#at the very least acting extremely inappropriately? like saying the sky is blue

[smallhatlogan]

man it is legitimately nuts that reactionaries got so defensive about Vic Mignogna getting "canceled" because him being a creep towards underage girls was such common knowledge to the point of it being like, his ENTIRE DEAL for the people who weren't his hardcore fans, literally the first time I ever encountered that man's name on when I must have been like 14 years old on gaiaonline was people talking about him being a sex pest and that was like 90% of what I encountered every time the topic came up, I had friends with Vic stories, and like, it was definitely not taken as seriously as it should have been but the kind of people to get all defensive over Vic would have 100% been the edgelords to make it into jokes

[elysianslove]

Hello! I know this may not be your thing but I decided to give it a shot, if not no biggy!

I was wondering if you would be interested in writing Gojo and/or Sakuna with an asexual lover? (One that doesnt feel sexual attraction but doesnt mind kissing and cuddling etc and loves physical affection but nothing beyond that?) And like, how a relationship with that kind of person would come to be?

Because Sakuna and Gojo both give off *he totally fucks* vibes.

So how they ended up with an asexual lover would be interesting, maybe the MC rejects their advances because fear of being hated for being Ase? Because they know that the other person definitely fucks.

How would their relationship work? How would the guy react/comfort the MC.

(Maybe it ends with a epilogue with no sex(as in penetration and blowjobs to be exact but mc later in a relationship would be willing to do things like handjobs and other hands on/Using toys to pleasure their partner because they cant in that way) but lots of passionate makeout sessions/kissing/sucking and worshiping the mc's body? Especially the collar bone)

If you arent into it that's cool! I totally get it!

This is pretty self indulgent after all ahahaha it's hard being an asexual in fandoms lmao.

hi my love!! okay to start off, i’m really honored you sent in this request to me. idk just the fact that you’re trusting me with it is really sweet hehe. i’m fairly knowledgable about sexuality but i don’t like to write about things i’m not 100% sure about because i don’t wanna risk doing anything wrong or accidentally offending you! but!! thank you for going into detail with the request, and i hope this is what you were looking for, and that i didn’t do any mistakes <3

i wrote headcanons so i can go into detail and write for both!! 

some nsfw under the cut, my loves! <3

ryomen sukuna 

i’d say, to begin with, it would take a small while for sukuna to even be accepting of his own feelings towards you. nothing having to do with your sexuality, just you in general, specifically that you’re human and so different from him. i don’t think sex ever crosses his mind, at least at the start, because he’s too busy being really angry over the way he can’t seem to control his reactions to every little thing you do. so he himself won’t actively work at starting a relationship with you.

but he will realize, over time, that you’re not doing anything either, even though he’s been noticing that you’re not pushing him or his advances away. like any act of protectiveness that involves him physically touching you intimately, you don’t reject, and you’re always ready to retort at any quip he had. he could tell that these feelings he had for you were mutual, he was just so confused as to why you weren’t doing anything about it.

sukuna’s a thousand year old cursed spirit. he does not know shit about sexuality. i think the way he’d look at it is fuck who you want and fuck who you like. i feel like nicki minaj’s said that before, has she? he doesn’t like thinking too much about it, you know? 

his confession would probably be a kiss because words? he doesn’t know them. when he feels you return the kiss he’s, deep down, elated, really, and this is simply because of his naturally sexual personality, he starts hinting at more, until you stop him. he’s really confused because you just kissed him back? you’ve been kissing him for so long why do you want to stop now? he can see the fear steadily growing in your eyes and he’s even more confused now he’s just. humans are so weird. 

when you cautiously tell him, “i don’t want to go further than this. is that okay?” you look like you’re waiting for the world to erupt in your face. he just frowns and shrugs like, “yeah but that’s not the point. do you not want me?” 

it takes about an hour and a half for sukuna to properly process what you’re saying. at first he’s so thrown off by it, not by you! he just can’t process the fact that someone doesn’t feel any sexual attraction towards someone or doesn’t crave sex at all. it’s not that he’s rude about it, it’s just a really foreign concept to him, you know? when you add that it’s just sex, and you’re okay with a lot of other things, the gears in his brain finally start working again and he just goes. 

*shrugs* ok. 

literally lmao. like i said earlier, sukuna doesn’t give a shit like whatever do what you want. 

because of the rush of emotions he’s feeling towards you, and the fact that this in itself, a relationship, and a relationship with a human too, he doesn’t really focus on the fact that he might want more from you. he’s easily satisfied with a lengthy make out session, and he admits it to you every time he sees you get a little anxious or unsure of yourself. 

however, his needs do grow with your relationship. it’s kind of clumsy, your transition into a proper long term relationship, especially with sukuna, but you two make it work. 

you agree to try different ways to pleasure him, even if he kinda rushes through them because he’s generally just excited to have your hands on him. at first he’s content with anything you’re offering, but it makes him feel kinda useless when you won’t let him touch you and you have to remind him that your needs are different than his and that you’re sated differently.

i see sukuna as a curious and experimental guy, so he would definitely let you use toys on him. nothing too extreme, because he still needs that sense of control, but you do use some toys like a fleshlight or a vibrator to rile him up. he likes using your hand too, because it’s always so soft against him and it feels a hundred times better than any toy. he learns not to overstep any boundaries though, and not to do anything that might make you uncomfortable even if it takes him a little longer. like i said, the whole idea is just different to him, so it takes him a while to understand, and he’s still learning as he goes!

he loves your make out sessions, especially after you establish your boundaries and your limits and what you’re willing to do for him. he absolutely adores leaving your skin a sky of blue, pink and purple it sends chills down his spine marking you like that. he’s always touching you all over, and just loves to grab and knead at your skin. 

in the proper long term, he doesn’t mind it at all tbh. the two of you develop a system, and he’s okay with it. the same way you would never cross his boundaries and force him to do anything he doesn’t want, he’d do for you too! it really never truly mattered, and it truly never will.

gojō satoru

different from sukuna, i think gojō would definitely be knowledgable about things like this. idk he just seems like the kind of guy that’s innately so aware of everything around him, and can read people exceptionally well.

he probably picked up on the fact that you weren’t comfortable with sex, or just didn’t experince sexual attraction, on his own, but never really brought it up because it was never his place. but the same way he picks up on that, he picks up on your obvious crush on him. he pays both details no specific attention until he starts to realize his own feelings for you, and begins on his subtle advances.

he tried to make his advances as sfw as possible, you know? just in case his suspicions were confirmed to be true. he was just extra flirty, sometimes touchy but never in an inappropriate way. very subtilely like always having your shoulders or knees touching or dusting of your jacket or feeding you a piece of his food. cute little things like that.

he gets super worried when he notices you start to distance yourself from him, because he can’t imagine what he might’ve did to push you away. he overthinks a little, worried that he overstepped his boundaries or made you uncomfortable in any way, but he isn’t afraid to approach you about it, to make sure he doesn’t repeat his mistakes, especially with someone like you, who he’s slowly growing more and more infatuated by. 

when you admit to him you’re asexual, he realizes he was right, but then he’s like, “and? did i do something?” and now it’s your turn to be confused because here you were worried about rejection but here he was worried about you? 

this specific incident is what makes you let loose and finally just freely admit your feelings for him. he’s ecstatic about it, seriously! all that’s on his mind is that he gets to go on a date with someone he really likes. sex is the last thing on his mind, and yeah, you’ll eventually have to talk about it, but not for now. it’s for later, when things get a little more serious. 

they do get serious, to both your delights, but the dreaded moment is approaching you. gojō definitely sits you down and says, “we’re only having this talk so i know never to do anything outside of your limits. everything about this relationship is 50/50, and i want to know ways to make you feel good, too.” 

please sir your hand in marriage.

i definitely believe gojō’s a kinky guy, and is more than willing to try out literally any sex toy you pull at him. genuinely, he’ll try anything you wanna try. if you ever offer a handjob, he’ll ask a million times over if you’re sure. usually, he likes to just do it himself, but have you there next to him. he won’t touch you, but your hands will be in his hair, and you’ll be kissing his neck, or just murmuring how much you love him in his ear, just spurring him on. he knows the last thing on your mind is anything sexual, but there’s just something about being under your watchful, almost bored gaze as he fucks himself.

anyways before i get too into it lmfao, he loves kissing you. loves loves loves it. not even full blown make out sessions, just gentle, serene kissing. he can kiss you for hours. 

he is also incredible at body worship and praise. paints your pretty collarbone pink and purple, whispers about how you’re perfect for him, describes all your features to you like poetry. he’s an incredible lover, really. nothing can make him fall out of love with you, absolutely nothing. 

[sarah--goff]

Their Dark Materials: Chapter Four;The Debt

Also avaliable on A03 under: Sarah_Goff works

For any suggestions/questions/ etc my email is  sarahgoffmana03@gmail.com

Hope you enjoy!

You rubbed your eyes waking gently from the strange dream.

You didn’t feel wanting this time you felt… haunted, such a weird way for it to end. You shivered.

It was still dark outside, you looked at the clock. Midnight.  They still weren’t home. Oh well.

“Moore?” you mumbled into the dark corner of your room “bird?”.

It was silent. You swung your legs over the side of the bed and pulled your jacket around you, folding your arms against the cold that gnawed at your exposed flesh.

“Moore?” The scarf nest was empty. There was no sign the bird had been there at all.

The window was wide open. You rushed over to it.

“Bird?” You whispered from the window hopefully. It could just be nesting in a tree.

You heard nothing.

You would leave the window open for now. Otherwise the bird wouldn’t be able to get back in if you fell asleep again.

The lamp went on again. Like a beacon for the bird. You lit some of your candles too.

                                                                                              _*_

Half an hour went by and paranoia crawled into your thoughts. The bird never left at night this long.

You were pacing the room. Not that there was much to pace.

What if it suddenly couldn’t fly so well? Or if next door’s cat had got it? Or it got lost. Or worse. You put your head in your hands at how fixated you had become to this raven.

Snap out of it! It was a bird for god’s sake. A wild creature by nature.

You sat on the edge your bed with a sigh the old iron frame creaked under your weight.

Maybe this was it, the day you had been dreading since it had landed on your window ledge that fateful night. When you had to say ‘goodbye’. It didn’t even wake you. Of course it wouldn’t, dummy. You felt like you’d lost a beloved pet or a friend.

You put the scarves away hanging your head. Maybe you were crazy after all. Why would a bird stick around? It was almost laughable.

You slowly approach the window to close it one last time when an uproar of strong wind blows you backwards so you flail against your bed, landing on your butt on the floor with a thud.

Another storm?

You try to stand but it felt like the wind was pinning you down. You shakily use the iron bed frame to help you stand, your arms crossed in front of you to shield your face -you heard the furniture skew across the room. Your curtains dance in the whistling wind, shadows rose everywhere. The candles went out together. Darkness fell across the room.

The wind died down and you lowered your arms blinking at the twilight streaming through the open window.

There was a man standing in front of you

“What the fuck!” You leap back in surprise, slamming into your bed again and sitting on it.

He put his hands on his hips triumphantly and raised his chin. His tall shadow fell against the stream of light.

You couldn’t see his face properly until he stepped into the light with a wicked grin.

A dramatic bolt of lightning struck the dark sky behind him. Rain sloshed down the windows.

“Come, come, is that anyway to address a friend?” his voice was smooth and in mock-haughtiness. The man tilted his head at you, removing leather gloves from his hands one by one.

You were rooted to the spot, mostly in fear and sheer astonishment. How the hell did he get through the window?

“What the fuck are you talking about- get the hell out of my house!” you cried suddenly wishing you kept a wooden bat under the bed you could grab quickly.

You shot a glance at the desk- there was nothing in your reach from the bed to protect you or cause enough harm to allow your get away. The phone was by the door and you silently praised god that Kari let you have your own phone in your room.

The strange man chuckled looking completely relaxed “such colourful language” he gazed around the room, unfazed “I must say it looks a lot smaller from this angle”.

You could see now that he was extremely tall with blonde hair cut in odd feathery lengths. Mismatching green and blue eyes looked at you expectantly.

You noticed first that he really was gorgeous, though that acknowledgement was extremely inappropriate given the circumstances. His features were sharp, almost hawk-like, and even though he was beautiful, he looked frightening.

“I said I was coming- don’t you remember, my dear?” he prompted waiting for an answer.  

Your heart was pounding, stomach doing flips. “Just who in the hell are you”

He put his hands on his hips impatiently “You know very well who I am” he sounded very matter-of-fact. Like he actually expected you to recognise him suddenly.

The way he was dressed, dark, head to toe. A cloak clung to him as well as a cape. He sported a leather jacket with an extended high collar- like some glam rock- cliché-fairy-tale villain. You definitely didn’t recognise him.

And yet…

You look beside you to the little red book, blown open by the wind, the pages were lying open on a particular illustration. Of a tall man. With blonde hair. And a leather jacket.

You look between the page and the man. And then again.

He lifted his chin, satisfied expression that said ‘see?’ but you felt a cold chill run down your spine.

He was a nutter.

Run. That’s what every muscle in your body screamed at you.

You eyed the open door and made a run for it, he must have sensed it because he raised a hand, and an invisible force slammed it shut at the same moment.  What the hell? Your terrified mind was playing tricks on you.  

You turned in one fluid movement picking up one of the long candle holders, the nearest object to you, as your only defence, thrusting it in his direction.

“I swear to god if you don’t leave right now, I’ll- call the police”.

The man’s boots thudded faintly as he moved closer to you, unfazed by the threat. He stretched out a hand, lowering the candle holder you had raised, with one finger.

“There’s really no need to be scared” he said impatiently. He seemed towered over you, looking deep into your eyes…Tenderly? Your stomach heaved. You raised the candle holder again.

That gaze, those peculiar eyes, they held something familiar. You knew this face, but where, where?

“The creepy guy from earlier-?”

No, not just from earlier. Somewhere else! Think!

He tilted his head “I was merely watching over you. I’ve been watching over you for a while now, but you knew that already didn’t you?”

Watching…over…

Then it clicks into place and your eyes widen. Disbelief.

“You’re him, aren’t you?” you said reading his face for any clues “the man with the long coat, in my…my dreams…” you trailed off eyes glazing over.

Images flashed through your mind. A mask, a dress, a dance.

He only grinned in reply, now you understood.

The man’s eyes fluttered shut with a smile, relieved at your recognition, and you took this opportunity to lunge for the phone.

Before your fingers could brush it, it’s swept out of your reach along with the candle holder, causing it to smash to the wooden floor and to break into pieces. Oh shit, oh shit.

Your fingers flew to your hair. No weapon, no exit, no phone. You were trapped with this gothic psychopath who was probably going to kill you after he finished his little sick role-play. Oh lord, why didn’t you just close the fucking window!

He folded his arms with an amused little smile, watching the scene unfold, watching you work it out. A little cornered animal with nowhere to run. The tall man seemed interested in your next move.

“If you leave now, I won’t report you” you offer slowly with your hands up “just go, I swear I’ll forget this ever happened”

Why the bloody hell weren’t Brian and Kari home yet! It must be approaching one o’clock by now!

“I’m not going anywhere” for every step forward he took you took one back.

You steadied your voice, determined to bury your fear “just leave me alone- just take whatever it is you want and leave”

He sighed, clearly back at square one. “You really don’t understand, do you?” he said with a tiresome tone. Like you were a simple child. This cloak and dagger pseudo act was frustrating you and you were beginning to lose your rag.

“No- I- do- not so either start explaining or just get out!” you bit back through gritted teeth. It seemed like you had no other option now, you may as well listen to what he had to say, from a safe distance.

“Maybe you liked me more with feathers” he hinted.

The blonde freak snapped his fingers and disappeared. Had you just imagined that? He just vanished in front of your eyes.

You tested the door, rattling the handle up and down in desperation “come on, come on!” you cried yanking it hopelessly -it was locked from the outside.

“No, no, no”. You were stuck with this invisible psycho.

“Caaaw” the noise came from behind you

You jumped at the noise, whirling around, but it was a noise you knew well.

“Moore?”

The bird perched in front of you. How could it be here so suddenly? You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. At least the bird was back.

“Quick,” you say breathlessly to the bird “before he comes back”

You extended your arm to Moor, it looked like your bird, but something was off.

You crouched down beside the bird and gingerly touched his soft head when it began to glow and shift, transforming in front of your very eyes. Into the blonde man.

“Shit!” you snatched your hand back.

You covered your face to what you just thought you witnessed. How was that possible!? You didn’t dare remove your hands from your face in fear of what you might see.

“It is not easy to understand, I realise” the deep voice said gently, he was hovering close by. “Magic is not easy for those in the Aboveground”

He continued in his superior tone and you couldn’t quite believe what you were hearing. Magic? Birds that changed into men? What did he mean ‘Aboveground?’ It was all too much. You were on the verge of passing out.

You clutched your head. Maybe Kari was right -maybe you got completely wasted earlier and forgot about it- and this was some sort of fucked up fever dream.

“Magic” you mumbled half to yourself “like the time travel” you squinted your eyes shut.

He inclined his head curiously.

“I’ve come to return the debt I owe to you.  I gave you a gift, which you accepted, you owe me someth-”

“Well take it back then!” you burst out at this utter madness “I don’t want any of your bloody gifts! Just get out!”

He put his hands behind his back with a smirk “it doesn’t work that way, I’m afraid. You accepted my gift freely, you owe me whatever I wish”

He waited for you to say something, but you were too busy putting the pieces together in your head, unsure how something he gave you correlated to you giving him something in return but you humoured him; anything that would make him leave.

“What do you want? Money? My jewellery? The television set?”

The tall man threw his head back and chuckled grandly. “You think so small, my sweet, oh no, much simpler than materialism, what I want- is you”

You clutch your desk for support- it felt like you were just kicked in the chest at his words.

“Wha- what?” you choked out. “Me? You want me?”

This was skewing downhill too fast, it was becoming extremely dangerous. He’s going to kill me and wear my skin.

This fruitcake didn’t seem at all bothered with your reaction.

“I will be fair of course,” he continued unfazed “I’ll give you a challenge: a chance to win back your freedom-if you wish. If you complete my task, you’re free to go. But if you lose” he lingered over the next sentence dramatically, “you stay with me- in my castle. Forever” lightening crack again behind him.

“Never!” you cried horrified. What the hell have you gotten yourself into!

“How can this be a fair deal? A debt for a debt! There must be another way surely!”

He smiled like a joke you weren’t in on, “You accepted the book freely, my dear. You owe me whatever I want”

You throw your hands up “You tricked me! It’s not fair!”  

“Ah, that delightful little phrase you’re always using” he clapped his hands together and took you by the elbow, guiding you over to the window “as much as I’d love to prattle on about the ins and outs of it, time to take our leave”.

“Leave?” you planted your feet and jerked your arm out of his hand. He allowed you to do so, watching you curiously. “I’m not going anywhere. Especially with you, magic or no fucking magic- I don’t want to leave!”

He scoffed, “what nonsense you utter- I’ve heard it from your own mouth: “I wish somebody would take me away”

Dammit, he was right. You had said that in your teenage temper- but couldn’t think you were serious for god’s sake.

“I was angry and talking rubbish! Surely you must know that”

The tall man folded his arms in mock seriousness “what’s said is said”

“But I didn’t mean it” you pleaded, momentarily dropping the tough cookie act. You sounded pathetic.

“Oh, you didn’t?” he looked down at you condescendingly.

He held out his long fingers pinched together, a crystal sphere appeared in his hold. He didn’t drop eye contact. “I’ve brought you something” he held it out to you to see.

“What is it?” you say curiously but with caution knowing this could be another trick.

“it’s a crystal nothing more; but if you turn it this way,” he twisted the orb like so “and look into it; it’ll show you your dreams. “

My dreams?

Intrigued, you peered into the crystal and a wave of reminiscence washed over you.

You could see it so clearly now; the puffy ballgown, the white champagne room, the masks, the dancing, the way you were spun so fast you giggled.

You giggled now, unpredictably, remembering how elated you felt, the warmth of it. Like the memory was real enough to have an emotional connection.

The tall man smiled softly, like he could see what you were seeing.

“Do you want it?” he held it out for you to take. “You’re unhappy here. But I could make you happy” he said it almost in a whisper.

You reached your hand out to the orb wistfully. You wanted to be happy, didn’t you? Of course you wanted it but…

“then say yes, accept my deal” he pushed.

You lowered your hand to your side. You didn’t feel so threatened anymore- as bonkers as it sounded- you believed him, in everything he was saying.

“I can’t” You said flatly. “It’s not that I’m ungrateful that you’re trying to return the debt- but I can’t go with you. I won’t give away my freedom like that”

“Sloane, you’re not making this any easier” the man said patiently “don’t make me do things I don’t wish upon you. If you don’t take me for as I am, then I have no choice to set you this task. It’s the rules”.

Clearly, he was not one for negotiation.

He held out his hand earnestly for you to take “come, leave your little cell of room behind, leave your dreadful family and just run away from it all”.

You could do it, so, so easily, the blonde man from your dreams made it sound so easy.

You stood in silence taking his words into consideration. The weight of them.

What about your friends, your studies you worked tirelessly  on over the last two years, your acting career, what would your parents think of you abandoning everything like this? They would be disappointed. All ‘poof’ because you picked up a silly little book. No, you couldn’t.

He saw this silent decline.

He snapped his  fingers and the crystal disappeared. You’d had your chance.

His demeanour changed in a flash. There was rage in his eyes.

“Don’t defy me when I’m being generous. I’ve given you a chance to win your freedom -either way you’re coming with me”.

“To where?” if he was taking you downstairs you could run out the door quickly and escape.

Much to your irritation he pulled you closer to him to look-out the window. Surely he wasn’t going to make you climb down the drainpipe!

“My kingdom” he said casting an arm out over the scene grandly “The Underground”

You expected to see your street and neighbourhood, but the scene had changed very dramatically.

The sky was orange streaked with black thunderous clouds, you could see what appeared to be a maze, a wide village and beyond that and....A large gothic castle in the heart of it.

He tilted his head at you smugly “do you still want to challenge me?”

You couldn’t stop gaping at the scene, “the castle beyond the goblin city” you murmur, suddenly quoting the book you were given. It was real. It was here in front of your very eyes.

“It’s…it’s beautiful” you said truthfully, staring at the dark castle, it’s elegant thin spires.  You could even see flags fluttering in the wind.

“It is, isn’t it?” he said swelling with snobbish pride.

The blonde man offered you a hand to help you step onto the window ledge. You snapped your attention back smacking it away “I’m still not leaving-you can’t make me”

He took your hand anyway roughly pulling you up alongside him. He bent low to kiss it so that you could see the odd mismatched lengths of hair clearer. The highlights of white among the blonde stood out in the moonlight.

His eyes sparkled mischievously. “I am The Goblin King, but you may call me Jareth” he introduced himself.

He was deadly serious- you could see that. Goblin? Was he a goblin? You’d seen pictures of them in multiple fairy-tales across your childhood; small, green-skinned, ugly creatures. He sure as hell didn’t look like one of those. But you couldn’t believe he was human either.

You realised that he was still holding your hand and promptly took it back. Goblin King! There were many things you wanted to call him at that moment. Try devious bastard for a few.

You scowled, turning away from him so he couldn’t see the look on your face or the fact that exasperation and indecision were eating away at you.

You had to make a decision.

Your life wasn’t perfect but that didn’t mean you would just throw it away, doomed to spend it with a stranger. On the other hand… A task, that you could win and set yourself free and out of this mess.

Tick, tock.

“Fine I’ll complete this stupid task” you raised your chin “how hard can it be” you said over your shoulder.

In truth you were terrified. Your world was about to be turned upside down, you could tell.

The Goblin King pointed to the maze in the distance “you have 13 hours, to complete my labyrinth and reach my castle” .

From up here it looked ridiculously simplistic. 13 hours seemed like an extremely long time for one maze. You must have done hundreds of mazes just like it in your childhood. You’d be home in time to wake for classes tomorrow.

You told yourself you could do this.

The Goblin King could see the thoughts bubbling in your mind as you considered it seriously.

“Turn back Sloane, turn back before it’s too late” he warned shaking his head. He’s just trying to put you off because he knows you stand a chance.

“I can’t” you said partly to yourself “I have to try at least”.

“What a pity” he sighed conjuring another curious crystal ball and hurling it to the floor.

You were standing at the very scene you had just been viewing from your bedroom window, you spun around to look for your window but it had vanished. You really were here.

The Goblin King was standing near you “you could have had everything” he said grimly.

You ignored him, scanning the maze, calculating, “it doesn’t look that far” you chided shielding your eyes from the sun.

“It’s further than you think,” his breath was by your ear, body extremely close to you, making your jump “time is short. Tick, tock”

The Goblin King gestured to a large antique clock.

“13 hours in which to solve the labyrinth. You have three strikes. If you lose them, also game over”

You opened your mouth to question but the Goblin King seemed to be vanishing in front of your eyes, retreating slowly “13 hours before you’re mine. Forever ... Such a pity” he drooled.

He was gone.

The labyrinth.

“Doesn’t look that hard” you assured yourself although you knew even from this perspective it looked a whole harder than it did from above. You shook yourself, negativity would get you nowhere.

“Come on, Hazel “ you said to yourself.

Just one foot in front of the other.

[thelustrousyellowdiamond]

The Welcome Home Party

Bella and Susan exchanged a look, very unsure. “We're rather busy, you know,” Bella said to Steven.

“Please?” he begged. “We'd be honored to have you, and you two deserve to enjoy yourselves for once! Saving my friends is a reason to celebrate!”

They thought for a moment, and Susan told him that they'd think about it, but that they weren't going to make promises.

Back on Homeworld, the two Diamonds were out of their human disguises, trying to make up for lost time. Though their Pearls did quite a good job managing their duties, there were some tasks only a Diamond can complete. And in that time, Yellow was finding ways to cram several meetings into one.

It wasn't possible to completely catch up, but Yellow was not one to let that get in the way of productivity. At that point, she started delegating her duties to her most trusted advisors and commanders, but they were left wondering as to why Yellow was taking such extended absences. She sternly told them that it was nothing more than a personal project and the details were top secret. Still, it did not stop the rumors amongst the upper class gems. Yellow Pearl wondered if she should inform her Diamond, but she decided against it as the rumors were nothing close to what actually was going on. ‘Thank the stars,’ she thought to herself.

Making Pink happy was more important to Yellow and Blue than anything else in the cosmos. It was decided. They would attend the party. They just hoped that White would never find out about what they were doing…

The next evening, in Beach City, the party was in full swing. The two Diamonds stood in the back of the crowd in their disguises, hoping no one would notice them. That didn't exactly work however, as so many residents of the town kept pestering them with questions about how they managed to save Lars and the Off Colors, questions they would rather not have to respond to.

To make matters worse, they had been considered guests of honor for such incredible feats of heroism,” in their eyes, as well as having been called up to the stage after Sadie Killer and the Suspects had performed a few songs, with Lars singing alongside her.

‘How could we possibly be heroes to them?’ thought Bella to herself. ‘They don't know it, but WE were the ones responsible for kidnapping all these humans in the first place. Not to mention all the invasions of this planet!’

Susan, however, found herself happy for witnessing all the tearful reunions. It was the least she could do after losing Pink for thousands of years. It intrigued her that such an inferior species could know these pains so very well. Two humans who introduced themselves as Dante and Martha Barriga thanked her profusely for saving their “son.” Susan was still confused as to what exactly that meant, but understood it to be some kind of human relationship that apparently signified their closeness.

Looking over at the Off Colors, it seemed that they were not only happy to be safe and free, but also to meet several fellow rebel gems who were equally as excited to have new friends. There was no way Susan nor Bella could approve of their strange lifestyle or their odd ways, but at least they wouldn't have to deal with them anymore, provided that they had enough respect to honor the conditions of their exile.

“New roomates!” Susan overheard a Peridot saying. It had been the same one that the Bismuth clad in armor had flung into her face, something she wasn't willing to forgive anytime soon.

The traitorous Lapis Lazuli replied, “Yeah, that's great and all, but where are they possibly going to live? You're already living in the bathroom, and Pearl was kind enough to let me stay in her room. Bismuth often keeps to her Forge, but all the rooms in the Temple are pretty much occupied! It just seems like this place is getting crowded.”

“Oh don’t worry!” said the defective Amethyst. “You guys can stay in my room! Just don't touch my junk, and we’ll be all good!”

“And in the meantime, We’ll work on building places for you new rocks to live!” the Bismuth told them enthusiastically. “There are tons of great places to be on Earth, and I haven't seen half of it yet! Stuff's always changin’ here! You'll love it!”

The new off colored gems were talking amongst themselves enthusiastically about what their new lives could be like. Padparadscha looked uncertain, but Susan could not tell if this was because of her delayed sense of vision or because she was unsure of what she would do with her new life her. She felt a sense of pity. How could one live with no purpose?

Susan was interrupted in her thoughts by one fusion in particular approaching her. “Humans never stop impressing me. I'm proud of you and your sister for saving these gems.”

She felt extremely uncomfortable having this fusion, standing beside her, a former Sapphire of hers and her Ruby guard. And that thing had the nerve to call herself a Garnet! Good thing Sapphires weren't omniscient, or she'd be found out immediately. However, Susan was at a loss for words.

“It's a party. You should lighten up a bit,” said the “Garnet” before walking away.

Susan sighed. She and Yellow had snuck out in their disguises, and had been doing so for quite some time. It wouldn't hurt to mingle a little bit. As strange as these humans and rebel gems were in their customs, it was a little relieving to be able to socialize with others without the need of formality. On Homeworld, one couldn't simply talk with gems of another rank casually, especially since she was a Diamond with Yellow as her only peer. So she went out and did something she wanted to do for a while: buy a scarf in her favorite color, which ironically was not blue, but green.

Bella was a little shocked, to say the least when Susan came running up to her wearing a striped scarf that was far too long for her tiny shapeshifted form. “Bellaaaaaaaa! Look at what I just bought!”

Unimpressed, Bella stated bluntly, “You look absolutely ridiculous.”

“And they don't?” Susan replied, gesturing to the Off Colors.

“We are Diamonds!” whispered Bella. “Not rebels! We will NOT stop to their level!”

“Come on Bella, it's not that bad! I've wanted to have one of these for quite some time! I actually had to warp to the other side of this planet to get one of these! I'm not sure why they don't have these in this settlement, but I suppose it is a little long for me. Here, you can wear it too!” Susan took one end of the scarf and wrapped about five feet of it around Bella. “Now we can be scarf buddies!” she exclaimed.

“I swear, Susan, you are getting more and more eccentric by the day.”

However, that was not even close to the most unusual thing that happened that night at the party. Everyone had decided to have a dance off with a human called Sour Cream as the DJ. (The Diamonds later found out that it meant he was in charge of the music.) They stood by the sidelines instead of joining in. Pink and her Pearl were happily dancing casually, until all of a sudden…

Bella and Susan stood agape in horror as they witnessed the scene. The fusion who was now standing where Pink and Pearl had stood was now admiring his new form.

“Rainbow Quartz!” exclaimed Garnet with glee. “How nice it is to meet you!”

“Well, I certainly wasn't expecting to make a guest appearance at this fine party!” began the fusion. “Ya mind if I show off some totally fabulous moves?”

The crowds of humans cheered as Rainbow Quartz summoned his parasol and flew on it like a witch riding a broomstick. He twirled around in the air a few times, creating a spectacular looking rainbow in the sky before gracefully landing on the ground again. “Thank you all!” he said before quickly unfusing back into Pink and her Pearl.

“Pearl, we fused! I can't believe it!” Pink cheered in delight. She hugged her Pearl and they twirled around for a bit.

“Oh Steven,” said Pearl. “That was such a wonderful experience!”

“Garnet, can WE fuse!?!? I wanna see what awesome moves we could pull off!” Pink seemed to have stars in her eyes at the idea. Susan was absolutely livid, but did not act out for fear of attracting attention. How could she partake in such a disgusting act?

“Alright, but just for you Steven.”

The two (or three if you counted the Ruby and Sapphire) did a more hip based dance, and Pink leapt into the fusion's arms. They burst into flame, and the next thing Bella and Susan knew…

“Well, if it isn't the one and only Sunstone!” said the new fusion, standing in their places. “I'm here to show off all my moves, and by the end of this night you'll be amazed at how awesome we are!”

Sunstone then added, “But kids, always remember to practice humility. Don't ever let your pride get the better of yourselves.” Bella and Susan exchanged a rather puzzled look. Just who was she talking to?

While the fusion was wowing the entire crowd, the disguised Diamonds had to mutter under their breaths.

“We need to talk to Pink about this,” said Bella. “This is completely inappropriate and unacceptable for a Diamond especially!”

“Imagine if she did that at the ball! How unthinkable!” replied Susan.

Garnet and Steven unfused shortly after, and then Amethyst came rushing up to them.

“You guys, that was AWESOME! Give it up for the G-squad and the Ste-man! Can we form OBSIDIAN now!?!? It would be the PERFECT time to!”

“No,” said Garnet bluntly.

“Absolutely not!” exclaimed Pearl. “We only fuse as a team in DIRE circumstances! What dire circumstance do we need Obsidian for?”

“Aw, man!” Steven said in disappointment. “That would've been so cool to see what we look like all fused together!”

“Steven, we'll form Obsidian some other time,” said Garnet. “If the time ever calls for it. She is far too unstable and dangerous for just showing off willy-nilly.”

A little while later, Steven approached Bella and Susan. “Having fun yet?” he asked.

“Pink, we need to discuss your behavior,” said Bella.

“You can't just go fusing around like that!” Susan said. “If you had done that on Homeworld, you would be in serious trouble right now!”

“But this isn't Homeworld!” said Pink. “This is Earth! We do things differently here! This is what a real party is like!”

“This may be your colony, but you still must adhere to our rules,” Bella added. “You're not supposed to do this, especially not in public!”

“Oh right,” Pink said thoughtfully. “Just like how you're not supposed to be neglecting your royal duties by sneaking out in these disguises to have fun!”

They couldn't deny it, Pink was right. They couldn't believe they would fall for her silly games. Of course she would try and convince them to engage in rebellious behavior. She had done the same thing thousands of years ago by sneaking out in her Rose Quartz disguise.

After a while, the party died down and most everyone started going home. Bella and Susan looked more sullen, feeling very unsure of themselves. They weren't sure what was right or wrong, good or bad. How far was too far to make Pink happy. These feelings, however, did not go unnoticed.

“Hey there, Your Highnesses,” said the human Greg. “You doing okay?”

“No, we're not.” Bella said. “Now if you could please get a move on, we need to go back home.”

“You sure you don't wanna talk about it?”

Susan thought for a moment. “I suppose… we could stay a little longer.”

Bella sighed. “Fine,” she mumbled. Little did she know, that this was going to be a longer night than she anticipated.

[odderancyart]

Retribution

Chapter 7

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Summary: A late night, after yet another unfruitful day with no work, Detective Edge Serif receives a phonecall from the countryside. There seems to have been a murder.

Warnings: Murder, Violence, Swearing, Past Abuse, Past Rape (of a character not in the story)

Ignoring Blue’s horror-stricken face, Sir Razz’s shock, and his own unease, Edge leaves the room. At first, he’s just following Inspector Fuente and Rus, but soon he finds himself lagging after, There manor is full of police officers, and they make him uneasy. Despite his valid reasons to be here, and the fact that he looks like a professional in these suits, he can’t shake off the feeling that he’s going to have a gun pointed at him at any time. That someone will demand to know what a gutter rat like him is doing in a place like this. In the end, he leaves for his room.

Everything left can be handled by the inspector – it should, he’s a law professional while Edge and the law does not normally get along despite his best attempts. He’ll probably be sent home in no time, or he’ll have to leave himself. After all, he has things to take care of at home. Like that cat on the street he feeds, working on getting her to come inside. A white beauty, scarred after a life alone. The poor thing was just starting to trust him as he left for the manor. Hopefully being here hasn’t burned any bridges there.

Nonetheless, there’s something that doesn’t feel right. Something he can’t place coils in his stomach, settling in the back of his mind. This was too easy. While Stretch had the motive, Edge can’t quite see him doing this. Especially not while leaving the evidence so easy to find. What kind of murderer would leave the murder weapon labelled in their fucking wardrobe? That was one of the first places an investigator would check. Either he is stupid, which he doubted, or he didn’t do it. He stiffened.

And if he didn’t do it, that meant someone had framed him.

But who would do such a thing? Sitting down on his bed, the mattress sinking below him, Edge stares out the window, at the grey sky. His eyes widened as he realizes something and stands up once again, hurrying toward the window. It’s drizzling down over the backyard out there, but he doesn’t care as he opens the window, the cold wind hitting him. Leaning out as far as he can, looks down. Just beneath his window was an enclosed garden, full of flowers that had browned and wilted for the winter.

Twisting around, he leaves his room, though not before locking it behind him. He doesn’t want anyone in there. Especially not in a house where there might be a murderer on the loose. He ignores the policemen he hurries past, and they ignore him, so that works out fine. His footsteps echo through the hallways before he grabs his coat in the entrance hall wardrobe and steps outside.

The wind is stronger on the front of the house than behind, tearing at Edge’s coat and making him shiver. The chilly air bites his bare phalanges as he makes his way around the building. The cloud cover above rolls over the sky, turning greyer with every moment. His teeth chatter. Maybe snow was coming.

Throwing a glance toward the servants’ entrance, which came into view, he hurries over the grass. The garden was locked, but when he kneels in front of the padlock, a bush hides him from view from the house. Taking a deep breath, he fishes out his lock-picking kit from the inner pocket of his inside coat. It was a habit he’d picked up in childhood, to never go anywhere without one. Edge closes one eye as he focused on the padlock. He holds his breath as he moves the lockpick around. An older kid in school had taught him this when he was eleven, only two months before she left school to go work in the laundry instead. She’d taught herself, he remembered her telling him, because her parents would lock her into a wardrobe as punishment and she got bored of sitting in there for hours.

He grins as the lock clicks open. Pulling it out, he slides the door open and steps inside. The enclosed garden is full of flowers and trees, but it’s one in particular he’s there for. Now as winter is approaching, the bush is brown and ugly, but he easily recognizes it. Cherry laurel.

The plant is stocked full of cyanide, and if one could extract it, or make someone ingest a larger amount, it would be more than enough to kill someone. Suddenly, Edge is very grateful he picked up a book on medicinal plants in the library one day when he was extremely bored. And it would be easily accessible for anyone in the manor who knows a thing about plants. Of course, it does in no way prove Stretch’s innocence – he, too, could easily have gotten in here. But it is certainly useful to know what the probable murder weapon is.

And- He glances toward the entrance to the servant wing. It might give him some leverage, should he need it. Picking a few leaves, he stuffs them into his pockets and returns inside to his room. Shoving his suitcase up on the bed, he unlocks it. The lock clicks open. Edge reaches under the lining over the case, smiling grimly as his hand closes around cool metal. After checking over the small gun, he stuffs it into his pocket. If he’s right, it’s not unlikely he’s going to need it.

Most of the policemen have disappeared from the manor house as he makes his way downstairs. As he reaches halfway down the first staircase, he stops dead. It turns around, so he couldn’t see the bottom from the top, but now he does. At the last few steps, Sir Razz and Blue sits, Sir Razz’s arms around a shaking Blue. The right-hand man has his face buried in Sir Razz’s blouse, and the noble strokes his back, hushing him. For a moment, Edge wonders if he should turn back.

“Come on down, Detective,” Sir Razz says without looking up. “I can hear you.”

Edge does, just in time to see Blue’s trembling hands wipe his eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. He tries to smile at him, but it falls, more tears filling his eyes. Edge’s soul aches. “I’m sorry,” he murmurs, and Blue ducks his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

“I’m-” A sob interrupts him. He shakes his head. “I’m so- so sorry, sir, for- for my inappropriate be- behaviour.” His body shakes as he attempts to look at Edge before breaking down sobbing, hiding his face in his handkerchief.

Sir Razz hushes him, pulling him into a tight hug. “Don’t be stupid, Blue. No one is expecting you to act any different than this after your brother just got arrested for murder.”

At that, the sobs only get more violent, almost nearing the pitch of a shriek. Edge winces.

“My- my brother- brother isn’t a- Razz, he isn’t a murderer. He- he wouldn’t.”

“The evidence is pretty overwhelming,” Sir Razz murmurs. “But I’ll hire him a lawyer, don’t worry. A good one. He’ll have a fair trial.”

“I- We can’t-” Blue begins before shaking his head. Tears slide down his cheeks. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Nodding, Razz turns to Edge. “I assume you’re leaving soon?”

An obvious dismissal – his time in the manor was over. Edge nods. “I am. I just want to tie up some loose threads, and it should be done in no time.”

“I’ll have your payment ready.”

Sir Razz turns back to the distraught Blue, and Edge carefully navigates around them. Not that it’s particularly hard in this enormous staircase. Before he steps down, he stops. “Do you know where Papyrus is, sir?”

Blinking, Sir Razz shrugs. “Ought to be in the kitchen at this time of day. How come?”

“He has been most kind. I feel as though it’s only appropriate to bid him farewell personally.”

That seems an acceptable answer, because Sir Razz turns all his attention back to his sobbing servant again, reaching into a pocket to hand him another handkerchief. Since when skirts have pockets, Edge doesn’t know, but maybe he got them specifically tailored that way.

Giving them one last nod in goodbye, he leaves down the other flight of stairs. No one is around, so he doesn’t bother pretending that he’s going toward the basement before going back the same way as he’d left only a while ago. Into the servants’ quarters. He’s not certain which room is Papyrus’, but it should logically be somewhere close to Stretch’s.

There’s still a Police officer in Stretch’s room when he enters the that hallway, searching the room for more evidence. It’s in chaos, things thrown everywhere. He winces as he sees it. Living spaces should be neat and tidy, and even though Stretch may be a murderer there is no reason to do that to his bedroom. The officer pays him little attention, and he can walk past quick, searching for the right room. Opening door after door, he finds many empty ones. The rooms of staff who were fired, Edge assumes. Turning around a corner, he feels on yet another handle. It stops. The room is locked. Bingo. Hopefully, at least.

After glancing around the corner to check no one’s coming, he kneels down in front of the door. Common locks are slightly more difficult than padlocks, but it doesn’t take long before he has unlocked the door. His grin widens as he opens it. The room inside is fairly simple, with yellow-painted walls and a tall but narrow bed in the corner, and a dresser at the other side of the room. There’s also a writing desk and a bookcase, which holds quite a few recipe books, as well as a tiled stove and an armchair, both in a corner.

It must be Papyrus’ room. Carefully closing the door behind him, Edge makes his way in, keeping his lockpick easy to reach. There is something odd with how Papyrus had a look of glee in his eyes as Stretch was arrested. He doesn’t trust it. The cook had seemed a kind person, but what kind person would be that happy during such an occasion? Especially when Blue had been falling apart.

Locking the door after himself, he takes a look around. Where to begin? His eyes fall on the writing desk and its closed drawers. That seems like the most logical place. He pulls at once of them. Locked. But it doesn’t take much effort to get them open, though impressively, more than it took for the door. There’s nothing of interest in the first one: a couple fountain pens and a few notes on recipes.

In the second, however, there’s a huge pile of envelopes, all addressed to Papyrus Safont. Carefully pulling out the first letter, he unfolds it. Edge swears. скъпи николай, it reads. Yeah, he does not understand a word of what he assumes is Bulgarian. Or a single letter, for that part. Fucking hell, why can’t everyone just use the English alphabet? It would’ve made his job so much easier. He sticks it back in and takes out another, holding his breath as he hopes they’re not all in Bulgarian. The second one begins the same way. And the third.

When he opens the fourth letter, however, he lets out a grunt in triumph. English. A fucking miracle.

Aren’t you coming home soon? it reads. No greeting. Just straight into business. Mum and dad worry, Nikolay. And so do I. I’ve found a job as a secretary. Not as fancy as my old job, but it’s better than anything I’ve had the last years. You don’t have to stay in America. Come home. I’m not angry anymore, it’s too exhausting. Just forget it. You missed grandfather’s funeral because you went away with Gaster.

Edge frowns. The letter isn’t signed, But… this doesn’t sound right. Papyrus didn’t have a father, did he? Not according to Inspector Fuente. Nor did he supposedly have any other family outside of a mother, whom he’d fled Bulgaria with. This was… odd. He takes a quick look through the rest of the letters, but there’s nothing else. They’re all either in Bulgarian or vaguely worded, almost as though the writer is worried they’ll get intercepted.

Also, Nikolay. That wasn’t English. Might be some kind of nickname, of course, or… Scrunching up his face, he puts back the letters, opening the other drawers. Nothing of interest in any of them. He walks over to the bookcase, drawing a hand over the titles. Mostly cooking books, a fictional ones such as Robinson Crusoe and The Emerald City of Oz, and… King’s American Dispensatory. A book that made sense to have when you had an herb garden to care for, but it also logically had to have information about poisonous plants.

Nothing of what he’d found yet was evidence, though. Weird, yes, but there were many reasons as though why Papyrus may be lying about his family, and it wasn’t necessarily murderous ones. There is a table next to the bed. As Edge steps over there, the floorboards are quiet, except one of them, which creaks oddly loud. He freezes. When he takes a step backwards, pressing down on it again, it sags beneath his shoe. Hm.

Edge sinks to his knees, knocking a hand against it. The sound is echo-y. Then he does the same to the floorboards around, but those sounds are dull.

“There’s empty space beneath,” he murmurs to himself, fishing out his lockpicking kit again. One of the lockpicks is flat, and with some force, he manages to shove it in between the floorboards. The floorboard in question moves as he rocks it. Can it be…? He lets out a huff of triumph as he manages to dislodge it enough to move it, and his eyes widen.

The secret compartment is bigger than he expected. And full of stuff. As he reaches down, he fishes up a bunch of papers. His breath hitches as he sees what lies beneath them. A vial rack, with multiple vials holding white powder. Edge snatches one of them, shoving it into his pocket. This was evidence.

Jackpot.

Slowly, he unfolds one of the letters. On the top of the paper, the family shield of the royal family sits, together with the address 10 Downing Street. His thoughts and soul race. What the fuck is going on here? Why does Papyrus have a letter from the headquarter of Britain’s government? It’s signed by ‘The Prime Minister, David Lloyd George’, in September 1918.

Gaping, Edge reads the letter. A letter of discharge, for one Samuil Todorov, from MI6 on charges of suspected treason. Edge hasn’t even known for sure MI6 exists or if it is mere rumours. He gasps.

‘As pointed out by your colleague, Agent Gaster, you are of Bulgarian descent, Agent Todorov, and as you are aware, Bulgaria is an enemy of Britain in the War. We cannot take this risk, as Agent Gaster also pointed out.’

Holy Heaven and Hell.

The floor creaks behind him. Edge’s soul jumps into his throat as he twists around. Above him, Papyrus stands. The cook grins humourlessly before he swings the fire poker he’s holding. White-hot pain flashes through his head before everything turns black, and he sinks to the floor, unconscious.