls. "Well fuck you too. No, I'm mad at you. That's a stupid fucking question, I don't care about spiders let alone being scared of them."

Three pairs of eyes watch the one sided argument.

.....

A fog seemed to roll into Elias's office out of nowhere, and a tall, muscular man in a captains attire steps inside. The man stops and stares at Elias, who had his head down on his desk. "Elias?"

Elias groans. "Peter."

"Shouldn't you be enjoying your new archivist floundering?" Peter raised his brow.

Elias takes a breath. "Peter, I have called every avatar I ever had contact with to ask if they knew what was going on with my archivist and his assistants. I have no leads, and the Beholder is clueless."

Peter opens his mouth then shuts it with a click.

"Do you have any idea what's happening? Because I don't have a singlaur clue." Elias throws his hands up. "One of the archivist assistants is a half spider centaur, and he's not even aligned with the web. The other has mechanical eyes that still work as eyes. That technology doesn't exist, and the Flesh doesn't bother with machines."

Peter reaches out. "I think you need a vacation."

Elias slams his hands against his desk. "Peter, I'm serious!" He gets up and grabs Peter's arm, and drags him to the archives.

Peter stared stunned.

[fruitylo0pz]

Caught (NSFW)

Larissa Weems x fem!Reader

Warnings: Smut (fluff towards the end), NSFW, 18+, dom!Larissa, fingering, cunnilingus

Word count: ~2.3k

A/N: Another maid fic, but this one has a fluffy ending because soft Larissa is here to stay. I have proofread it, but for some reason I cannot go to bed without posting my fics, so as always; apologies for any mistakes.

_____

It’s getting late, and you’re cleaning up after the dinner party Larissa hosted. Normally, your days finish earlier but you get paid extra for these parties so you don’t mind. She has always treated you right, and she took you in and gave you a job when you had nothing or no one, promising to keep you on for as long as you want. This night, it seemed like Larissa had looked at you more than she usually does but you figured it was just wishful thinking. You finally finish for the night, and take one last look before heading to bed. She had been kind enough to give you your own quarters in her flat, something you really valued during these nights. When passing Larissa’s room, you hear noises and stop for a second. Soon enough, you realise that she’s moaning and you find yourself under the spell of the noises she’s letting out. You have always been attracted to her, and who wouldn’t be? She’s gorgeous. You would however never act on it, but you can’t stop yourself from listening, feeling your own panties getting wet. You move closer to the door when you accidentally trip and bang your hand on the door. 

The noises stop and you hear her walking over the floor before opening the door. She looks at you with a stern look and huffs “What on earth do you think you’re doing, Y/N? Are you listening through my door, hm?” You are completely paralysed, unable to answer her or move a muscle.

She grabs your chin and stares deep into your eyes with those beautiful blue eyes that are now filled with a mixture of anger and… Hunger? Lust? “I asked you a question, Y/N. I suppose your actions speak for your lack of words. Do you think it’s appropriate behaviour to listen to your boss like that? Hm? Did you like what you heard?” You hesitate, but you know she won’t let you go until you answer.

“I… I am so sorry, ms. Weems. I didn’t mean to. I heard noises and I stopped as a reflex. Once again, I am so sorry.” You look down and feel like dissolving into nothing after this encounter. 

“You didn’t answer my question. Did you like it? Be honest.” A finger once again lifts up your chin, and you’re forced to meet her eyes. 

“Y-yes, ms. Weems. I liked it.” You blush, and you would have ran away as far as you could if you hadn’t still been completely paralysed by the entirety of the situation.

“I was thinking about you. There is something about you that drives me absolutely mad. I don’t know if it’s the way you carry your uniform, or the fact that you are so good at your job, making me believe that you could be very, very submissive. Am I right?” Her words make you gulp, and she is indeed right. You would do anything she asked you to do, and you couldn’t believe what she just told you. She was thinking about you when she touched herself. Should you tell her that you do the same? No. It’s too much. Just answer.

“Yes, you’re right, ms. Weems. You are my boss, and I am here to serve you in any way you’d like.” You blush and look down, and still can’t get over her confession. She didn’t even seem embarrassed about it, but you wouldn’t think she would ever be embarrassed about something like that. She is far too confident and dominant for that. 

“Such an obedient servant. In any way I’d like, huh? In that case, you’re going to eat me out until I’m satisfied. Come here.” She grabs your hair and pulls you towards the bed. It’s not painful or too rough, just firm. She knows what she wants, and she will have what she wants, that’s pretty clear.

She removes her robe before lying down with her legs spread. “Well? What are you waiting for? You liked what you heard, now you’ll be the one to make me scream and moan.” The look on her face tells you that she’s impatient and you can see that her thighs are wet from her arousal. You’re mesmerised by the look of her naked body. She’s even better looking than you could’ve ever imagined.

Hesitantly, you sink down on the bed between her legs and she pulls you close immediately. Truthfully, you have no idea what you’re doing but you have to try. You want to please her. Fuck, you want to please her. You flick your tongue over her clit, and she lets out a deep groan. She pulls you closer and you start moving your tongue up and down in slow, but firm movements.

“Oh, you’re making mistress feel so good, my beautiful toy. Just like that. A bit faster.” Her hips start moving as her moans get louder. Her words make you more confident and you pick up the pace a bit and start moving your tongue in circles instead. Her breathing lets you know that she likes it, and you find a pace that seems to drive her crazy as she starts bucking her hips towards you, basically riding your face and using you for her ultimate pleasure. The grip in your hair tightens and her breathing gets more erratic before she explodes with a loud moan and she starts squirming underneath you. 

She pushes you onto the bed and motions for you to move closer to the headboard “I’m going to ride your face now, toy.” She lifts one leg over your head and lowers herself down and you practically latch on to her clit right away, sucking it lightly before your tongue moves down and you start tongue fucking her. It makes her twitch so you know you’re doing something right. She starts moving her hips again, riding your tongue while she’s moaning and throwing her head back. You can feel your own panties and how soaked they are, and you’re trying to get some friction by rubbing your thighs together. She moves just enough to get your tongue back to her clit before she starts riding your face faster, and you know she’s close again. She grabs the headboard to keep still while she’s riding your tongue in a steady pace until she once again comes in a loud orgasm, releasing her arousal onto your face. She sits like that while landing from her explosion before she moves off of you. 

“You’re a natural, Y/N. Thank you. I truly needed that. I have been wanting to ride that pretty face of yours for months.” She gives you a washcloth so you can wipe off your face and you fix your uniform.

“Thank you and thank you for using me, ms. Weems. I truly enjoyed it. May I be excused now?” Your panties are practically drenched at this point and you need a release, or five. 

“Not so fast, toy. Come here. Take off your uniform but leave the panties, Y/N.” You blush, but follow her orders and throw your uniform on the floor. She moves so she’s sitting on the edge of the bed and you move closer. She pulls you even closer and spreads your legs before her hand finds your soaked panties. She licks her lips and lets out a chuckle. “Oh, all this for me? Hm? Your cunt seems pretty ready for mistress.” She moves your panties aside with skilled fingers before she starts rubbing your clit, making you almost lose balance. You moan and she rips off your panties. “I’ll replace them, don’t worry.” She continues rubbing your clit and your arousal is running down your inner thighs. 

You spread your legs more to give her better access and suddenly you feel two fingers slip inside you. She starts off slowly but hard and deep. With every thrust, she reaches your magic spot and you fear you’ll collapse from the pleasure so you gently rest a hand on her shoulder to keep still. She pulls out her fingers before pushing you down on the bed and she collapses between your legs. 

Her fingers are replaced with her tongue, and she grabs your thighs while her tongue works her magic on your clit. You spread your legs wider as an automatic response and she chuckles between your legs. When she looks up and your eyes meet her, you feel your mind going dizzy. “Look at me, toy. Look me in the eyes when you cum.” The words are enough to snap the band in your core and you feel an explosion rain over you with a feeling you have never felt before. It lasts way longer than any orgasm you have ever given yourself before, even when fantasising about her. 

You find yourself exhausted and when you’ve calmed down enough, you reach for your uniform but she gently grabs your wrist. “Do you want to stay the night, Y/N? Here, with me? I know it might seem inappropriate and I understand if you want to go back to your own quarters, but I would love it if you would stay for a while, at least?” Her voice was gentler than earlier and she strokes your cheek, and you blush. 

“If that’s okay? I don’t want to be a bother, ms. Weems.” You find yourself more vulnerable than usual, and you really would like to stay close to her. 

“Call me Larissa, darling. And I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t mean it. It’s Saturday tomorrow and I don’t have to get up early for once. So please, stay. Come here, my pretty girl.” Her hand gently grabs yours and she pulls you closer as you both collapse on the bed. 

“Thank you, Larissa. For everything this evening. I never wanted to act on it myself, but I find you so beautiful and so stunning.” You hide your face and feel like a fool for complimenting her about something she has heard a million times before. She just wants to cuddle as a polite gesture after the evening you just shared, there’s no point in thinking this will ever be more than that. 

“I found you beautiful the first time I saw you, Y/N. I know I’m your boss, but you are so important to me. You know I don’t have a lot of close people in my life, but my days are so much brighter after you started working for me. Sometimes I feel bad for the job you have to do, but I haven’t quite known how to keep you close and I know you tend to sink into the darkness in your mind sometimes and that you like to keep busy.” She stroked your cheek again and kissed your forehead.

“You have made my life better, and you gave me everything when I had nothing, Larissa. I enjoy working for you, and you’re right. It keeps my mind occupied. And I know your days are long and stressful, so I really don’t mind being the one to make your life at home a bit easier by cooking and cleaning. But what do you mean about keeping me close?” You crawl closer, genuinely curious about what she meant by that. You also want to savour this moment and take advantage of her being this close before going back to your own quarters.

“You make me happier and your presence soothes me. I know we have rarely talked much after you began working for me, but when you first came here and I helped you out of the dark spot you were in, it made me feel so touched because you let me in. I want to make you feel good, and I want to make you feel safe. You’re not just a maid to me, you’re so much more. I have grown so fond of you, Y/N. We should probably take it slow, but I would like to be the one to cook for you tomorrow, if you don’t mind? I’m actually not a terrible cook, believe it or not!” She laughs and strokes your cheek again. 

“Larissa, I don’t know what to say. You have saved me. Yes, please. Dinner sounds amazing.” You feel yourself well up, because her words truly meant the world to you and you had not ever been shown kindness and caring like that. It was overwhelming, but in a good way. 

“You don’t have to say anything. Let’s just start with dinner, okay? Oh, and… May I kiss you, Y/N? It might seem ridiculous of me to ask after what we did this evening and I shouldn’t have been so bold and abrupt with you, you are just really stunning and gorgeous.” She looks at you with a gentle smile, but you could see the concern in her face. She’s afraid she might have been too rough, too much for you. 

“Please kiss me, Larissa. Tonight was amazing, and for the record… Feel free to be bold whenever you like.” You laughed and moved closer to her face. Your lips meet, and you immediately feel your body fill with tingles and electric sparks. Her lips are soft, but the kiss is intense and filled with a mutual feeling of longing, like you have both been waiting for it. 

She pulls away and looks at you with gentle eyes. Her gentle hand strokes your cheek once again. “My darling girl, you are so gorgeous. I would love for us to stay up all night and talk, but you are exhausted and I won’t keep you up any longer. I promise you can stay in my bed and my arms every night if you want that. And you will no longer work for me. You’re far too precious for that. It’s my turn to take care of you now.” She gives you another soft kiss and you blush, and feel your eyes tearing up.

“Thank you for everything, Larissa. Thank you so much. And now that you’ve said that I can stay, you won’t get rid of me.” You giggle and crawl as close as you possibly can, and she laughs before wrapping her arms around you and you both drift off to sleep.

[sequinsmile-x]

Summit - Chapter 2

He hates that he feels like a kid. Like the little boy who was let down by his parents again and again. His father’s violence and his mother’s apathy, her overcorrection to dealing with the life she’d found herself living, the building blocks for the fortress he’d built around himself.

Aaron's mom comes to see him after years of silence and no contact.

Part 1

-x-

Hi friends!!

Thanks so much for the love on chapter 1! I think Aaron's background is so poorly explored in the show so I really enjoyed writing this. I have also been working on an AU (a 3 or 4 parter I think) where his Dad is alive and they go on a case to his hometown. Lots of angst and feelings and protective Emily in that too!

I really hope you enjoy part two, and please let me know what you think!

-x-

Warnings: Pregnancy (not the main point of it, Emily is just pregnant in this fic, references to child abuse/domestic violence (nothing graphic/detailed.)

Words: 4.1k

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

“I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam-I-am.” 

Emily smiles as she hears Issac giggle next to her, his little face pressed into her chest as she reads to him. They were snuggled in bed together. He was already supposed to have been asleep. Aaron had put him in his own bed a couple of hours ago, but he’d snuck out of his room, his favourite book in hand, and found her in the living room, a smile on his face that she was bowled over by.  The same smile that Aaron and Jack had, the one she could never say no to. 

She just knew her little girl would be the same, that she’d be wrapped around her little finger from the moment she was born. 

“You are meant to be going to sleep, mister,” she says, poking him in his belly, smiling when he giggles again.

“I not tired.” 

She hums, suppressing a yawn as she does so, “Momma is,” she says quietly, flipping over the page of the book to carry on reading, “Would you eat them in a box-”

She’s cut off as the door opens, and Aaron walks in, sighing as he pushes his cell phone into his pocket, “I spoke to Sean-” he stops himself when he spots Issac in their bed, and he raises his eyebrow, “I seem to remember putting a certain someone to bed a few hours ago.” 

Emily smiles as he walks over and joins them, her eyes searching his face for any kind of hint of how he is feeling. He’d shut down, going silent when Suzanne made it clear why she was here, why she’d broken decades of silence. Emily had asked her to leave, stern and leaving no room for argument as she got up off of the couch, Aaron automatically helping her even though he still hadn’t spoken, as if his instincts to love her, to take care of her, ran so deep he found himself doing it without thinking. She’d walked her mother-in-law to the door, her jaw tight as Suzanne asked her to talk to Aaron, to talk him into helping her. It had taken everything in her not to yell at her there and then, to tell her everything she’d wanted to say ever since she popped back up in their lives, but she knew looking after her husband was her priority. 

They hadn’t really had a chance to talk about it. He’d asked to be alone for a while and she’d respected that, knowing she’d want the same if she was in his shoes, and then the boys had come home. They acted like everything was normal, like Aaron’s world hadn’t shifted on its axis, like he hadn’t been let down by a woman he’d thought had stopped doing that half a lifetime ago. Jack was in his room, playing a video game he was obsessed with a strict deadline of when to turn it off and go to sleep, and she knew as soon as Issac was asleep they’d finally be able to talk about it. 

She watches as Aaron swallows thickly, his nerves as on edge as they ever got, and she looks down at Issac, “Zaccy?” She fake whispers, smiling conspiratorily when he looks up at her, “Daddy looks like he could do with a hug, huh?” 

Aaron barely has a moment to react before Issac throws himself at him, disentangling himself from around Emily and launching himself into his father’s embrace. Aaron chuckles as he wraps his arms around his youngest son, smiling at his wife over his son’s head. He runs his hand up and down his pyjama-covered back and kisses the side of his head. 

“Thanks, buddy,” he says, smiling as Issac pulls back to look at him, the eyes he shared with Emily wide and curious as he looks at his father. 

“Better?” He asks, fighting a yawn, and Aaron nods as Issac rubs at his eyes whilst he settles further into Aaron’s embrace. 

“Much better,” Aaron replies, smiling softly as he looks at Emily, “Now, why doesn’t Mommy finish reading your book and then we’ll get you back to bed.” 

Issac nods as he rests his head on Aaron’s chest, and Emily can’t help but smile at the sight of them together, how her little boy settles against her husband, their matching expressions as they look at her expectantly making her heart swell in her chest. She nods as she picks the book back up, the other hand on her bump as the baby shifts around, and she continues to read. Issac only makes it another couple of pages before he’s fast asleep, his cheek squished against Aaron’s shirt. Emily closes the book and smiles wryly at her husband. 

“Now we’ll never know if he’d like green eggs and ham in a tree,” she jokes, as if they hadn’t read the book every night for what felt like years, and Aaron chuckles, standing up and making sure Issac is safe against him. “Bring him here so I can give him a kiss,” she says, and Aaron does as he’s asked, rounding the bed and leaning down so Emily can kiss Issac’s forehead, “Good night, sweet boy. I love you.” 

“I’ll be back in a minute,” he says, and she nods in response, smiling softly as she watches them go, concern for Aaron simmering in her belly as he leaves. 

Aaron is careful as he lays Issac in his bed, the bedding already in a mess from where he’d climbed out of it earlier on. He smiles as Issac curls up the moment he lays down, his arms wrapping around his favourite toy, a bright green stuffed frog, and he carefully lays the covers over him. He sits on the edge of the bed for a moment and watches his son, basking in the innocence that he and Emily wired so hard to protect. Everything they’d been through separately and together fuelled so many of their decisions as parents, desperate not to repeat their own parent’s mistakes, to make sure their children always knew they were loved. 

He leans forward and kisses his son’s forehead, running his fingers through his unruly hair, “I’ll always be here Issac,” he says quietly, “No matter what.” 

He gives himself another moment before he leaves the room, blowing out a steady breath as he walks back towards the master bedroom. Emily had been incredibly understanding, loving him in the way he needed by leaving him to wrap his head around his mother walking back into his life only because she wanted something. Re-opening wounds he’d thought had long since healed, scars he hadn’t thought about in years. 

He can’t help but smile as he walks back into the bedroom to find Emily sitting exactly where he’d left her, both of her hands pressing into her bump. 

“She’s kicking so much, I don’t think I’m going to get any sleep tonight,” she says, smiling softly at him as he walks over, “I can’t wait until she’s here.”

Aaron climbs into bed and wraps an arm around her shoulder. He places his other hand on her belly, smiling when he feels their daughter move around, “Only a couple of weeks to go.” 

She hums, resting her head on his shoulder, “If I don’t go overdue again,” she mumbles, scrunching her nose up as she thinks of just how uncomfortable she was at the end of her pregnancy last time. She tilts her head to look up at him, biting her lower lip as her eyes flit over his face, the sadness that had etched into it making her ache, “I’d ask if you’re okay,” she says, resting her hand over his on her bump, “But that’s a stupid question,” he links their fingers together and squeezes, “What did Sean say?” 

He sighs, shaking his head before he turns it, pressing his lips to her temple, “She went to see him first, and asked him for money,” he scoffs, “He says he hasn’t heard from her since he said he didn’t have any. He apologised for bringing me up, but he said it was the only way he could get her to leave.” 

She smiles tightly at him, anger aimed at her mother-in-law once again climbing up her throat, forcing her to swallow it back so she doesn’t say something she’d later regret, “I’m so sorry honey,” she says, cupping his cheek and making him look at her, running he thumb back and forth over his cheek, his stubble rough against her skin, “You deserve so much better.” 

He chuckles humorlessly, as if he doesn’t believe her, and she files it away for another day, knowing now wasn’t the time to have the conversation they’d had countless times before. Both of them convinced they didn’t deserve the other, something that had delayed them from getting together at first. 

“I can’t explain it,” he says, shaking his head at himself, “But I think I want to give her the money. But…I don’t know if I could bear to watch her walk away after we give it to her.” 

She sighs, well aware that this was likely the road they’d go down. Above all, Aaron was a good man. The best. And he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he knew his mother was struggling. 

“Honey-”

“I know it’s technically your money,” he says, and she raises an eyebrow at him, both of them exchanging a soft smile as he nods. It was a conversation they’d had several times over the years. Her trust fund something she considered to be for their family, for them. Something they had used to buy this house. She always chastised him when he called it her money, and it reminded her of the argument they’d had when he first found out just how rich she was, his shock turning into anger he didn’t understand. “Okay, our money. But it feels like the right thing to do.” 

“If that’s what you want to do,” she says, smiling softly at him, “Then that’s what we’ll do. But you don’t have to make the decision now.”

He nods, leaning in to stamp a kiss against her lips, “I know. I love you.” 

“I love you too,” she replies, “So much.” 

He kisses her again, the action lost to a smile as the baby moves, and he pulls back, “Do you two need anything?”  

She smirks, shrugging nonchalantly before she nods, “Baby says she wants ice cream.” 

He chuckles and kisses her again, grateful for a moment of normalcy in what had been a difficult few days. “Ice cream coming right up.” 

___

Emily keeps looking back and forth between the entrance of the diner and her phone on the table in front of her, her nerves increasing with each minute that ticks by. She groans as she feels a particularly sharp kick from inside of her and she looks down, placing her hand on her belly that was pressed up against the table. 

“Sorry, sweet girl,” she says, “It’s a bit of a squeeze in this booth with both of us.” 

She hears the bell above the door ring and she looks up at the door and spots Suzanne walk in. She watches for a moment as the other woman looks around, frowning slightly at the bright pink and white seats, and the slightly tacky decor that Emily and Aaron both got a kick out of. Suzanne spots her and smiles tightly before walking over, slipping into the opposite side of the booth. 

“I was surprised to hear from you,” she says as she sits down, placing her purse next to her before she looks at Emily, “Is Aaron here?” 

Emily shakes her head, “No. He is not.” 

It wasn’t a decision she’d made lightly, but in the few days it had been since Suzanne had come to their home she’d seen the impact it had on Aaron. He was struggling, desperately trying to figure out what he wanted to do, his confusion and sadness covered up with irritation. An old coping mechanism that had meant Derek and Dave had both called her separately to ask what was wrong with him.  

She knew ultimately he’d agree to give his mother the money, that he would push past his own pain and hurt to help her. Under it all, all the scowls and scars, he was still just that little boy who wanted his mom. If anyone could understand it, it was Emily. 

She knew how it felt to want to be loved in the way she always should have been. 

“Does he know you’re here?” Suzanne asks, her eyebrow raised. 

Emily shakes her head, “He doesn’t, but he will,” she says, linking her hands on the table in between them, “We don’t keep secrets from each other.” 

Suzanne opens her mouth but is interrupted as the waitress comes over. 

“Mrs Hotchner,” she says, making both of them look at her, but all of her focus is on Emily, “Look at you, you look just about ready to drop.” 

Emily smiles, “Hi Marjorie, just over a week to go now,” she says, well aware of Suzanne’s gaze burning into her.

“That’s so exciting,” Marjorie looks around and seems to realise Emily doesn’t have Aaron or the children with her, “Where are those adorable boys of yours?” 

Emily’s eyes flash over to Suzanne for a moment before she looks back at the woman speaking to her, “At home today I’m afraid, so no need to make any of those smiley face pancakes.” 

Marjorie smiles at her, “What can I get you instead?”

“Just a sweet tea would be lovely, thanks,” Emily replies, watching as Marjorie turns to Suzanne, who clears her throat before she makes eye contact. 

“The same. Please.”

“Two sweet teas coming right up.” 

Emily feels awkwardness wash over them as they are left alone again, making the air thick with it. 

“So you guys come here often?” Suzanne asks, sounding far too casual for Emily’s liking, as if she hadn’t torn her eldest son down by showing up after so many years of absence. 

“Jack and Issac like it,” she says, smiling as she thinks of how they’d spend as many Saturdays here as possible, “They love the pancakes, but they say Aaron’s are a close second.” 

Suzanne nods, briefly smiling her thanks as Marjorie places their drinks on the table without comment, clearly having picked up on the tension between them. 

“So, if Aaron isn’t here, why are we?” Suzanne asks, she smiles, an edge of bitterness to it that makes Emily’s irritation spike, “He couldn’t bear to tell me himself that his wife won’t give me the money?” 

Emily clenches her jaw so tightly she’s surprised she doesn’t feel it pop and she glares at her for a beat longer than necessary, feeling a strange sense of achievement when Suzanne becomes visibly uncomfortable, avoiding her eye contact. She casts another glance at her mother-in-law before she reaches for her purse. She pulls out a folded piece of paper and places it on the table, pushing it towards Suzanne. 

“You have two options,” she says, clearing her throat as Suzanne picks up the piece of paper and unfolds it, her eyes going slightly wide as she realises what it is, “The first is you take that cheque,” she shrugs, settling her crossed arms on the top of the bump, “It covers the debt you told us about and you can go back to your life and we can go back to ours.”

Suzanne raises her eyebrows, looking at Emily over the top of the cheque, “No strings attached? Just $40,000?” 

Emily bites the inside of her cheek at the way Suzanne has phrased it, the fact she seems unaffected by the implication she wouldn’t have to see her son again. She shakes her head as she responds, “No strings attached. You can just walk away.” 

“And my second option?” 

“I’ll pay off your debts for you to the bank directly, and then make sure you’re comfortable going forward, as long as you work on a relationship with Aaron, and maybe even eventually the kids.”

Suzanne huffs out a laugh, the cheque still firmly in her hand, “You’re bribing me?” 

Emily grits her teeth, “No, I’m giving you two options. One of which is a life with your son. The other is what you came here for.” 

Her words hang between them, her accusation clear. Suzanne sighs, “I do love my children.” 

“I know you do,” Emily replies quickly, shaking her head at her, “But that’s not enough, in fact, I think it makes it worse. Aaron knows you love him but it still didn’t make you try and keep him in your life.”

“He didn’t try either-”

“He’s your son,” she says, cutting over a defence she didn’t want to hear. She leans forward, well aware they have drawn more attention than she wanted to, “No matter how old he gets, how many kids he has himself, he’s still your son. At some point, the buck stops with you.” On some level, she knows she’s saying what she’s wanted to say to her own mother for years, what she’s stopped Aaron from saying on her behalf. She wants to say more, to tell the woman opposite her exactly what she thinks, but she stops herself, aware that Aaron wouldn’t want her to, “So if you take the money today you can’t contact us again. You can’t come back and ask for more. I won’t let you hurt him any more than you already have,” she hears her voice crack and she gives herself a moment, “If you don’t, if you can prove to me you’d have come back anyway at some point, we can go from there,” she shakes her head, letting one more thought push through, no matter unkind it was, “I think we both know what you’ll go for.” 

Suzanne stares at her, her eyes, the ones she’d passed on to Aaron, boring into Emily’s, as if she was trying to read her mind. She eventually laughs humourlessly, “He really landed on his feet when he found you.”

Emily shrugs, “I think it’s the other way around. I always wonder what I did to deserve him,” she smiles as she thinks of him, “He’s an incredible man,” she watches as a smile of pride flashes over Suzanne’s face, “Despite the cards he was dealt.”

Suzanne’s smile slips away and she looks at the cheque again, clearing her throat in a failed attempt to hide the shake to her voice, “I’m glad he found someone like you,” she says, her eyes still fixed on the paper in her hands, “I liked Haley, don’t get me wrong, but I always thought she was wrong for him. He needed someone who knew who he became, not who he was. He’s lucky,” she looks back up at Emily for a moment before she looks back at the cheque, folding it up and slipping it into her purse, “He doesn’t need a reminder of his past, of how I failed him, every time he looks at me.” 

Emily sighs, closing her eyes as she shakes her head, “Suzanne-”

“You said it was my choice,” she says as she stands up, crossing her arms over her chest as she does so, as if holding herself together, regret for so many things, but not this, shining in her eyes, “This is what I choose. Look after him.” 

“I always do,” Emily replies, “It’s what we do for each other.” 

Suzanne nods, her eyes drifting back to Emily’s stomach one last time, “Good luck with the baby.” 

Emily smiles tightly, “Thank you.” 

She watches as her mother-in-law leaves without looking back and she sighs, covering her face with her hands as she blows out a steady breath. 

“Everything okay, Mrs Hotchner?” 

She looks up at Marjorie and nods, not sure if she believes herself, and she smiles, “Yes, Marjorie. Everything is fine, can I have the bill please?” 

Now she had to figure out how to tell Aaron, how to dash the small amount of hope she knows he’d let bloom.

___

As soon as she’s through the door Jack runs up to her, his arms tight around her, almost knocking her off balance with the force of his affection. 

“Hi, Mom!”

“Hi sweetie,” she replies, ruffling his hair as he pulls away, laughing when he grumbles like she knew he would, “How are you?”

“Me, Dad and Zac came up with some new names for baby sister.”

She smiles as she sees her husband appear in view before she turns her attention back to her eldest, “Oh really, what’s on the list today.” 

“Zac and I like Winnie, like Winnie the Pooh, but Dad said that wasn’t a good idea.” 

She looks back up at her husband, exchanging a knowing look with him as she undoes her jacket and he steps behind her to help her out of it, “Dad really is a spoilsport, huh?” 

She can almost hear the way Aaron rolls his eyes before he addresses Jack, “Buddy, go play with your brother we’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” 

Emily turns to look at her husband as Jack does as he’s asked, calling his little brother’s name as he runs away. “So…Winnie’s on the no list?”

He shakes his head at her and wraps his arms around her, leaning in to stamp a kiss against her lips, “On the maybe list. For middle names,” he replies, he tucks some of her hair behind her ear, pausing for a moment before he carries on, “How was Mom?” 

She sighs, leaning forward as best as she can with her bump pressed between them, briefly resting her forehead against his shoulder, “One of these days, it will annoy me that you know me so well.” 

He smirks at her, shrugging slightly, “What can I say, it’s my life's work,” he jokes before his smile slips from his place, replaced with the look of a lost little boy that she’d seen too much of this week, “She took the money and left didn’t she?” 

Her silence is answer enough, but she follows it up with a nod, “Yes, she did. I’m so sorry honey.” 

He sighs, shaking his head at himself for feeling upset when he knew deep down this was how it would end. That her arrival back into his life would be nothing more than a blip, convenient to her because she wanted something. 

“It’s okay…” he says, laughing bitterly, “I don’t know what I expected.” 

“You expected your Mom to want to be in your life,” she says, pulling back to look at him, cupping his cheek, “And that’s okay.” 

He nods, blowing out a steady breath, “I’m sorry you had to deal with all of this,” he says, frowning, “You’re about to have a baby you should be resting.”

“You have nothing to apologise for,” she says, smiling softly at him, “Plus, I famously have mommy issues myself,” she shrugs as she pulls a smile out of him, the sight of it making her skin fizz, “This is kind of what I’m made for,” her smile widens when he shakes his head and laughs. “What can I do to help?”

“You’re already doing it,” he assures her, leaning forward to stamp a kiss to her forehead and then her lips, “Just by being you.” 

She knows there are more conversations to be had, and that he had a long way to go until he was okay with this, but she was happy with that was a start, “Okay, I’ve been told my whole life that I’m unapologetically myself, so I can do that.” 

His response is cut off as Jack calls for them, his voice echoing around the house. Aaron smiles at his wife and puts his arm around her shoulders as they walk towards the living room. 

“Just think, it won’t be too long until this house gets even louder.” He quips, making her smile as he says it, her hand pressed into her stomach as they go. 

Ava Winnie Hotchner is born five days later, and as Emily watches Aaron tell the boys how to hold their baby sister, she knows they’ll be okay because they had each other, and the family they’d built from scratch. 

-x-

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[wyvchard]

Idea from this prompt by @words-on-pa-per

Content Warnings: Exhaustion, guilt tripping, arguments, past trauma, troubled friendships

“I’m here for you.” Red eyes softened as he approached his best friend who was clearly way out of her depth with her projects, or whatever it is that had been going on in her normally chaotic life.

“But you aren’t. You’ll talk to me for a few minutes, but if I need time, or help, or any actual support, you’re gonna tap out. Everyone does.” She turned away, focusing on stabbing the fabric with her needle. Something about his concerned eyes felt foreign, unreal. 'It has to be fake. It has to be. But why does it sting when I think of his concern that way?'

He paused, watching her purple eyes evade him with the choice to hide behind her pink hair. "That's not true at all."

She merely turned away her body to focus on her task. "... I forgot. Of course you can be there. But you're not really there, are you?" Her eyes met him, the red swirls that pull people in were stirring venom. "You wouldn't understand. After all, you're immortal. I'm merely functionally ageless but mortal nonetheless."

"Even if, I still care about you. Let me be there for you. I don't plan to be like the others in your past. Didn't you say we should live in the present more?"

"... That's because you're not like the friends I had in my past. Death takes them away from me. They tap out that way, at least the genuine ones. But you? You're immortal. You'd get bored of me, just like the others who treat me more like an agent than a person. They never give me actual support. How can I be sure you're not like them at all when the same thing that makes them up will surely be not that different from yours? "For you, the years are just a few minutes, right? It's fleeting. Maybe even entertaining for you to watch me struggle."

"... Don't lump me in with them." He appraoched her, carrying a blanket to wrap her shoulders. The warmth from his fire magic adding to the comfort he wanted her to feel. "Some do care, still."

"... I don't know if their kindness is for their own benefit, or for mine." She fired a small whip of water to stop his approach. "You're not giving me a comfort blanket this time. Leave me alone."

"I'm not leaving you alone. You're clearly spiraling down. Come on, please? Just... go out with me or something. Anything. This place isn't good for your right now."

"It's clean. And tidy. I don't get what you're getting at." She gently placed the embroidery ring on the table to look at him. "I'm a functioning adult."

"Your eyes tell me the opposite. You're 'functioning' but you're clearly running on fumes. Come on."

"... You never accepted my help when you were in a slump. Why should I accept yours?" Her eyes narrowed at him. "Is it because I'm a mortal? I'd never understand your pain? Is that it?" She got up from her seat to cross her eyes, head tilting up slightly to make sure he knew just what exactly is going through her mind.

The hand that outstretched to meet her fell down, only to clench tightly. "... It's not like that. I don't want to be a burden to you."

"Exactly. I feel the same way. So just cut me off when I'm working myself to death. It doesn't matter. You have time to find someone exactly like me."

"Stop it. Please, just stop. You're clearly..."

"You do the same. You think it doesn't affect me? Doesn't make me stay up at night thinking how I can help. Wow! You're such a great friend. Thank you so much for reminding me at how much of a pathetic, powerless mortal I really am!"

"That's enough!" He held onto her shoulders and stared at her. "... I never thought of you that way. I didn't want to taint you. I didn't want you to get involved in my burdens because I'm the one who's supposed to help. I should be the stronger one and yet I'm asking you for help? Don't be like this. I didn't want to ruin you."

"So you think I'm too weak to get involved in your business, huh?"

"What? No! It's just that-" he paused, wiping the tears falling down her face. "I wanted to be the friend who helps you, not hold you back. And helping me will."

"That's not true."

"And neither are the thoughts in your head."

He held her close in his embrace, making sure to pat her head.

But they both know it's only a temporary fix. He hopes to find the permanent, she hopes he wouldn't burden himself with it.

[casspurrjoybell-29]

Enduring Ties - Chapter 5 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

This military camp was far larger than the old one and full of a fresh set of leering faces and suggestive comments aimed in Cailan's direction.

They didn't bother Cailan terribly much anymore.

He knew he was safe with his master at his side and there was nothing new in the things they said.

It infuriated Liam, however.

He knew better than to challenge anyone in a brand new place where he knew so few people but by the time the four of them made it to their new tent his teeth were clenched and he was squeezing Cailan's hand hard enough that it hurt.

Liam took a deep breath in, let it out, then looked down at their joined hands and released his grip.

"Sorry, love. Did I hurt you?"

Cailan shook his head and stroked the back of Liam's hand.

"I'm sorry they upset you."

"You're sorry? No, I'm sorry those filthy animals talk to you like you're a common whore. They have no class. They don't understand what you are or how you should be treated."

"Don't think they really care," Tris commented as he tossed his bags down on the floor of the tent.

"I don't either, actually but I'm pretty polite to whores too."

Liam let out a long sigh.

"You know, sometimes I hate it here but then I think back to how my family treated him, how my school friends did when I let them near him and I realise the only difference is that the language they used was less crude. They were no kinder to him."

"Yeah, I mean, that is kind of the thing with being a slave, right? Doesn't get you a whole lot of respect."

"Can you not have power over someone without being cruel to them?"

"I guess but if what you want and what someone else wants are the same thing or if they're not but you're not gonna do anything about it, what do you need power over them for? Power's for making people do what you want instead of what they want, right?"

"I suppose you could describe it that way but it doesn't have to be an awful thing. We're all part of power structures, whether in our work or in our personal relationships. They can be caring and mutually beneficial."

"Listen, I'm not trying to make any statement on your personal relationship with your slave. I don't know anything about any of that. All I'm saying is once you scale it up to the whole thing, to the institution of slavery, things are gonna get ugly because the whole point is not giving them a choice in things because if you did they wouldn't wanna be your property."

"I do," Cailan said.

He didn't normally intrude on Liam's conversations but Liam was starting to look upset.

"I want Liam to be my master. I want to serve him."

"Huh, okay," Tris said. "I'm glad you're doing what you want to be doing."

Liam's eyebrows lifted.

"What, no lecture about how he's been brainwashed into it?"

"I mean that seems like a thing that could be true but I don't know shit about shit so what am I actually gonna say? And what would the point be? He's still gonna be a slave. If he's happy, well... good. I'm glad."

"Well, I appreciate..." Liam started to say but he was interrupted by the sound of someone smacking the side of the tent near the flap.

That was the equivalent of knocking on a door in these places.

Without waiting for a response, a man with curly dark brown hair stuck his head through the flap.

"Ah. You're here. Hello."

"Hamish," Tris said as the man entered the tent.

"Liam, this is Hamish, the man who made this all possible."

"Oh, Hamish," Liam said. "It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

"People do tend to have a lot to say about me."

Hamish's attention narrowed in on Cailan and his head tilted ever so slightly to the side.

"Wow, you do look like you were expensive. Is your hair real gold?"

"No, sir, just hair," Cailan murmured.

Liam's wrapped his arm around Cailan's waist.

"I can give you a few strands from his brush if you're curious but I do ask that nobody but myself touches him. I hope that was communicated clearly and that we have an understanding."

"Relax. About the only thing that turns me off is timidity. And women, I suppose."

Hamish thought for a moment.

"No, actually, women are fine, they just don't turn me on. An important distinction under the right circumstances."

"Well, I... yes," Liam said. "What about everyone else? I'm told it should be safe to leave Cailan alone in the tent here."

"He'll be fine," Hamish assured him. "We have a bit of a community here and as a community we have a bit of a reputation. Of having sex with one another. That's our reputation. Which is an issue because it's technically illegal, and more importantly icky, at least in some people's eyes. Anyway, the point is that none of us would be all that safe alone but we have our tents together here and we keep an eye on one another and nobody bothers us all that much."

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Liam said. "There was a tent where slaves could be left during the day at our old camp but I really dislike leaving Cailan with other slaves."

"Why? Isn't it good for him to be able to make slave friends?"

"See, I thought so too but they're mostly poorly trained children who are treated quite cruelly by their masters. It's not a healthy environment for him. It was a situation there that prompted me to make this move, in fact. A man came into the tent while Cailan was there,and while he only touched his own slave he did it in front of the others. In front of Cailan. I don't want Cailan exposed to that sort of thing."

"That's fair," Hamish said. "I wouldn't like to see that either."

Cailan bit down on the inside of his cheek to suppress a frown.

Liam had been upset about that situation when Cailan had told him about it but he hadn't brought it up since.

Certainly not in relation to this move.

He had been excited for the promotion and had talked about getting to see Cailan more but nothing else.

Liam pressed a kiss on the side of Cailan's forehead and murmured...

"I know."

"Hmm?" Hamish asked.

"Oh, I didn't tell him that was what motivated all of this," Liam explained. "It makes him feel guilty when I prioritise his needs but on balance I think it's more important that he understands that I will."

Cailan ducked his head.

He hadn't told Liam about that incident expecting him to do anything about it or even with the intention of seeking sympathy.

It had simply been something Cailan thought Liam ought to be aware of.

In retrospect, he wasn't at all surprised that Liam hadn't forgotten about it as quickly as he had pretended.

As upside down as it seemed, Liam did prioritise Cailan's needs.

"Well, seems like everything is fine hare," Hamish said. "Welcome to the camp, hope you enjoy your time here, stay away from Simon he hates you on principle and if you need anything don't hesitate to come and see me."

"Uh..." Liam started to say but Hamish had already left. "Well, he's... interesting."

"You'll like him once you get to know him," Tris said. "Everyone likes Hamish."

"Oh, no, I think I already like him but he is strange."

"And he was looking at the two of you like he'd never seen anything like you before, so what does that make you?"

"Sometimes when things are mostly not very good, being strange is necessary," Liam said.

"Come on, Cailan. Let's see if we can find something to put those flowers of yours in before they wilt any more."

[wolfprincesszola]

Aphrodite's Visit (Miraculous Ladybug)

i actually really love this couple so much. i wish they had more exposure + they had a better romance arc than just suddenly getting together, but we take what we have to take. still not good at titles (and maybe need to start working on my summaries), but I hope you enjoy! <3

Masterlist ——————– Summary: Nino Lahiffe had just been face-to-face with Aphrodite herself and thinks he managed to curse every love interaction he would ever have in the future with bad luck. Is he truly as screwed as he think he is, or will he come to terms with some feelings he has for his best friend, Alya Césaire?

Trigger Warnings: None

Content Warnings: Food (Boba) ——————–

Nino Lahiffe had just been face-to-face with Aphrodite herself and had managed to curse every love interaction he would ever have in the future with bad luck.

To be honest, Nino was not one to believe in Greek gods. He wasn’t really religious so he stuck to science. Nothing was ever unexplained with science and that was enough for Nino to know. There had been nothing to disprove his beliefs either, so it was fair to assume that Nino was surprised to find that Greek gods did in fact exist by running into Aphrodite herself.

It was a normal Thursday morning when he went to go get boba for both him and Alya. Because they were supposed to study together for their latest math quiz, Nino thought it was a good idea to grab some boba before seeing her. He texted her asking what type of boba she wanted, and she sent a shop that Marinette had recommended them. Alya also texted her order and Nino had quickly routed to the cafe.

The Girl of All Trades Tea and Coffee Shop. Huh, Nino wondered what that meant. When he walked in, he was surprised to find that there were very little people in the shop. There were only three people, not including Nino, in there. A cashier, a barista, and someone sitting in one of the booths.

Nino walked up to the front to order, "Hi, can I have one Aphrodite's Heartbreak Tea with brown sugar boba and one Yue Lao's Red String Coffee with brown sugar boba? Thank you."

"That will be €10.57." The cashier smiled at Nino. Nino gave a €20 note to them.

"Thank you. Feel free to sit anywhere. We'll call you up when your drinks are ready." The cashier gave Nino the receipt and Nino nodded before scanning the cafe. Considering the cafe had just opened, it was generally understandable why there was only one customer at 11 in the afternoon. Looking at the person sitting in one of the booths as he was now at an angle where he could see them, he was surprised. He walked over to the booth, sitting across from the girl.

"Alya? What are you doing here? I thought I was coming over to your house after picking up the drinks. You even sent me your order."

The girl's lips upturned into a small smile, amusingly snorting, "I'm not Alya."

Nino blinked only to find that in place of Alya was another girl that he had never met before, but was a conventionally beautiful blonde, who looked nothing like Alya. "Oh, uh, sorry, I must've mistaken you for someone else."

"No, it's okay, Nino." The girl smiled once more, now a completely different person. This time, she was an attractive blue-haired dark-skinned girl. "It takes everyone some getting used to."

A chill ran down Nino's spine as he stared at the girl, constantly changing appearances with every blink of his eyes. "How do you know my name?"

"I know everyone's names. I think the question should be, how do you not know mine? I thought it'd be obvious by now who I am."

Nino tried to focus on the girl's eyes to get any hint on who she was, but it just kept changing. Brown, blue, green, hazel, heterochromia, amber, grey. It seemed on the tip of his tongue, as if knowing the girl's name was natural and something he should know.

"Sorry." Nino gave an awkward smile.

"It's okay."

At least in every single one of her variations, she looked kind. She looked patient, and she looked caring.

"Should I know who you are?"

"Yes."

"Sorry." Nino hung his head low in embarrassment, "Are you a family friend or something? I just don't know."

The girl kept changing appearances. Maybe it was a trick of the light. Maybe he was going insane. Maybe he was hallucinating.

"Don't worry about it, Nino. I know you're still adjusting to what you think I look like."

She was right. Nino didn't know how a trick of the light could change someone's eye color or skin color. Even her hair color was changing every millisecond.

"Who are you?"

"I'm really surprised you don't know this." The girl pouted and for a second, he saw a flash of Alya once more. "Anyways, that's not the real point we have here. Your drinks are coming out soon and I'd like to still have time to talk to you rather than have you freak out the entire time. You're struggling right now, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"You're having a hard time expressing your feelings, especially to the girl you love."

"What?" Nino choked on his own spit, "Sorry? I...think you have the wrong Nino. I'm not in love with anyone."

"Oh really?" The girl raised an eyebrow and suddenly, she had stopped flickering between different appearances. Instead, she was in front of him, presenting as an identical version of Alya, but it wasn't Alya. She didn't have the same mannerisms as Alya, nor did she have the same voice. The only thing was that she looked exactly like her. "Then who am I?"

"You keep asking that. I don't know!" He huffed.

"Then tell me, do you think I'm attractive?" Faux-Alya blinked innocently. "Am I everything you wished for and more? Tell me that much at least."

Sure, he thought Alya was cute. He thought she was attractive even, but Alya was just his best friend. Nothing more. Besides, he liked Alya for who she was. He didn't think only that parts of her were cute. Sure, he liked how pretty her eyes were, but he also liked how they crinkled at the edges when she smiled. He liked her lips, but he liked the mannerisms of her speaking more. He liked a lot of Alya's physical appearance, but he liked her personality better. He liked the sound of her voice and her laugh. He liked how kindness made Alya look more attractive. He liked how her hair flowed with the wind and how carefree she looked when she was having fun. He liked how she was always unafraid to be bold and courageous. He liked her as a person, not just her beauty.

By Faux-Alya looking like Alya, she had gotten rid of every part of Alya that Nino liked. Without her mannerisms and without her voice, Alya wasn't the girl he was sitting across. She was just some regular girl that Nino would pass by and note that she was pretty. Alya, however, transcended his beauty standards all together.

"No."

"What?" Faux-Alya gaped as she stood up in surprise, "What do you mean 'no'?"

"You heard what I said. Do you want me to repeat it to you? No. You're just a random pretty girl. You're not attractive, and definitely not everything I wished for and more." Nino snorted.

"B-but how?" She stuttered. "You have to have seen the girl of your dreams. The love of your life. The person you've been having a hard time expressing your feelings. You've been running from your feelings."

"I have two drinks for a Nino?" The cashier called out.

"I seriously think you have the wrong person, ma'am. All I see in front of me is my best friend, and you're not doing a very good job of mimicking her. I don't know if you're a doppelgänger or just someone that was hired to pretend to be Alya, but I'd advise you to look towards honing your craft." Nino bowed as he stood up, going to grab the drinks. He smirked as he walked out of the shop, seeing the girl gaping and dumbfounded at what he said. Good, it should keep her from making anyone else more gullible fall for her tricks.

As he placed the two drinks into the front cupholder of his car, he froze in fear. The name that had slipped his mind had finally come back.

Aphrodite.

He had insulted a literal Greek goddess. He had told the literal goddess of love and beauty that she was not attractive. He had told her that she was a scam.

No, no, maybe he was overthinking this. Maybe he should stop by Adrien’s house first to ask him about what he knew about Aphrodite.

No...that would also be overthinking. Nothing happened. He wasn't just talking to Aphrodite. He hadn't just insulted her. It was just some random girl trying to prey on him with Alya's looks. That was all it was.

He was shaking for no reason. He was going to be perfectly fine.

He tried his hardest not to focus on the fact that he had run into Aphrodite or the fact that she kept saying he was running from his feelings or the fact that she chose to stay in the form that looked identical to Alya, but he couldn't shake the feeling off throughout his entire hangout with Alya. They were supposed to study with each other, but Nino kept making careless mistakes. He would be forgetful, zone out, and overall not be present with her.

"Nino!"

Nino blinked, getting out of his thoughts once more to find that he had been staring at a scribble of incoherent notes for the past few minutes.

"You okay?" Alya asked worried, "You've been getting every single practice problem wrong when you never fail those concepts, and you don't really seem fully there when we're reading the textbook."

"Hm? I'm fine. I guess it was not a good idea for me to study with very little sleep." Nino lied through his teeth. Even Alya knew he was lying. "Maybe I should lie down.”

“Yeah, feel free to take up the couch.” Alya replied worryingly as she moved to let Nino collapse on the couch. Maybe a bit of sleep wouldn't hurt him.

Nino woke up a few hours later to a bright flashlight in his face. He blinked awake, surprised to see Nora looking at him.

"What the hell?" Nino muttered as he was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He sat up in surprise. "What's going on?"

"I'm checking on your health because Alya was pestering me to." Nora rolled her eyes, "Your friend is fine. He's getting the recommended amount of sleep and it looks like he just wanted a nap. He doesn't have a fever or some weird condition."

"Oh, okay, good." Alya nodded, kneeling down to Nino to make sure that he was okay. Nino was still adjusting to his environment.

"And why are you here?" Nino accused Marinette, who was sitting upside down on a chair, scrolling on her phone.

"Woah, I didn't even do anything to you. Why are you upset?" Marinette snorted, "But if you really must know, I felt lonely at home, so I came to bug Alya."

"Don't you have your own boyfriend to bug?" Nino shot back.

"Wow, you're fiesty today." Marinette snorted, "Adrien’s been really tired recently from his dad overworking him, so he's been sleeping all day to regain his energy, but you're right. I should get home soon to help my parents close up the bakery, so I guess that's my cue to leave."

"Alright, bye, Mari." Alya waved as Marinette went to go hug her best friends before leaving.

"Wait!"

"Oh, wow, now you want me to stay? Make up your mind." Marinette snorted, rolling her eyes at Nino, "What's going on with you? You're acting really weird."

"Can you tell me everything about Aphrodite that you know? Alya said you were a big fan of Greek mythology. I wasn't, so I'd like some advice."

"Well...what do you want to know? She's the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She's said to be the most beautiful woman in the world and that she often flickers between appearances of different women because beauty is subjective. The first person you see her as is defined as your version of beauty. She's portrayed to be a jealous and arrogant woman who can't take insults about not being the most beautiful. She's also portrayed to curse anyone that crosses her. I doubt the last parts are very accurate."

Great....was Nino going to have to start worshipping her? Does that mean that she would curse his love life? It was already in the ground; how much worse could it get?

"Thanks." Nino replied as he let Marinette leave and suddenly, his world was back to crashing down. Great. He was utterly and morally screwed.

"You sound defeated." Alya remarked as he walked back into the room.

"I'm out of it today. I'm sorry, Alya." Nino mumbled, "Maybe I'll go back to my house and rest again. Maybe that'll help me."

"Okay, feel better." Alya replied. She looked worried for Nino. Nino felt awful about making her worry, but there was nothing else he could do.

With that, he drove back home, his mind numb. When he reached home, he made sure to double-triple-check that he locked the car, that he was unlocking his house. Then, when he got into his room and locked the door, he yelped upon seeing Alya laying on his pullout couch, smirking at him.

No...it wasn't Alya. She kept changing heights, hair types, colors...

It was Aphrodite.

"Remember my name now?" Aphrodite asked, smirking at him as she kept flickering through different types of women. She walked over towards Nino, who was starting to bow at the goddess, "I want to hear you say it."

"Aphrodite."

"Good boy." She hummed, crouching down in her heels until she was at eyelevel with Nino, "Why are you on the ground?"

"To show respect towards a Goddess."

He really needed to start going to temples to pray for her, didn't he?

"That's too outdated." Aphrodite pulled Nino up, "A lot of the negative things your friend said about me is also outdated and completely sexist."

"So you're not going to curse me for crossing you?"

"Oh Olympus no." Aphrodite giggled as she went back to sitting on his couch. "Us gods aren't like that. Nothing like how the myths depict us. We're here to help the humans. Nothing more, nothing else."

Nino was nervous, but soon took the seat that Aphrodite offered him across from her, as if it wasn't his house.

"So the Greek gods are real?"

"Yes. And so is your God, and so are the Chinese gods and the Hindu gods and...you get it. Anything that anyone believes in is real. We actually work together to help every human out there. We're kinder than depicted in every tale about us." Aphrodite remarked, "I thought you were a really interesting case though, so I came down to help you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. I've seen a lot of cases of love, but it's rare to find one as pure as yours. Your heart is so pure, and so is the girl you love, but you won't open yourself up to those feelings. I know you were hurt before, but that shouldn't determine you not opening your heart up to more love."

"Tch." Nino looked away, crossing his arms. "How would you know anything?"

"Nino, I am the literal goddess of love, but uncommon to popular belief, it's not just romantic love. It's also platonic love, familial love, and most importantly, self-love." Aphrodite replied, "And I know that you have no problem with any of the other types. You only struggle with romantic love. Why is that?"

"I don't know."

"Alright." Aphrodite sighed before standing up. She was flickering between entities and then suddenly, it stopped and stayed on Alya's appearance. "Who do you see?"

"My best friend Alya."

"Who you're in love with."

"What?" Nino flushed in confusion, "I'm not in love with her!"

"Then tell me why you see her."

"Because I think she's attractive? That's not a bad thing. I think all girls are beautiful in their own way."

"But don't you see? I come in all forms of beauty, but beauty is subjective, so the person you see right now is the person you think is the most beautiful person in the world. And that sort of beauty blossoms from love."

Nino hesitated.

"Have you ever thought about wanting to be more than friends with Alya?"

Nino hesitated with his words, "No, because when I met Alya, she had just moved to a new place and as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she came from a really dark place in her life. I didn't feel right wanting a relationship with her during that time, and even after she adjusted to her new life and gained great friends, I guess I had just been so used to telling myself that we were just friends that I couldn't see us as anything else. Even if I wanted to."

"So think about it now. Would you want to be more than friends?"

Yeah, he would. More than anything in the world. He had been no stranger to the electricity and sparks that came from an accidental brush of the hand, or the awkwardness that came from them hugging. He had gotten so used to the way his heart pounded in his chest upon seeing Alya that it just felt natural to be like that around her.

"No. We're better off as just friends." Nino sighed, standing up to start putting his stuff back. He still hadn't unpacked from being at Alya's place.

"You can't lie to an all-knowing deity, especially not to the goddess of love about love. I know what you want, and I'm just here to tell you that maybe it's better if you open yourself up to those feelings. What's the worst that could come out from it?"

"I lose the best friend that I've learned to rely on." Nino pointed out. "I still don't understand why you're helping me. You're an all-knowing goddess about love."

"Like I said, you have a really pure heart, something I don't see in any other man in the world. I like to meddle with love, even if I've been told countless times not to. I guess that's just the flaw in me, but if you think you're so special, think again. I always meddle in Yue Lao's business, especially when it comes to his red string makings."

Nino froze at that, looking at Aphrodite, "Alya's my soulmate?"

"Well-" Aphrodite began, clearly being caught with revealing too much information, "Would you believe me if I said no?"

"No."

"Good. I hope you know that it's not scary to open your heart up to these things and that sometimes it's better to be heartbroken than to forever be cursed with loving someone from afar." Aphrodite winked, "Now, I've got to get home. I'm terribly late for a date with my husband. Ares is waiting for me."

"Husband?" Nino stuttered. "Wasn't it-"

"They've really got to update those mythology books on us." Aphrodite gave a small smile before she was gone, disappeared in a blink of an eye.

As soon as she was gone, his phone rang and Nino was quick to pick it up, not even looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Did you get home safe, Nino? I know you've been feeling out of it today." Alya asked.

The symptoms flooded through his system again. Butterflies, fastened heart rate, goofy smiling, shaky hands, flushed face.

"Thanks for checking in. I'm feeling better after all that rest I got. I'm sorry for worrying you, and I'm sorry for not being 100% when I was with you today."

"Hey, you're my best friend, you don't always have to be 100% when you're with me." Nino could hear Alya smiling through the phone, "Don't push yourself for school or anything."

"I won't next time. I promise." Nino hummed.

Maybe Aphrodite was right. Maybe it wouldn't be so scary to think about Alya other than a friend, if he was feeling like this all the time.

"Listen, I wanted to ask you if it would be alright." Alya's voice was starting to shake nervously. She was never nervous, or at least, she never showed her nervousness. Nino wondered what she was going to ask about.

"What would be alright?"

"If we could go for boba tomorrow." Alya replied before adding, "Only if you're up to it!"

"Of course. Why would I ever say no to spending time with my favorite person in the world?" Nino asked.

"Not as friends though."

"What?" Nino asked, confused.

"Maybe...as more than that?"

Nino smiled. He had known Alya for a very long time. Despite Alya being the boldest and most confident person he had ever met, Alya wasn't one to try and make the first move. If she was willing to do this, it meant that she was getting sick and tired of Nino ignoring his feelings. Maybe this was a sign.

"I'd love to."

"I'll come over at 3 pm?"

"It's a date."

"It's a date." Alya confirmed and he heard her voice melt with relief as she hung up.

Okay, Nino could work with this. All he had to do now was find a way to thank the goddess that helped him guide his journey. He was sure she had some part in meddling with Alya's sides of things. He really hoped he didn't have to sacrifice any virgins or doves to thank her.

[somanyfuckedupiftruebooks]

... Huh? What?

Oh, was I supposed to say something? Sorry I got so distracted by the image of Gerry tied up... what were we talking about?

So they entered via the Buried tunnel, but the world's Best Boy was totally chill the whole time. You wish your man could.

Gerry, I know you're perfect and you've never done anything wrong in your life ever, but this might have been a good time to warn these innocent bystanders that they should leave. It's okay though, you're young and still learning, and I know you'll get it next time. :)

Oohh this is a big clue, especially for Season 1. I think this is the first time we've gotten a clear reference to the number fourteen as being significant, and we also get some pretty explicit descriptions of the various fear categories throughout this episode and a very early hint at the idea of the Entities being tied together/part of a whole/existing in balance with each other.

Fitting that we are getting this new information tied to Robert Smirke. (Also Gerry!! Every time he shows up in a statement we get a tonne of lore along with him. No wonder Jon is so enamored.)

So I know nothing about Smirke the real life man, I only know him from the podcast, but this line made me google a picture of the British Museum and it's almost exactly how I've been picturing the Magnus Institute (except the Institute would be smaller and have more eyes hidden the design). So that's cool.

Fuck! Off he goes!! Bye Gerry!!!

Rachel and Harold get a big round of applause for at least trying to act sensibly. Better luck next time Alf.

Yuck. Flesh tunnel. At least it didn't transform into a giant throat or something.

Fuck! Here he is!! Hi Gerry!!!

Hey!! Here's the weird Bone Book that I confused with the Book of the Dead back in Mag... I want to say 4? So this is when Gerry went and fetched it for Mary, and she treasured it for the rest of her life and then her undeath. That's sweet. Still no idea what it does though, aside from spit out weird little bones and kill Alf somehow.

Considering his age, I am going to guess that this is probably the first time Gerry ever saw someone die? He's sprinting out of there like he's terrified. This could be the inciting incident that leads to him starting to doubt his mother's teachings and deciding that the Leitners are Bad News Actually. He certainly starts looking out for bystanders and making an effort to keep normal people safe after this.

Anyway... could you possibly elaborate on how strong Gerry is...? You just keep mentioning it, and in my professional opinion it's probably very important to the statement. 😳

What happened to Alf? I definitely don't think Gerry killed him (see previous note about how Gerry has never done anything wrong ever) I reckon it was the book somehow. But I couldn't even guess how. Something to do with his bones maybe? But there's nothing wrong with his body and he seems to have died of pure terror? Also whatever happened must have been quick, because Gerry took off with the book basically as soon as Alf started screaming. Maybe there was some kind of trap keeping the book here and Alf activated it?

Yikes! Harold managed to get hinself marked by the Buried, the Flesh, the Web, the Dark, the Stranger and the Desolation all in one night! He's almost halfway to a successful ritual! Elias should have just sent Jon down into these tunnels.

Oh btw, do we assume these tunnels meet up with the ones under the Institute? I say yes. I don't know if it makes any sense in terms of real-world geography, but I assume the tunnel network spreads out to cover at least all of London and is full of all kinds of spooky shit like this.

Mag 35

Blorbo's back!!! Time to be unhinged again!!!!

Big Sebastian Skinner energy coming from Alf right now. Is this just what all plumbers are like in TMA?

Teen Gerry Teen Gerry Teen Gerry 😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰🥰😍😍😘

Ahh, the era when his most notable feature was his terribly maintained hair and not his dozens of unsettling eye tattoos or horrific burn scars. At least he did a decent job on the dye this time. And Gerry my beloved, I get the temptation to avoid washing your hair to keep the dye from fading for as long as possible, but it's probably worth it to just invest in some better quality shampoo.

I'm pretty sure the band shirt he's wearing is supposed to be Mastodon, but Megalodon and Megadeath and also good guesses. Everyone who thinks it's the Mechanisms is a genius with a galaxy brain.

My man be hiding in the shadows for indeterminate amounts of time, waiting for his opportunity to be cryptic.

Hmmm... for some reason this description forgot to mention that he has the world's shittiest beard get away from me?

Extremely funny that Leitner is established to have an accent in canon and then later it gets retconned that he was just faking it (I guess because Mr Sims Sr couldn't do a decent Norwegian accent?) Also great that his office is completely empty because Leitner doesn't actually do anything other than be a waste of space.

First canon appearance of the man himself and he immediately goes about establishing that he's a massive cunt. [Insert entire Leitner rant here.]

Who are you calling a burnout? 😠

Big fan of the statement-giver trying to kick Gerry out (good luck) while being undermined by Rachel the Treasure Hunter over here like 'You tellin me there's good shit down in this basement?? Lead the way my dude.'

'I was so mesmerised by the smell of paper that I let a random kid steal my tools and go to town on the wall. Oops.'

Fuck! Yes! King! Smash that wall!! You're so strong and pretty, you can do whatever you want. I don't even care about you endangering these people.

His mom knows about mysterious basement renovations, obviously.

I love that he just sits and unhelpfully listens to music while the adults are talking. Classic teens, amiright??

All of them are insane for deciding to explore the walled up tunnel that screams at you when you open it. (Except for you Gerry, you're a treasure and we're thrilled to have you here with us.) Another instance of people being doomed by their desire to know.

[storiesforallfandoms]

and the winner is... ~ eminem

word count: 1784

request?: yes!

“hey, love your writing sm ❤️ I really like the concept where the reader is a young actress with Eminem, so can I request one where they go to Marshall’s award show for the first time publicly, they try to keep it low key but the reader presents an award and when Em wins they share a warm moment on stage and the media loses it? thanks in advance”

description: in which they say they’re going to be lowkey for their first public appearance as a couple, and then he wins the award she’s presenting

pairing: eminem x female!reader

warnings: swearing

masterlist (one, two)

It was hard to keep my hands off of Marshall as we walked down the red carpet. It was our first public outing as a couple, but Marshall wasn’t very into PDA so we had decided to keep it somewhat lowkey. It seemed like a good idea in theory, until Marshall did the unthinkable and showed up dressed in a suit. How am I supposed to not jump his bones when he looks damn fine in a suit?

Every time I so much as glanced at him the paparazzi would go crazy. So many flashing lights that eventually I was seeing spots. It was hard to keep smiling when I couldn’t even see ahead of me.

Marshall put an arm around my waist - which of course led to more flashing lights - and walked me off the red carpet into the venue. The minute I walked through the doors into the dimly lit room, it really was like I couldn’t see. I had to take a minute to let my eyes adjust to the sudden light change.

“Weird how quickly I go from basically a nobody on a red carpet to a hot commodity just because I have attractive arm candy,” I joked.

A half smile tugged at Marshall’s lips. “You were never a nobody. Not to me anyways.”

“Awe, that’s so sweet it’s kind of gross,” I teased.

This earned me an actual laugh as Marshall pulled me in for a kiss. Without any prying eyes around, we felt free to actually be a couple.

We engaged with some others in the industry, including those Marshall considered to be close friends of his. I felt out of place at this music award show as an actress who was still trying to become more than just a side character in the movies she starred in. I was grateful to have Marshall there to help me through it.

When we took our seats as the show was starting, Marshall reached over to take my hand. “Are you okay?”

I shrugged. “Nervous I think. Which I shouldn’t be because it’s just me announcing an award, but it’s my first time on an award show stage for any reason, and it’s a pretty big award.”

“And it’s one I’m nominated for.”

I looked over at Marshall with wide eyes. “What?!”

“You didn’t know?”

I shook my head. Now I felt so much more nervous. What if I pulled a Steve Harvey and said the wrong name because I wanted Marshall to win? Or what if he actually did win but everyone thought I said he did because we were dating? I tried to focus on the stage ahead of me but my heart was beating so fast that my vision was starting to get blurry. I felt warm, like I was sweating, which made me worry that my makeup was starting to run. I was going to look disgusting with my makeup running on live television.

Sensing my new found nervousness, Marshall gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Hey, look at me.” I glanced over to meet his gaze. “It’s going to be okay. You’ve rehearsed this speech so much that you can say it without the teleprompter. It’s not going to be any different just because I’m nominated. If I win, you give me the award and I do a speech. If I don’t win, you give the award to whoever does and they make a speech. It’s not a big deal, (Y/N), don’t worry too much about it.”

I wished I could’ve just let my fear rush from my body, but it was still there. Before I could say anything else, the lights went down and the show officially started.

I tried to just sit and enjoy the show but it was hard when I had my upcoming presenter role looming over me. Of course, it was one of the last awards of the show, so I had to sit there and let my nerves build as the suspense for the winner of the award grew as well.

Every now and then Marshall would give my hand another squeeze and I would calm down for that split second. Having him by my side helped a lot, but every time I remembered that he might be the recipient of the award I became nervous again.

Finally, it was my time to take the stage. They passed me the envelope with the name of the winner and motioned for me to take the stage. I plastered a smile on my face as my name was called and I walked onto the stage. I hoped the cameras couldn’t pick up my shaking, and I really hoped my shaking wouldn’t make my voice sound as bad as I feared it would.

“This award can only go to the best of the best,” I started, glancing at the prompter in front of me to make sure I was saying the words correctly. “The person who worked the hardest and had the best payoff with their release. The competition this year is fierce, and it was hard to narrow it down to just these five artists, as there have been so many amazing works of art released this past year. It has been an even harder choice to pick who of them all is the best, although I might be bias in saying I’ve already chosen my favorite.”

The audience chuckled at my improved addition to the speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, here are your nominees.”

I watched the video that played of the nominated artists. My heart skipped a beat when Marshall came up, a few clips from the music videos he had filmed playing in a short montage. He had worked so hard on his latest album, every part of me hoped that he would be the winner I was announcing.

As the video came to an end, I turned back to face the audience (and the cameras) to announce the winner.

“And the award goes to...”

I tried not to let my slight fear show as I fumbled with the envelope for a moment. I started to worry that I wouldn’t even be able to open it and completely embarrass myself on live TV. I tried not to sigh with relief when the seal perfectly popped open and I was able to pull the card out. The smile on my face had to have given away the winner before the words were even out of my mouth.

“Eminem!”

The crowd cheered and stood from their seats. A camera found Marshall, who was standing from his seat and hugging Paul and Denaun before making his way to the stage. I couldn’t help but smile proudly at him as I extended the award I was holding - his award - to him.

I was taken by surprise when he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. It was brief since he had an award to accept, but it was enough to make my head spin, the way his kisses usually did.

When he pulled away I was still so stunned that I almost forgot to give him his award. I could see him trying to hold back a laugh as he took it from my hands and turned to the microphone.

“Thank you,” he said to the still cheering audience. For a minute I forgot there was anyone else in the room, and realizing so many people had watched that kiss made my cheeks heat up. “I’d like to thank my manager, Paul, who for some reason still backs me with everything I do and produce even when it pushes the boundaries a little too much. I also want to thank the good Doctor, who has been supporting me since day one and who has always believed in me and gave me this platform to make music and to push the boundaries that Paul has to deal with. My daughters, my biggest inspirations. And of course, I’d like to thank the beautiful lady who presented this award to me tonight. I may not show it publicly but I am my happiest when I’m with you and I cannot thank you enough for that.”

I blinked away the tears forming in my eyes as I clapped along with the audience. The music started playing as Marshall offered me his arm to walk me off the stage. I felt like I was floating on cloud nine as we walked down the stairs and backstage, away from the cameras and the thousands of people watching us, both in person and on TV.

We were greeted backstage by other presenters and winners who were still mingling and celebrating their wins. Marshall was congratulated and a few of the other presenters told me how well I did with my presentation. I was proud of myself for getting through it, but I was more proud that I didn’t go completely airheaded after Marshall kissed me.

When we finally got away from the large amount of people, Marshall pulled me in for another kiss.

“So much for keeping it lowkey, huh?” I teased when I pulled away.

“I was caught up in the moment,” he said with a shrug, but I wasn’t completely convinced.

“That speech was uncharacteristically sweet,” I said. “For your public persona anyways. I figured you’d keep it short and sweet and maybe get the show into a little bit of trouble with an unplanned curse word.”

He chuckled. “Well normally that would be how things go. But I meant what I said during my speech: you make me the happiest I’ve ever been. When you said my name I just couldn’t help but feel this unfamiliar surge of happiness and excitement at winning. You know I don’t care about these types of award shows, but the fact that you presented this award to me made me care for just a second. I know I’ll be the talking point for the next few days because of this, but right now I don’t care all that much.”

Tears were welling in my eyes again as I pulled him back to me. “Shut up, you’re gonna ruin my makeup.”

His laugh filled my ears as he pulled me for another kiss. The happiness he said he felt coursed through my veins too. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else in a moment like this.

When he pulled away he put his arm around me again and started to walk towards the door. “Let’s get out of here. I think I wanna celebrate my win with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.”

I smiled brightly at him. “I like the sound of that.”

[runnning-outof-time]

What’s Happened Here? | Arthur Shelby x Reader

Request: yes by @marvelxmendes

Pairing: Arthur Shelby x reader

Summary: (Y/N) seeks comfort at a friend's in order to help her forget her problems. But she goes a bit overboard, and her problems end up helping her.

Warnings: language, drinking, vomiting

Word Count: 2373

A/N: I think we all need a caring Arthur Shelby in our lives. Enjoy! :)

Requests are CLOSED!

———

The door to the house she shared with her boyfriend shut just as the clock struck midnight. (Y/N) sighed as she dropped the book she was reading onto the empty side of the bed before she flung the covers off of her body and exited the bedroom.

She descended the stairs, coming face to face with Arthur, who was just about to start climbing them. He looked surprised when his eyes fell on her. "(Y/N). You're still up," he voiced his surprise then.

"Yeah. And you're just coming home now," she pointed out, "what is this, Arthur? Where were you?" she dropped her hands to her hips as she looked at him expectantly.

"Tommy had a job for me to complete," he answered, looking guiltily to the floor.

"A job? What kind of job?"

"Had me runnin' errands over at the Garrison," he told her, but with one look into his eyes, she could tell that he was lying.

"The Garrison, huh? If you were at the Garrison, why do you smell like ash and smoke?" she questioned after she'd stepped forward slightly to smell his suit jacket. "You were at the yard, weren't you?" she raised her eyebrows as she hoped he'd come clean.

"I was," he nodded.

"And what were you doing at Charlie's yard?"

"I was...er, helping him with...disposal," he was hesitant to answer. (Y/N) almost let off of him because she saw how guilty he looked, but she knew she couldn't. They'd agreed that he'd go straight from this type of work. That it was dragging him down mentally and that it was no longer good for him to keep up. But here he was again, standing in front of her like a child that had just been called down to the headmaster's.

"Disposal, eh? And I can only imagine what type of things you were disposing of," she nodded her head, sarcasm seeping into her words. "You know, you make me sick, Arthur," she told him then, a look of disapproval on her face before she spun around to walk back up the steps.

"Well what the fuck am I supposed to say to me own brother then? I can't just tell him that he can't count on me to do any of that work anymore," Arthur countered as he also ascended the steps, following her right into their bedroom.

"Yes, you can! You can and you said you were going to!" (Y/N) exclaimed in response, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "You know how doing these kinds of things makes you, Arthur. That's why you said you'd step away from it."

"(Y/N)..." he trailed off with a sigh, watching as she scrambled around the room to get some normal clothes on once more. "Come on, (Y/N), what are you doing?"

"I'm getting out of here," she answered as she grabbed her purse from the vanity it was sitting on. "I can't stand to be around you when you've done such things," she hissed as she tried to step past him. He stayed in the middle of the doorway.

"Come on, (Y/N)...love, we can work this out," he tried, reaching out to take hold of her, but she just flinched away from him.

"No. Don't touch me. Don't touch me with those...devilish hands and tell me we can work this out," she snapped at him, "the only way this will work out is if you get out of that life completely, Arthur Shelby!" she exclaimed, finally pushing past him to exit the house.

She had one place in mind as she took off down the street. One place where she knew she'd be able to go, whose occupants she knew would be up at a time as late as this.

—

"(Y/N)!" Darcy cheered as she opened the door. "(Y/N), come in!" she almost immediately stepped aside so that the woman standing at the front porch could enter the house. "Liz! Come see who's here!" she then called to her sister before leading (Y/N) into the kitchen.

"(Y/N)!" Elizabeth, Darcy's sister, greeted (Y/N) in the same manner as she threw her arms around her in a hug almost immediately. (Y/N) accepted it with a soft smile.

She knew she could count on Darcy and Elizabeth, regardless of the time of day. They were the two, crazy sisters who lived down the street from her and Arthur's house, and she had befriended them quite quickly after they'd moved to where they were currently living. Surprisingly enough, they didn't know of the Shelby name or the things it was tied to. So when (Y/N) went to them to vent about what was happening with Arthur, she was able to do so freely.

"Having troubles again, deary?" Darcy questioned as she noticed the darker circles around the other woman's eyes.

"Is it that obvious?" (Y/N) laughed in spite of herself, shaking her head slightly before she answered the question, "yeah. And I bet you can guess with what," she sighed.

"Oh I know already," Darcy nodded her head before she stepped over to her pantry, "and you know how to help with those problems, right?" she stated with a grin before she produced an unopened bottle of wine.

"Oh, Darc...I'm not sure if I should be drinking any of that tonight," (Y/N) was hesitant on the idea.

"Nonsense," Elizabeth was the one to wave her off, already coming over to the table with three glasses in her hands. She set them on the table, and as Darcy began pouring the wine between them, (Y/N) thought: why not?

—

Three hours and a bottle of wine later, (Y/N) was in a much better mood. She, Darcy, and Elizabeth were laughing up a storm about whatever nonsense came into their minds. Half of the topics weren't even relevant at this point.

"So you still haven't told us about your man problems yet, (Y/N)," Elizabeth was the one to point out once their laughter had died down.

"Didn't have enough wine in me yet," (Y/N) responded, tipping her glass to them before she took another sip.

"So you'll tell us now?" Darcy looked on eagerly, curling her legs up next to her on the couch.

(Y/N) sighed, deciding that it might make her feel better if she got it off of her chest. "It's Arthur..." she trailed off, trying to think of the right words before she continued, "he's went and has again done the thing he swore he wouldn't."

"The thing that screws him up...in the head?" Elizabeth checked before she said any more.

"Yes," (Y/N) nodded, another sigh escaping her lips.

"And why does he do it?" Darcy was the one asking now.

"Because of his family. It has a lot to do with the company his family runs, and the types of business they're involved in," (Y/N) tried to explain it more without giving many details away.

"If it's work then why can't he just leave it?" Darcy asked as if it was a no-brainer.

"See that's what I think, but it's the loyalty to his brother that he can't get past. That's what keeps him going back."

"Then to hell with him!" Elizabeth cheered out of nowhere, bubbly giggles escaping her lips afterwards because she'd just realized what she'd said. The other two ladies burst into giggles as well, and the topic of Arthur was dropped for a riveting discussion on when the best time to plant perennials is.

—

"Ok, ladies. I think I'm about ready to go home," (Y/N) stated as she stood from the couch she'd been perched on for who knows how long. Trusting her legs too much, she immediately buckled under her weight. Luckily she managed to catch herself on the arm of the sofa. And of course, this was funny. So the three spent about another minute giggling about it. "Ok. Now I'm really ready to go home," she stated once her laughter had subsided.

"Be safe on the walk home!" Darcy chirped as she led (Y/N) to the door.

"Yeah! Don't get jumped by a rabbit!" Elizabeth called from where she was still sitting in the living room, giggling to herself.

"I hope your problems with Arthur get sorted out," Darcy told her as they stopped at the door. For once that evening, Darcy's laughter had been completely put aside. She was all seriousness now.

"Thanks, Darc. I hope it does too," (Y/N) pouted slightly as she responded to her friend. She really hoped that Arthur wouldn't be mad at her and that he'd still be at the house when she returned. "Also thanks for opening your home to me...again," she smiled as she leaned in for a hug.

"It's always open," the other woman assured her, "especially when men are being pains," now the giggles were back. (Y/N) didn't let herself get sucked into them, because if she did, she'd be there for at least another hour. She knew she needed to get home.

"I'll be going now," she stated, turning the knob on the door so that she could exit the house. After saying her final goodbyes to the two ladies that were currently screaming them back at her, she started her walk down the street to where she and Arthur lived.

It wasn't until she stepped through the front door of her house that she felt her stomach turn. Guessing it was just the change from the cold of the outside to the warmth of the inside, she stepped further into the house and shut the door. Then, she felt everything she'd eaten and drank that night start to rise. Covering her mouth with her hand, she made a dash to the washroom, thankful that they had one downstairs. She just made it to the toilet when she started to throw up, hating the burning feeling it left in her throat.

Arthur was upstairs sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting there. The drink didn't help, the snow didn't help, and smoking never did. He knew what the only thing that could make him feel better was...and she was currently out of the house. So he stayed seated, rubbing his temples in attempts to calm himself down.

Then he heard the front door shut. Knowing that was (Y/N) returning from wherever she'd been, he lifted his head to listen for her footsteps to ascend the stairs. Scenarios immediately started running through his mind as he thought of ways to make it up to her. But he never got to act on any of them because shortly after the door shut, he heard the sound of someone retching. That had to be her.

So he rushed down the steps and into the washroom to find her curled over the toilet, throwing up the contents of her stomach. "Oh, love..." he spoke softly so as not to scare her with his sudden presence. She looked over at him as she heard him speak and immediately felt self conscious. She didn't want him to see her like this. "What's happened here?" he asked as he moved to her side.

"I guess I drank too much," (Y/N) admitted with a sigh, wiping the tears that escaped her eyes with the back of her hand as she looked over at him bashfully. "Wine never mixes with an empty stomach...excuse me!" she rushed the end of her sentence as she started to vomit again. Arthur was quick to grab the sides of her hair that had fallen with her head, making sure that they wouldn't get puked on. He rested his hand on the middle of her back and began to rub it softly, hoping that it would soothe her. "I hate that you have to see me like this," she sighed, wiping her mouth as she finished once again.

Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at her words. "You've seen me at my worst, (Y/N). Which is...much worse than this," he reminded her.

She laughed slightly, "you're right," she agreed with him. They'd been through some tough times throughout their three year long relationship.

"So this is the least that I can do for you," he told her, kissing the side of her head. His lips only stayed for a quarter of a second because (Y/N) was pushing him far away from her as she started vomiting again. Again, Arthur started rubbing circles into her back.

"Ugh, I'm never drinking again," she groaned as she stopped throwing up. Her eyes were feeling heavy as she looked over to Arthur. "Which means you've gotta give up the things that drive me to this," she told him, the alcohol still present in her system giving her no filter.

"I'll try, love," he gave her the best response that he could. He knew he couldn't promise her that he'd give it up completely. He had to remain loyal to his brother and to his family's business. "You think you're about done?" he asked after she hadn't thrown up in a few minutes.

"I think maybe," she nodded her head, sighing as she stood up slowly with his help. She then moved over to the sink and took in a couple mouthfuls of water so that she could rinse the disgusting taste out of her mouth. "I wanna go to bed now," she said then, and Arthur nodded, helping her up the stairs to their room.

(Y/N) got changed out of her clothing and back into her nightgown before she moved to her side of the bed. Slipping under the covers, she smiled as Arthur turned off the light and joined her on his side of the bed. She closed her eyes as he draped his arm over her stomach and pulled her into him. She didn't last long laying there though, because in a matter of minutes, she was up and dashing to the washroom to vomit again. It was certainly going to be a long night.

———

Tagged: @alreadybroken-ts @magicalxdaydream @the-anxious-youth @look-at-the-soul

Masterlist

[aspens-orchard]

"Oh, right!! My name's Synth Cortalia! I'm still a bit of a rookie when it comes to making music... but that's just because I don't have the best singing voice!! I'm more of a beats and lyric writing kind of person, my voice is kinda dead all the time anyways. I'm not sure what it is and doctor's don't really know either, my voice is just slightly deeper than it's supposed to be and kinda raspy so it hurts to sing for too long, like 3-6 minutes or so? So I can still, like, sing, I just can't do it for a while so recordings don't always go to well! Shit am I oversharing again?? Sorry, I tend to ramble sometimes... But umm, it's really awkward that the test track won't load, huh? I guess my wifi isn't the best here, yet again it's not like I can just put a router in the tv head- w a i t. Ok, locking that idea up for later, onto music..."

They pulled out their phone and opened Spotify once more, loading up much quicker and blasting a bass-filled track before stopping quickly.

"Fuck- volumes maxed hang on..."

They track played again, this time in full (about a minute), this time at a normal volume. It seemed to be a mixture of metal and punk, with some realllyyyy unconventional sound effects.

"Sooo..? What did you think? It's the one I'm most proud of so far, especially the dial tones and static sounds! I love old electronics if you couldn't tell from the tv head. I actually wired and programmed the entire thing myself, complete with emotions and little background effects! It can also connect via Bluetooth and displays my pokemon's statuses, as well as being able to connect to speakers placed in my pants. They look kinda like shin guards but they are just speakers, tripping is kinda devastating for me which is why I gotta have realllyyyy good balance, so I wear heels a lot to help balance myself better!"

They were stimming with their hands quite a bit, clearly ecstatic to be talking to their idol so casually. The emotions on their tv cycled through pretty quickly from the rapid hand movements, any quicker and it might need a seizure warning.

"Oh my Arceus he's right there..! Ok ok ok calm down, it's just a question Synth..."

You feel a light tap on your shoulder and turn to see a person wearing a TV on their head, displaying a neutral expression despite the person's obvious excitement

"Hello Mr. Piers!! I'm a huge fan of your music, and umm, I was hoping to maybe, umm, collaborate on a song or two, I make music myself- here I can show you!"

Spotify opened on the tv screen, loading indefinitely.

"C'mon really..? Why right now..."

The screen went back to expressions, cycling through a few of them as Synth fidgeted with their hands.

"So, uhhh, yeah!"

He jumps a little as he's tapped, spinning around.

"Who-"

He pauses, eyebrows raised as he comes face to face with someone... with a TV on their head.

"Uhh..."

The person starts pitching to him. Okay, okay, not the first time that's happened to him. He watches them work through some technical difficulties, and honestly, it makes him feel a bit nostalgic, when he was in a similar position pitching his earliest songs to different labels.

"Why don't you start by telling me your name?"

[demetriandelibinaryboyfriends]

@ckhalloween22 BEHOLD, chapter 2 of my “Monstrous Transformations” prompt submission!!! AKA the chapter where I somehow make things even more fucked up and crank the suffering up to 11 :D And also the werewolf chapter. The very graphic and probably very disturbing werewolf chapter. Oops.

Here is Chapter 1 btw!!! This bad boy will also get an epilogue sometime next week because

My condolences to Hawk and Dem, they probably deserve financial compensation for all the absolute agony I am laying on them. At least they’re in love???

Big boi CW for some uh...fairly graphic body horror/transformation horror in this. Like I said, there’s werewolves this chapter, and uh...well, you know how it is. Full moon comes out and the trauma begins! Also CW for just general blood and gore. Werewolf morphing is not pretty. Where’s the fun in that?!

There’s also some kind of gross-out/twisted/black humor in this, I guess? The boys are traumatized and then use sarcasm to process it, as per usual. They don’t have to only be endlessly miserable about every terrible thing I throw at them XD

Fic under the cut--be warned, it’s another longboi! Even longer than the last one :O And moodboard pic credits available upon request, as always!

Nocturnal Chapter 2 - After Dusk

“What the hell were you thinking?!”

Demetri’s fingers dig into Eli’s shoulders so hard it probably hurts. Right now he’s too livid to care.

“Asshole, let me explain—”

“What is there to explain?” Demetri snarls. “You knew this shit was permanent. Like…incurable, life-ruining permanent. And you did it on purpose?! Just…Jesus Christ, Eli.”

Tears well up in the corner of his vision. He doesn’t stop them.

A little guilt-tripping wouldn’t hurt right now.

“I’m already so fucking scared all the time, running away from all the assholes who want to kill me. And now they’re going to hunt you, too.”

“They already were, moron!” Eli’s eyes flare, and he shoves Demetri away. “You said it yourself: I can’t be with you without putting a target on my back. And I already made that decision a long time ago.”

“I just…” Demetri’s voice comes out in a choked sob. “I didn’t want you to get this deep in all this. I thought maybe you could still have a normal life. And you throw that away?”

“What if I don’t want that?” Eli snaps. “I told you I’m not abandoning you. I see you keep giving me outs, like you think I’m suddenly going to run away like a fucking pussy. You think—what? I’m going to stop loving you because of something out of your control? It’s fucking insulting.”

“I…” Demetri shakes his head slowly. “I wanted to protect you. Always. I never wanted you getting hurt on my behalf.”

“And what about you, huh?” Eli takes a step toward him, fists clenched. “Who’s supposed to protect you when you’re running from killer mobs for the rest of your life? All alone?!”

“We’re not talking about me—”

“Yeah, we are! Because you don’t think you matter and I’m fucking sick of it. You don’t care if you die as long as I make it out. Because you don’t know how much it would fuck me up if you died, Demetri. And I can’t keep you safe if I’m just some…some weak, useless bitch!”

Eli takes a shaky breath, and moonlight catches the moisture under his eyes. When he speaks again, his voice is softer, more fragile.

“Do you have any idea how fucking terrified I was when we got ambushed by those slayers, and—and they held you down and burned you?! I thought I was going to lose you. And then I couldn’t—” His voice breaks, lip curling in disgust. “I couldn’t do shit. I threw everything I had into getting them off you, and there were still too many.”

Something about Eli’s panicked, desperate expression makes Demetri’s anger melt away. He steps forward, cupping his boyfriend’s cheek in his hand.

“You did throw them off their game enough for me to break out,” he says gently. “If it weren’t for you, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten away at all.”

Eli scowls. “We got lucky. What, were we supposed to do that every time? Run away and hope they don’t catch up? I’m done living like that.”

Demetri looks away. He’s right—it isn’t that different from how they used to be, running from every bully and praying they were faster.

“It was stupid, anyways,” Eli mumbles. “Thinking I could fend off trained monster killers with fucking karate.”

“Well, I blame our senseis for giving us the impression that karate is the most valuable and indispensable weapon in the entire world.”

Eli snorts. “Yeah, turns out there are scarier things in the world than kids with blackbelts.”

“Who would’ve thought?”

They both laugh, and Demetri’s agitation continues to gradually trickle away.

“Dem.” Eli breaks into a slow smile, his hand sliding over Demetri’s. “I can protect you now.”

His eyes are shining, bright like they used to be when he puzzled out a tricky line of code or beat his high score in a game. Nothing but innocent delight and pure, unabashed hope.

Demetri sighs. “Stop looking at me like that. You know I can’t stay mad at you.”

“Yeah, that’s never been your strong suit, has it?”

He huffs in defeat and pulls Eli into his arms, burying his nose in a now-rather-weathered blue mohawk. It smells like dust and dirt and leaves tonight, the usual faint blueberry aroma of the dye nowhere to be found.

“It’s just…” He noses Eli’s hair. “They’ll kill you on sight now. They’d at least hesitate if you were still human.”

Eli scoffs into his chest. “I’m a lot harder to kill now.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

He runs a hand along Eli’s back, trying to let the last of his biting anxiety ebb away.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he murmurs. “I don’t know what this’ll do to you, but…I want you to still be you. I don’t want it to turn you into something I don’t recognize. I…” He holds Eli a little tighter. “I felt you slipping away a year ago, and it scared the shit out of me. I felt like I didn’t know you anymore. I don’t—I don’t want that ever again.”

“Demetri, I did this for you.” Eli works his fingers in Demetri’s flannel. “Why would I leave now?”

“That’s not what I mean. Just…” He exhales. “Promise me whatever happens, you’ll try to hold on to yourself. Because…well, it’s selfish as hell, but I am so fucking in love with you, and I don’t want this whole thing to…kill that person.”

Eli laughs softly against him. “I promise. Guess it’s only fair, since you managed.”

“I also just…I’ve heard it really hurts, what with all the realigning bones and what have you. I don’t want you to have to go through that.”

“I mean. Didn’t yours hurt too?”

Eli suddenly pulls away, fingers trailing up to the scars on Demetri’s neck. They don’t sting anymore, although they’re still pretty unsightly.

Good thing his mom usually has spare foundation when he needs to go out.

“Yeah, but I couldn’t exactly opt out. And it was just the once.”

Eli shrugged. “I’ll be fine. If I can survive the ‘pain does not exist’ dojo, this’ll be nothing.”

“Speaking of, though.”

Demetri pulls Eli’s arm close, inspecting it.

He only glimpsed the wound when Eli first walked into his living room, and didn’t have time to get a good look before he was already yelling. The complete lack of evidence of any crying—or rather any indication that Eli was upset about this at all—was proof enough that the bite was no accident.

It’s ironic, really. Demetri took them into the backyard to avoid waking up his mom, but their shouting probably woke up the entire neighborhood instead.

The bite’s a nasty thing—a semicircle of deep toothmarks, the skin around them puffy and inflamed. They’re starting to seep red again, as if Eli had initially managed to stave off the bleeding only for it to pick up again.

“I put pressure on it,” Eli says. Reading his mind as usual. “Kind of calmed it down for a while.”

“Come here.”

He guides Eli down to the grass, pulling over the Ralph’s bag he set down earlier. He was pissed when Eli came in, sure, but not too pissed to raid his mom’s first aid cabinet and grab a few essentials.

He digs out a tube of disinfectant and antibacterial, starting to carefully spread them over the wound.

“So let me get this straight. Your plan was to wander around Topanga Canyon on the full moon, find a werewolf, and…bait them into attacking you?”

“Pretty much.”

Demetri scowls. “I do not know where to even begin with that, but first of all, you know there are actual dangerous nocturnal pumas out there, right? Like lycanthropy aside, the wilderness at night is one of the least safe places you can possibly be.”

Eli snorts. “Yeah, well, my chances of finding werewolves in a fucking Costco aren’t great.”

Demetri purses his lips. “You’re impossible. If I still had a fully-functional digestive system, I’m certain you would’ve given me a stomach ulcer by now.”

“Love you, Dem.”

He pauses to see Eli giving him the most innocent possible look and groans. “Stop using that to get out of trouble, Moskowitz.”

“It’s so effective, though. Can’t kick it if it works.” Demetri only rolls his eyes.

He squints at the wound as a new fear bubbles up.

“And you’re sure this was a werewolf, right? Not just an actual wolf? Or a coyote? Should I take you in for another rabies shot?”

Eli wrinkles his nose. “Nah. This thing looked too weird. Definitely part human.”

“I have to confess, I don’t get it.” He shakes his head as he continues to rub cotton pad circles over Eli’s skin. “If you wanted to be strong enough to back me up, why didn’t you ask me to bite you? I’m sure you’d turn out to be a more badass vampire than me, anyways.”

“Because you never would have gone for it.”

Demetri stops, glancing up. Eli looks so confident in the statement that it’s almost insulting.

“What—how do you know? Did you ever think to ask, Eli?!”

“You would’ve given me a speech about how your existence is a curse and you’d never subject me to that because you love me, blah blah blah. Never would have convinced you.”

“You didn’t even try!”

“Didn’t need to.” Eli scoffs. “Seriously dude, you are so fucking predictable. Like you’d ever ask me to give up my mom’s hilbeh dip for you. I’d do it, by the way, but the fact you’d act like it’s the tragedy of the century and throw me the world’s biggest pity party makes me like…not want to. More than all the actual annoying vampire shit.”

“And this is better?” Demetri gestures aggressively at Eli’s upper arm—undoubtedly one of the most disagreeable injuries he’s ever seen. And he’s broken an entire limb.

“Jesus, Eli. You could have at least told me you were doing this. I could’ve…I don’t know, given you a sword or something in case things got gnarly.”

“What, that decorative one you got during your 4th grade Aragorn phase? I’d swing it once and it’d break in half. Besides, you’d never have let me even go.”

“That’s not—”

“Yeah, it is, asshole.” Demetri curses Eli’s ever-present ability to read his mind.

He hates that Eli’s right. He shouldn’t get the satisfaction, after doing one of the stupidest things known to mankind.

“You would’ve bitched at me until you got your way,” Eli goes on. “And if I tried to go anyways, you’d follow me into the fucking werewolf-infested forest and get yourself killed.”

“And—and you wouldn’t get yourself killed?!”

“Clearly not, or I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”

Eli glowers at him. The sight has always reminded him of a chihuahua—undeniably adorable, but fair warning that the boy would bite if you pressed him any further.

And mind him, Demetri’s experienced enough of the bite of Eli Moskowitz to last a lifetime.

Demetri sighs. He really hates when Eli’s right.

The downsides of having someone who can so precisely predict your every move is that it’s nearly impossible to be crafty. Whatever your brand of cleverness is, it’s already been accounted for, with every last possible decision and outcome analyzed. What with the rainbow hair and the hammy, loud persona he still puts on in public, it can be easy for Demetri to forget Eli’s brain runs on mathematical probabilities, too.

Logicians are many things, but “charismatic and vibrant” aren’t usually among them.

Nonetheless, the more mortifying aspect of Eli’s intuition doesn’t outweigh the perks. Few things compare to the odd euphoria of having someone remember that his favorite flavor of fruit snack was sour cherry, and that as a preteen he insisted on having his ice cubed rather than crushed for the sole reason of liking the aesthetics of it.

He settles for an extremely annoyed eye roll before returning to wiping Eli’s wound. “Well, next time you decide to do something that will drastically alter the course of your entire life, please talk it over with me first.”

Eli won’t, of course. But perhaps he’ll at least consider it, and that’s a start.

Demetri frowns suddenly, something unsettling occuring to him.

“Do you…do you know who it was?” he asks softly. “Anyone we would know?”

“Kyler Park.”

“Wh—Eli!” He smacks Eli’s uninjured arm. “Are you insane? He’s a steaming shitbag! You really trusted him not to actually maul you to death when he got the chance?!”

“Demetri, Kyler is dumb as fuck. All you have to do is play dead once and he’ll think he annihilated your entire existence with a half-assed arm bite.”

A snicker bursts out before Demetri can stop it. “That’s all you had to do?”

“Deadass. I lie still for like a minute and he prances off into the bushes, howling like he won the AVT.”

And then they’re both laughing, holding each other and giggling and wheezing, terror and anger forgotten.

Eli’s right again. Demetri doesn’t know how to stay mad at him.

He slips a used paper towel back into the bag and pulls out a roll of gauze, starting to wrap it around Eli’s arm.

“Did you turn tonight?” he asks quietly, voice serious again. “Before you came over.”

Eli shakes his head. “I think it takes a while for it to, uh…get into my system.”

“I want to be there, then. The first time you change. I want to be with you.”

Silence. He looks up to see Eli frowning at him.

“That’s dangerous, Demetri. I can’t control it yet, I might—”

“—hurt me, yeah, I know.” Demetri snorts. “You can’t just steal all my catchphrases and shoot them back at me.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong!”

“Eli.” He leans forward, sneaking a quick kiss. “I’m a horrific undead fanged monster that parents tell their kids creepy bedtime stories about. I think I can handle myself.”

Eli looks away, but not quick enough to hide a small smile. “You almost say that like you’re okay with it.”

“If it means I get to stay with you when you need me, then…yeah. Could be worse.” He scoots forward, leaning into Eli’s side.

“You stayed with me when I was going through all my crap,” he murmurs. “Even, yes, when it probably freaked you out. Let me return the favor.”

He feels Eli tense next to him, heart speeding up. Pure, raw fear.

Demetri recoils, concern rippling through him.

“Do you think I’ll hurt you?” he whispers. “On instinct or something?”

Eli shakes his head rapidly. “No, of course not! Never.”

“Then why are you scared?”

A silence.

“It’ll be ugly.” When Eli finally speaks, his voice is barely audible. “The whole thing. You won’t look at me the same way. I don’t want you to stop—”

He doesn’t finish, but Demetri knows what he means.

I don’t want you to stop loving me.

Demetri wraps long arms around Eli’s waist and pulls his boyfriend into his lap. He leans down, planting a soft kiss on Eli’s scar.

“Nothing about you can be ugly to me,” he murmurs, lips ghosting over the little line of raised skin. “You know that. And for the record, you could melt into a puddle of…I don’t know, toxic, stinky slime mold and I’d still be in love with you.”

He feels the scar stretch as Eli grins.

“Thank you.” Demetri’s fingers brush through Eli’s buzzed hair, massaging his scalp. “For sticking with me through everything. For having my back. I promise I’ll always have yours, too.”

Eli presses their foreheads together, looping thin arms around his neck as naturally as though they’ve always been doing this.

“I know.”

***

“You don’t have to do this.”

They’re leaning against Demetri’s car as dusk falls over Topanga Canyon, fingers interlocked. Eli’s eyes dart around nervously, scanning over the inky outlines of the trees over and over again.

Demetri squeezes his hand. “I’m not going anywhere, Eli Moskowitz. Deal with it.”

Eli huffs. “You’re already a nervous wreck. You don’t need more shit to haunt your nightmares.”

“What, like you being out in the creepy woods all by yourself, sad and alone, wailing in agony, without your wonderful boyfriend around to comfort you? Yeah, that would be a bad one.”

For a moment, Eli’s anxiety melts, giving way to a small snigger. “Do you ever stop running your mouth?”

“Not really. You should know this by now.”

Eli takes a step toward the darkening trees, eyes flicking up at the emerging stars. “Okay, last chance, Demetri. Drive home.”

“Not in your wildest dreams, pal.”

Eli turns with narrowed eyes, as though debating arguing more. Finally he huffs, shaking his head.

“Fine. But if it looks like I’m going to attack you—at all—you need to fucking run. Okay? And if I come to and find out I’ve gored you because you didn’t listen, I’m going to be pissed.”

Demetri shrugs. “Sounds reasonable. I’d rather not be wolf dinner if I can help it.”

“Do you promise?” Eli turns and grabs his other hand, squeezing tight. “Swear on your life or some shit. I need your word you won’t get yourself mauled trying to talk me down.”

“All right, all right! I swear on the honor of House Arryn. That was always your favorite, right?”

Eli sighs. “I’ll take it. Let’s just get away from the road.”

He pulls Demetri into the forest, grip on his hand vicelike. Demetri can feel the nervousness pulsing off every fiber of his boyfriend’s body.

“You don’t have to wait for me, by the way,” Eli mumbles. “If the sun’s about to come up and you need to leave, I can find my way home. I’ve done it before.”

Demetri frowns. “How?”

“I can track your scent.”

Despite himself, Demetri chuckles a little. “Oh, yeah. I guess now we can bond over how weird that is. What do I smell like, anyways?”

“Flannel and silicon. Like 5 different types of your mom’s body lotions. Sometimes stale tortilla chips.”

He blushes a little at how fast Eli answered.

“I, uh…yeah, I guess that tracks.”

The trees part ahead, silvery light trickling through. Eli stops, and Demetri feels his heartbeat pound through both of them.

“Shit. I think it’s starting.”

“Okay.” He squeezes Eli’s hand. “I’m here. I’m right here.”

There’s a sudden cracking and Eli’s spine distorts, twisting in unnatural jerks. He lets out a scream, doubling over.

“It’s okay.” He keeps his grip on Eli’s hand, guiding them both down to the ground. “I’ve got you. Just breathe.”

Eli’s entire body is trembling as they settle on the dirt. He meets Demetri’s gaze, eyes wide and panicked.

“Demetri, I—” He’s interrupted by more spasms, ripping down his sides. More snapping of bone, and Eli gasps.

“Eli!”

Demetri shouts his name without thinking. Eli’s panic has become his own now, surging through him like a California wildfire.

“Shit, Eli, are you okay?”

Eli shakes his head, pained tears starting to trickle down his face.

“I, um…I brought peanut butter balls with ibuprofen in them. You want me to get them from the car?”

“N-no.” His voice is shaking as violently as his body. “D-don’t l-leave me. Please.”

“All right. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Hold on, lemme just…”

In what looks like a taxing movement, Eli shrugs off his jacket and pulls his t-shirt over his shoulders. The outline of his lotus tattoo is just barely visible, hidden under a newly-sprouted layer of gray-brown fur.

The fur is crawling up his arms, into his face. It’s an odd sight.

And then Eli’s face starts to reshape itself.

Cracks and pops ring out as his skin ripples, stretching into something elongated and grotesque. “D-Demetri…”

He doesn’t have any follow-up. It’s as though he’s saying Demetri’s name to remind himself Demetri is a person. Somebody he knows.

Not just another piece of prey.

His mouth starts to extend, drifting open to reveal rows of gleaming, sharp teeth. The skin around it stretches, making an unsettling ripping noise.

“Oh, look at those chompers!” Demetri gives Eli a full-toothed grin, showing off the latest addition to his own dental assortment. “We match now!”

Despite everything, Eli laughs.

It’s a strange noise, a ragged mixture of a snort and a growl. Nonetheless, the quickly-morphing werewolf appears to be smiling.

Something sharp jabs into the back of Demetri’s hand, and moisture trickles across his skin. He glances down to see long, honed claws have torn out of his boyfriend’s fingers, blood pooling around every hole in the flesh.

This only makes Demetri hold onto him tighter.

“Demetri.”

Eli whispers his name over and over as he morphs, like it’s his last lifeline. Demetri feels a bulky, thickened finger brush against the back of his own, stroking almost frantically.

And that’s about when the real nightmare begins.

Eli starts convulsing, the cracks and pops and rips speeding up until he’s screaming in pain. Fur sprouts from every pore, bloody pieces of skin peeling off and fluttering to the ground. His muscles bulge, rippling just beneath fresh fur like they have a mind of their own. His face elongates more and more until a snout bursts from the center, stretched wide in a guttural wail.

It’s terrifying, but not for the reasons it would terrify most anyone else.

It’s Eli lying motionless on the mall floor. It’s Eli stalking through the computer lab in a frenzied rage, calling his name in a breaking voice. It’s Eli crumpled by the trophy case, glass pieces in his face. It’s Eli holding him down with shaking hands in the arcade, his peers goading him to crush any kindness left into dust. It’s Eli held down on the mat, about to be punched out by Robby Keene.

It’s the particular agony of knowing Eli’s in pain—deep, throbbing, terrible pain—and being absolutely fucking helpless to do anything about it.

That’s Demetri’s greatest weakness, he supposes—the one thing that always trumps over everything else. He can’t stand to see Eli Moskowitz hurting.

Now all he can do is try to be the anchor he never quite could before. Show Eli that he can’t make the pain go away, but he can help him through it.

He holds Eli’s hand until he can’t anymore. Eventually his fingers are pushed free as the bulky paw takes shape, the gaps between the toes narrowing too much for anything to fit.

When the worst of the shifting is over, Eli is a hunkering mass of mostly-wolf, whining softly. His ears, now stretched to unnatural points, are pressed flat against his head. He stares at the ground, working impossibly long claws in dirt and leaf litter.

“Eli.” Demetri takes a shaky breath. “Look at me.”

The creature doesn’t budge.

“Please look at me.”

Eli turns.

His face is pulled in strange ways. Slightly contorted, like someone tried to make a clay figurine and didn’t quite know what a wolf looked like. It’s a patchwork of fur and twisted skin, a squished nose that’s a blend of wolf and human. There are bits of skin and sinew and blood strewn around where fur forced its way out—and Demetri winces, because that looks like it really fucking hurt.

His eyes are still undeniably human, at least. Pale blue and spilling with emotion, just like they’ve always been. But the look in them is enough to shatter Demetri.

Regret. Fear. Shame.

He starts to turn away. Demetri reaches out and cups his cheek, stopping him.

“I love you,” Demetri whispers. “And I don’t—I don’t know how much of yourself you’ll hold onto tonight, but I need you to remember that. Promise me.”

He feels like an idiot as soon as he says it. Eli probably can’t even talk anymore.

But then he hears a tiny, rasping voice, its single word almost indecipherable.

“Promise.”

Eli collapses. One final convulsion, and any trace of humanity is gone.

For several moments the wolf just lies there, sides heaving. Demetri scoots back, rising unsteadily to his feet.

“Eli?” he calls tentatively.

The wolf’s ears prick up. That’s probably a good sign.

The enormous creature rolls over slowly, getting to his paws. He eyes Demetri skeptically, whining.

It’s very strange, looking at this great beast that has Eli’s eyes. Trying to figure out if Demetri’s imagining the recognition in them or not.

“Eli, do you know who I am?”

The wolf prowls toward him, growling softly. Demetri holds his breath and extends a hand, palm out and fingers shaking.

Please don’t be gone.

The wolf gives him a long look, ears twitching. Sizing him up. Demetri tenses his legs, ready to make a run for it.

Then he feels something soft against his skin.

Demetri looks down to see the wolf pressing a furry forehead into his palm, and he lets out a laugh of relief. “You do know me.”

The wolf grunts and looks up at him again, blue eyes almost annoyed. The sort of No shit, moron look he’d know anywhere.

He cups the wolf’s cheek and lets his fingers trail down, tracing the huge jawline. The beast lets out a puzzled growl.

“Hold on. I just…”

His fingers brush against a familiar line of raised skin, curving from under the wolf’s nose to the start of a long canine tooth. Buried under fur now, but unmistakably there.

Something soft flutters inside of him.

“Sorry, I just…I had to make sure it was really you.”

He leans forward, pressing a kiss to the scar. The wolf whines uncertainly.

He smiles, gently cupping the wolf’s huge face and bringing their foreheads together. “I’m glad you’re okay, love. I’ll stay as long as you want.”

They settle into a pile on the ground, Eli curled around Demetri’s skinny form. Demetri buries himself in the mass of gray-brown fur, stroking it over and over.

Eli’s okay. Eli’s going to be okay.

Right now, that’s all that matters.

***

It’s a while before Demetri gets another scare.

He honestly thought he had enough for one night, and would just as soon capped it at Eli contorting every which way and screaming in pain. Still, the universe seems unable to throw him any kind of bone without also making those bones look rather tasty to his boyfriend-turned-megafaunal-carnivore.

His first indication that something is amiss is the licking.

It’s endearing at first, if a little gross. He makes no secret of his gripes about having to shower when he gets home, and he’s pretty sure Eli licks him more after just to annoy him.

After a while, they get more insistent, and he feels less like an object of affection and more like a Trader Joe’s sample.

“Hey! Knock it off!” One lick too many, and Demetri squirms out from under Eli’s snout, pushing his massive paw aside. “I keep telling you you’re making a mess! You—”

He stops. Eli is giving him a strange look.

A chill ripples through him.

It reminds him of the looks Eli used to give him when they fought—cold, intense, ruthless. Although less angry this time, and more…hungry.

There’s something almost primal in his stare that Demetri’s never seen before. Swallowing, he takes a step back.

The wolf follows, uttering a low growl. His tail is raised, eyes bright and alert.

Ready for the hunt.

“Eli. It’s me.” He takes a shaky breath, dread starting to crawl through him. “It’s Dem. You don’t want to hurt me.”

Perhaps there was a time when that wasn’t true, but those days are long gone.

Aren’t they?

The wolf snarls, fur starting to bush up as he continues to advance. His haunches are wiggling, almost like he’s…

Getting ready to charge.

One last time.

Demetri tenses his own legs, preparing to sprint.

“Eli, it’s me.” He smiles weakly. “Codename zer0. Remember?”

The wolf stops.

He flattens his ears for a moment, looking confused. Then the realization seems to dawn.

He stumbles away, whimpering. Tail sweeping in low, anxious circles.

“Hey, it’s okay, it happens.” Demetri steps forward, extending a hand. “You didn’t mean t—”

The wolf turns and high-tails it into the forest. Demetri wants to follow, but he knows better.

He trudges over to the dirt patch where Eli first changed, clothes still scattered across the ground. Crouching, he picks up Eli’s black-and-red jacket and slips it on.

It’s the one he wore during the school fight, Demetri realizes. He looks over the striped sleeve with a small smile, shaking his head.

He wonders what the Eli from a year ago would think if he knew where his jacket was now, wrapped around the boy he claimed to hate while he prowled the woods as a monster he became to protect said boy. The irony is really too much.

Would “Hawk” find it funny, too? Would he be glad he and his best friend smoothed things out, figured out years’ worth of tension? Or would he just be disgusted with himself, knowing he’d end up letting someone like Demetri love him? Knowing he’d reciprocate?

Was he always in love with Demetri, even back then?

He never thought to ask Eli when it all started. He’s still wrapping his head around his boyfriend loving him in the present.

A long, mournful howl peels through the night, and a deep yearning churns in Demetri’s chest. He suddenly wishes he had the vocal cords to answer.

“I’ll see you soon.”

He says it to no one. He doesn’t know why. Perhaps to comfort himself when, right now, he’s all he has.

Demetri gathers up the rest of Eli’s discarded outfit. For a long while he sits with his back against a tree, holding it close.

***

It’s 10 am when Eli finally shows up at Demetri’s bedroom door, disheveled and dirty with his blue hair hanging down in a sad heap and reeking of raw meat. He doesn’t seem too bothered by his state, leaning in Demetri’s doorway with a casual suaveness that should infuriate him.

Right now, all Demetri can feel is relief.

“Holy shit, Eli.” He props himself up on his elbows, gesturing almost frantically to the spot beside him on the bed. “You’re okay.”

“Yeah, toughed it out like a champ.”

Demetri opens his arms. In a familiar ritual, Eli wastes no time darting across the room and crawling into them.

He might get dirt on the bed, but Demetri can deal with his mom’s lectures later.

“Sorry I had to leave,” Demetri murmurs, plucking a couple twigs out of Eli’s hair. “I wanted to wait for you, but…sun was coming up, and I didn’t want to roast alive. Or…roast undead, I guess?”

Eli laughs, nuzzling into his shirt. “Nah, man, you did the right thing. I also don’t want you roasting undead.”

“You feeling all right?” He brushes a hand through Eli’s hair, unearthing several leaves. “You were having a pretty bad time last night. I wanted to help more, but…I didn’t know what to do.”

“You being there helped.” Eli grabs one of his hands and starts playing with it absentmindedly. “Thank you. I know that was probably a lot.”

“I hate seeing you in pain like that.” Perhaps without meaning to, Demetri’s grip tightens. “It scares me. But I hate you being in pain by yourself more, so. I deal. Reminds me too much of when we were being kicked around growing up, and I never knew how much it was hurting you. I…never really forgave myself for leaving you to deal with that on your own.”

Eli sighs. “I didn’t tell you. You’re not a mind reader. I just…I don’t know. I thought I should be able to deal with my shit on my own.”

“Well, you never have to again.” He strokes Eli’s back. “And I’m sorry if I wasn’t there for you before. I will be from now on.”

“I know.”

Eli’s hand works in the fabric of his shirt, making its way up to his collar. He gives an abrupt grunt of disapproval.

“Demetri, is that my jacket?”

“I, uh…” Demetri blushes. “It smelled like you. Helped relax me while I was waiting.”

“So you’re the reason I froze my ass off the entire walk home.”

He laughs, pulling a wad of blankets over both of them. “Sorry, love. Didn’t know you’d lose all your fur before the sun came up.”

“S’fine. I guess if it stops you from flipping out all night.”

“Glad you got all the glass out,” Demetri teases, gently poking Eli’s side. “I’d feel kind of bad if I knew I ruined it.”

“Wait. Was that the one I—” Eli stiffens. “Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t remember, I just grabbed it—”

“Eli.” His hand finds Eli’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll keep telling you until you believe me. I’m not mad about any of that stuff anymore. It’s just a jacket. And besides…” He pecks the top of Eli’s head. “It’s cute, and it smells like you, so positive associations outweigh negative ones. I wouldn’t be getting cozy in it if it gave me terrible karate war PTSD.”

“I know. I still hate that I did all that, though.”

“And I hate that I told the entire school you piss the bed, but. You now turn into a colossal murderous beast once a month and I have to drink human blood to survive. I think we have slightly bigger concerns.” Eli mumbles disapprovingly, but doesn’t try to argue.

Demetri frowns suddenly, looking down at Eli’s small, bedraggled form. “How much do you remember from last night, anyways?”

Although he can’t see it, Demetri can imagine Eli scrunching his face up in concentration. “Just bits and pieces, I guess. I remember you holding my hand and telling me you loved me like a sappy bitch.”

Demetri snickers. “Yeah, yeah, guilty as charged.”

Although Eli’s tone is nonchalant, it sends a pulsing wave of relief through Demetri.

So some part of it all stuck. The monstrous wolf roaming the forest alone into the wee hours of the morning still knew he was loved. Still knew he would have someone to come home to. Someone who would hold him even when he was at his most…well…conventionally unattractive (i.e. in the process of transforming into a giant terrifying creature).

“I also remember you making me fucking ibuprofen peanut butter dog treats. Like who does that?”

Demetri snorts with laughter. “Offer still stands for those, by the way. I could also try Tylenol. That helps a lot with broken bone pain.”

“Ah, shit.” Eli tenses again. “This of all things I don’t deserve your advice for.”

“Oh, my god.” He jostles Eli’s shoulder playfully. “Are you still on about that? I think you breaking several of your own bones for my benefit, repeatedly, once a month, outweighs you breaking one of my bones one time.”

“Mmm.” Eli hums thoughtfully. “When you put it like that, it sounds like you need to sacrifice a few more limbs for me so we’ll be even.”

Demetri scoffs. “Well, unlike some people around here, my bones don’t fix themselves after they mold into giant wolf bones and back.”

“Weak.” Although it comes out like a taunt, Eli kisses Demetri’s chest as he says it.

Demetri laughs, giving his back another rub.

“Remember anything else? You still sore at all?”

“Nah. The aches stopped like an hour after I turned back.” Eli suddenly looks up at him with a tenderness that could euthanize him on the spot. “I remember you touching my scar, though.”

He’s hit with a surge of emotion, coursing through him like good coffee on an early morning and making him wonder how it’s cosmically possible to love a single human being with the sheer magnitude and intensity with which he loves Eli Moskowitz.

Demetri smiles, brushing a thumb over the rough skin. “It’s beautiful. I’m sorry anyone ever made you feel like it was something to be ashamed of.”

Although Eli rolls his eyes, his cheeks go unmistakably pink. “Ugh. You’re biased. Pretty sure you’re the only person who actually likes it.”

“Yes, and I’m the only person ever whose opinion actually matters, because I’m right.”

“You always think you’re right!”

“I have yet to be wrong. Well…in a broad sense. Why would I be wrong about your beauty mark?”

“Please. It’s a facial deformity.”

“Oh, what, you put stock in that?” Demetri’s lip curls in disgust. “Counselor Blatt’s entire visage is a facial deformity. And anyways, the woman completely believed you were a wholesome pillar of purity while you were wearing your hair in blood-red death spikes, so I don’t think she’s getting an invite into MENSA anytime soon. There are much more credible opinions to trust.”

Eli scoffs. “Like yours? You’re not subtle, Demetri.”

“Oh, I’d never try to be. But yes, like mine, because I’m correct. It’s a beauty mark.”

He leans down and pecks the scar. Eli groans, but thankfully doesn’t try to argue further.

“What else did I do last night, anyway? I remember you petting me, I think and then everything’s kinda vague, until—” Eli stiffens. “Oh shit.”

“What?”

“I tried to hunt you, didn’t I?”

His voice comes out in a strangled whisper, and Demetri’s heart breaks all over again.

“Hey. It wasn’t like that.” He kisses the top of Eli’s head. “You only looked like you wanted to eat me for like…a few seconds, tops. And I snapped you out of it pretty fast.”

“You…” Suddenly he’s being seized by his shoulders and slammed down into the bed.

“You moron!” Eli spits. “I told you to run if I started doing that kind of shit!”

“You weren’t really!” Demetri tries to shove Eli off, but his boyfriend holds fast.

“You just said I looked like I wanted to eat you! Is that not a good enough reason to haul ass out of there?!”

Demetri decides that perhaps he should omit the part about the repeat licking. Eli doesn’t need more ammo.

“That’s not you,” he says fiercely, clutching Eli’s wrist. “I know you. I know I can get through to you, and I know you’ll never lay a hand on me again. Or…a paw, I guess. Same difference.”

“You can’t count on that!”

Demetri sees wetness trickling in at the corner of Eli’s eyes and feels a twinge of guilt.

“I know you’re scared.” He reaches up, gently brushing the tears away. “And I’ve been there, too. I know what it’s like. But let me trust you the way you’ve been trusting me. Please.”

Eli shakes his head, sniffling. “I just don’t want to wake up and find you dead.”

“And you won’t.” He runs a thumb over his boyfriend’s skin. “These gangly legs are no joke. I know I used to complain about them killing my sex appeal, but they can take me very rapidly away from werewolves if needed.”

“For once in your life, be serious, Demetri!”

Eli glares down at him with an intensity he hasn’t seen in a while. He feels the other boy’s heart hammering through him, every muscle in Eli’s body squeezed as tight as it can go.

“I am,” Demetri says softly. “I promise I am. I need you to trust I can take care of myself. Okay?”

Eli exhales, some of the anger and panic seeming to drain out with it.

He pats Eli’s cheek. “I’m made of tougher stuff than I used to be. I think unless you start growing silver teeth or eating a bunch of garlic bread before you transform, we’ll be fine.”

“Still. You can’t be reckless like that—”

“Oh, look who’s talking! I don’t want to hear a peep from you, Mr. Rabies Shot Cobra Heist Cement Truck Vandalism Underage Drinking Breaking-and-Entering Getting-Intentionally-Bit-By-Werewolves Moskowitz.”

Eli releases a long sigh. “I hate that you have a list ready.”

“Yes, and for the love of god, do not make me make it longer.”

Eli huffs—a defeated noise that sends a ripple of satisfaction through Demetri. “How did you get through to me, anyways?”

Demetri snickers. “Oh, you’ll love this.”

“…oh no.”

“Demetri and Eli, binary—” Eli smacks him before he can finish.

“Come on, dude, that?!” His boyfriend looks at him in abject horror, and he bursts out laughing. “That’s so freaking—out of all the things I could remember about you, it had to be ‘Codename zer0.’”

“‘Codename zer0’ got you back into karate with that video and indirectly won you a trophy, as I recall.”

Eli lets out long groan, face pressed into Demetri’s shoulder. “Is that even our catchphrase anymore? It’s super weird now that we’re dating. We should be like…the Binary Badasses or something.”

“Like that sounds any less ridiculous.”

Eli elbows him in the stomach. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Fine, fine!” He raises a hand in defeat. “Binary Badasses it is. For you.”

Eli slides off him and nestles into the crook of his arm, finally releasing Demetri from his death grip. As tousled blue hair brushes over his chest, he notices something strange.

Eli isn’t exactly spotless—wandering around Topanga Canyon at night as a giant carnivore did a number on him. Scrapes, cuts, bruises, plenty of dust and forest debris still mixed into Eli’s luscious cerulean locks. But other than that…

No evidence of any ripping skin. No gougemarks, no deep lacerations, no lines of marred, torn flesh, carved open and shredded to make room for fur and snouts and claws and everything else. Eli looks just as tan and polished as he did yesterday evening.

Apparently he regrew everything with little trouble. It’s difficult to conceptualize—such a rapid myriad of creation and destruction, all in one night.

“I saved your skin,” Demetri blurts out.

Eli lifts his head to give him a baffled look. “You what?”

“All the skin and sinew and whatnot that peeled off when you morphed. It was lying around in the dirt and I didn’t know if you’d want it back, so…I washed it and put it in that bag over there.”

He gestures at the grocery bag leaning up against his desk—probably the reason why the stench of Eli’s hunting trophies hasn’t bothered him all that much.

“Wh—DUDE! What the fuck?! That’s disgusting, what—” Eli looks like he’s just witnessed a war crime. “Why the hell would I want all my own peeled-off skin back?!”

“Well, I didn’t know it would all grow back!” Demetri puts his hands up. “And I didn’t want you to—I don’t know, wander around LA as some shambling skinless mess trying to hold all your organs in or whatever.”

“Demetri.” Eli presses his palm into his forehead. “How would any werewolf survive more than one full moon if they didn’t grow their fucking skin back?”

“I thought it might be like…a reverse selkie thing, all right?! Look, I read up a lot on werewolves, but none of the Wikihows mentioned what to do with all the skin and muscle bits lying around. I thought if I just left it there, it’d get eaten by a raccoon or something. And who knows what that would do to you?!”

“Probably the same thing as if your finger got cut off and a raccoon ate it? It’s no longer attached to your body, who cares?”

“Okay, but what if not all your skin grew back? What if you were stumbling through the forest covered in holes—which, by the way, all kinds of microorganisms and viruses can just climb on in through—and then you try to reattach your old skin but it’s covered in dirt and you get super infected—”

“Demetri.” Eli buries his face in Demetri’s chest, groaning for perhaps the 17th time that morning. “That’s not—how would I even do that? By fucking supergluing it back on?”

“I don’t know, you tell me!” Demetri waves his hands in exasperation. “I just didn’t want to be in a situation where you needed your skin and I left it to the mercy of the elements like a terrible boyfriend.”

Eli sighs, crawling back onto his chest and looking at him with an almost pitying expression. “‘Metri, did you think werewolves had to get skin grafts once a month? Is there any insurance on earth that covers that?”

“It was just a precaution, all right?!” Demetri huffs. “I’m still figuring out how all this works. I don’t want to screw it up.”

“Then use your brain, dumbass.” Eli thumps him on the temple, and Demetri rolls his eyes. “Something that shapeshifted once a month and wasn’t able to self-repair would be a biological nightmare. How would that shit even function?! Gather up all the ripped flesh and cram it back in? Werewolves wouldn’t be around long enough for people to tell horror stories about them if they were constantly dying of tetanus.”

“For all we know, they could be.” Demetri shrugs. “Or septicemia. Or osteomyelitis. Or—”

“Hey. Relax.” Eli presses a kiss to his neck. “I, uh…I guess I appreciate you saving a bag of my gross-ass severed skin in case you needed it for like…emergency repair, but I promise you don’t have to do that. I looked into this shit too, and I think if we were supposed to keep my skin, the internet would’ve said something about it across like 15 sites. Now you really need to get rid of that shit before your mom sees.”

“Uh, well…”

Demetri bites his lip, and Eli wilts.

“Oh no. Did you tell her I’m—”

“No, no!” He shakes his head vigorously. “She walked in on me washing it, and I was about to bullshit something, I swear, but then she said that next time I needed to hide a body, I should let her know and she’d help.”

“Jesus.” Eli snorts out a laugh. “What the hell was she up to back in Greece?”

He grimaces. “Whatever it was, she evidently did a very good job of hiding her tracks. So much so that she can offer advice.”

“All right, well. We’re covered if the blood bank scams stop working.” He smirks.

“Holy shit!” Demetri shoves him, laughing. “You’re awful.”

“Oh, you fucking love me, Demetri Alexopoulos. Dog stink and all.”

He swoops down, grabbing Demetri’s lips in his own. As he pulls away, Demetri wrinkles his nose.

Although Demetri’s come to appreciate Eli’s initiative, he’s not sure it’s ideal right now. The shorter boy’s breath is abysmal.

“You do stink, though,” he mutters. “What were you doing all night?”

Eli gives him the same meek grin that always seems to get him out of trouble. “I…may have eaten a couple deer.”

“Ah! That explains the stench of rotting venison.” Eli gives him another apologetic smile, this time with some bits of deer meat still visible in between his teeth. “And next full moon, I’m leaving you breath mints.”

“Mhm.” He traces delicate fingers over Demetri’s arm. “That’s rich, coming from the human mosquito.”

“Your favorite human mosquito, though.”

“Dem.” More gentle brushing before Eli’s fingers stop at the base of his neck. “We match now, yeah?”

He looks down to see Eli’s hand on his bite scars. Suddenly he wants to cry.

His own hand flutters off Eli’s back, drifting up his boyfriend’s arm until he feels the slight bump of raised skin. His fingers ghost across the wolf bite, once something so insurmountable and now nothing more than a bit of skin that doesn’t fit quite right.

Not that different from his own fading bitemarks. Something he’ll get past eventually. Something that stays, but not in a way that has to hurt.

He smiles. “Yeah. I suppose we do.”

“You’re not alone.” Eli presses soft lips to the same place vicious fangs had once been. “You never were.”

Demetri pulls Eli in, kissing his hair. “Neither are you. I wanted to chase after you last night, but…”

He trails off. No matter—he knows Eli knows what he’s trying to say.

It wasn’t safe. They can’t always be safe for each other, as much as they wish they could. It’s just part of their natures—their new natures.

“You never would have caught up, anyways,” Eli mumbles. “Soon as the wolf wanted to hunt you, I got so fucking scared. I ran as far as I could.”

Demetri feels an ache in his chest.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean t—”

“Not your fault,” Eli cuts him off. “I should have made you leave sooner. Chased you off or something. But I wanted you to stay. Kind of selfish, I know.”

Demetri smiles. “Good to know I’m not the only one. I should’ve done the whole ‘drive you away for your own safety’ thing with you ages ago. Was…the rest of your night okay, at least?”

“S’fine.” Eli shrugs against him. “Did some hunting. Enjoyed all the scents. Howled really loud. Ran around.” He sighs. “Got old, though. It was lonely. Kind of wished not everything that saw me cowered and ran.”

“Oh, you would’ve loved that last year, though.”

“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” He feels Eli’s face twitch into a scowl. “I guess that’s the thing about being at the top, isn’t it? You just feel alone.”

“I can imagine. I’m sorry.” He massages Eli’s scalp. “And…I’m sorry I flipped out at you last month. I know you were trying to help, and I know you can make your own choices. I guess I just…I worry about you. And I’m probably always going to worry about you. Hard to kick a habit I’ve had my entire life.”

Eli hums into his neck. “I’m sorry I worry you. I don’t mean to.”

“I know. If anything, I probably smother you too much. I used to try and shelter you away from every bad thing that could happen. I was never very good at it, though.”

Eli snorts. “Used to annoy the shit out of me. Not…when we were kids. I needed it back then. But when I dyed my hair and stopped taking shit, you acted like I’d been…I don’t know, corrupted, and you needed to heroically save me or whatever.”

“I kind of did, though.” Demetri snickers, flicking Eli’s shoulder. “You saw poor little Demetri in an arm bar, and that triggered your whole ‘Simba, remember who you are’ moment.”

“Well, you looked so pathetic I couldn’t help myself. Never seen a sadder sack of disproportionate limbs.”

“Oh, you take that back!” He grabs Eli’s shoulders and easily rolls on top of him, pinning him down. Eli cackles. “You are such a little—!”

“Demetriiiii.” Eli does his best pout. “I was out being a sad, lonely wolf monster all night. You wouldn’t get mad at me, would you?”

Demetri smacks his shoulder. “You’re such a brat.”

“Oh, but you want to be my knight in shining armor so fucking bad.”

It’s Demetri’s turn to pout. He looks away, feeling his cheeks heat up.

“It was…kind of flattering, you know.” He feels Eli’s fingers start to comb through his hair. “You being all fussy and suffocating. I didn’t realize I wanted it back until I was in Cobra Kai.”

“Classic Eli Moskowitz.” Demetri clicks his tongue. “Always wanting what he can’t have.”

“It felt nice, though. Knowing someone cared that much. Even after everything.”

Demetri refuses to look at him. Eli is undoubtedly hitting him with the doe eyes, and he refuses to give his boyfriend the satisfaction of watching all Demetri’s annoyance melt away in real time.

Besides, it won’t exactly help how much his face is still flushing.

“I’m not an anomaly.” He sighs, shaking his head. “Lots of people care about you, Eli. Yas, Moon, Miguel, Chris, Mr. LaRusso, Sam, Bert and Nate, your parents…”

“Yeah, and could any of them stomach that shit at Topanga?”

Finally, he looks down. Eli is gazing up at him with a thoroughly dubious expression.

“Could they?” Eli asks again, eyes flaring.

Demetri sighs.

“Probably not.”

“And that’s why I love you.”

He pulls Demetri’s neck down and kisses him like it’s the most vital thing he’s ever done.

Eli tastes wild—like fur and wood and leaves and berries and streamwater and fresh-killed deer. It’s a far cry from what Demetri used to fantasize about, all warmth and cinnamon and old books and cable-knit sweaters. It’s different from how he used to taste too—the kisses with reckless adrenaline and fresh sweat and sharp, chemically-scented Axe.

Eli Moskowitz never runs out of ways to surprise him. Demetri is finding he doesn’t mind at all.

He’s not even that bothered by deer breath. Not really. It’s Eli, and Demetri loves him with his entire being. Even when he stinks.

He cups Eli’s cheek in his hand, holding it like it could dissolve at any moment. It has to be the hundredth time they’ve done this, but regardless.

If Demetri had a heartbeat, it would still be racing.

“Demetri.” Eli is the first to pull away, hand loosening against Demetri’s neck as he leans back. For a moment they both hover there, lips only an inch apart.

“I’ll always come home to you,” Eli whispers against him. “No matter what.”

Demetri beams, bringing his forehead down to meet Eli’s.

“I know.”

***

Y’all remember when Trader Joe’s had samples??? Before the pandemic??? Because I do. Different times, goddamn. (Also CK canonically takes place in like 2018/2019ish so Trader Joe’s does indeed still have samples lmao)

I’m kind of obsessed with the idea of Demetri kissing Eli’s lip scar while he’s in wolf form. Idk man I Just Think It’s Neat.

Actually added a bit more to this than there originally was concerning Eli rewearing his S2 school fight jacket. I kinda like doing introspection with these boyos where they think back to the “enemies” phase and are just like “Well that was stupid” while also being morbidly fascinated and trying to psychologically untangle whatever tf was going through their heads XD

I really love writing Demetri in these kinds of AUs because you will subject the boy to horrors beyond human comprehension and he’ll just be like. Aggressively practical about them. “You shed your human skin in a bloody, disturbing mess when you transform into a werewolf??? Better hold onto that, you might need it later.” The best part is that his neurosis actually overrides his rationality half the time (not unlike myself lmao), so he’ll be over here catastrophizing while Eli is actually chillin and thinking things through logically (since he’s over the whole “get mad about everything” thing). They share a brain cell. Demetri thinks he’s the one who usually has it, but he’s wrong.

This goes with this btw!!! Basically took this bit and turned it into a whole scene. Demetri does indeed stay with Eli while he goes into wolf form so he doesn’t feel alone <3

Still giggling over the fact that for once I made Demetri the Red Gay and Eli the Blue Gay in the moodboard akajidpwbaiyvf

[fruggo]

Hello ! I saw the enemies fo lovers things and I wanna request if possible

“ rich coming from the guy who tried to kill me three days ago. “

With frank if you would and thank you

yessirrr i love frank sm it’s not ok. also umm i may have accidentally written friends to enemies to lovers or something idk. and though i wouldnt necessarily call you friends at the start, you werent really enemies yet???? idk🐸just ummm yeh i love frank

also help how do i not go overboard???? i feel like i made this way too long, please help and i am sorry

warnings: canon-typical violence, swearing, frank being a bastard but then you’re like awwww he’s a cute bastard aaaaw

~~

Things were weird with Frank, and they always had been from the moment you stepped foot in the Entity’s realm. He always tunneled you relentlessly, and that made you think of him as a big asshole, but there were some strange details tacked onto the sentiment that greatly confused you, should you think about it for more than three seconds.

Sometimes, it seemed like he went easy on you in chases, like he put in no effort. He would chase you for a while, let you waste his time, and then leave without even getting a hit on you when he definitely had the ability to.

And you hated saying this, but when he handled you, it almost felt…gentle. Granted, he was a killer, and his job was to murder you, but your experiences with him did not quite line up with those of the other survivors.

They always described trials against Frank as “stepping on legos in the middle of the night” or something akin to that. You never felt like that, though—when he chased you, it felt fair. Almost as if he played nice with you. And more often than not, the killer would let you go when he caught you. The reason remained a mystery to you until quite a bit later.

This trial, Frank was in 100% bastard mode. You had begun to think of his trials as quite easy due to his seemingly calm nature around you, so you were rather caught off guard when he downed you in the first 30 seconds of the match and tossed you onto a hook, no gentleness whatsoever.

You wanted to yell at him and ask what the fuck was wrong with him until you realized this was his fucking job, and this is how he should have been treating you all along. Maybe you had just been imagining it all, but you could have sworn he used to leave you alone more than this. Something just felt different.

After you were unhooked, he went for you again. And again. And then you were dead, completely wiped out of the trial. Frank had demolished you with no remorse.

You knew it was silly to feel betrayed, but you really couldn’t help it. In such an insane and hellish place, anything that could be even remotely perceived as kindness seemed like so much more of a big deal than it truly was. So Frank’s supposed “gentleness” with you had felt somewhat like a friend doing you a selfless favor. Of course, it was not a selfless favor, and it was certainly nowhere near kindness, because he was still a killer chasing you with a knife, but your standards had really lowered in this place.

After that trial, you were back to hating Frank for tunneling and bullying you (like you probably should). You began to understand the survivors’ saying about the legos—and you hoped that Frank would step on some legos too, because he fucking sucked sometimes.

And for a while, that’s just how it was. You nearly forgot how he used to go easier on you, and how you used to do okay in his matches. Now every time you were pit against each other it just felt like you were being stuck with a bunch of pins; you never had any time to breathe or rest or do literally anything. He just went after you until you were gone, and there was next to nothing you could do about it.

Everything changed very suddenly during a trial at Ormond.

You were expecting the same old routine with this asshole—chase, blah blah blah, die. You hardly had energy to fight back anymore.

So when he arrived out of breath at the killer shack, somehow knowing you would be here, Frank was surprised to find you relaxing under the window with your arms loosely crossed, a disapproving scowl upon your countenance. It was enough to make him hesitate in his tracks.

You let out a deep breath, refusing to break eye contact with his mask; you kept up that menacing frown for as long as you could, trying to make him feel guilty (who knows if it was even possible for him to feel guilty? But it was worth a try).

“Just kill me,” you said, voice steady and seemingly unbothered. Underneath the surface, you were trembling, but you stood your ground. “That’s what you’re gonna do, isn’t it? You’re going to chase me until I’m miserable and kill me off as soon as you can?”

Frank went still, not even fidgeting with his knife like he usually did; he was intrigued by your sudden confidence.

You went on. “I’m really sick and tired of you, you know that? I’m sick of you and your bullshit. Why can’t you treat me like everybody else? At first, you went easy on me. Now you just torture me with your stupid mind games, and frankly, I’m sick of playing! I’m done with you—I don’t care anymore! Just kill me, and I’ll get out of your way, okay asshole? Mori me if you want. I don’t give a shit.”

You put your hands up exasperatedly, fully expecting him to take the offer and just send you back to the campfire right then and there. But the man sighed, pocketed his knife, and sat down right next to you as if this were a normal thing for him to do.

You scooted a few inches away out of instinct. Frank noticed, but he chose not to say a word about it.

It was a long time before he said anything, and when he finally did, you wanted to punch him so bad.

“It’s complicated,” he mumbled. And that was all.

Oh, yeah? It was complicated? You scoffed, hanging your head with a bitter smile. “Oh, okay. Sure.”

Silence again.

Awkward, suffocating silence.

And then Frank got up and left. You were unbothered for the remainder of the trial, not even a scratch or bruise on your body.

~~

Sometimes you simply did things, and you didn’t know why. This thing that you just did was irrational, stupid, unplanned, unwise, and everything in-between, and you knew it was, but frequently you just had no impulse control. Perhaps it was the Entity’s influence, or maybe you had always been this way—you couldn’t really remember.

How did you get here again? Why were you laying on the ground? And why did your leg hurt so fucking much?

Oh, yes. Yes, yes, you remember now.

Funnily enough, it seems as though the Entity, along with certain killers, did not like it when survivors tried to enter their side of the forest! But you did it anyways, and it appeared that you had suffered the consequences. It’s not like you had put much thought into it; where was the point in that when nothing mattered anymore and you were stuck in an endless cycle of death?

You remembered entering the killer’s woods, looking around, and doing…something. What was that something? You couldn’t be sure, but then you remembered somebody coming up to you and probably definitely hurting you. Yep, your leg definitely was in a lot of pain. You couldn’t even look at it. Did you pass out for a while? Maybe. How long were you out for?

You lay still there for a while, thinking. Man, it really hurt, and boy, were you miserable. Maybe more miserable than you’d ever felt here. The Entity normally healed wounds immediately, but perhaps you had just angered it so much you deserved to suffer.

Oh, dear! You seemed to be passing out at this time. Yes, that was almost certainly what was happening. Black spots danced across your eyes as your body began to feel distant and numb, but you didn’t feel very worried about it. In fact, you felt like making jokes right now, but you had nobody to make jokes to and you probably couldn’t even speak.

Just as you began to accept it, there was a strange thumping sensation vibrating through the ground growing closer…and closer…

Footsteps! That’s good!

Oh. Not if it’s a killer. That’s not good, probably.

But you had no way of protesting when you felt yourself being picked up, because those black spots in your eyes were dancing a lot faster now, perhaps something akin to an Irish jig, and you also couldn’t feel your limbs.

Then you were fast asleep again, dreaming of Irish dancers who were actually big fluffy cloud people wearing leprechaun clothes. Nobody but you would ever know this, and it was going to stay that way.

On the bright side, it made it a lot easier for your rescuer to carry you to safety like this.

~~

When you awoke once more, you were horrified to find yourself in the Ormond lodge of all places. You knew immediately what had happened and were determined to escape as soon as possible.

Your injured leg proved to be a huge problem, however, and you collapsed the second you attempted to find freedom. Trying again, you collapsed once more, and probably maimed yourself further in the process.

Hearing the commotion from the second floor, your least favorite member of The Legion descended down from the main stairs, refusing to look directly at you even as he scooped you up and plunked you (gently) back onto the couch, which was rather comfortable (not that you would ever tell him that).

So he was playing it cool, huh?

Okay. You could play it cool, too. You were cool. Smooth as butter.

No. You really couldn’t be cool in a situation like this, and plus, your mind was still a little woohoo since whatever accident had occurred. Suddenly you blurted out, “Frank, I hate your guts.”

And he had the audacity to laugh. He laughed at you! He did the man chuckle thing, as if what you were saying was funny. No! You were completely serious! You did hate his guts!

Perhaps your face showed how upset you were, because he started to apologize (still laughing).

“Maybe you should go back to sleep,” Frank said after calming down a bit.

No. You couldn’t go back to sleep. You did not want to experience dancing cloud people dressed as leprechauns ever again in your life, for the rest of eternity. Never again.

So you shook your head violently, refusing to give an explanation, which just provoked Frank to anger all of a sudden. If you went back to sleep, he could have some alone time while the rest of The Legion was gone. He kept pushing, and you kept resisting, and he pushed and you resisted, until finally he gave up and let you off with a warning. If you made him mad again, he was throwing you out in the snow.

Fine with me, you said. Okay, I’ll do it right now, he said. No balls, you said.

So then Frank casually went to scoop you up in his arms again, and you started to freak out and beat your hands against his chest until he put you back down. He was was awfully mindful of your hurt leg for someone who was about to throw you into the snow.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry—please don’t throw me out,” you fussed. You thought he wouldn’t actually do it. You didn’t know it, but you were right—he was just messing with you because it was funny seeing you scared.

After a bit more griping back and forth, Frank began to grow concerned about your leg. He didn’t know how to bring up the topic because things were so odd between the two of you; this was your first interaction since the brief encounter in the shack. But he swallowed his pride, because the wound seemed to be getting worse by the minute.

“Hey, do you want me to, uhh…get some supplies?” Frank asked awkwardly. When you didn’t understand, he continued, “Your leg? It looks like it hurts…I could fix it if you want.”

You barked out a laugh at his words, unbelieving of this shift in attitude. “Rich coming from the guy who tried to kill me three days ago,” you snickered, genuinely finding it amusing.

Frank took offense. He was trying to be nice for once, and you thought it was funny. And his situation really was complex, whether you chose to believe it or not. Maybe he should just tell you to get it off of his chest.

“Listen,” he said, voice laced with seriousness. “When I told you things were complicated, I meant it.”

Sensing the mood change from his tone and body language, you stopped smiling and decided to pay attention to him. Just this once. Never again. After this you could go back to hating him.

Frank continued. “The Entity was going to start…well, hurting me, if I didn’t start doing better in trials. I really didn’t want to sacrifice you, which is embarrassing to admit, but I’ll say it. And I don’t think it liked that.”

You were surprised. And also relieved that you had been right all along—he had been going easy on you at first.

“Why me, though?” you asked, confused. “Why wouldn’t you want to sacrifice me? What about the other survivors?”

If the slight tilt of his head at your question didn’t answer it for you, the way he started tapping his feet and cracking his knuckles so nervously did.

Boy, if looks could kill, you would have died instantly at the scowl Frank sent your way; you grinned pridefully at the realization that this man was down bad. You couldn’t see the expression behind his mask, though, which Frank was thankful for.

He hated every second of this, but you loved it. You reveled in his embarrassment.

Leaning forward on your hands, you begged, “Tell me more! I want to hear all about your feelings for me.”

“I could stab you right now, you know that?”

“But you won’t. You liiiiike me!”

“What are you, eight years old?”

“No, but I am severely injured and have lost a lot of blood so I am not necessarily in the right headspace at the moment.”

“You make a fair point.”

“So tell me! What’s your favorite thing about me?”

“Your ass.”

“No, really.”

“Okay, your ass and your hair.”

“You know what, Frank, I still hate your guts.”

“No, you don’t.”

You paused for a moment. It was probably the blood loss talking, you decided later, but you said, “No. Maybe I don’t.”

[chippedaxe]

𝑨 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

ੈ✩‧₊˚

Title: 𝑨 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

Warning(s): NSFW, not sure what other warnings ?? Pet names used, unedited (as always)

Pronouns : they/them, non specified genitalia (Or at least I tried to keep it vague)

Synopsis: What was a seemingly harmless prank turns out to cause a helluva lot of chaos.

Pairing: c!Sapnap X gn reader (Sub reader btw)

Word count: 2k

Note: simping for Sapnap hours <3 No one requested it but I suddenly got this idea and was like 'I have to write it, it's what the people would want' and I also wrote it bc Sapnap has no full fics in my masterlist yet <3

* lemme know if I've missed any warnings/tags or if you see a mistake in this fic that I can quickly change (I didn't rlly proof read, I just sorta scanned over it with my eyes)

ੈ✩‧₊˚

2nd POV

You walked to the bathroom after a long day. You were held back a few hours to work overtime without warning and you’re pretty sure that you won’t be getting paid extra, you weren’t in the mood and just needed to relax with a nice shower.

You entered your bathroom and closed the door, you assumed by default that Sapnap wouldn’t bother you since he’s normally such a good roommate and he hadn’t bothered you in the bathroom before! You stripped yourself of your clothes and hung up your outfit that you were planning to wear when you get out of the shower.

You placed the clothes on your sink counter and then approached the shower, your feet were placed on the bath mat as you stood there patiently. You took a deep breath before walking in, you turned both faucets and waited for the water to warm up to a good temperature. You got underneath the water and let the shower rinse off all of the dirt and negative emotions.

You could only hear the water hitting the shower floor since most of the water plugged up your ears, you tried to wash it out but failed so you better hope that no roommate of yours comes in here and plays games while you’re basically half deaf. You grabbed the soap and lathered it in your hands, your soapy hands running over your soft skin.

You came to a pause when you thought you heard something but decided to shrug it off “what would it be anyways? It’s not like Sapnap would come in here” you thought to yourself as you continued washing up. Your hand trailed down to your nether regions and you whined a bit as you cleaned down there, you were just cleaning but your body didn’t know that and so you became a bit aroused.

You ignored the arousal and just continued to have your shower, if you were still horny later on than you’d deal with it but not now. You rinsed the soap off your body and sighed, today was a rough and tiring day but you got through it.

You turned the shower off when you were finished getting clean, grabbing the towel and wrapping it around your body. You got out onto the bathroom mat and started to dry yourself with the towel, you glanced over towards the bathroom sink and your eyes widened.

“Where the fuck did my clothes go?” You asked out loud, your eyes searching the floor just in case they may have fallen down. You groaned in annoyance and wrapped your towel around yourself securely so it wouldn’t fall and then you stomped out to your bedroom to look for the little thief.

You had a look through your drawers to quickly get dressed and confront the troublemaker but it seemed as all your clothes had mysteriously disappeared. You pulled out all the drawers and you searched all the shelves, even your closet was completely empty apart from some scattered shoes.

You whined angrily and then stomped downstairs, your feet dragging along the floor “Sapnap!” You called out to him and he came to your call “what’s up? Like the new look!” Sapnap looked up and down at your towel covered body “Oh hush up! Where’s my clothes? I know you had something to do with their disappearance!” You accused.

“What? Me? What makes you think that?!” Sapnap gasped “they couldn’t have just grown legs and ran away!” You put your hands on your hips “psh, you got me! It’s just a harmless prank..” Sapnap put his hands up in defeat “Good- great, now give them back please!” You held your hand out expectedly.

“Why? I’m liking this outfit you’ve got on right now..” Sapnap teased “oh please, do not start with the flirting again” you rolled your eyes “I can’t give your clothes back right now but feel free to borrow some of mine!” Sapnap smiled “Huh?? Why can’t you give them back?” You exclaimed “if I told you than it’d ruin the whole prank! Just borrow some of my clothes” Sapnap invited you to his wardrobe.

You pouted and entered his room, roaming his closet and just mindlessly picking some of his clothes. “What am I meant to do about my underwear? Can you at least give that back?” You asked “you don’t need underwear, if you do then just borrow some of mine” Sapnap shrugged it off. You wanted to argue with him but found that he had already turned his back to you and left.

You changed into his clothes, his baggy shirt and pants made your body look more boxed up. You tugged at the fabric and it started to cling to your body more “stupid electricity-“ you tried to get it to move away from your curves but it stayed stuck to you.

You walked out into the living room and crossed your arms “When am I supposed to be ‘getting pranked’?” You sighed “oh fuck, you’re looking hella good in my clothes, maybe I’m doin you a favor” Sapnap licked his lips quickly. You scoffed and flicked his forehead “I look good in my own clothes too, you know??” You huffed “I personally think you’d look way better without any clothes, you looked amazing in that towel earlier” Sapnap wiggled his eyebrows at you.

“You’re disgusting!” You laughed at his little flirting attempts “you know you love it, baby!” Sapnap winked “oh I do” you decided to tease back which made the tip of his ears turn slightly red “oh you do? That really warms my heart, c’mere and show me some love!” Sapnap held his arms out to you but you only pushed him away.

“Your offer is very kind but I must decline, I don’t show love to people who steal my clothes!” You told him. Sapnap lowered his head and frowned “What’re you so upset for? I was gonna get you out of your clothes anyways” he jokes around “oh be quiet!” You slap his arm playfully.

He gasps and exclaims dramatically “OUCH! I can’t believe you’ve striked me! All I did was love you and this is how you repay me??” He falls to the ground slowly and fakes his own death “may I have one final request?” He whispered and You leaned down “maybe one..” you decided to play along “can a dying man please have one final kiss?” Sapnap closed his eyes.

You decided ‘fuck it’ and leaned in, your lips pressing against his. He caressed your cheek and deepened the kiss but you were quick to pull away “hey, I don’t go making out with thieves” you smirked “Oh? Maybe you can make this ol’ criminal a good guy again, what’dya think?” Sapnap wrapped an arm around your waist.

You looked up at him and smiled “oh of course, is this thief gonna return my clothes?” You asked “only if you return mine..” Sapnap whispered and started to slowly tug at your collar “hm.. I think we have a deal” you slipped your shirt off and stood there with a bare chest “you look good, baby” Sapnap blew a kiss at you.

You slipped the rest of your clothes off and kicked them away, you were completely naked now “Shit- I can’t believe you were hiding all this from me..” Sapnap came up to you and ran his hands down your sides “my eyes are up here, play boy” you grinned. Sapnap’s eyes snapped from your body up to meet your gaze.

You leaned in and kissed him again, your mouth parting to allow his tongue entrance. You wrapped your arms around his neck and panted slightly as you two were now having a heated make out session. You pulled away for air and gulped down your spit “Sapnap..” you breathed out “yes, Y/n?” He smirked.

“Take your clothes off, it’s unfair” you complained and started to pull at his clothes “calm down. I’ll take my clothes off whenever you ask, baby” Sapnap stripped himself hastily and then posed for you, your eyes narrowed as you stared at him “checking me out?” Sapnap laughed.

Your eyes couldn’t help but be attracted to the large thing hanging between his legs, his cock was huge and throbbing “oh fuck..” you muttered “what was that?” Sapnap got closer “your cock is humongous!” You shouted “haven’t I told you that before?” Sapnap kissed your neck gently as you two were speaking and taking in each other’s beautiful bodies.

His hands rubbed at your hips gently “I’ve been waiting so long for you, Y/n.. I’ve had this crazy attraction to you ever since we met, you were the only one that ever joked back with me..” Sapnap confessed “I always had a soft spot for your stupid jokes..” you whispered softly, “I KNEW IT!” Sapnap hugged you and started to pepper kisses all over your face excitedly.

“Does this mean we’re dating??” You questioned “no it means we’re mortal enemies, of course we’re dating!!” Sapnap joked around “oh wow..” you blushed softly before realizing that you two were in the middle of having sex “oh um..” your face was red.

“Do you need me to stretch you out, do a little foreplay?” Sapnap’s hands caressed your torso, his mouth leaving soft kisses on your neck which left tiny purple marks “ah.. No, I just need your cock now..” you were ready for him! Sapnap guided you to his bed and laid you down onto your back, he then crawled on top of you and smiled.

Sapnap positioned his huge throbbing cock with your tiny hole, you gasped and threw your head back when he started to slide into your slowly “does this hurt?” Sapnap asked when he saw your facial expressions “n-no! It feels so good..” you cooed.

Sapnap gripped onto your hips and started to thrust inside of you, his cock was overwhelmed by the feeling of your tight warm squishy insides. Your legs were quivering and your hands were covering your mouth, you felt embarrassed to have such loud lewd sounds spewing out of your mouth like this but it was hard to control.

Sapnap thrusted harder and faster which made you yelp, tears pricked at your eyes from the overwhelming pleasure that you were getting from his cock stretching your insides “Fuck! Gonna cum-“ you scratch his back, leaving light claw marks on his skin. Sapnap continued to fuck into you roughly “cum for me, baby..” he encouraged.

You went over the edge and came hard, your juices running down your thighs. Your head was thrown back and your eyes were rolling into the back of your head, your back arched and your legs were shaking uncontrollably from the stimulation “FUCK! I love you!-“ you then panted and whined as you tried to catch your breath after just having the best orgasm of your life.

Sapnap came shortly after, his cum leaking out of your hole and down your thighs “shit, sorry about the mess-“ you shut him up with a kiss “clean the mess. Return my clothes. Cuddle me.” You instructed as you tiredly laid down on the bed “will do! I love you too, Y/n” he gave your forehead a kiss before going to clean everything up.