#but the way i have it in my locket you only really see his face and none of his hair

[todayisafridaynight]

gotta be tbh i chose the worst picture of daigo to put in my little locket cause he really looks too much like my dad and i cant look at it too long or im gonna suddenly feel inclined to drive to new york

[cherrygirlfriend]

touchy subject III pairing: reader x exfiancé!rafe synopsis: seeing your ex-fiancé after four years. warnings: angst and comfort. fluff. mentions of miscarriage/stillbirth and DUI. wc: 2.7k part 3 and the last part of touchy subject! click here for part 1, click here for part 2 i really liked writing for them and honestly i'm considering occasionally writing blurbs for them and what their relationship would shape into, lmk if you'd be interested!! originally posted 11/28/2024

part I & part II

seeing you in front of that store felt like it might've killed rafe. the first face he fell in love with, the woman who'd left him with nothing but scars and an engagement ring. somehow, he still managed to stay alive.

but hearing you say his name in the soft voice he hadn't heard in over four years, the same one that you used to tell him you loved him every single night before your body went slack in his arms, that might have been the final blow.

"what are you doing here?" you managed to mutter, your hand instinctively going to your locket, squeezing it in your hand, and the gesture didn't go unnoticed by rafe.

"what's this?" rafe asked as the two of you laid in bed, his finger tracing the patterns on the heart-shaped locket resting on your chest, the one you'd worn around your neck for as long as he'd known you.

"this?" you asked, opening the locket, displaying two pictures; one of them was of you when you were a little girl, standing between your parents with a wide, toothy grin on your face, and the other was a picture of you and rafe, taken at midsummers. "i got this from my mom. it's a family heirloom of sorts. when she's born," you looked down at your stomach, "we've gotta get a picture taken of us three so i can put it here."

he let out a small chuckle, "i'm honored that you want me in your heart."

"i think you're always going to be in my heart," you rolled your eyes, "whether i want it or not."

"i'm here to see you. i thought that'd be obvious." rafe said without an ounce of emotion in his voice, the sound causing a shiver to run down your spine. grieving your daughter on what would've been her fifth birthday wasn't a moment you exactly wanted your ex to witness, but this was still rafe. the man you loved for so long, the only man you ever loved, the one you were going to marry, and this was still the house that was supposed to be your home.

so you stepped aside, pulling your cardigan closed as a way to close yourself off from the man as you walked further into the house, not daring yourself to look back at him, fearing the urge that still remained in your chest to just pull him close to you and be in his arms.

you heard the door close, pressing your eyes shut as you stood in front of the fireplace, your arms crossed in front of your chest as if defending yourself, the man's footsteps echoing in the room, "it's cold in here."

"the radiator's broken."

"can you just, at least look at me, or something?"

"do i have to?" you chuckled humorlessly, and when you felt his hand on your shoulder, it felt like the room got ten degrees colder, the man slowly turning you around to face him, and when you refused to look up at him, focusing on the baby blue sweater he was wearing, he brought his hand to your chin, gently lifting it up, just like he did every time he was about to kiss you.

"we need to talk."

if someone was to ask you what would be the most uncomfortable situation you had ever been in, this would be among the top 3, right after you got the 'birds and the bees' talk and the time you said your goodbyes to the same man now sitting beside you, the space between you two big enough to fit another person.

"why did you come back?" rafe asks, without even sparing you a glance. you decide to do the same, your gaze staying on the fire crackling in front of you.

"i don't know. a part of me thinks it's because i missed home."

"and the other part?"

missed us. missed her. "missed my mom, i guess."

your mother had driven you home from the hospital, insisting that she'd stay with you for the next few days; you still hadn't seen rafe. you couldn't face him, couldn't face the guilt you carried around for being the reason your daughter would be coming home in an urn.

she'd gone to the store for groceries, leaving you to sit on the couch you and rafe had picked out, staring at the engagement picture that hung above the fireplace.

you didn't know how it started, how every single vase ended up as nothing but shards of glass on the floor, how the coffee table had ended up as planks of wood, how your fists were bruised from beating them against the walls, your knees bloody from when you'd collapsed on the ground amongst all the glass.

"do you know what day it is?" rafe asked with a weak voice, and you could hear him try to swallow down the emotion crawling up his throat.

his question made you want to let out a small, humorless laugh. you don't know how you could ever forget. "of course." the day i killed her.

rafe stood up, running his hand over his chin before trailing over the short strands of hair on his head, "why did you do it?" he looked to you. "why did you leave?"

"i had no reason to stay." you say emotionlessly, your fingers intertwined as you kept your eyes on them as if you were praying.

"you had me. you would've had me if you just let me be there."

"rafe, i killed our daughter."

"what-"

"i'm the reason our daughter isn't here. i'm the reason she doesn't exist. i'm the reason that today isn't only her fifth birthday, but also the fifth anniversary of her death."

rafe kneeled down in front of you, his hands cupping your cheeks, not caring if it made you uncomfortable, or that this was the first time he'd properly touched you in over four years, the only thing that mattered to him was that you listened.

"you did not kill our daughter."

"i did."

"no." he scoffed, "you aren't the reason she's dead. the reason is the drunken asshole who drove at you. you loved her with your entire being, with everything you had, even before she was born. you would've been the most amazing mother in the world. don't you dare blame yourself for something you had zero control over."

"i shouldn't have driven in that weather. i knew it was gonna be raining, that the roads would be slippery-"

"no." rafe said sternly, "look at me."

your eyes moved to look into rafe's steel-blue ones, shimmering with unshed tears, his jaw clenched, and only then did you realize that he was cupping your face in his hands, his touch somehow managing to make you feel warm even in the cold apartment.

"i won't have you blame yourself for something you had no fuckin' control over. evelyn was so wanted, by both of us. she would've been so loved. we would've done anything to protect her, and to keep her safe. if any fucker even thought about hurting her, i would've made sure they'd regret ever being born. but you are not to blame for her not being here."

rafe's hands moved from your cheeks to your hands, the man instead taking your clenched fists into his, letting out a small sniffle, and when he pressed his eyes closed and let out a sigh, a tear rolled down his cheek.

"yeah, you could've not driven in the rain. but i should've been the one to drive you to your mom's, you were eight months along, an insane man would make you drive yourself, or i should've made sure you got home before it was dark, or i should've picked you up myself. there are so many things we could've done differently, but that doesn't mean that either of us is to blame for it."

"i spent so long blaming myself for what happened, but not even for a moment did i blame you. you did everything to keep her safe, and i know it, and i'm sure that she knows it too. you loved her more than anything, and i won't let some drunk driving idiot make you feel like you did anything wrong."

slowly, you opened your fists, half-moon prints on the palms on your hands caused by your nails, and without even realizing, tears had been rolling down your eyes the entire time that rafe had been speaking, the man standing up and pressing a kiss on your forehead that felt like it burnt and would leave a mark that'd be there forever, before he settled down next to you.

a strand of hair was stuck on your cheek, almost glued on there by the tears you shed, the blonde man tugging it behind your ear, his eyes still on you, his hands still cupping yours.

"i don't blame you for what happened, nor do i blame you for pushing me away. but i wish you would've let me in, to be there for you, instead of leaving. so we could've grieved her together."

"i think we should break up, rafe."

"what?" rafe turned to look at you; this wasn't what he had been expecting to hear after two months of silence, "if this is about the baby-"

"i can't do it anymore." you closed your eyes, letting a tear run down your cheek, "i need to leave. start over."

you turned your head to look at him, his words feeling like a weight had been lifted off your shoulders, and even though you tried to find it, there was nothing in his eyes that said that he was lying.

"you don't blame me for any of it?"

your voice was weak and feeble, as if a part of you was expecting him to tell you that he did, but when he pulled you into his embrace, he told you the truth in the best way he knew how to: without saying a single word.

you didn't know how long you had been in rafe's arms; it felt like hours, while also feeling like the moment had lasted mere seconds, like you two lived in your own bubble. it felt like the last four years hadn't happened, like you had never left.

but when he pulled away from the embrace and looked down at his watch, letting out a sigh, you knew what was coming. the bubble burst.

"i should probably get going." rafe let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose before starting to get up off the couch, stretching his long limbs.

"yeah, yeah." you said softly, clearing your throat, trying to act like nothing had happened, like you hadn't gone through every memory you shared while he was just holding you to comfort you, "your girlfriend's probably waiting for you."

rafe stopped in his tracks, turning to look down at you, "girlfriend?"

"shit," you chuckle softly, fidgeting with your hands and chewing on your lower lip, "i guess she's your fiancée, now."

he sat down on the couch next to you while you simply avoided his gaze, not wanting him to read everything you were feeling like he so often seemed to do, but your attempt was unsuccessful, the man bringing his hand to your chin and gently turning your head so you were forced to look at him, his brows slightly furrowed while he looked at you pointedly.

"what girlfriend, or fiancée?"

you didn't know if rafe was acting stupid, or if he was genuinely confused, but you could still remember the woman with him at the jewelry store, the woman who had managed to make him smile, whose back rafe placed his hand on.

"you know," you clear your throat, taking his hand off your chin and turning your head away from him, not wanting him to see the tears brimming in your eyes as you thought about him waiting at the aisle for another woman, "the woman at the jewelry store."

rafe let out a soft laugh, and when you turned your head, facing him, he was nearly keeling over in laughter, his head in his hands.

"what?"

"that-" rafe said inbetween laughs, "that wasn't my girlfriend."

"what?" you mumbled softly, your brows furrowing, "what do you mean, rafe?"

"sorry-" he continued laughing for a while only to be stopped by a soft smack you delivered to his shoulder, before the man took a deep breath, looking at you with a small smile gracing his lips, a sight that still got your heart to flutter, "that wasn't my girlfriend, or my fiancée."

"then... who was she?"

"that was," rafe let out another chuckle as if you had said something foolish, taking one of your hands in his and intertwining your fingers, "wheezie's girlfriend."

you tried processing the words that had left his lips, but no matter what, they didn't seem to make since. "why were you in a jewelry store together? wheezie's only like-"

"wheezie's nineteen." rafe shook his head, "her girlfriend, lucy, asked me to help her pick out a ring. sarah was supposed to go with her, but she had some preschool stuff to deal with relating to jack, so i got stuck with that duty…"

"isn't nineteen a bit... young?"

"it is. but you remember how young we were when we got engaged? or sarah?" a fond smile took over rafe's lips as he turned to look at the fire that was slowly burning out, letting the next words out in a hushed tone. "guess it runs in the family."

"guess so." you say, biting down on your lip, turning to look at the fire with him, your cheeks warm as you felt like an idiot for your assumption.

"i still haven't moved on." rafe said, letting out a breath, "i don't know if i can. i don't think i even want to." you turned to look back at one another at the same time, both of you seeing the same melancholy in the other one's eyes, "there's no one i would ever want to be with other than you."

you took a deep breath, his words ringing through your head as you looked at him, a damp trail running down his cheek was still visible from the tears he had shed, and you took a deep breath, making a decision that you knew would impact the rest of your life.

"me neither, rafe."

you brought your hand to his cheek and felt the tear he had shed under your touch, pulling his face to meet yours until your lips clashed, feeling the exact same that it did four years ago, making you wonder how you ever let it go.

SIX MONTHS LATER...

you laid on a blanket in the middle of a field of sunflowers, your arms crossed behind your head and your eyes pressed closed, letting the sun beam down your face, warming you up as your bare feet were being tickled by blades of grass.

your daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and you opened one of your eyes to see rafe stumble through the long flowers into the small clearing you'd found, a small chuckle leaving your lips.

"don't laugh at me." he scolded, shaking his head as he landed on the blanket next to you, letting out a soft grunt.

"why not?" you asked, sticking your tongue out at him, your boyfriend gasping in feigned offence, about to quip back at you, only to be stopped by the small, chaste peck you pressed on his lips, even the small display of affection managing to leave him speechless.

as he settled down next to you, you smiled while looking up at the sky, white clouds covering a part of the beautiful icy blue nothingness that was so much like rafe's eyes, your thoughts on her. you took rafe's hand in yours, keeping your eyes trained up while you let yourselves just exist together.

"you're always going to be in my heart, evelyn louise cameron." you said softly as you traced the patterns on your locket, rafe turning his head to look at you, a somber expression on his face as he pressed a gentle kiss on your forehead.

"yeah, she will. and neither of us will ever forget her."

[dantes-jacket]

Genshin Men and their White Day Gifts

Capitano, Diluc, Heizou, Kazuha, Kinich, Lyney, Neuvillette, Sethos, Venti, Wriothesley, Xiao, Zhongli x fem reader

Authors notes: a whole bunch a fluff, adeptus reader in Zhongli’s

Capitano:

A spa day. You two travel so much together due to his role as a harbinger that you barely get any time to relax. When he heard you complaining about back pain to one of his men, he knew he had to find you the nearest spa to treat you.

One night at his camp Capitano pulled you aside and gave you an envelope with all your information. “Here my love. Take some time to relax, you deserve it. I love you and thank you for always traveling with me.” Once you get to the spa you see you have it all to yourself and that all your favorite snacks and drinks are there.

Diluc:

A locket with the date you two started dating and a picture of you two in it. Diluc gets you flowers and treats all the time so he really wanted to do something meaningful for you. He was just going to do the locket with the picture but the jeweler asked if he wanted anything engraved so Diluc chose to do the date.

After a nice dinner at the winery Diluc brought you up to your shared bedroom and gave you the locket. You open up the locket to see a photo of you two laughing in the grapevines and read the engraving on the back. Diluc turns you around, “A beautiful necklace for my beautiful girlfriend. I love you more than you know darling.”

Heizou:

A little detective scavenger hunt and at the end he’s waiting to give you a promise ring. Heizou is a detective through and through, so it’s no surprise that he would give you a scavenger hunt leading to him as your gift. Now it wasn’t too difficult a scavenger hunt, that it wasn’t, but it was still difficult enough to get you reminiscing about the best moments between you two.

As you neared the final destination of the scavenger hunt you realized it was where you two had first met, Chinju Forest. You smile softly at the memory and find Heizou sitting in the edge of one of the cliffs, and make your way over to him. He hears you coming and stands up to face you, taking your hand and slipping something on your finger. “I see my dearest detective has found me. This is for you, a ring to promise that I will love you for eternity, and if eternity does not exist, know that my love for you does.”

Kazuha:

A poem with a flower crown. Kazuha spent a couple days practicing how to make flower crowns then a couple days finding the perfect flowers for your crown. By the time it was done he took you to Watasumi Island to watch the sunset.

Kazuha grabs your crown and turns to you to put it on. Then recites his poem “As the sun sets, to bring a new day, my love for you only grows.” He gives you a light smile and also hands you a piece a paper with the poem on it so you won’t forget it. “I love you more than you know.”

Kinich:

A little scarf for your saurian and matching bracelets with both your initials on it. Kinich isn’t really one to give gifts that often, that’s just how he is, but for you he’d do anything. So when he was thinking about what to get you, he wanted something by simple but endearing all the same. And so he thought why not get something to signify your love together as well as something for your saurian?

You two were sitting on a cliff above the Scions of the Canopy overlooking the landscape as the sun was setting. Kinich lightly taps your hand to get your attention and you look over at him to see he has something in his other hand. “For you. Bracelets are practical and can show my love for you when I’m not there. And this is for your saurian, I thought you would like how it looked. I love you my dear.”

Lyney:

A handmade box of sweets and a rainbow rose from a magic trick. Lyney is a magician, that much is clear so it’s only obvious that he’d incorporate that into your gift. But he wanted to do a little more than just a magic trick for you, so he recruited Freminet and Lynette to help him make some of your favorite sweets for you too.

You two were lying down just outside the Court of Fontaine taking in the warm sun and breeze. Lyney took your hand in his before sitting up and looking at you with the most tender look in his eyes. He snaps his other hand a two things appear in it. “For my dearest dove, a rainbow rose to signify my undying love for you as well as a box of your most favorite sweets to show my deepest admiration for your sweetness. I love and cherish you my dove.”

Neuvillette:

A tailor made dress. You have been talking about getting a dress to match his outfit, but you’ve been so busy since you teach the Melusines all different types of things. Neuvillette worked with Chiori personally to make sure everything was perfect.

While you two were getting ready for your date you were debating what to wear but Neuvillette comes in and hands you a big box. You open it to see a dress matching his outfit. “We can finally match now beautiful. I’ll forever treasure our time side by side. I love you.”

Sethos:

A hair pin. Besides making you his mystery candy he knew he wanted to get you something a little more meaningful. Sethos remembered you always complimenting his hair ornaments so he thought it would be a sweet surprise. He based the colors off of his but also added stars on it because you two love watching the stars together.

When night comes around Sethos takes you out of the temple to watch the stars again. He places the candy and hair pin in your lap. After you look at the hair pin, he gently takes it and puts it in your hair. “You always talk about my hair ornaments so I thought you would like your own.” Sethos sits back to look at you, “You’re more beautiful than a shooting star. I love you princess.”

Venti:

A bouquet of all kinds of different flowers. A big tradition in Mondstadt is each person choosing a flower that they think a windblume is. Practically as soon as you Venti made your relationship official you had been adorned with the nickname “windblume”. Not that you were complaining, you knew the significance behind it whenever he called you it and it made your heart soar.

You two had a nice picnic under the tree at Windrise as your dinner date. As the sun was setting and fading into the night Venti cleared his throat rather obnoxiously to get your attention. He pulls a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and smiles softly at you. “For you my dearest windblume, though flowers may not last forever, my love for you will never wilt.”

Wriothesley:

Stained glass flowers. Wriothesley was stressing out because he wanted to get you the perfect gift. He knew living things were out of the question and he gives tea to everyone so he doesn’t want you to feel ordinary. That’s when he finds out from Sigewinne that he can get glass flowers instead because you don’t have to worry about keeping them alive. So the next time he went to the surface he got them.

You two are sitting in his office after a long day of work. You’re sitting on his couch when Wriothesley says he’ll be right back because he has to grab something. He comes back into the room with a custom vase (one covered with stickers you and Sigewinne made) and the stained glass flowers. “The fortress is a hard place to live in but these won’t die, just like our love. I love you baby.”

Xiao:

A simple handmade hanfu from skills he learned from Menogias. He may not be as good as his fellow Yaksha when it comes to making clothes, but he did pick up a thing or two when he would go on about making them. He decided that he would finally put those skills to use to not only put a smile on your face but to honor his fallen comrade.

You two were sitting on the roof of Wangshu Inn with your hands intertwined and admiring the night sky. He turned to you and lifted your chin up with his hand and told you he had something for you. “It may not be like Menogias’ craftsmanship, but I hope it shows how deep my love is for you, my dearest.”

Zhongli:

A pocket watch with “our love is timeless” engraved on the back. Zhongli learned about the tradition of White Day from Hu Tao. He’s a little upset he’s just finding out now but he makes sure that his gift is perfect. Since you’re an adeptus and have been together for a long time he thought something with time in the gift would be perfect.

Zhongli takes you Mt. Hulao to enjoy a nice cup of tea while enjoying the view. He clears his throat to get your attention and hands you the pocket watch, “I am sorry I am late to this tradition but I promise I will do it from now on. To show my timeless love for you, I got this pocket watch. So whenever you use it, you can think about us. I love you sweetheart.”

[dreamcubed]

i hate it here | theodore nott x reader

song; i hate it here [taylor swift] pairing; theodore nott x fem!muggle-born!ravenclaw!reader genre; s2l, fluff, angst, hurt comfort word count; 5k timeline; half-blood prince warnings; swearing, reference to deaths, referenced grief, discrimination (muggle-borns), implied anxiety, implied depression summary; a chance encounter caused your life to intertwine with theo nott’s, of whom provided a comfort and solace you had sorely needed

this is an old draft i made in 2020, put through some serious editing

also, happy holidays and happy new year!!!

masterlist

"i'll save all my romanticism for my inner life."

———————————————

Flames flickered dangerously on the wall candles as the determined Slytherin sixth year charged down the corridor, eyes glaring at anyone who dared get in his way. His destination was unknown, but no one really gave it any thought as they stumbled to get out of his path. Theodore Nott wasn't one to mess with, nor were his group of friends.

"Nott," a voice muttered quietly from behind, causing Theo to halt in his tracks. Spinning on his feet, he caught sight of you and your hesitant gaze.

"What?" he snapped.

"You- uh- you dropped this..." you sighed, opening your hand to reveal a golden locket sat on your palm.

To your surprise, he took it quite gently from you and offered a quiet, "Thanks," before turning on his heel and continuing to storm down the corridor.

You exhaled deeply at your awkwardness as you began making your journey to the Great Hall for lunch. You weren't much in the mood to talk, but still joined your small group of friends at the Ravenclaw table. Greeting them with no more than a smile, you began dishing food on to your plate.

Meanwhile, Theo had arrived to the lunch hall via a different route, and earlier at that too. His thought process had been that of wondering who you were and why you knew his name. There was a sense of gratitude towards you, as that locket had been a gift from his late mother; thus it was a priceless artefact to him. He wouldn't know how to cope if he lost it— her absence was difficult enough as it was.

He sat down on the Slytherin table, surprised to see his friends weren't there yet; they were normally just as eager to eat as him.

He didn't really notice your presence in the room, even though he was still thinking about you. Alas, the hall was rather large, and rather full of students. Regardless, his thoughts were interrupted when Lorenzo Berkshire showed up, one of his closest friends. "Hey, Enzo," he looked up from his plate of food.

"Hi," he sat down opposite, "Where are the rest? I thought I was late enough as it was. L/N and I were just exchanging notes for my ancient runes test. And... then I went to the toilet."

"L/N?" a look of confusion rested upon Theo's features.

"Yeah, Y/N L/N, she's in your potions and DADA, I believe. She's helping me on the test that's coming up soon. Don't you know her?" Lorenzo quirked an eyebrow.

Your name didn't ring a bell at all.

"She's over there," Lorenzo pointed to the Ravenclaw table, "She is a mud— muggle-born, but she's really smart and I'll get detention if I fail this test."

Theo flicked his gaze to where you were sat. He observed your lack of participation in the conversation your friends were having— two Ravenclaw girls who he did recognise.

"Wait, that's L/N?" he turned to Lorenzo in surprise, seeing that Mattheo had now arrived wordlessly, already stuffing his face with food.

"So you do know her?" Lorenzo replied.

"Yeah- uh- I met her earlier, actually," Theo continued to watch you eating your meal while visibly spaced out.

"Mate, if you keep staring at L/N like that she's gonna get uncomfortable," Blaise Zabini announced his arrival, sitting by Theo.

"You know her too?" Theo spun his head to face Blaise, eyes slightly widened.

Blaise quirked an eyebrow, "Yeah? She's, like, one of the smartest girls in our year..."

"Why am I only hearing of her today?" he said, somewhat aggravated, as if he had been left out of an inside joke everyone else was in on.

Blaise and Lorenzo chuckled, before the latter said, "It's because she's so quiet. Trust me, it took me ages to get her reasonably confident around me."

"Why?"

"What d'you mean, why? Some people are just like that, Theo," Blaise shrugged.

Something told Theo that you weren't quiet for no reason.

***

You headed to your potions class at around 11am the next day: it was double potions, and your first lesson, which you were not looking forward to. You had it with a lot of Slytherins, and some of them were a bit judgmental of you being a muggle-born. That didn't necessarily bother you, it was just tedious to deal with constantly.

Much to your shock, you found Theodore Nott sat on your table and the old Hufflepuff boy you used to sit next to over in Nott's old seat. Awkwardly sitting yourself down in your own seat, you pulled out some of your books and ingredients and began working through the starter on the blackboard. All without saying a word to Nott.

You didn't realise Nott had been watching your every move from beside you.

"L/N," he whispered as Professor Slughorn called the attention of the class. You lifted your eyes from the book to him, and he could see the flash of fear in your eyes. Most likely because his group of friends were notorious for picking on muggle-borns.

"Yes?" you said as confidently as you could, in a hushed tone.

"Why have I never seen you around before?"

A frown graced your face as you eyed him incredulously, "What do you mean? We've had classes together for years."

"But I've never noticed you."

With a scoff, you muttered, "Thanks."

"I mean, I don't understand how I haven't noticed you."

You shrugged.

Sensing he needed to change the subject, Theo said, "Thanks again for finding my locket. It's priceless to me, I don't know what I'd do without it."

"It's fine," you dismissed, "Why's it so important, anyway?"

"My mother gave it to me before she died."

Pursing your lips ever so slightly, you murmured, "My condolences."

He rolled his eyes, "Empty words I've heard a thousand times."

Before you could reply, Slughorn scolded the both of you for talking.

And you didn't get another chance to talk until the lesson came to an end; you packed up all of your belongings and muttered a polite, "Bye, Nott," before hurriedly walking towards the door.

"L/N! Wait!" he called after you, jogging to catch up, "Please drop the Nott. Just call me Theo."

He walked with you to the Great Hall, engaging in a polite conversation about the material covered in the lesson.

Eventually, you found the courage to say, "N- Theo, my words weren't empty earlier."

Theo quirked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

With a slight shrug, you pointed to the Ravenclaw table, "My- uh- friends are over there, Theo. D'you mind if I go?"

Frowning, Theo asked, "Why would I mind?"

"Uh- I don't know... I just- uh..." you purposely avoided his eyes, not wanting to say that you were scared to offend him, when he probably already saw you as lesser, being a muggle-born.

"Look, Y/N, you don't need to be so nervous around me. I'm not gonna hurt you."

"Really?" you tilted your head.

"I swear. I don't care that you're muggle-born." Although his father would.

Nodding, you mumbled, "Goodbye," and joined your group of friends, of whom had been watching the previous encounter. Theo then headed over to the Slytherin table where his friends were also waiting.

***

A few days later, the Slytherin boys were once again gathered in the Great Hall, this time for breakfast. Lorenzo downed the rest of his coffee, and rose to his feet. "Gotta go."

"Where're you going?" Mattheo asked.

Climbing over the bench, he replied, "Library. L/N's helping me study for the ancient runes test, remember?"

"Can I come?" Theo quickly questioned, interested upon hearing your name mentioned.

Lorenzo gave him an odd look but said yes nonetheless; Theo instantly stood from his seat and tailed his friend on the journey.

Upon reaching the library, the pair found you already sitting at a little oakwood table with a dusty maroon novel in hand and scrolls of parchment laid before you. "Since when are you so stressed about tests?" Theo whispered.

"I told you, I'll get detention if I fail," Lorenzo shrugged, "What about you? Why a sudden interest in L/N?"

"I don't have a sudden interest in her," he blatantly lied.

Lorenzo gave him a look, "Sure, mate."

Luckily for Theo, they had reached the table where you were, with a little green sofa positioned by it. Theo smiled at you, muttering a quick, "Hi."

"Hi..." your face warmed at the sight of him.

As Theo set himself down on the sofa, Lorenzo said his hello to you - curious as to why you were even shyer around Theo - and sat down by you so he could pull out his books. He silently speculated as to what was going on between the two of you.

You began going over ancient runes, explaining in as much detail as you could the most recent topic. Still, you found yourself constantly glancing over at Theo, who had started reading a book, which didn't go unnoticed by Lorenzo. He didn't say anything, however, because if he did studying would be futile due to your inevitable embarrassment.

"Why did Theo come?" you questioned awkwardly when the aforementioned had left briefly to use the toilet, "He never has before..."

Shrugging, Lorenzo replied, "I think he wanted to see you."

"Me?" your eyes widened, "Why would he want to see me?"

You didn't get an answer; Lorenzo didn't give you one.

***

If you weren't so oblivious the question would have probably answered itself over the next few days. Theo had begun to go with you everywhere, and had moved to sit next to you in both DADA and potions officially. He sometimes napped during theory lessons in potions, but you didn't mind enchanting a quill to copy what you were writing so he would still have notes. Not that he had asked you to, you just felt weirdly obliged.

Whenever you would read in the library, he would be right next to you on the sofa, also reading. Whenever you were sat alone in the Great Hall, he would join and eat with you. Whenever you were taking a nice stroll around the grassy slopes of the Hogwarts grounds, he would walk by you, maintaining a comfortable silence.

Annoying wasn't the word you would use for him; in fact, you had never felt so content with someone's constant presence. The rest of your friends you needed breaks from, as they drained your social energy despite how much you loved them. Theo, however, was more of a calm and quiet person: he seemed to be quite happy not speaking at all around you. You appreciated the fact you could dwell together without doing anything.

***

The following Saturday, Theo was pissed. Determinedly walking down the corridor with a ferocious glare in his eyes, everybody was quick to jump out of his way, knowing the extent his wrath could sometimes take. Someone, namely a dumb third year, had accidentally set off an exploding spell on him. While Theo had fixed himself up, the third year had ran off without apologising. Now, Theo was hunting him down to seek revenge.

Everybody in the school feared him and the other Slytherin boys, except for a few of the first years who were yet to see their rage. When they were angry, no one dared go near them— it was kind of like an unspoken rule. You, unfortunately, had not yet realised that Theo was angered and ran up to him from behind, since you had been looking for him. You had found it strange that he wasn't yet by your side.

"Hey, Theo," you levelled your pace with his, wondering why he was moving so fast. A couple students loitering in the corridor exchanged glances, knowing you were about to get screamed at.

Except, you didn't. Theo's features went soft as he turned his head to you and smiled gently. Shock was evident on the observing students' faces, having never seen such a switch in emotion on any of the Slytherin boys before.

"Hey, Y/N," Theo spoke, "D'you have any good hexes to use on a stupid third year who accidentally hit you with a spell but didn't apologise?"

"Well, um, you're kinda putting me on the spot here..." you tapped her chin thoughtfully, "If you wanna go with a classic you could use the bat bogey hex."

Scrunching up his nose, he replied, "I kinda want something more original."

"Uh... why don't you make them turn purple?" you shrugged, "That's not done often."

"Why purple?"

"I like purple."

Theo chuckled, "Okay, then. We've just got to find him, now."

"Well, think logically. He'll probably go where there's lots of people so he can either blend in or have some hope of protection," you said, "And where will there be lots of people on this fine Saturday morning?"

"The Great Hall," he realised, grabbing your hand without thinking so he could start sprinting there.

You gasped at first, not expecting to be tugged along so roughly. But you weren't unfit, and quickly pulled your legs to match his pace.

"Alright," he panted, coming to a halt after running through the large double doors, "He's over there, on the Gryffindor table."

"Why... did... we... have... to... run?" you forced out between breaths.

Squeezing your hand unintentionally, he watched with amused eyes at your breathless state, before replying, "Couldn't risk him getting away again."

"Enchant his- uh- drink," now hyperaware of your still joined hands, you felt shy.

"What, so I don't get caught?"

"Uh, yeah..."

He tugged on your hand, guiding you down the side of the red table with his wand hidden discreetly in his free palm. Uttering the charm, he pointed his wand at the golden goblet in front of the boy.

"Better hope it works," he muttered, looking around to see all his friends together on the Slytherin table, as usual. You found yourself being dragged over to them without a say in the matter.

Theo only remembered to let go of your hand when you reached his friends— your expression likely gave away your embarrassment, but you still sat down next to him. Lorenzo, who was the other side of Theo, whispered in his ear, "You made it official, then?"

Shaking his head and taking a bite of toast, Theo answered, "What d'you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Theo," he sighed, "You both have such blatant feelings for each other."

The conversation swiftly switched as Mattheo began discussing the upcoming quidditch game. You didn't share an interest in the sport, but Theo did, so you were able to remain silent, much to your relief.

***

Blue puffy coat drowning you in warmth, and black leather gloves wrapping your shivery pale hands— woolly white bobble hat on head, and tickles of snow balanced on cheekbones— matte black snow boots on feet, and thick jeans on legs: you were well kitted for the day's snowy weather out in Hogsmeade, all of your friends were there too. You were now off the carriages and strolling down the icy street, gazing at the familiar sweets, book and joke shops. Cho, a friend of yours, was awkwardly making conversation with Blaise. He returned the level of awkwardness.

Mattheo and Lorenzo - Theo's closest friends - suddenly pulled your arms with mischievous looks on their faces. "Come to Zonko's with us!" Mattheo smirked.

It was obviously not a question.

Giving Theo a pleading look, you pulled a strained expression when all he gave you was a smirk similar to Mattheo's. "We'll be in the Three Broomsticks," your friend, Jane, said, "See the rest of you there."

You sighed, accepting your defeat and going to Zonko's— you ended up spending most of your time hidden in the corner of the shop while keeping an eye on the devious Slytherins. The crowd in the shop wasn't relaxing. At all. Right now, the only place you wanted to be was in the Three Broomsticks holding a refreshing cup of golden butterbeer with Theo by your—

Theo? Since when had he been the first person you wanted to be with? The first person you thought of when you went to your happy place? Warmth spread to your cheekbones and lit them aflame, the only thoughts in your head being Theo's cheeky smirk and fluffy brown hair. It took you awhile to realise Lorenzo had now grabbed your arm and was pulling you over to the pub with Mattheo, but you soon snapped out of your imagination and allowed yourself to enter through the door independently.

The second you were in there you made eye contact with very same boy you had been thinking about, causing you to grow flustered. Keeping your head down, you walked over to the table and smiled awkwardly at everyone. There suddenly seemed to be an overwhelming feeling that everyone could read exactly what you were thinking and immediately knew what was up.

Blaise budged along the bench a bit, allowing you to squeeze in next to Theo. All that you could notice now was the warmth radiating from the body - Theo's - that was squashed against you in the confined of space on the benches and chairs.

"Y/N? You good?" he whispered, concerned over your sudden shyness in demeanour.

"Uh- yeah! Fine... just fine," making the mistake of glancing at him again, your thoughts stammered and stuttered.

A million thoughts swarmed through Theo's head, having no idea what was happening. He decided to ignore it for now, however, and pushed over a glass of golden butterbeer to you.

Relief washed over you as you took a sip of the frothy beverage and allowed the warmth to fill up your insides. Theo's presence was beginning to feel comforting again, now your spout of realising your feelings was over. Unintentionally, you shifted millimetres closer to him causing your thighs to be pressed together. Theo was now conversing with Lorenzo, but he noticed your minuscule movement next to him.

Continuing with the conversation, he shifted the hand he had resting on his lap to hook it around your thigh: an action that had your eyes widening like saucers. Still, you couldn't help but smile slightly, before taking another sip of beer to cover your face.

***

One bright Saturday morning, you were in the library with Lorenzo, as he needed help with his studies. Only, this time it was Jane who was helping him, as you did not take herbology, and so could provide no assistance to him in that area. Regardless, you had come along, despite the fact you were in a great deal of pain. You were laying on the sofa by Jane and Lorenzo's table, curled up into a ball as you cursed your uterus for daring to grieve you in such a manner.

Theo, however, was in the Great Hall eating breakfast. The lack of your presence confused him, since you were usually there, so naturally he asked your friends where you were.

"Oh... she's in the library with Jane and Berkshire," Cho replied nonchalantly, "I don't know why she went— she has really bad cramps, and it's Jane that's tutoring Berkshire right now anyway."

"Cramps?" he frowned.

Cho sighed, "She's on her period, Nott."

Coughing awkwardly, he hummed in acknowledgment and continued eating, praying that the subject would be changed.

"Well? Are you just gonna sit there?" Cho questioned threateningly.

"What?" he said with confusion lacing his tone.

Mattheo laughed from across the table, "You're practically her boyfriend, aren't you gonna go to her? Period care is a classic boyfriend duty."

"What do you know about boyfriend duties?" Theo scoffed at his friend, but he knew that he was right, even though he wasn't your boyfriend. Nonetheless, he rose from his seat after Cho gave him a glare.

Once he had poured a cup of hot chocolate from the breakfast spread, he began his journey to the library. Upon entering the massive room full of oakwood desks, homely sofas and bookcase after bookcase, he spotted you lying on a settee by Jane and Lorenzo with your eyes tightly shut. In your foetal position, you seemed oblivious to the heated discussion going on between the pair.

Crossing the room while scanning his surroundings, he noticed the various students sat chatting with friends or lazily doing homework: all of them in casual clothes. The thought of that made him take note of your attire: a loose-fitting Ravenclaw shirt much like the ones quidditch players wore, simple black pyjama bottoms and a pair of green and blue striped socks. Now that he had arrived, he could make out the battered black Converse sprawled at the foot of the maroon settee you were on.

Shooting a quick hello to Lorenzo and Jane, who were too preoccupied to notice, Theo leaned over you, and whispered, "Hey. I brought you some hot chocolate."

You peeled open your eyelids and rubbed them, wincing suddenly before clutching your abdomen. "Thanks..." you mumbled softly.

"Chang told me it was your time of the month," he said in a low tone so nobody else could hear, sitting down by you properly and handing over the mug.

"Did she?" tiredly pushing yourself up into a more upright position, you felt the beginning of your heart rate speed up now that you could clearly see Theo.

He smiled gently, taking in your cute mildly flustered appearance. Such an expression on your face made him want to hold you— desperately.

Taking a deep but quiet breath, he took the mug from your hands and placed it on the table, making you scowl. The scowl disappeared, however, when he scooped his arm underneath you, taking you much by surprise, and lifted you up slightly so he could budge himself to the end of the sofa and allow you to now be blatantly flustered on his lap. "How're you holdin' up?" he asked as he leaned the both of you forward to pick up the mug again.

"O-Okay, I gue-" you cut yourself off by clutching your abdomen and scrunching your face.

"Maybe not so okay," he chuckled, pushing your arms away from your stomach, and slipping his free hand under your royal blue shirt before applying some pressure.

Sighing in relief, you said, "You're so warm," before proceeding to curl up once more. You took the hot chocolate from his other hand, granting yourself a big gulp.

"'S'good chocolate."

"Fresh from the breakfast table," he chuckled, the action vibrating against your back.

You smiled, something that he couldn't see. "Thank you."

"It's nothing."

At that comment, you disagreed, as you knew that Theo Nott was not the type of man to do such nice things for people. Still, you continued to drink the hot chocolate, looking towards Jane and Lorenzo— who were still arguing about a herbology topic.

"What could they possibly be arguing about?" Theo sighed.

You shrugged slightly, "I think she proofread his essay and said it looked like a toddler had written it."

"I'm guessing you're a kinder tutor?"

You laughed, "I would say so. Unluckily for Lorenzo, I don't take herbology."

Then, Cho arrived, with Mattheo and Blaise as well— how she had persuaded the former to come to the library was nothing short of impressive.

"Sorry, did we interrupt a double date?" Mattheo smiled devilishly, sitting down in an armchair.

Oh, that would explain it.

You and Theo didn't react to his comment: you were so used to being teased at this point that it was just another day in the life.

As for Jane and Lorenzo— it was a completely different story. Their faces flushed as they became defensive, spouting off all sorts of insults about the other in relation to their prior argument.

"We're all heading down to the lake for a bit, d'you guys wanna come?" Blaise interjected.

Looking to you, Theo could easily tell you didn't want to by your expression, so declined on behalf of both of you. Meanwhile, Lorenzo and Jane agreed, likely realising the tutoring was going nowhere, and rose from their seats.

***

Quidditch matches were the pride and joy of the school, and also something even you took seriously, despite not caring much for the sport. You had never missed a Ravenclaw match in your time, and never intended to either. That day's match was Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw, so you were definitely going to be in the stands watching.

With it being a few weeks away from Christmas (and nearly the end of the first term), being comfortably wrapped up was a necessity: a winter coat, a scarf, a hat, and gloves. Theo was about to head into the changing rooms for the match, but ran over to you first. Even just looking at him made your previously unwavering loyalty to Ravenclaw's team falter.

"Two galleons we'll win," Theo smirked down at you.

"Bet accepted," you held out your gloved hand, to which he shook, "Because I know Ravenclaw'll win."

You then made your way up to the stands, as Theo went to change and warm up. It wasn't long before the theatrics commenced.

"Alright, it seems the teams are ready to start, so on Madam Hooch's whistle..." the commentator, Lee Jordan's successor, spoke, followed by a sharp whistle, "And the teams are in the air..."

The boy commentating continued to describe what the green and blue players darting around in the cold and crisp air were doing regarding the four balls of quidditch. Watching intently, you observed as the quaffle was passed between people and through hoops. The score reached 80-60 to Slytherin.

You could have sworn that Theo was smirking at you.

Only, when the crowd on your side suddenly started cheering, you snapped your gaze away from Theo to see that the Ravenclaw seeker had a shiny golden sphere in their hand.

Immediately, you began cheering as well, throwing middle fingers in Theo's direction. He scowled and rolled his eyes, flying over to you.

"Rigged game."

"Sore loser."

"Whatever."

"That'll be two galleons, please."

He rolled his eyes again, "Meet me after."

***

"Come with me," he said the second he emerged from the changing rooms, grabbing your hand and pulling you along.

You were really confused as he dragged you all the across the quidditch pitch and over the grassy plains of the Hogwarts grounds. Unanswered questions filled you even more as you reached the less thick area of the Forbidden Forest, that was not as forbidden. In the distance, you could make out the skinny black silhouettes of the thestrals.

"Why'd you take me to the thestrals?"

"So you can see them?" he observed the mighty creatures as they noticed your presence.

"You can too?" you asked.

Moving closer to stroke one of them, he replied, "I told you that my mother passed— well, I held her hand on her deathbed when I was eight."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." you gently petted the same one he was.

Theo's mouth settled into a grim line, "Don't be."

Taking a deep breath, you said softly, "I watched my parents get killed when we were in fifth year. It was the Christmas holidays and I came home after shopping to see..." your breath hitched, "To see death eaters torturing them through the window..."

Instead of saying anything, Theo wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his warm chest.

"I just wish I'd done something... but I... I couldn't..." you recalled the day, your heart aching.

"Hey, it's okay, bambi," he pressed a light kiss to your forehead.

"I know they... they only did it... because... because I'm a witch... I just..." you fought against the lump in your throat.

You drew back from his chest, and Theo stroked the softness of your cheeks, staring into your sparkling eyes. He couldn't understand why his heart hurt so much to see you saddened, let alone why it hurt even more when you forced a small smile.

It dawned on him that you were far from nervous and weak, instead quietly carrying the weight of a tragedy that many wouldn't be able to manage. He was amazed that you didn't break down every day: especially since it had been only a couple years, and you were so young.

The realisation that the Christmas season was probably no longer full of festivity and joy for you, but painful reminders and memories, was one that made him grasp your hand tightly.

"Y/N... you're the strongest, smartest and kindest person I know..." he spoke softly, caressing your palm.

Your voice cracked when you said, "Really?"

"Really," he confirmed. The next thing you felt was his soft and plush lips against yours, sitting there in a sweet and chaste kiss.

Your lips parted as he rested his forehead against yours and squeezed your hand as gently as if you were a porcelain doll.

"Where d'you go during the holidays?" he asked hesitantly.

"I live with my great aunt now."

The evidence of how hard you found the absence of your parents was shown through your expression.

"Is she nice?"

You nodded, "But she can't fill the hole."

He understood. His cold and cruel father could never— would never— step up and pick up where his angelic mother left off.

"Y/N," he said softly, "You know what my father is, don't you?"

"Everyone does," you murmured, "How is he not imprisoned?" You grimaced after asking that, and added, "No offense."

He chuckled dryly, "None taken. I despise him," he then paused for a moment, but continued, "I just want you to know I'm not like him— I'm not—"

You pushed a finger against his lips, silencing him. "I know, Teddy. I wouldn't be here right now if I thought you were, no?"

The corner of his lips curved up in a smile, "My mum used to call me that."

"Oh, I'm sorry—"

"No. It feels right coming from you."

You matched his smile. "Theo, I... I think I love you."

He cupped your face with his warm hands, "I know I love you."

—————————————

masterlist

written; 04/03/2020 —> 27/12/2024 published; 28/12/2024 edited; 25/03/2025

[imaginedreamwrite]

reader falling in love with psych ward patient!könig

A/N: I only realized AFTER I posted it that I read the ask wrong 😞 I tease it as König falling in love and not the other way around. Sorry anon!

The antiseptic makes everything seem stale and tainted, even if its really meant to disinfect and clean. It’s a tarnishing effect that makes the yellow walls which are meant to be cheerful feel like just another falsity.

Entering the building seems like enough of a stressor without even heading to the floor you are assigned to. As you climb the stairs your heart rates spikes—every colourful wall meant to soothe the patients only serves to make you feel more jittery.

Your hands and fingers twitch by your sides as you try to gather any residual strength you can muster before you enter the floor. The Men’s Ward of the Saint Marie’s Asylum for the Mentally Ill was no one’s top choice for work.

You step into the floor and head to the nurses’ desk, the starch white skirt of your dress feels like it is another tool to taunt you with. The heels on your feet pinch your toes and are a half size too small but you can’t afford to buy new ones. The curl of your hair is falling flat from the rain that threatens to downpour upon the entire compound—

“Dr. Wilson is dead.” One of the nurses on the floor reaches for your arm, her nails digging into your flesh as she yanks you behind the desk. “He was found hanging in the staircase that leads to the children’s ward-”

Dr. Wilson was a monster in the asylum. He was a predator who got some sick sense of pleasure from the treatment of the men. He would regularly visit the women and the young girls, threatening nurses who didn’t comply with his orders not to tell a soul.

“He was a monster-”

“He didn’t deserve the die.” The head nurse for the day cuts off the youngest among you with a sharp tongue and a stern warning communicated with her eyes. “Get back to work, the police will come and investigate.”

A chart is handed to you, one you know to expect. No one can handle patient 35.

No one but you.

“Gluten morgen, König,” you wheel in a cart with his breakfast and meds, cautiously approaching the giant Austrian man who sits on the bed, “did you sleep well?”

“Your shoes are too tight,” his German accent draws your attention first and foremost and when you look away from the cart, you see his beautiful blue eyes trained on you.

“You can tell just by looking at me?” You are taken back by his observation but not his mind that never seems to be dulled even on medication. “How did you know?”

“You wince when you walk and there are bandages taped to the inside of your heels.” His dirty blonde, almost brown, hair falls into his face and the corner of his lips twitch. “You should buy new heels, schatz-”

“Nurse,” you correct him more sternly than intended and then immediately wince when his face falls, “König I’m sorry for my tone-”

He was a beast, an absolute monster of a man who stood over 6’6”, his true height was rumoured to be 6’10”. None of the other nurses would have much luck getting him to do anything, until you had come along. Only days after being hired, he had grown complacent—but only for you or your cross shift nurse.

“Dr. Wilson is dead.” He rises from the bed, his standard clothing rumpled by his hips and abdomen, a sigh of a fitness sleep. “Der Wichser hat gerne Frauen und junge Mädchen angefasst.”

He spoke in German, muttering angrily as he clenched and unclenched his hands. He balled them tightly together while you stood tensely by the tray containing his breakfast and medication. You didn’t know whether he would strike out, at you or the cart nearby, but if you were are risk you should leave—

“I have something for you,” just as easily as he had been worked up, he relaxed, “a gift.”

“A gift?” Your eyes watched his movement as he reached toward the single box he could keep possessions in. His fingers searched the contents until he had pulled his hand out and held the item out to you. A locket on a single chain, something beautiful and dainty, an heirloom that was certainly valuable.

“König-“

“It was my mother’s,” his voice was soft and almost unrecognizably tender, “she died two years ago, I was away at war.”

“I can’t take this, you know I can’t-“

“You will.” His jaw tensed, eyes grew dark and stormy. “No one will stop you, no one will take it from you.”

“Okay, okay…thank you, it’s beautiful.” He placed the locket in your hands, closing your fingers around the chain. His eyes retained their dark and stormy look however his lips relaxed and his hand remained touching yours.

“You are safe while I am here, schatz. You know this, ja?” He said the same thing every time you worked with him, that you were safe and that no one would hurt you.

König was a beast of a man who seemed to have a very well guarded hidden piece of him that he wouldn’t let anyone see. He knew what to say to doctor’s to piss then off, what threats to make to nurses to keep him restrained to the bed and the unit.

There was a plan forming in his head and only he could see it.

“You need your medication, König.” You hold out the small circular dish for him to take, and he sits once again, doing what you say. He tips his head back and opens his mouth, his tongue sticking out in order to show you he’s swallowed them.

“I can listen when I want to, nurse.” König’s voice is teasing in his own edging and dark way, though there’s something so complex and complicated that no of the staff can figure out.

He’s 30 steps ahead of all of you; you’re all playing his game.

“Breakfast-”

“Barely passable.” He stirs the boiled oatmeal, the plain soupy mixture that draws a certain disgust even from yourself. “Rats eat better.”

“I’m sorry,” you find yourself apologizing, and you reach into the pockets of your nurses’ dress, finding some hidden packets stuffed inside, “here.”

When you set the packets down on the tray, cinnamon, sugar and even salt are laid out for him. Things no other patient would get, and even you don’t know why you’ve given them to him.

König watches them, studies them, and then his large hands grasp the packets you had given. The corner of his lips twitch, another ploy and another stroke of whatever pen he’s got to make his plans. He lifts his head, his eyes rake over you, and a genuine smile forms on his face.

But he says nothing while he rips open the sugar and cinnamon, dumping them both into the oatmeal. You wait until he’s eating before you start to wheel the cart away, only pausing when he calls your name.

“If anyone stops you from wearing my gift, I will deal with it.” It was a promise, a vow that hung in the air and made you wonder just what kind of game König was playing.

[unknownati]

iv. ekko x gn!black!reader hcs

a/n: they got me yall.

sorry for whoever followed me for tlou content we'll be having a brief intermission i'll come back to them in a minute js let me get this out my system 😭🙏🏾

warnings/tags: no use of y/n, no mention of reader's features (except for being black, but it's only in a few points 🤷🏾‍♀️ so it can be read otherwise), arcane s2 spoilers (minor), sfw and nsfw hcs, (oral sex, kinks, riding), in some au where everyone is happy and nothing bad ever happened 😊, never proofread we ball 🔥

______________________________________________

sfw:

- i feel like ekko is a bit shy (awkward shy though, not shy-shy...does that make sense) when you first get into a relationship with him, and it's just because he's shocked that he's managed to get with you. at first he's stumbling over words, playing off your compliments, desperately trying to keep eye contact with you but if he does he just keeps smiling because you look so good.

-one time, while riding past you on his hoverboard, you waved at him. he waved back, but even as you walked away his eyes kept following you. if it wasn't for scar warning him at the last second, he would've crashed straight into a wall.

- his cockiness comes later into your relationship, every successful action he does followed by a grin that you roll your eyes at.

-and did y'all see the way he looked at powder in ep. 7? his puppy dog eyes are LETHAL.

-he doesn't even know it either. every time he wants something, he just looks at you with those eyes and murmurs "please, ☆?" you fold so quick.

-(you've tried to learn to resist his eyes as they are what caused you to sprain your ankle in a hoverboarding accident since he begged you to race him. he just wanted to show off, too. he didn't stop apologizing for weeks.)

-he usually doesn't really like people touching his hair. he's fine with the kids doing it from time to time, but in general it's not his favorite thing in the world.

-you, however

-you get a pass because you get it. you know how it feels for your hair to just be like a petting zoo from time to time. you know exactly how to help him care for his hair, so much so that he's stopped doing his own retwists. (not like they stay in for very long, you immediately help him sweat it out 😊)

-he's made a lot of random little things for you, like a small chain necklace with an empty locket. he kind of sucks at wrapping gifts though, so he just handed it to you with a stupid smile while you two were perched at the top of the firelight tree.

-"ekko, this is so cute," you mutter, your bottom lip jutted out in adoration as you inspect the delicately crafted chain. small mistakes here and there, but you loved it.

-he also learned how to sew just so he could make you a bonnet/durag. he even sewed a crude little "e" in the corner of it, and made himself one with your initial in it as well.

-will randomly shadow box you out of no where. it's some form of cuteness aggression or something, because you'll be talking about your day while absent-mindedly twiddling with the hem of your shirt, and suddenly there are fists flying towards you that he knows to never let connect.

-"...ekko, the fuck are you doing?"

-he makes small noises that sound like "shoo" every time his fist flies, watching you stare at him with an unimpressed look.

-saw someone else say this but yeah ekko can't hoop. sorry

-he CANNOT hide his facial expressions. he may tell you one thing, but his face will never lie. if you're out eating and you feed him a bite of your food, you can watch his face contort into one of disgust, so much so that he almost looks offended. upon realizing that he doesn't want to yuck your yum, he'll fix his face into the fakest smile you've ever seen and nod.

-"...ekko, go spit it out."

-you've never seen him reach for a napkin any quicker.

-idk who the arcane universe's michael jackson is but, when he was younger he absolutely learned all the dances.

-probably the biggest softie the world has ever seen. he's very tough in public, but once he closes the door behind you two and climbs into bed with you, he's clinging onto you like a sloth.

-if you like painting your nails, he'll (hesitantly) allow you to paint his nails to match yours.

-(these next few ones are sliiightly for me 🤭)

-loves when you draw on his arms.

-until he can't get whatever marker you used off of his skin in the shower, so now he's walking around looking like a coloring book with little flowers, hearts, and signatures on his arms.

-he hangs up all the drawings you make of him up along his work space. sometimes he forgets one and leaves it on his desk, so it's a pleasant surprise to find a drawing of himself among scattered and disorganized papers while he was cleaning up.

-has gotten used to you randomly biting him. you'll come up behind him while he's working, and he already knows it's coming when you rest your chin on his exposed shoulder. 2 seconds later, your teeth are sinking into his skin. he just chuckles, but he does ask once.

-"why do you do that?"

-"oh, i dunno. i just like doing it. 's how you know i like you."

nsfw (very brief i'm sorry):

-praise kink. you couldn't tell me otherwise

-loves giving praise, loves receiving praise.

-when he's giving you head, he almost does it for his own pleasure. feeling your hand rub against his undercut while you whine and mutter "fuuuck, ekko, you're so good. don't stop please" is all he needs

-and i'm glad we've all agreed he's a thigh guy too 🙌🏾

-and IK we say this about every fictional man but HE WHIMPERS.

-he starts off with groans and grunts, but the closer he gets, the more his voice starts to shake and his words start to become whines.

-he looooves when you ride him holy shit

-looking up at you while your face contorts in pleasure is absolutely on his top 10.

-and if you stare into his eyes while you do it? his soul has left thanks!

-in general he loves eye contact. when you look up at him with his length between your lips, you can see his brain start to short-circuit.

-he's definitely the type to make sure you finish first before he even gets to think about his own pleasure.

-he's usually super sleepy afterwards too, but he refuses to lay down for a second until he makes sure you're all cleaned up and comfortable before he's out cold on your chest.

______________________________________________

[muscleloverz69]

New Friends Part 1

Scott was my best friend. It's every girl's dream to have a gay best friend like Scott. He was funny and kind. Guys were never threatened by him either because he was just a 5’5 beanpole. Scott was hanging out with me in my bedroom with my boyfriend Robby. The three of us were enjoying a movie. Scott was on the floor while I was cuddled up with Robby on the bed. 

Robby was a perfect boyfriend, a 6 '5 slab of beautifully sculpted muscle. His arms were larger than Scotts entire leg and his pecs made perfect pillows. He was a quiet guy but had a massive dick to make up for it. He was also very sweet, giving me thoughtful presents constantly. My favorite was a heart locket with strands of his hair in it so we’re always together.  I’ve seen Scott steal a peak at my boyfriend quite a few times but Robby was 100% straight.

Scott looked up at us on the bed “you guys are so lucky to have each other.” 

I smiled back at him. Scott was very single, no gay guy was ever interested in him. I was trying to figure out what to say to him when my bedroom door flung open. It was my brother, Vince. If there was anyone objectively hotter than my boyfriend it was my brother. That might sound fucked up but it was true he had everything Robby had but add in a brooding attitude and manliness Robby can’t compete with. The only problem was he was an asshole who hated me.

“Hey Melissa I see your loser friend is over.”

I rolled my eyes, Scott just sat there quietly, obviously overwhelmed by Vince’s presence before finally opening his mouth “Oh um yeah, hi Vince how are you.”

“You are such a gay freak.” Vince chuckled. “Anyway Melissa I’m here because I decided I’m sick of you always bringing your boyfriend over especially when I need a new best friend.”

I was confused until I saw Vince reveal a book from behind his back. Our family comes from a powerful line of witches and that book is the family spellbook. I realized too late however as with just a few magic words a spell hit Robby right in the face.

“Robby, what did he just do to you!”

 I watched as Robby sat up, his face contorted into a sneer. “It’s Rob bitch, now leave me alone so I can hang with my bro Vince.”

My heart dropped as ‘Rob’ stood up and walked away with Vince. Just like that I had lost my boyfriend.

Over the next few days everything changed for me. Rob was over almost everyday but he was a different person. He now had that same brooding energy as my brother and they did everything together. I would watch them as they came back from the gym, threw a ball around, or harassed Scott. Robby never would have mistreated Scott but Rob seemed to love it just like Vince. The two of them would bring girls home too which really stung. When Rob saw me instead of love in his eyes it was annoyance. I was now just his best friend’s dumb sister instead of his girlfriend. My heart was shattered and all I could think of was revenge.

Rob’s Perspective

“Bro I can’t believe I was ever with your bitch sister. This body was meant to be shared.” Rob flexed one of his massive biceps. 

Vince chuckled, popping his massive pecs in response “Yeah and no more of those pussy sweaters and shit she had you in. Only compression shirts and sweats to show off to the ladies.” 

They were on their way to a club planning a wild night, Robby used to never drink, but Rob pounded beers like it was water.

That wasn’t the only way Rob changed though. His once brown hair had turned blonde just like Vince, his voice dropped an octave to resemble his new friends as well as his muscles swelled to match his bro.

It didn’t take long for Rob and Vince to find Bimbos to hook up with at the club, they took them both to the bathroom excited to drop a load. Both of them entered the handicap stall. Rob took his massive dick out and started to stroke it up and down, hips gyrating as he did. He lowered his pants more just below his ass causing his bubble but to shake a little. He bent his bimbo over and without any foreplay shoved his dick into her. His shaft quickly thrusting as a deep moan rumbled in his throat. Vince had done the same to his girl, grabbing her hair with one hand as he put his muscled torso to good use.

The two bros were so focused on their chicks they didn’t even notice as Melissa entered the bathroom. She had found the family spellbook from where Vince had hidden it and now it was time for her revenge. A spell once cast could not be undone but it can be altered by a new spell.

Rob was close to finishing his ass starting to clench in anticipation. He hardly noticed as the space around him changed. The men in the bathroom were now mostly shirtless, all of them extremely well muscled and attractive. In fact even Rob and Vince’s shirts had vanished. There was also now a suspicious number of men kissing other men. Rob felt his dick get closer and closer as the twink underneath him let out a moan before his load filled up the guy's ass. He pulled out, the boy's ass still leaking. Vince finished too, and they both pulled back on their thongs and went back to the club. 

Rob felt like something was off but couldn’t put his finger on it as he rubbed up against a jock's ass. He looked towards his bro Vince as he watched him get spanked by a very sexy leather daddy. He realized he did find his friend very attractive. Rob possessively walked up to Vince placing a hand on his muscular arm. “Hey, what if we took this back to your place.” 

Vince’s eyes went wide with anticipated pleasure as they left. In the car Rob felt a strange fog in his head before shaking it off, he loved his boyfriend and best bro and was so excited to get home.

The second they entered the house Vince picked up Rob by the ass and pinned him against the wall. Rob wrapped his well defined legs around Vince’s waist as they kissed. Tongues darting back and forth as deep moans were exchanged. Vince lowered Rob down before bending just slightly to Rob’s chest, Vince glanced up predatorily before beginning to lick Rob’s meaty pec settling on his nipple, biting it gently. Rob whimpered, running his hand across Vince’s chiseled face before reaching upward and grabbing his soft blonde hair. Rob with a fistful of Vince’s hair in hand forced Vince onto his knees. Vince lowered Rob’s jock and a thick cock bounced out slapping him in the face. Vince’s tongue ran once down the shaft while his hand gripped the base. His mouth gently began cradling one of Rob’s balls in his mouth causing Rob to exude an uncharacteristically high moan. Vince carefully released him before greedily taking him into his mouth gagging as he did. Rob gripped Vince’s hair tighter as he began to fuck his face. Vince ran his free hand down Rob’s abs as the thrusting increased in pace faster and faster until he pulled back just in time for Rob to splatter Vince’s face.

Both panting hot and sweaty. Neither noticed Melissa watching from the stairs. “Now it's time to get a boyfriend back.”

[sassenach77yle]

Outlander 7x16 "A Hundred Thousand Angels"

I COULDN’T GO to sleep. I’d given Fanny her tea, provided her with suitable cloths—not at all to my surprise, she already knew how to use them—and talked gently to her, careful not to raise any more of her personal ghosts. When Fanny had come to us, Jamie and I had agreed that we wouldn’t try to question her about any of the bits of memory she dropped aloud—like the bad men on the ship and what had happened to Spotty the dog—unless she seemed to want to talk about them. I thought she would, sooner or later. Bree and Roger had agreed as well, though I could see how curious Brianna was. Fanny had mentioned Jane now and then, offhandedly, but in a way designed—I thought—to keep a sense of her sister alive. Seeing her distress tonight, though … Jane was much closer to her than I’d thought. And now that I’d seen Jane’s face … I couldn’t forget it. Knowing only what I did know about the girls’ lives in the brothel in Philadelphia was upsetting; I really hadn’t wanted to find out how they’d come there. I still didn’t … but I couldn’t keep the worm of speculation at bay; it had burrowed into my brain and was squirming busily through my thoughts, killing sleep. Bad men on a ship. A dog thrown into the sea. A pet dog? A family—if Fanny and Jane had been with their parents on a ship that encountered pirates … or even a wicked captain, like Stephen Bonnet

… I felt the hairs rise on my forearms at thought of him, but with remembered anger, not fear. Someone like him could easily have taken a look at the two lovely young girls and decided that their parents could be dispensed with. Faith. Our mother, Fanny had said. I’d looked more than once at the miniature in the locket—but it was too small to show anything more than a young woman with dark hair, maybe naturally curly, maybe curled and dressed in the fashion of the times. No. It can’t be. I rolled over for the dozenth time, settling on my stomach and burying my face in the pillow, in hopes of losing myself in the scent of clean linen and goose down. “It can’t be what, Sassenach?” Jamie’s voice spoke in my ear, sleepily resigned. “And if it can’t, can it not wait ’til dawn?” I rolled onto my side in a rustle of bedding, facing him. “I’m sorry,” I said, and touched him apologetically. His hand took mine automatically, warm and firm.

“I didn’t realize I’d said it out loud. I was … just thinking about Fanny’s locket.” Faith. “Ach,” he said, and stretched himself a little, groaning. “Ye mean the name. Faith?” “Well … yes. I mean—it can’t possibly … have anything to do with …” “It’s no an uncommon name, Sassenach.”

His thumb rubbed gently over my knuckles. “Of course ye’d … feel it. I did, too.” “Did you?” I said softly. I cleared my throat a little. “I—I don’t really do it anymore, but for a time, just—just every now and then—I’d think of her, of our Faith—out of nowhere. I’d imagine I could feel her near me.” “Imagine what she might look like—grown?” His voice was soft, too. “I did that, sometimes. In prison, mostly; too much time to think, in the nights. Alone.” I made a small sound and hitched closer, laying my head in the curve of his shoulder, and his arm came round me. We lay still, silent, listening to the night and the house around us. Full of our family—but with one small angel hovering in the calm sweet air, peaceful as rising smoke. “The locket,” I said at last. “It can’t possibly have anything whatever to do with—” “No, it can’t,” he said, a cautious note in his voice. “But what are ye thinking, Sassenach? Because ye’re no thinking what ye just said, and I ken that fine.” That was true, and a spasm of guilt at being found out tightened my body. “It can’t be,” I said, and swallowed. “It’s only …” My words died away and his hand rubbed between my shoulder blades.

“Well, ye’d best tell me, Sassenach,” he said. “Nay matter how foolish it is, neither one of us will sleep until ye do.” “Well … you know what Roger told me, about the doctor he met in the Highlands, and the blue light?” “I do. What—” “Roger asked me if I’d ever seen blue light like that—when I was healing people.” The hand on my back stilled. “Have ye?” He sounded guarded, though I didn’t know whether he was afraid of finding out something he didn’t want to know, or just finding out that I was losing my mind. “No,” I said. “Or not—well, no. But … I have seen it. Felt it. Twice. Just a flash, when Malva’s baby died.” Died in my hands, covered with his mother’s blood. “But when Faith was born, when I was so ill. I was dying—really dying, I felt it—and Master Raymond came.” “Ye told me that much,” he said. “Is there more?” “I don’t know,” I said honestly. “But this is what I thought happened.” And I told him, about seeing my bones glow blue through the flesh of my arms, the feeling of the light spreading through my body and the infection dying, leaving me limp, but whole and healing. “So … um … I know this is nothing but pure fantasy, the sort of thing you think in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep …” He made a low noise, indicating that I should stop apologizing and get on with it. So I took a deep breath and did, whispering the words into his chest. “Master Raymond was there. What if—if he found … Faith … and was able to … somehow bring her … back?” Dead silence. I swallowed and went on. “People … aren’t always dead, even though it looks like it. Look at old Mrs. Wilson! Every doctor knows—or has heard—about people who’ve been declared dead and wake up later in the morgue.” “Or in a coffin.” He sounded grim, and a shudder went over me. “Aye, I’ve heard stories like that. But—a wee babe and one born too soon—how—” “I don’t know how!” I burst out. “I said it’s complete fantasy, it can’t be true! But—but—” My throat thickened and my voice squeaked. “But ye wish it were?” His hand cupped the back of my head and his voice was quiet again. “Aye. But … if it was, mo chridhe, why would he not have told ye? Ye saw him again, no? After he’d healed ye, I mean.” “Yes.” I shuddered, momentarily feeling the King of France’s Star Chamber close around me, the smell of the King’s perfume, of dragon’s blood and wine in the air—and two men before me, awaiting my sentence of death.

“Yes, I know. But—when the Comte died, Raymond was banished, and they took him away. He couldn’t have told me then, and he might not have been able to come back before we left Paris.” It sounded insane, even to me. But I could—just—see it: Master Raymond, stealing out of L’Hôpital des Anges after leaving me, perhaps ducking aside to avoid notice, hiding in the place where the nuns had, perhaps, laid Faith on a shelf, wrapped in her swaddling clothes. He would have known her, as he’d known me … Everyone has a color about them, he said simply. All around them, like a cloud. Yours is blue, madonna. Like the Virgin’s cloak. Like my own. One of his. The thought came out of nowhere, and I stiffened. “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.” What if—all right, I was insane, but too late for that to make a difference. “What if he—if I, we—what if Master Raymond is—was—somehow related to me?” Jamie said nothing, but I felt his hand move, under my hair. His middle finger folded down and the outer ones stood up straight, making the sign of the horns, against evil. “And what if he’s not?” he said dryly. He rolled me off him and turned toward me so we were face-to-face. The darkness was slowly fading and I could see his face, drawn with tiredness, touched with sorrow and tenderness, but still determined. “Even if everything ye’ve made yourself think was somehow true—and it’s not, Sassenach; ye ken it’s not—but if it were somehow true, it wouldna make any difference. The woman in Frances’s locket is dead now, and so is our Faith.” His words touched the raw place in my heart, and I nodded, tears welling. “I know,” I whispered. “I know, too,” he whispered, and held me while I wept.

24 Alarms by Night~GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE

[bannanasrus]

Should have picked a different Apartment

Contains Unwilling M/M vore with implied digestion

Going into the apartment that gave the thief bad vibes in the first place was the thief’s first mistake knocking over a vase was the second.

“Hell” cursed the thief hopping against hope, that no one had heard the crash of the vase.

Unfortunately for him the owner of the apartment had heard it, and very casually walked into the kitchen from the bedroom. “Can I help you” he asked in a polite manner that never the less held a threat.

“Oh hell”

“Indeed”

“Stay back I’m armed” warned the thief

“I quiver with fear” replied the owner a shark toothed grin spreading over his face

The thief swallowed, he hadn’t considered how big this guy really was when he’d made that threat but, taking him all in - he was about twice as wide as he was, and nearly a foot taller.

“Don’t even think about calling the cops!” He said attempting to gain some kind of control over the situation.

“Goodness me no” said the owner “I would never drag law enforcement here to deal with something so trivial”

“I’m trivial?” Asked the thief angrily in spite of his fear, yes he did have a reputation to uphold, in spite of the fact that he was currently frozen in fear.

“Yes” replied the owner “In a few hours, maybe a bit longer, you won’t be here” he considered something “Unless you want to get out right now that is, and save me the trouble”

“Hey! I think you’ve gotten mixed up with who is making the demands here!” snapped the thief. Less angry and more… huffy.

“Oh you are quite correct” replied the owner still smiling all the while - the same shark toothed calm smile.

“So, are you gonna give me all your money?” said the thief. It wasn’t actually a demand, it was a question. He really would have preferred to just get out of here, but his pride demanded that he at least make the attempt to leave here with some kind of valuables to put in his bag on the Balcony.

The owner stepped from the shadows, into an area that was bathed in moonlight and, shit thought the thief he really was Big, not big with a small b, but Big with a big B. He had short brownish hair which sat in a quiff, blue eyes, very lightly tanned skin, and it was impossible to not note his physique - he was positively herculean - the dressing gown he was wearing was only highlighting the thick round of his pecs which were visible at the top, and each of his thighs were as thick as a tree trunk - well maybe not literally but metaphorically yes!

“Is this a hold up?” he asked inquisitively still smiling “If it is, I feel the need of introductions, since we might be here a while - my name is Cecil”

“I won’t tell you mine!” replied the thief

“Very well” replied Cecil and thief could have sworn he added under his breath “It’s not as though food needs a name”

“Well I was just going to - ” quick as it had been said Cecil had moved forward at speed closing the distance between them, looming over the thief who gulped in fear again - he really didn’t want to see what this guy was going to do to him.

“Go?”

“Um”

“I wouldn’t like you to come all this way for nothing”

“No no, I want you to let me go”

“You know, I realised you looked familiar - though granted with those balaclavas every thief looks similar, but your build well that’s very distinctive - you robbed this building before didn’t you” his voice suddenly became very dangerous

The thief did remember it had been a few nights ago - an old lady’s apartment she had gotten up tried to take him, and he’d pushed her to the ground then he’d robbed her apartment. Not that there had been that much to take, only an antique necklace with a locket, it had been a waste though - too distinctive to get anything for it.

“Your silence, whether of fear or guilt is very confirming” said Cecil “Luckily for you, she isn’t dead” not thought Cecil that that’ll change your fate “But you did steal something of great sentimental value to her, a necklace, with a locket, made of gold?”

His and his boyfriend’s neighbour was an old, old lady who had once had to flee her home - the only treasure she had from it was in a necklace her parents gave to her as a child it contained a locket inside of which was a series of small locks of hair from her siblings. “Uh yeah” said the thief nervously, really regretting shoving that old lady now.

“Where is it?”

“In my bag”

“Which is where?”

“Oh the balcony”

Cecil moved to look at the dark balcony and saw the idiot thief attempting to lunge at him with a heavy lamp.

A few things happened in quick succession: first, Cecil dodged the swing, second the thief stumbled backwards losing his footing and finally third Cecil lunging forward like a python wrapped his huge arms around the thief opened his mouth wider than should have ben possible and shoved him headfirst into his mouth.

The thief shrieked in surprise and started kicking his legs trying to get out, but he was doomed Cecil slurped trying to see if any flavour came off of his meal. He disliked eating people like this he could never be sure that they were really clean, but oh well he was doing his part to keep crime off the street, and only part of his muscle came from the cheat of devouring people There was also the issue that clothes stood in the way of tasting the guy properly, there wasn’t much meat on him anyway. Sometimes - infact most of the time he preferred them this way - lean and mean easy to subdue though they still kicked up a storm in his gut speaking of which.

Angling his head back to help gravity do the rest he grabbed the socks and shoes off of the thief's feet and tossed them to the one side. In a few seconds the thief was curled in the stomach of Cecil whose dressing gown came loose exposing his tan thief filled gut and who let out a loud deep belch and moaned.

“you ate me, you actually ate me!!” Yelled the thief

“You tried to kill me with a lamp buddy” said Cecil

There were footsteps and in stepped Blake who merely sighed at Cecil’s gut. Whilst Cecil sat down on the sofa and spread his legs - the better to accommodate the expanse with.

“hey darling, said Cecil grinng at Blake who walked into the room and sat beside him

“it’s the middle of the night” replied Blake grumpily

“hey I didn’t choose what time this ruffian decided to perform home invasion!” Said Cecil cheerily

“you are way too upbeat at all times” grumbled Blake as he reached out with one hand and began rubbing Cecil’s stomach coaxing up another belch

“You are way too good at this” sighed Cecil dropping his head back and wrapping an arm around Blake’s torso pulling him against the dome of flesh that bulged occasionally with the struggles of its unwilling occupant in spite of himself Blake grinned and began rubbing with both hands as he shifted himself to straddle Cecil earning him a grunt of surprise and a belch as Cecil placed a hand on either side of Blake to keep him there. Blake leaned forward and tenderly kissed Cecil on his lips Cecil responded by wrapping his arms more firmly about Blake and giving a small moan of pleasure as Blake’s hands continued to massage him feeling as though he had found a good sized pocket of air Blake leaned away from Cecil as a gurgle starting in his stomach rapidly made it’s way up and out of Cecil’s mouth who had been sitting there eyes slightly heavy lidded

“Bouarrrrrrp” he moaned and Blake immediately fell back upon him “You are so so hot when you are like this” he whispered in Cecil’s ear “all full and belching” Cecil loved the praise from his gorgeous Boyfriend but…

“I’m hardly full” he replied “in fact I could scarf down 2, 3 more of these guys no problem” he whispered in Blakes ear he belched again smaller this time yet he chuckled as he saw Blake blush and giggle “in fact I still could do with another snack” he bit gently on Blakes ear relishing how it made Blake tingle all over “For some reason whenever I eat you - I feel at my fullest, my belly stretched to the max like I’ve eaten a full buffet plus some assholes that bother us on the way home - all of that just from you stretching me out” his voice was filled with desire, but it softened to gentle tenderness “all that from just you - my favourite 5 star meal”

“Cecil…” said Blake his hands moving from Cecil’s gut to his face “you are the most beautiful man” he kissed him moaning as Cecil’s hands began to grip his body until they were interrupted by a voice from Cecil’s gut

“Ewww, excuse me if you are going to, engage in activities then show me some respect and let me out”

“How are you still alive?” asked a gobsmacked Blake to Cecil’s gut “That last belch should have taken you to the Flats in the sky” he looked at Cecil who was similarly surprised

“Wait what the hell?” Yelled the thief

“Hey buddy good food shouldn’t talk” snapped Cecil annoyed that his time with Blake was being taken up by this asshat.

“I’m not food” shrieked the thief shoving violently against Cecil’s stomach walls

“Stop speaking and squirming” Said Cecil “Squirming’s all well and good at the start really gets me going - but after a while it’s just like shut up accept your fate and digest”

“You’re going to digest me?!!!” Shrieked the thief kicking again more violently

“Stop that” groaned Cecil grasping his stomach and belching again Blake slid off of his lap and onto the floor. It was surprisingly painful getting kicked - usually it didn’t hurt this much

“Hell no, Let me out - you can’t do this”

“You shouldn’t have broken into our Flat buddy”

“I am not your Buddy” yelled the thief shoving again at Cecils stomach walls this time actually hurting him more than quite a bit, damn it felt like getting stabbed - please tell me he didn’t actually have a weapon he thought to himself

“Ow” he whined “stop”

“Ha ha ha ha” not so confident now are you - you stupid greedy musclebound glutton”

“Stop hurting him” snapped Blake getting off the floor and ramming both hands onto the squirming mass Blake may not have had the ability to devour people and turn them to mush - but he certainly had the power to deliver a fierce push the thief yelped as we felt the shove and Cecil let out a loud rumbling belch. “BOUARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP Damn” ,he said “I must have gulped down a lot of air with that guy”. His hands returned to a much less engorged stomach.

“Would explain why he lasted so long and how despite being so scrawny he was able to give you such a bloat” said Blake whose own hands were on each of Cecil’s broad shoulders and were tracing down each of his biceps.

“Yeah” sighed Cecil “I mean he wasn’t so much scrawny as lean and thin”

“How did he taste” asked Blake

“Not of too much” replied Cecil “I was more eager to get him down than to taste him” Blake’s hand returned to and rubbed Cecil’s stomach feeling the lumps were moving weakly but not for much longer he thought

“Blake” asked Cecil

“Yes”

“Can you check the balcony please? This guy said he left his bag with Miss Olgania’s Locket in it”

“I will do that once I’m sure he can never rob Miss Olgania or us or anyone ever again” said Blake leaning forward and kissing Cecil

“Mmmmm” moaned Cecil moving forwards “My gut, my muscles - the most secure prison”

”Just right” Replied Blake smiling as his hands returned to his stomach.

Miss Valecia Olgania was aged somewhere in her seventies though she would never admit it insisting that she stopped aging at 39! She had grey hair pulled into a bun at the back of her head and wore a patterned black and white skirt and a pink top.

Upon hearing a knock at her door she moved over to it and after checking the spy-hole and seeing that it was her downstairs neighbours Cecil and Blake she unlocked, unchained and opened the door with a smile.

“Miss Olgania, it is our pleasure to return to you the locket that was stolen by the thief” said Cecil presenting the locket which was indeed within the black bag that the thief had said it was in, alongside several other presumably stolen goods which they had handed over the the police.

“Oh you really both are the kindest gentlemen!” Said Miss Olgania gladly taking the locket in her hands and holding it to her chest

“We just do our part for the community” Said Cecil

“and you are a part of it Miss Olgania” added Blake smiling

“But how did you get it back?!” Said Miss Olgania slightly puzzled - but only slightly.

Cecil laid a hand over the slight increase in thickness in his abs that was the only indication of his meal “let’s just say that he won’t be bothering you or us again any time soon.”

Miss Olgania simply smiled and laughed “Well all I can say is thank you my dears, and an invitation to my humble abode for a most ordinary meal is most certainly in order!” She invited them in and closed the door bustling over to where her calendar hung on a small hook and pulling it off, shall we say Friday night between 5 and 6?”

“That sounds wonderful said Cecil”

“Concurred” said Blake grinning

“And while we’re here why not have a cup of tea?”

“why not indeed” they chorused - after all who would refuse a cup of tea from such a nice lady?

Well I know someone who might but since he’s now part of someone who would never do so - I think we can leave him out!

Thank you so much for reading if you’ve made it this far

I very much hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Comments about grammar and spelling and punctuation would be very very welcome - I would much rather know if I’ve made a stupid mistake than not know!

[saintsenara]

If Voldemort had repented and felt remorse like Harry offered him, what exactly would have happened to him? Would his soul have been healed and he forgiven? I mean, I’m pretty sure he would definitely be thrown into Azkaban for life, but would he be normal again? Like, no longer that bald, no-nose snake face creep and his soul intact.

thank you very much for the ask, @hollyparker! i can think of no question more suitable for this season of allhallowtide.

canon is clear that genuine remorse would have resulted in the fissures in voldemort's soul being healed:

"Isn't there any way of putting yourself back together?" Ron asked. "Yes," said Hermione with a hollow smile, "but it would be excruciatingly painful." "Why? How do you do it?" asked Harry.  "Remorse," said Hermione. "You've got to really feel what you've done. There's a footnote. Apparently the pain of it can destroy you. I can't see Voldemort attempting it somehow, can you?"

so, the only thing necessary to trigger the healing of the soul is the feeling of remorse. there's no need to perform any sort of public penance, nor even to actually say out loud that you're sorry. you just need to be sorry, and the slate of your soul is wiped clean.

[that is - as we'll come to below - your salvation is achieved by faith alone, rather than by works and rituals...]

so yes, voldemort would be forgiven. but only in the theological - rather than the psychological, social, or legal - sense of the word.

his victims wouldn't suddenly be expected to be fine with him, his slate wouldn't be wiped clean in the eyes of the wizarding legal system, and he would still be expected to be punished for what he'd done. if he survives putting his soul back together, instead of dying on the spot, he's definitely looking at life in azkaban - if not a capital sentence - and he'd deserve it. and if he dies, he's still going to be remembered as an evil man, rather than the history of his crimes being erased by his deathbed repentance. he would simply rot in azkaban and/or die with an intact soul.

but what about with an intact appearance?

canon doesn't ever discuss what would happen to voldemort's body if he healed his soul, and either option - that his appearance would revert or that it wouldn't - is justifiable. but my view is certainly that healing his soul would trigger the transformation of his appearance.

[i don't have a preference on whether this means he would revert to the body he had when he first split his soul - that is, his appearance would be as it was when he was sixteen - or if he'd be his canonical age, just with a human face. either makes one hell of a premise for a fic.]

voldemort's physical degradation is directly caused by making horcruxes - right down to the very first time he splits his soul - and it accelerates as he goes beyond the norms of even this darkest of magic. the version of him which visits hepzibah smith - who has made two horcruxes: the diary and the ring - is very thin, very pale, and heavily implied to look quite sickly, and he also has a red gleam in his eyes. the version who comes to see dumbledore for a job interview - who has made four or five horcruxes: the diary, the ring, the cup, the diadem, and possibly the locket - is unnaturally pale, has skin which looks like melted wax, has eyes which are starting to look permanently bloodshot, and [much to harry's disappointment] is no longer good-looking. creating harry - rather than his resurrection ritual - is what seems to cause his looks to degrade further, since the voldemort of philosopher's stone is described facially in identical ways to the voldemort of goblet of fire, although the creation of nagini probably makes these features even more horrifying.

as a narrative device, voldemort's physical changes has an enormous amount in common with the gradual disfigurement of the portrait in the picture of dorian gray.

in both texts, damage visited upon the soul - and, indeed, damage visited upon the soul in pursuit of immortality - is visited upon the face [although in dorian's case, this damage is confined to the portrait, while his flesh-and-blood self lives behind a mask of false youth and beauty]. at the end of the novel, dorian - horrified at the portrait's appearance - resolves to mend his ways, but only does so half-heartedly [by deciding that not seducing a woman he feels nothing for is enough to cancel out murder and driving two people to suicide], which causes no change to the portrait. in a fit of rage, he destroys the portrait rather than attempting true repentance. this kills him, and when his body is discovered his appearance is the monstrous one of the painting. that is, he - like voldemort - finally has to wear the damage to his soul on his face.

from which we can reasonably suppose that the impact of true repentance on the soul would reflect similarly on the face. voldemort being returned to his former humanity - then - would be the proof [since, as we've seen, he wouldn't need to prove his remorse through works or words] that his repentance was genuine and he had - again, only in the theological sense of the word - been forgiven.

but he's still going to be thrown in azkaban, or hurled through the veil, or die on the spot even if he's pretty again. it doesn't change anything about what he's done on earth.

what it changes is his experience in the afterlife.

the text approaches the possibility of voldemort's remorse very interestingly. by which i mean, it presents it not just as a purgative act, but as a quasi-baptismal one.

the wizarding world canonically has two stable spheres of existence - life and afterlife. there's no suggestion in canon that this afterlife attaches a moral price to admission - that is, it doesn't seem to function as [the christian] heaven, and nor does there seem to be an in-universe version of [the christian] hell - but it does require something: an intact soul.

in between these two spheres is a liminal space - the theshold between life and death which appears to harry as king's cross. this threshold exists so that the newly dead [those who aren't harry, whose experience is unique, at least] can make a choice - to move on to the afterlife or to return to the sphere of the living as a ghost.

there's some implication in canon that it takes some people longer to accept the need to move on to the afterlife than others - and so there's some sense of the threshold serving a similar purpose to purgatory, and serving as an intermediate space in which an intact soul sheds all the baggage it's carried with it from life before it settles happily into death.

but in voldemort's case, it represents something very different... limbo.

and, specifically, the limbo of infants.

this term refers to the permanent - rather than liminal - sphere in which the souls of unbaptised babies linger, unable - since they've never been cleansed of original sin via baptism, but also haven't committed any sins of their own [since, y'know, they're babies] - either to access heaven or to be condemned to hell.

within the metaphysics of canon, then, voldemort's mutilation of his soul has a similar impact to the state of unbaptism. it prevents him from moving across the threshold between life and death, thus causing him to get stuck forever - in a baby-like form! - in the liminal space of king's cross.

and this is fascinating.

as deathly hallows reaches its climax, the themes and tropes the doylist narrative draws upon are overtly christian. harry freely chooses to die for the salvation of the world, rises again from the dead, and then protects anyone who believes in him from coming to harm at voldemort's hands with the supernatural force of his love. numerous other characters have arcs in the final book which have similarly christian overtones - lily as the virgin mary [who crushes the serpent's head, before her son defeats him entirely], dumbledore as john the baptist [who teaches and guides harry-as-christ, but is subordinate to him in greatness], and ron as st peter [who abandons harry-as-christ and then returns to him].

but - crucially - its christian tropes are not simply christian. they are protestant.

and voldemort - as much as his christian-literature archetype is satan [hence all the snake imagery] - is approached by the text, especially when it comes to the text's treatment of his horcruxes, with christian allegories which are catholic.

the horcruxes are relics, and his belief that they - rather than faith in the power of love as the text understands it - will save him is delusional. jkr has heavily implied in several interviews that they are created via a cannibalistic ritual - which calls to mind the doctrine of transubstantiation in the catholic eucharist. there are seven of them, just as there are seven sacraments in the catholic church, since voldemort believes seven to be the most powerful magical number - something he's wrong about, since the seven-fold power of his horcruxes is nothing in the face of harry's faith in the trinity of the hallows. and his clinging to them condemns him to a post-death state which calls the limbo of infants - which, while not official catholic doctrine, is a hypothetical concept only catholic theology entertains; all mainstream protestant and orthodox denominations reject it entirely - to mind.

it's a really interesting example of what both the doylist and watsonian texts believe him to have transgressed through the creation of horcruxes.

because, of course, he's not condemned to limbo for the sin of murder, he's condemned to it because he puts his faith in something other than faith [or love] alone.

[mvrkieboo]

Old Bloodhounds

P40 | i see the end

You were trying so hard not to fidget, not to let your smile drop even though Xiaojun and Haechan were being really funny right now. At the back of your mind, you can just see Yoonsu coming closer and closer, wearing Junyoung's face only to distort it, to ruin it, and the memories of Junyoung you have only ever allowed yourself to keep.

Poor Junyoung, buried somewhere in an unmarked grave.

You practically jumped in your spot when a hand gripped on your shoulder. Mark flinched, standing just right by your side when you let out a sudden yelp at the contact. Both of you turned around, and you automatically let out a fake enthusiastic smile as you reluctantly let Yoonsu wrap his arms around you, pulling you into an embrace that lifted you off your feet.

He pushed you away so he can look at your face more closely.

"Junyoung! Oh, it's been so long. I'm glad you made it." You hoped your voice didn't sound too stiff, unconvincing, and terrified instead of happy.

Junyoung's face smiled back at you, but the glee he expressed through Junyoung's soulless eyes was venomous instead of genuine.

This was pure torture.

Yoonsu said he was doing you a favour, but you knew how aware he was in what he's doing with you. There was pure horror and repulsion in your eyes that made Yoonsu the happiest man on earth right now.

Mark looked between you and Yoonsu, wondering why your eyes didn't match your words. When Yoonsu finally let you down, sincerely in love with the way your hands almost desperately clawed at his chest to pull away from him. Mark's eyes didn't miss the way you pulled away from the embrace too—fingers curled at the front of his hoodie, nails attempting to dig in past the thick woven fabric and into his skin.

"Now who's this?" Ningning chirped, and you turned around back to them, the smile still carved into the corner of your lips, making the muscles in your cheeks ache.

"Everyone, meet Lee Junyoung. He was my senior at my highschool in Gangnam, and he helped me out a lot back then when I needed it."

"Hello, everyone. It's nice to see that Y/N actually has so many friends now." He mimicked Junyoung's signature smile that pushed his eyelids close, making the knot in your stomach twist inwards.

You wanted to kill him. With your own bare hands. You wanted to take a knife and carve his face, to pull Junyoung's face away from such a repulsive man.

"Where were you all this time then?" Yangyang spoke almost monotonely, face set straight.

Where were you when Y/N needed you while she was forced to work for a loanshark?

"I moved overseas 3 years ago, to the Philippines, because of my mother's job. I wished we never moved though." Yoonsu turned to you, giving you a meaningful look, eyes telling you all sorts of warning.

"It's okay, I never blamed you for leaving me. You're here now."

You felt like throwing up. You felt like Junyoung's ghost was pulling on your noose from behind, but when you glanced at it, the locket was still hanging off your neck like it usually did. It just felt so much tighter and heavier now.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

"Your friends are more annoying than I thought. The guy who asked me that question—that's Yangyang, right?" Yoonsu didn't even bother to glance at you, still inspecting the music themed accessories on the counter.

"I'll manage him. He's harmless, Yoonsu. Don't mind him." You quickly quipped out, and the palpable fear in your voice made him scoff.

He really loved how scared you were at the moment.

"You know, you should be thanking your stars that your godfathers are practically untouchable. Members of the Min clan—a prominent old money chaebol family—owe them a favour. They're powerful enough to crush me like I'm some sort of roach and flush my body down the toilet without getting caught. Do you know why they're so indebted to Geonwoo and Woojin?" Yoonsu turned to you, bending his body so his face was close to yours.

You shook your head. When you were still working for him, he once slapped you for having bad breath. Markhad let you finish his americano earlier, and you're not taking the risk of getting another slap from Yoonsu in public.

Yoonsu smirked at your meek behaviour and stood up straight again.

"Kim Myeonggil, who used to be a prominent loanshark, had humiliating blackmail material over a member of the Min clan. Thanks to Geonwoo and Woojin however, that blackmail was literally incinerated and Myeonggil is now behind bars—after getting his ass beat by Geonwoo."

You knew Geonwoo and Woojin had connections to the Min clan, but you didn't think it was because they did them a great favour. Yoonsu grasped your cheek, feeling your stone cold skin under his cold palm.

"Now, here you are, someone Geonwoo and Woojin care for, under my mercy for the blackmail I have over you. It'll be real poetic once I kill you. You're their karma, Y/Nnie."

oooooooooooooooooooooo

You entered your unit, startled to see your brother in the kitchen area together with Geonwoo and Woojin. They were cooking dinner altogether, and for a while you stood there at the doorway. Watching your family cook dinner in the kitchen, wearing silly aprons, working in tandem. Yuno always wondered what it would feel like to have older siblings above him that would take care of him just like how he takes care of you, and now his wish was fulfilled, in this short moment that will forever live on in your memories, seared into the back of your mind.

Geonwoo was washing the dishes while Yuno was following Woojin's orders on the steps to making the perfect eggroll. Yuno looked like he was enjoying himself.

Yoonsu will break this family apart. He swore he would, and you knew he always keeps his word.

When Geonwoo turned his head and saw you, you smiled. A genuine smile, for the first time in three days.

Yoonsu was going to kill you after ruining your life anyway, and let you reunite with Junyoung. What's the pain in enjoying this small moment of happiness as it is?

prev | masterlist | next

A/N : if my writing is all over the place here, please excuse it. im kinda high on sleep deprivation rn

oooooooooooooooooooooo

taglist [CLOSED]

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[aerchivez]

ᯓᡣ𐭩 iced hojicha w/ oat milk : nanami kento !

synopsis : after work coffee pick-me-ups are never optional. you and nanami never miss your mandatory weekday cafe dates and trinket shopping!

note : ahhh ! thank you guys so much for your love for the first one i posted !! so fun to write short stories like these ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა also i keep seeing the nitro bar on my tiktok and i feel like nanami LOVES a mean double shot latte or an iced americano if he’s feeling a bit groovier… ok im dun 👍

∘•···············•∘ʚ ♡ ɞ∘•················•∘

in your relationship with your boyfriend, “opposites attract” is definitely applicable.

nanami kento, a finance bro with a minimalistic approach in life. you, a maximalist in every way.

clink clink clink…

nanami looks at the direction where he heard the very distinctive sound that his girlfriend’s bag made. “kento! hi baby!”

yup, that’s his girlfriend alright. “hi, my love. did you decide on a new matcha combo today?” you and nanami never miss an after work coffee pick-me-up and an occasional browse on the cutesy apothecary who sells the cutest bits and bobs ever.

“hmm, i’m playing it safe today and get a dirty matcha. i take it you’re getting an iced americano?” nanami only ever orders a latte or an iced americano and in contrast to your “crazy” orders like a blueberry corn milk matcha, you can’t help but giggle a bit.

“actually, i’m getting an iced hojicha.” you gasp at his order, usually you’d have to FORCE him to get him to try a new kind of drink but he’s definitely feeling the good vibes and amazing weather today.

“purr, okay king sass… an iced hojicha then!” you order both your drinks and there’s never a day you try to pay buy nanami always beats you to it.

“thank you baby, but your coffee is always on me.” nanami never fails to make your heart soar everyday.

nanami kento loves so meticulously. he remembers every single thing you love and hate, all your little habits and quirks, and there’s nothing more satisfying to him when he sees the little dimples on your face forms when you smile at him.

though he doesn’t really get the point of trinkets and the cute little collectibles you’re obsessed with, he buys a couple of blind boxes or keychains that remind him of your ‘cuteness’.

you reciprocate the sentiment by sprucing up his apartment bit by bit. when you first met nanami, his bedroom had a bed and a side table.

that’s it, just those two. it actually drove you crazy and decorated WAYY before you guys started dating. it was dead (applicable to his whole apartment) and your presence definitely livened it up.

back to the present, the barista handed over your drinks and it was impossible not to take a picture of nanami to commemorate such day. the both of you sit on the outside area of the café with the prettiest graffiti.

“ken, i have to take your picture and frame this! and ooh, put it in a locket!” nanami poses for the photo and took his phone out to take a picture of you as well.

“how will the locket be completed without you? smile for me, my love.” you pose for photo as well and ran to his side to give him a peck on the cheek.

unbeknownst to you, he captured that cute little moment and since you were a bit later than usual, nanami had the time to grab a couple boxes of new Sonny Angel hippers from your favourite store.

your eyes light up when nanami revealed his little surprise from his briefcase. “i hope i get the crocodile.” usually, his face looks very calm, but he actually looks so excited for this little hipper.

“the hamster is beyond adorable!” you head back to your seat and both of you hurriedly open the blind box. you pout a bit since yours was clearly not the hamster and you can see nanami with a shocked (loosely using the term) face.

“baby, switch.” you were gonna give yours to nanami anyways so you immediately switched.

you gasp. “baby! you got the hamster! gosh she’s so cutesy!”

“and you got me the crocodile.” none of you wasted time and immediately stuck this at the back of your phones. although admittedly, nanami found it bulky but he found it cute first so it’s definitely staying.

“it’s lovely day today, kento.” you smile at him. he extended his arm to you and took the petal in your hair that flew.

“you always make it lovelier.”

[huffelpuff210]

Mob stucky x child reader part 2

You had your back firmly pressed against a brick wall, you were taking a breather in a alley, for some odd reason you were feeling the heat if it wasn’t your brothers goons after you, some other goons from another mob were after you and from your experience that can’t be good.

You were just trying to live long enough to make it to adulthood but the way Damian treated you was awful, you’re room was in the attic bars on the windows, he locked you inside your room for days at a time, no food, no water the room was so small it barely fit the bed you have in there it was a broken mattress with springs poking out of it, no blankets or pillows, you might as well be a stray dog,

You are so small you get mistaken for a four year old when in reality you are seven,

Damian only keeps you around for jobs, you have small hands wires and quickly snatching things were what you were good at but you hated it,

But you never say no to him otherwise he would beat the snot out of you.

You hug your stomach, you were so hungry you were always hungry because you never got to have a proper meal ever, when Damian would see you were about to meet death he would give you a piece of bread with some water but it wasn’t much but enough to keep you from dying,

You look down at your shoes they were so old they had holes in them they were very tight on your feet,

Why was your life this way….

Before your parents died you had a good life, a loving family, you ate whenever you wanted…showered with love….

Now all of that was gone,

You pulled a golden locket from under your shirt and looked at the photo it was you with your parents you were a baby at the time but the picture makes you smile a little,

Bucky watched you from across the street,

“Maybe she’s homeless?” Sam says through the ear piece

“No way.” Nat responded

“Runaway?” Tony asked

“Then why is our rival’s thugs after her?” Steve says

I watch as she clutches her stomach,

She has to be starving to be hunched over like that, every time we get remotely close she runs off and we end up losing her, the kid is fast that’s for sure,

“I think I have an idea on how to catch her.” I say not acknowledging the other conversation.

“Really?” Nat says surprised

“Yeah Steve get someone to run to the bakery grab some muffins and meet me at the park.” I say

“Okay mind running us through what you are thinking?” He asked

“No time just meet me there.” I say spinning on my heel

I know she will be there because I’ve followed her pattern and the park around noon every day is a definite possibility she is there like clockwork every day to watch the ducks in the water.

I knew this plan was going to work.

********

You were at the park feeding the ducks that were in the pond feeding them the stale bread you kept just for them you kept it just in case you couldn’t grab any food.

But so far you have been lucky, you smile as you watch the ducks gobble the bread,

But your smile drops remembering you had to keep your guard up your brother was still looking for you,

And others were looking for you,

You dust off your hands as you stood up,

You look around, the park was a perfect hunting ground for food, it was lunch time and a lot of people come to the park for picnics or cookouts people on dates, the list goes on and on,

You sit on a bench acting innocent but in reality you were observing looking for the perfect target,

And you find it, a teenager he wasn’t even paying attention he was to concerned about his phone,

You quickly make your way to the teen and swipe the muffins only to have someone grasp your wrist making you drop the muffin,

“Got you little fox.” The man say

Bucky could see it on your face surprised they surprised you after chasing you for days they finally got you and now they needed answers.

[balljointeddragon]

I wanted to ask more about your villain!Jentry AU

What led to her deciding to become a villain? How did her friends react? is this before or after the death of Gugu? If Jentry's the villain, who is left to challenger her- Stella? Michael? ED?

I really should make a proper post explaining this AU, huh? I've been far more active in discord than here lmao.

Small warning, my AU sketches are mostly drawpile doodles, so there are some things that look awful right now that I plan to redraw sometime soon.

Anyways! We'll start at the beginning. Spoilers, of course.

What Stayed the Same?

Episodes 1-5 remain completely the same with the main exception of Jentry taking things to heart more than she does in canon. Gugu revealing she's hidden a huge secret from her her entire life (basically), Riverfork's focus on Jentry's past mistakes, and then the students turning against her when it's revealed she was the one who caused the fire cuts a little deeper than it did.

What Changed?

Episode 6 is where I really break away from canon in this AU. By this point in time, Jentry has noticed Gugu's habit of lying to her, noticed the way she shifts the conversation when it comes to things like the Emperor's Robes. And it's pissing Jentry off.

She just wants the truth! She is tired of being so hurt in this place where she's suffered so much trauma. When she's certain she's alone, she trains herself and tries to feel out the limitations she has, which inevitably leads her to becoming stronger than her canon self (or, at the very least, she has a deeper understanding of her powers).

She's also got Kit on her tail the entire day, trying to talk to her and yet constantly being interrupted. Skip ahead and she's rushing into the giant cowboy to set it ablaze. As happens in canon, Jentry's locket is destroyed, but in my au, it's a little different.

I heavily picture Jentry bending back while in midair, inhaling as much air as she can (air that is tainted by smoke and flame). Her locket floats up, beginning to be consumed by the flame. And then the thread/rope piece snaps. Jentry jerks forward to curl into a ball, screaming until she can’t scream anymore, letting herself cry and feel. Her powers lash out and the locket is snapped into two before being consumed by the flames. She is transformed by the very powers that she so despised.

First Steps into Villainy

When Kit saves her, she recognizes immediately that he has lied to her the entire time, and she's furious. She shoves him back, yells at him to tell her the truth. To Kit's credit, he does. The entire truth, what he can tell her in their current situation, anyway. She studies him after he's finished talking and asks, "Is this what you've been trying to tell me all day?" "Yes. I've been trying to talk to you alone, but." he'd gesture with his hand. "Clearly that didn't happen."

Then Jentry reaches forward, cups his face into her hands, and asks him slowly, "Do you swear to tell me nothing but the truth? Do you swear to never betray me from this point on?" You see, Jentry messing around with her powers led her to discover that she has the ability to make others swear oaths that are then magically enforced. Whoever breaks the oath is killed. It is considered to be her first real step into villainy here. But Kit doesn't mind. If anything, he is overjoyed as it means she intends to keep him around, regardless of his true self.

The episode plays out the same - Kit disappears (only after Jentry tells him to text her that night) and Jentry goes home.

Into the Zhong is really where things take a turn for the worse, for Jentry's mental health and her future. See, Gugu hiding the whole Mr. Cheng issue was bad enough, but discovering that she's also cashed in a favor to have some shapeshifters lie to her to cover up yet another lie makes Jentry freak the fuck out. Making a long story short (because this post is already pretty long), Jentry refuses to go back to Gugu's place and instead goes to Kit's. There, she plots her next steps, which she is quick to follow through on.

For starters, she's so sick of Mr. Cheng by this point. He's messing with her, he's messing with Kit, and he's something that Gugu should have dealt with but didn't, leaving Jentry to clean up her mess. So Jentry (in her worsening mental state) decides she doesn't care anymore. She uses Ed's huge platform (which he was reluctant to help with but went along with regardless) to issue a warning.

Everyone in Riverfork needs to evacuate, or they will be burned alive within it.

Jentry's friends obviously try to talk to her, but she warns them again to leave before she sets the whole town ablaze; nothing is stopping her, and Riverfork certainly didn't have a good enough reason not to burn it down.

Most people think Jentry is just crazy, bluffing. No way she'd do that... right?

3 days later, Jentry begins to burn the place down. She does this in a calculated manner, burning only one edge of the town and moving the fire somewhat slowly so those who were finally realizing that she was being serious could escape.

Stella's parents forced her to leave, she was not given a choice. Michael tried his best to pull the 'This isn't you' card, but Jentry merely responds that he's right. This isn't the Jentry he knew.

The Jentry he knew has changed into a whole new person.

Michael ends up injured, but not dead, and his parents pretty much take him while he's unconscious and books it. By the time he wakes up, they're settled in a new town and the news is reporting the massive fire that has spread across hundreds of miles; 15 towns were directly effected, with many more witnessing side affects.

Believe me when I say Michael tries to get Stella involved, to go back and fight for Jentry. However, their friendship is not as strong, and witnessing Jentry actively hurting people has changed their viewpoint of her. Stella is nice, but Jentry hurt Michael. That alone speaks volumes to her changes.

Back in Riverfork, Jentry taunts Mr. Cheng out. As a means of further mocking him, she is wearing the Emperor's Robes, albeit they are more tattered than before due to a mini fight between Jentry and Gugu.

Jentry, of course, won. If there is a canonical method to trapping a ghost, Jentry did that to keep Gugu out of her way.

While Jentry is far more hardened here than she was in canon, she is still very empathetic to what happened with Xiao Lan and Cheng. So, Jentry revives Xiao Lan here.

This is not a favor to Cheng, nor is it done with good intentions. Jentry actively knew that pulling someone from the dead can only lead to misery.

She wanted Cheng to suffer for what he did to her.

So she brings Xiao Lan back, only to falter when she sees how scared she is. How desperate she becomes. At some point, Jentry's anger cools and she helps Cheng become his human self again, then buries both Xiao Lan and Cheng (with Kit's help).

The mogui is burned before it can get a word out to Jentry, meaning that she does not, in fact, find Moonie. Since I have a post showing that Jentry would not take kindly to her mother being alive in general (since again, a big lie Gugu told), it is safe to say that this is for the best.

Now, Ed frees Gugu and they try to get to Jentry to either convince her to go back to her normal self or to take her down in the event she refuses. Jentry, angered by Ed's betrayal, freaks out so much that he runs off (similarly to when they fought, but he's actively afraid for his safety and Jentry is not holding back). Gugu ends up once more sealed away, her words falling on deaf ears.

Business as a Villain

I call Jentry a villain in this au for a reason, which are heavily showcased in these doodles:

Jentry is not a good person in this AU.

After defeating Cheng and burning Riverfork to the ground, she makes something similar to the hidden Daoist market that we saw in Episode 6. Lots of shops, lots of illegal trade, lots of violence.

Jentry and Kit take up residence in a much nicer home, the only one still standing after the big fire. They set up operations there, which involve extortion, intimidation, and, most entertainingly (to me), games.

She is, in essence, a mob boss. She maintains control over various properties, runs illegal and legal businesses to expand her wealth, and resorts to physical violence if crossed.

Those who lie to her are given two chances to tell her the truth; if she asks you a question and you lie, that's your first strike. If she asks again (to confirm) and you choose to lie again, she becomes violent. Unless you are her spouse, the second chance (if the victim chooses to lie) will result in maiming or death.

As an example (as I discussed this within the discord), Jentry uses Kit or other people close to her to feel out for spies or those who wish her harm. She was told a girl who she had befriended, Mary, was a spy sent to kill her. Jentry asked Mary once where she was - Mary lied. She called Mary over and threatened to physically harm her if she did not tell the truth. Mary lied again. Jentry proceeded to keep her promise, harming her and ultimately killing her. Mary's friend, who was also a spy, begged for forgiveness and was tossed into the games.

The Games

So, what are these games I speak of so fondly? Why, child games turned gruesome. Call me edgy, but I'm just having fun!

You see, Jentry grew a bit bored, and despite what she's become, she's still Jentry. She loves karaoke, hanging out with friends, all that jazz (just uh... don't betray her... ).

Darling Darling - This game is a horrifying twist on Karaoke. Music will play over speakers that Jentry will sing to. In an arena below her, 'players' (prisoners aka people who have lied or tried to backstab her) are forced to keep track of the music. Why? During her singing, Jentry will use her powers to create those chains we witnessed in canon and will effectively use them as whips. If a player is hit, they tend to either become gruesomely maimed or are killed on impact. The winner is the 'Darling' of the game, and can have one of two endings depending on Jentry's mood. Either they are shuffled back to their cell to await the next game, or they are burned alive by Jentry.

Free Fall - In a series of platforms that hang from the ceiling, players are placed on the lowest level platform. They must make it to the top, which becomes increasingly difficult due to the platforms shrinking the closer to the ceiling they get. To add difficulty, the lowest platform drops to the ground after a certain period of time, and Jentry will be dancing with one of her spouses, causing shockwaves to be released, shaking and tipping the platform. It is every player for themself.

An Arm and a Leg- This game is specifically for Kit and is typically reserved for those who have tried to backstab Jentry or get her killed. It is a simple card game with high stakes. Players bet a body part, and if they lose, they lose the body part. Stakes start small - teeth, nose, eyes. Then gets bigger - fingers, arms, feet. Those who win don't really win, obviously. Kit is very good at the game and has never lost.

Other games include Red Light Green Light, where Jentry uses her powers to try and make the players flinch (those who do are killed), and a few others that I forget at the moment or will discuss in a separate post.

Jentry plays these games sparingly, mostly because she doesn't want to run out of 'players', but also to create hype when the next game comes along.

There is so much more to this au that I've been turning over in my head, but I cannot think of much more atm AND this post is rlly long. But I hope you guys enjoy my insane AU!

[blvdymary]

𐙚 - ⊱♰ 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 !!♰ ⊰

⋅───⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰───⋅

𐙚 Aesthetics. !! 𐙚 interact to be in the taglist !! 𐙚 mutuals? 𐙚 Requests !!

౨ৎ ⋆｡˚

⋅───⊱༺ ♰ ༻⊰───⋅

!! I ONLY USE TUMBLR TO POST MY WRITINGS, SO PLEASE REPORT THE ONES YOU SEE ON OTHER PLATFORMS !!

Thomas Shelby

Pretty White Dress (angst)

𐙚 Thomas meets a foreign beauty while trying to get over his former wifes’ death.

Secret (darkfic, fluff & angst) !spy reader! !mentions of death, murder!

𐙚 Being a spy sent to kill Thomas Shelby didn’t go well…but in the end you are happy.

First Love (fluff & drabble)

𐙚 Loving someone you’re not supposed to might not go as bad as they say.

Evening Party (fluff)

𐙚 Meeting the blue eyed stranger who makes your heart flutter.

Silence (darkfic & angst)

𐙚 He only cared about himself, leaving you to rot away.

Lying Love (angst & lovers to strangers) !young&old tommy and reader!

𐙚 You need his sinful love to surround you while you slowly crumble into pieces.

Locket (angst, fluff & friends to strangers)

𐙚 This is what makes us girls, loving people you shouldn’t.

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (fluff)

𐙚 Can’t take his eyes off you.

It’ll Pass (angst & lovers to strangers)

𐙚 He is in the past, just forget about him. But how could you when all you can think about is him?

Office Hours (fluff)

𐙚 Your annoying boss and his annoying behaviour.

OC!!

Lying Is A Sin (Infidelity & drabble)

𐙚 Can a man really avoid who he truly is for the sake of love?

Jonathan Crane

Favour ||pt. 1|| (darkfic)

𐙚 Your annoying boss decides firing you, or you could do him a favour and keep your job.

One Day (angst, friends to strangers & fluff) !mentions of abuse!

𐙚 “Don’t make promises you can’t keep” you trusted him not to but it seems like he was like the others.

Nightmares (angst, fluff & drabble) ‘hurt/comfort’

𐙚 Comforting him from his dark nightmare about his past.

Piece Of My Past (angst & fluff/comfort) !mentions of SA!

𐙚 Holding trauma to yourself might not be the best idea but what were you supposed to do? They wouldn't believe you. Now here you were, in an asylum for the things that never happened by you but to you.

Tom (the party)

Addiction (angst, infidelity & drabble) !substance abuse!

𐙚 You watched your husband become a different man for his own good, while leaving his past on you forever.

Robert Fischer

I Don't Like You, I Love You (angst, fluff & friends to enemies to lovers)

𐙚 Robert Fischer, who was once your childhood best friend, becomes an enemy because of you guys' parents. Ten years later, both your parents decide it would be for the best for both of you to marry and save the broken bridge between both your family.

Tore Me Apart (Angst & infidelity)

𐙚 Oh, to be loved the way you love.

Neil Lewis

Stranger In A Band (fluff) !male reader!

𐙚 Someone being in a band AND being into movies? Was Neil in heaven?

J Robert Oppenheimer

Robert Capa

Lenny Miller

Warehouse (enemies to lovers & fluff) !spy reader!

𐙚 Sneaking in went wrong, now you have to face him.

Jackson Rippner

Past Mistakes Catching Up (darkfic) !murder threats!

𐙚 You can’t escape him, even if you tried.

Tom Buckley

Raymond Leon

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[rnakamura22]

22 nights

Yu hurried over to Ramshackle dorm to pack her things. Grim was with Ace and Deuce in homeroom, and it was the perfect timing to gather her things.

"What happened Yu?" the slim ghosts asked.

"The headmaster found my way back home!" Yu said happily with a smile on her face.

"Really? What a surprise! But that's great! "the tiny ghost smiled as he moved toward Yu.

"What about little Grim? Have you told him about this?"

"No, Grimm is with Ace and Deuce taking classes for last week's failed test."

"Well.. better run fast. It won't be good news if Grimm spilled the beans about your return.." said the smallest ghost.

"Why? It won't be a problem right?" Yu asked.

"Not knowing enough is a trouble too..." the three ghosts whispered among themselves. The ghosts thought of Yu as their granddaughter they never had... and knew what Yu's classmates and upperclassmen thought about her.

But the ghosts were kind. They knew what Yu wanted best, and had no thoughts about giving it.

"Before you go.. We want to give you something." The fat ghost said as the other two guided Yu to one of the rooms in the Ramshackle dorm that were never used.

The fat ghost opened one of the dusty drawer boards to find an old antique box, decorated with several jewels that was covered in dust. Inside, there was a golden locket in the shape of a clock, the surface with 22 numbers instead of 12 along with a transparent jewel.

"Take this with you, it will protect you for sure."

"It's beautiful... but what will it protect me from?"

The ghosts looked at each other's faces. They knew what would happen if those kids found out about Yu being gone. Also, they thought about the cunning headmaster having something up his sleeve about transporting Yu to another world. But the ghosts chose to not say anything about them.

"It is like a good-luck charm... it will protect you from evil."

"Really...thanks!" Yu said with a smile just like a blooming flower.

The ghosts also smiled at Yu. They couldn't get enough of her either. Even though they were sad to see her go, they only wished for her happiness.

"Thank you so much for everything! I won't forget you!"

Yu smiled as she ran out the door with her luggage, not knowing what horror was to come.