#but amelie's down to meet him before if we all have free time

[reginaofdoctorwho]

genuinely so much looking forward to having my college friend and my gay high school friends meet over summer when we go on a day trip to canada to drink. one of them already fucking hates him this is gonna be so fun

[celestiall0tus]

All That Remained - Unbound - Velze

Beginning || Previous || Next

            Shock washed over Felix and Marinette as they transformed. Their steps faltered and they crashed into each other. They sent the other barreling through the window into the yard. Voices yelled after them, but words were lost to the high-pitched ringing.

            Marinette groaned and rolled over. She looked through blurry eyes at the world around her. She eyed Felix in a dashing black and gold princely ensemble with tatters in his tailcoat and scuffs on his boots. He fought to push himself up but fell back down. She mirrored him as she attempted to sit up but fell.

            Marinette huffed and tried again. Her lethargic body didn’t move, but she rose from the ground. She threw her head around, trying to see what helped her up. She gasped at the white wings with vibrant prismatic shimmers that fluttered behind her. Her eyes widened in awe. She couldn’t fly before without powering up. She grinned and did a flip, then another.

            Marinette giggled as she did a few more flips when the world sharpened and came back into focus. The ringing dulled and died away, allowing her to hear the world again. Her breath stolen at the bizarre clarity she witnessed.

            “Marinette! Are you ok?” Adrien called.

            “Y-yeah! It’s just… it was a shock. Be careful when you transform, honey!”

            Adrien blushed and smiled at the pet name. Marinette smiled when the faintest rustle of grass stole her attention. She turned as Felix took off.

            “Gotta go! I’ll meet you all at Liberty!” Marinette called.

            Marinette took off after Felix. Her breath stolen again at the speed she traveled at. She giggled as she easily passed Felix and left him in the dust. She neared Liberty, then decided to backtrack. She found Felix and flew circles around him, toying with him. He ignored her at first, then indulged her and attempted to catch her. They played until he snagged her foot and brought her down. They landed on a building near Liberty. The pair laughed and rested.

            “This is… different from before,” Felix admitted.

            “It really is. It’s rather jarring, don’t you think?” Marinette asked.

            “Maybe? I admittedly didn’t have Duusu long before Uncle came after me.”

            “What happened that day?”

            Felix sighed. “Uncle showed up to pay a visit. We were weary of his motives, as we should have been. He got his hands on the peacock again. Once he did, he… he snapped me out of existence before Mom’s eyes.”

            Marinette fell silent. Felix wasn’t joking when he said he and Adrien were sentimonsters. She shivered as she remembered the senti-Ladybug that Mayura had created. It was heart breaking to see her go, even if they only knew her for a short time. She couldn’t imagine how Amelie must have felt seeing such a horrific sight.

            “I’m sorry that happened, Felix,” Marinette managed.

            “I am too. I was careless. I had assumed Uncle would never come after me, but I was wrong to think that. Thankfully I’ll never have to worry about that again,” Felix said.

            “Because you… and Adrien, are real, right? People and not sentimonsters.”

            “That’s the way Velze made it sound. That we are free, not bound by the rules we were before. To so easily be compelled and carry out the stupidest of orders. To not be so easily controlled by horrible people. To finally be free.”

            Marinette considered Felix’s words as she thought of Adrien. She reflected on all the times Gabriel had easily bossed him around all because of a ring. Or perhaps a pair. She had witnessed Velze obtaining two rings. Was it both that contained the amok? Did that mean Nathalie had been giving Adrien orders as well as Gabriel? Was it because of Nathalie that Adrien pursued her? Gabriel went out of his way to try and drive her away. Did that mean Adrien only acted as he was told? Were there any genuine feelings for her?

            “They’ve arrived,” Felix announced.

            Marinette looked down at the streets. Nathalie got out of the car with Amelie, Emilie, and Adrien following.

            “Felix, do you think Adrien really loves me? Or was he just, I don’t know, ordered to?”

            “Why would you ask?”

            “Because Nathalie had a ring. Gabriel hated me, and yet Adrien still pursued a relationship with me. So, do you think, maybe?”

            “No offense, but I’m surprised you came to such a conclusion. You don’t seem like the type to think things all the way through.”

            Marinette gave Felix the side eye, then looked away. He wasn’t wrong. She had always rushed into things headfirst, doing what felt right at the time. Everything luckily worked out, but she saw her recklessness with a painful new clarity. What was this new clarity anyway? What caused these painful realizations? Questions she already had the answer to.

            Marinette looked down at herself. No longer would she have the red ladybug suit. Now she was wrapped in a white flight suit with long black gloves and boots. Prismatic lines ran along her suit that mirrored Velze’s real form she witnessed. She touched her pigtails, feeling they were curled and flared out. It was Gimmi. She saw her reality for what it was because of Gimmi. It had to be, right? What other explanation was there?

            “Marinette?” Felix asked.

            “Huh? Oh. Sorry. I just… got lost in thought. C’mon, let’s meet up with the others.”

[unpopularshipbracket]

Round 3 Match 5

Rashmi Jamil/Amelie Macon (Entropic Float)

Fic count: 0

Kate Shadow/Emilyko (Shadows House)

fic count: 10

"So. Kate is a shadow royal and Emilyko is "living doll" (basically a servant). And together they're planning revolution to free all living dolls. All shadow/doll pairs in the main cast develop friendship and respect for each other, but their relationship is one of the strongest. Emilyko thinks Kate is amazing/beautiful/smart/etc and is not hesitant in expressing her affection, while Kate is more reserved, but admires Emilyko's optimism, courage and compassion and is motivated by her. She literally refers to her as "dearly beloved Emilyko" one time <3 And in the anime opening, she daydreams about hugging her and running through the flower field with her while holding hands?? They're in love"

Rashmelie propaganda under cut!

"this essay is going to be reused whole cloth from the submission of them to the 17 million years of pining poll! because unfortunately i do not have the energy to go insane enough to write up anything new oh.

my god. where the fuck do i start with them for real.

okay so, theyve been friends since early childhood, and before either of them came out (Rashmi is agender, they/them, while Amelie is a trans girl, she/her, and they are both mspec which is a bit less relevant but is also there). the earliest time that we know that they have feelings for each other is when theyre both 14, and Rashmi - already out, with their entire family (parents and grandma) supporting them without question - is moving. uhhh 90% of american geography names are the same to me so i might lie there. from Nevada, where they both grew up, to New York, where Rashmi is planning on studying dance further, which has always been their plan; around 14 is when they ran out of teachers at home.

they quietly hope Amelie doesnt confess her feelings for them, as they fear it might tempt them to stay, which they cannot allow themself to do. Amelie, meanwhile, is very carefully not thinking about gender, because her parents are quite frankly the worst. over the course of the years before they meet back up, Amelie has had some dates, but each time, they dont work out, and in her own words, put logs on the flame she carries for Rashmi.

Rashmi, meanwhile. gets married. one of Rashmi's biggest struggles in their romantic pursuits has been the fact that they are both Indian and queer. it has been a struggle for them to find someone who respects both - someone who respects their gender identity while not throwing their culture under the bus. that is one of the factors contributing to the way their relationship with "Ajay" (we learn that this name isnt his real one, but it was magically replaced in Rashmi's memories of him and we dont know it) played out: he is also Indian, and the first thing he asked them upon meeting them was what their pronouns were. and it was all good.

until it wasnt.

i would love to get into that deeper, but the important point is that "Ajay" is kind of a piece of garbage, whose crimes include finding Rashmi's address when they didnt give it out, deliberately not sending Amelie her wedding invitation because Rashmi told him they used to have a crush on her, driving them to drop out of dance school, and general possessiveness (notable being the fact that, whenever he is home, he always asks them to stay home too, which leads to them dropping their social circle and their hobbies). one of the places it grows from is "Ajay" being ace and not quite believing that Rashmi accepts that. he also has a substance abuse problem.

all of that culminates as they return from a short visit to their parents, and he in a fit pushes them down a long flight of stairs.

in the meantime... god, i cant even figure out what parts of information are important about Amelie here. i would put as notable the fact that she only figured out she was a girl something like a year before the events of the game - and only ever came out to Rashmi, who in turn told their parents...

and who didnt realize that Amelie's workplace didnt know. her workplace is just. terrible in social terms. she loves the work itself (its food industry, a restaurant in a casino, dont remember the exact job description) but her coworkers are being the absolute worst. a cesspool of toxic masculinity. also an environment for Amelie's undiagnosed psychosis. she is prone to auditory hallucinations.

after being outed to her boss while also hearing from Rashmi's parents that their husband is... lets just say bad for them, she, while safely at home, hallucinates that her boss or maybe her father is breaking down the door.

simultaneously with Rashmi as they are falling down the stairs, they make Wishes.

these are not widely understood; from the context of the game, it seems as though some people get a Wish when in significant peril, or in distress. you do not need to use the Wish immediately as you get it, but they both did.

essentially, what Rashmi Wishes for is a way to escape from their husband that wouldnt raise a fuss; and Amelie Wishes for a place where she and Rashmi can both be safe. (i am very muddly on the details there) their Wishes create the anomalous clocktower where the game takes place."

[miraculousalamode]

Miraculous A La Mode FAQ

welcome to the FAQ! this one is a long one; we wanted to give you as much information as possible! at the current moment, there are three mods taking care of everything here.

what is miraculous a la mode? miraculous a la mode is an event where the most important rule is the fic you’ll be posting with us cannot include the tag Adrien/Marinette, also known as the Lovesquare (or commonly abbreviated to LS). this includes adri(e)nette/marichat/ladrien/ladynoir. this also includes any kwami swaps or reverse crushes.

we want to give pairings (such as marigami, DJWIFI, julerose, marcnath, alyanette) that aren't written about as much a chance to be in the main spotlight for a fandom-wide event!

continue reading to see the entire FAQ!

is this a salt event?

this is not a salt event! this is an event simply catering to lesser-known and lesser-used relationship tags, giving them a chance to shine. we celebrate all aspects of the show here, but for this event specifically we want to focus on all the other ships. rare-pairs, crackships, polyships of all kind are welcome here, too! 

can the polyship include both Adrien and Marinette?

for this event we’re going to have to say no, as it would still be adding to the Adrien/Marinette tag on ao3. 

what’s a rare pair? what is a crack ship?

a rare pair is a ship that does not have a lot of fandom coverage, be it in fic or fanart form. statistically, these are ships that make up for less than 10% of Miraculous tagged ao3 fics. at the 10% threshold, pairing tags become common. as of Oct. 4, 2022 there are 58,267 miraculous ladybug fics, so the 10% threshold would be 5,826 fics. only two ships meet this criteria:

the lovesquare and djwifi. that being said: djwifi is still being allowed, as it is barely a thousand off from being a rarepair, and is only as common as it is because it’s a background pairing. if you exclude all lovesquare fics, djwifi drops down to less than 5% of Miraculous fics. 

examples of other rare pairs would include Felix/Luka (feluka), Chloe/Kagami (chloegami), or Marc/Adrien (adrimarc). 

a crack ship is a ship that is wildly impractical and unexpected, yet equally entertaining and interesting. these are ships that allow fic writers and artists to have fun with tropes. examples of crack ships would include Amelie/Anarka, Jagged/Gabriel, or Juleka/Felix.

i would like to participate! what are my options for participation?

we will have four different applications available:

the mod form will be the first available and will close before we open the writer applications

the writer form will open second, and will be available after mods have been selected. our calendar dates the writer's form opening on december 1st 2022, and will close january 7th 2023.

the beta form will open third, and will be available after writers have started writing. we will be updating this question in the future to represent the actual dates of the applications.

the artist form will open last, and will be available very much after writers have been accepted. our calendar dates the artist's form opening on march 5th 2023, and will close april 8th 2023.

i want to participate as a mod! what type of mods are you looking for?

we are looking for mods who are willing and able to moderate and oversee the following aspects of the event: 

graphics mod that will help make this event come to life! our current artist is a snake with a paintbrush, and while we love him dearly, we’d love someone more capable.

behind-the-scenes administrative on Discord to keep the event going

those with Discord modding experience are preferable, but not necessary.

i want to participate as a writer! what will i need?

you will need an account on discord (you must be 13 or older to create one) so that you can join the server and an ao3 account in order to participate! both of these are free. you will be allowed to post your work on tumblr at posting time as well.

i want to participate as an artist! what do i need?

you will need a discord account in order to join the server, as well as some sort of online posting space such as twitter, instagram or deviantart so you can post your work online!

what is a beta-reader?

for our purposes, a beta-reader is a person who reads the fic before it’s published in order to catch spelling/grammar mistakes, and potentially suggest improvements. there are many different types of beta-readers, and many artists have different preferences on how much help they want to receive.

i want to beta some of these fics that have caught my eye! what do i need?

you will need a discord account in order to contact and communicate with your writer, and some means of sharing the fic between the writer and beta reader. this could be using Google Docs as a means of collaborating, or sharing a Word file back and forth. the specifics of how a writer wants their work to be beta’d will vary from writer to writer, so it’s advised that beta readers are flexible and able to accommodate to the needs of their writer. a strong constitution against typos is also recommended.

i’m a writer; is a beta reader required to participate?

no! sometimes being forced to have another person look over your work can stress a writer out to the point that their creativity is hindered or slowed. having a fic beta’d is a recommendation, but not required for posting. 

i’m a writer; can i bring my own beta?

yes! they are allowed to join the server though it’s not a requirement. if you need any help such as creating a thread within the server for you to use feel free to ask one of the mods.

can i sign up as a writer and then do art for another fic i like?

yes! please read the requirements for participating as an artist further down on the FAQ.

can i sign up as a writer and then do art for my own fic?

yes!

can i sign up as a writer and beta someone else’s fic?

yes! more information about beta-reading will be within the server after everyone has accepted the invites.

how many fics can i sign up with?

you can write a maximum of three. each fic you submit an idea with will get an ID that we will ask you to keep track of so when it is time to advertise your fic for an artist to potentially match with you, we’ll know which fic they’re referring to.

will i get emails about the event?

yes! you will be getting an email from miraculouslagoonevents@gmail.com indicating whether or not you’ve been accepted into the event. please add us to your address book so we don't go into spam.

are multi-chapter fics allowed?

absolutely! the more words the merrier!

is there a minimum word count?

the minimum word count for this event is 5,000 words.

what if i end up writing a fic that doesn’t meet the minimum?

no hard feelings! it’ll still be included in our collection. the goal is just to write non-LS fics, the minimum word count is there to give you a goal to aim for.

what if i don’t finish my fic 100% by the day it’s time to start posting but i want to keep writing it after the fact?

that is fine, you’ll still be included in our collection.

can i collaborate with a friend for this event?

sure! multiple writers can work on a fic together. we will ask on our forms just to keep track of who is working on which fics. have decided on an artist-writer pairing, too? awesome! since the writer application will be first to come out, we'll have a spot in the form for you to write the artist's name down.

is this event nsfw friendly?

absolutely! but you must be 18+ in order to write nsfw for this event. if you are underage and write an NSFW fic in an attempt to add it into our event, you will be banned. there are no exceptions.

i’ve never written a non LS fic before. am i still allowed in? even though i don’t have any references?

absolutely! 

what type of fic isn’t allowed?

fics that are homophobic, transphobic, sexist and racist are not allowed. fics that talk about these topics are allowed, but will have to be tagged appropriately on our forms in order to not trigger any mods handling your fics. content warnings for any of the above must be used on your fics, or serious penalties can arise.

translated fics of existing works are not allowed. 

lovesquare content (adri(e)nette/marichat/ladrien/ladynoir) is not allowed, even as a background pairing.

crossovers are not allowed. this is a miraculous ladybug event only, which means that the popular ship maribat will be disqualified from the event.

although we're not considered a salt event, salt (in moderation) is allowed. please note that extremely salty fics will need to be tagged.

as for fics with suggestive content, we ask that it be tagged properly with any content warnings you believe fits your work, so if you word contains NSFW or violence, we ask that you tag for it on ao3 as well as on your forms so that we do not potentially trigger any mods handling your fics. 

what if LS is at the beginning before one of the two (or both) move onto different ships?

that would still be tagged on ao3 as marinette/adrien, even if it’s not the endgame ship, which is not our goal for this event. that would not be allowed in. this event is to not add any marinette/adrien content to ao3 and end up boosting the numbers.

is gen (non romantic ship) allowed?

absolutely! friendship stories and queer platonic relationships are just as valid as romantic ones!

can i have a miraculous ladybug oc paired up with a canon character as my ship?

yes!

what are ’check-ins’?

check-ins are your way of communicating with mods about your fic(s) progress. for each monthly check-in, we will link a google form where we will ask for your fic’s ID as well as the progress of this fic. questions such as ’have you hit significant progress into completing this fic’ and ’would you like to put a callout for a beta-reader’ will be on the form.

what are fic IDs used for?

organizational purposes, we require fics to have IDs attached in order for the mods to find them easily on the spreadsheet. when we post artist calls, we will be using your ID for the fic in order to entice an artist and/or a beta-reader to potentially work with you— they will show up into the discord with the ID ready and available for us to properly pair you both. that way, you’re still anonymous to the public while you work on your fic, but still get to advertise that this story is potentially on its way.

how much progress should i be aiming for whenever there’s a check-in?

check-ins will be once each month after writers join. each check-in, we ask that you have 20-25% of your fic done.

what are snippets?

snippets are pieces of your story that you’re willing to share on tumblr in order to gain the attention of an artist. when it comes time to share snippets on our blog, we will have more information on how we’d want it to be formatted. 

what are the requirements for the snippets?

standard procedure is a snippet being about 2,000 words long, with a summary at the top as if it were AO3, and relevant tags that you need the artist to know about before potentially selecting your fic to work with. we will have more information on this once it’s time for us to ask for snippets for the blog.

i’ve finished! where do i post my fic/art?

for fics, we ask to post on ao3 since that is our initial goal. we will have a collections available for works completed with our event. we will also reblog it if you post on tumblr, too! for art, wherever you see fit! whether you post it on tumblr, instagram, deviantart, we’d love to see it! we’ll reblog your art onto our blog if you post it onto tumblr.

i don’t have an AO3 account! can i still join?

you’ll have to make one in order to join our event. if you don’t currently have an AO3 account but would like one, you can contact the mods for an invitation code to see if they have any available. you can also add yourself to the AO3 Invites Request queue. it’s recommended you make that account long before you’re ready to start posting.

what does posting look like? do we have to post the whole thing on the day we choose, even if it’s multiple chapters? 

if your work is multichapter, you will not be uploading the whole fic on the same day! we will have a schedule laid out for you to be able to post at minimum once a week until you finished.

how do i know when to post?

you will be provided a “calendar” form when posting date starts to get closer. this will be the day you will post the first chapter of your fic. as long as you maintain a one chapter per week, you are free to post whenever. 

is there a minimum/maximum requirement for my art?

if you pick a fic that is less than 20k words, you will only need to draw one artwork. however, should the fic be longer, we ask that you draw two arts accompanying the fic.

your art piece must be fully completed, with lineart, color, and including a background (as long as it isn't a solid background). if you’ve chosen to work with an NSFW fic, you are not required to draw NSFW.

i’m an artist and i love a fic posted onto the tumblr! how do i claim a fic?

in april, our blog will be circulating anonymous summaries and snippets of stories looking for an artist to draw for it. when you see a post of a story that you find interesting and would like to stake a claim to it, there will be an artist form available for you to fill out. please have all the fic IDs of all the fics you’d like to potentially draw for ready for your form for us to start matching you.

please only claim an NSFW fic if you’re older than 18. if we find out that you’ve lied about your age, you’ll be banned. no exceptions.

how many fics can i claim?

you can claim as many as you would be willing to work with. ideally, if you are capable of drawing what is expected of you, there is a potential of you being selected to draw art for up to three fics. 

as a writer, what if i don’t like one of my fics i proposed? can i drop it?

you will be able to switch out any of your proposed fic with another idea until april, where we will be asking for artists to pick from the selected summaries we’ll be posting on the blog. if you’ve submitted more than one idea, you’re allowed to drop any of them, as long as you still keep one fic, so you can be active in the event.

can i drop out? how do i get banned?

you’re always allowed to drop out. the only way to get banned is if you don’t communicate with any mods of you wanting to drop out. please, just notify us that you wish to leave the event there is no penalty. please keep in mind that while dropping out when you have an artist or a writer working with you on your event piece could be considered rude, we understand if you have an emergency, and you won’t be held hostage to stay.

i have a question that wasn’t answered…

if you’ve got a question we didn’t answer, our inbox is open, so go ahead and ask! 

[omgrachwrites]

High Flying, Adored - Peter Parker

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader 

Summary: When Peter asks you to meet him on the roof of his apartment after school you wonder what you’re getting yourself into.

Warnings: fluff, fluff and more fluff!

Words: 1272

A/N: This is the sequel to Butterflies so I hope you guys enjoy this part and please let me know what you think. I love you all! xxx

The following day, time was acting most strangely, it seemed to slow down, ten minutes felt like ten hours and an hour felt as long as a week. You were going to be meeting Peter at his apartment that evening and you were practically bursting with excitement. You could hardly keep still and nearly all of your classmates looked at you weirdly while MJ grinned like a Cheshire cat at your side. Did she know something that you didn’t? Every time you tried to ask her about it she pretended that she didn’t hear you.

Although you were excited it did make you a little nervous, you and Peter could talk about anything out in the open – well almost everything. What did all of this secrecy mean? What was so urgent that you had to meet him at his apartment in secret? What other bombshell was he going to drop on you? Peter was acting like his usual self; he didn’t seem worried so, in turn you buried your worries in the back of your mind.

Finally, after what felt like a hundred years it was the end of the day and you were collecting your books from your locker. You felt a hand on your back as you gathered all your textbooks and you turned to see your best friend’s smiling face. His face was so close to yours that all you wanted to do was grab him and kiss him but you somehow resisted and you settled for looking into his brown eyes. It was then that you noticed the golden flecks in them that only made them more beautiful, you thought it was funny that you hadn’t noticed that before.

“Are you still free to come over tonight?”

You smiled as his voice shook you out of your dreamy thoughts, “of course,” you hesitated suddenly feeling vulnerable, “Peter, do I have to be worried?”

Peter let out a little chuckle as he shook his head, looking away for a split second before he looked back at you, “of course you don’t have to be worried. See you at half six, don’t be late,” he teased and then he was gone.

MJ seemed to materialize at your elbow, “hey, do you want to hang out tonight?” she asked casually with the ghost of a smirk on her face.

“I can’t tonight, I’m meeting Peter at his apartment.”

MJ smirked as she raised an eyebrow at you, “enjoy your date Y/N.”

You bit your lip to hide the smile that threatened to form on your face, “it’s not a date,” you felt your face grow hot.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m sure that’s what they all say,” she laughed.

When you got home you got changed and you styled your hair in a way that made it look pretty but it didn’t make it look like you tried too hard. On the way over to Peter’s apartment he sent you a message to tell you to meet him on the roof. You frowned at the message, wondering why the hell he wanted you to meet him on the roof of his apartment building but you trusted him.

When you got onto the roof you saw that he was in his Spider-Man suit but he wasn’t wearing his mask, “Peter, what’s going on?” you asked him nervously as he grinned at you, rubbing a hand through his hair.

He flushed slightly as he held out his hand for you to take, without a word, you took his hand and let him pull you to his side, “I wanted to show you a different sight of this city,” he chuckled nervously.

Your heart jolted at his words and you looked at his handsome face and you knew exactly what he meant, “no, absolutely not.”

You couldn’t ignore the disappointment in his eyes but he smiled as he cupped your cheeks, “we don’t have to but I promise that I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

You bit your lip, this would be a once in a lifetime chance, “will you keep me safe?” you asked.

“Of course I will, I promise.”

Sighing, you nodded at him, you didn’t trust anyone more than you trusted him, “okay then.”

Peter beamed as he led you to the edge of the roof and put his mask on. You wrapped your arms around his neck, shutting your eyes tight as he wrapped a strong arm around your waist, “are you ready?”

You nodded, keeping your eyes shut and in the next moment he was leaping off the roof, your stomach lurched as a scream died in your throat and the night air blew through your hair, “open your eyes Y/N,” Peter chuckled.

You wrapped your arms tighter around Peter’s neck as you reluctantly opened your eyes to look at the sprawling city below you. You gasped, the wind made you breathless and light headed but the city looked beautiful from such a great height. The lights shined and twinkled like a thousand stars and the cars on the busy streets below looked like toys. You were so glad that you didn’t get vertigo; it would have been awful for everyone involved.

“What do you think?” Peter shouted so you could hear him over the wind that was rushing in your ears.

You grinned, resting your forehead against Peter’s cheek, “I think it’s beautiful, I’m so glad that I agreed to do this, I’m still terrified though,” you laughed shakily.

Peter chuckled and you could hear the smile in his face, “I’m glad that I get to share this with you Y/N,” you felt a stab of longing shoot through your chest. As you fell through the night sky with Peter, you knew that you were falling in love with him.

After a little while of swinging and falling through the city, you and Peter decided to take a break on the roof of the Empire State Building. You never thought it could be like this, you didn’t think it was possible for you to adore someone this much, even if that someone was bright eyed and rosy cheeked.

Just before curfew Peter took you home and in through your bedroom window, “I had a really great time tonight Peter, it was so amazing yet terrifying but I somehow want to do it all again,” you smiled at him as he hung upside down outside of your bedroom window.

“Thank you for trusting me enough, I’d love to do it again, same time tomorrow?” he chuckled and you hoped that he wasn’t joking.

Swallowing back your nerves, you wanted to do one more thing that would scare you, what was one more thing? It felt like nothing compared to you swinging through the city at an unimaginable height.

“Peter,” you started, biting your lip as you took his mask off and even though he was upside down you could tell that he was confused, “please don’t overthink this,” you muttered before you cupped his cheeks and kissed his lips gently.

He hesitated for a split second but soon enough he was kissing you back, making a small noise in the back of his throat as the tip of your tongue touched his bottom lip. You giggled as you nipped at his lip gently before pulling away, “I’ve only been wanting you to do that for the past five years,” he chuckled and you felt your heart soar.

“Wow, that’s funny because I’ve only wanted to do that for the past six years,” you giggled as your superhero rolled his eyes and pulled you in for another head spinning kiss.

----------------------

@smiithys​ @elayneblack​ @amelie-black​

[sarcastic-sunshines]

ABIONA AU - Part 11

Pairing: T’ Challa x Black!Reader

Warning(s): None

Link to ABIONA by @aloevverified

Link to Face claims (2)

Previous Chapter: Part 10

Part 11

Alix carried the energetic baby girl from her crib and into her hands.

“Happy Birthday sweetness. I love you. You are one of my greatest blessings”

She said covering Abiona with kisses. Alix could not believe that a year had gone by. It felt like just yesterday that T’Challa had just shown up at her door offering to be everything she needed him to be. Now they had a year old daughter that they both loved very much. She adored seeing Abiona with her Baba and honestly thought about what their family would be like if they were to have more. Alix pushed the thought away and finished putting Abiona’s socks on before plopping her on her and T’Challa’s bed. It was about time for him to get up and seeing Abiona was his favourite way to wake up, especially after such an emotional night for him. She went to her closet to change out of her robe waiting for Abiona to do her job.

T’Challa felt the gentle tapping of a little hand to his cheek. Very soon the tapping was joined by the sweetest babbling he had ever heard. It was his favourite sound and wasn’t shocked to find the tiny human’s finger going for his eye and pulling it open making herself giggle.

“Good morning beautiful,” he said getting up and grabbing the baby bringing her to his chest.

“Happy birthday princess. I am so happy to have you in my life. You are the best gift Bast could have ever offered me and I am happy to have you in my life. You are growing so fast” He laughed softly as Abiona touched his face and squeezed his cheeks.

“Where is your mama? I know you didn’t get here yourself” Alix rounded the corner and climbed on the bed dressed for the day

“I am right here. Good morning babe” T’Challa kissed her cheek

“Good morning entle, you look beautiful” Alix smiled at the compliment before watching her little family. She gently touched his widow's peak.

“Do you feel better today?” T’Challa nodded

“I got to wake up and see the two people who make me the happiest so I have no choice but to feel better. I can’t believe my princess is one. “

“I know, very soon she will be 16 and sneaking out of here like I used to do”

“Please don’t be like your mother Abiona. You don’t want to give your Baba a heart attack, do you? “ Alix laughed before grabbing Abiona.

“Okay Baba, get dressed. We have a long day ahead of us. I am going to make everyone breakfast so you come to meet us when you are ready.” T’Challa nodded.

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk more about last night? Maybe tell me what happened?” T’Challa paused for a second before shaking his head no.

Alix bent down and kissed him softly. “Okay, just know that I love you very much.”

“I love you too entle” She smiled before exiting the room. As the door closed, T’Challa laid back into bed trying to gain strength for the day. Despite it being his daughter’s birthday he didn’t feel that much like smiling. He also did not feel like being in Tolu’s presence but he had to. So the young King mustered all the energy he could and remembered the beautiful little girl he was doing this for as he got ready for the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alix looked around at the people in the garden all here for Abiona. The room was full of love. It was a simple party. Alix did not want anything extravagant to avoid stories getting out about her as well as the fact she had not been formally introduced to the council though she has met most of them in passing. Aside from her parents, David and Amelie, T’Challa had invited his childhood friend Akhona and his wife Cebisa with their 2-year-old daughter. She had met them over dinner and they were both lovely people. Cebisa had been kind enough to take her to her favourite stores in the city. Cebisa couldn’t do too much since she is 7 months pregnant but Alix was thankful for the friend during T’Challa’s long days. As well as the ear of someone who could relate, seeing as Akhona was likely to take over from his grandmother as the mining tribe chief very soon. T’Challa had also invited his friend Themba.

T’Challa had also invited Buhle, which Alix was taken aback by seeing as T’Challa did not mention it and she had to hear it from Buhle at school. She had brought her 5 year old niece with her and she got Abiona a beautiful dress as a gift so Alix had decided to not make a big deal out of it. A few other children ran around as Alix tried to keep track of Abiona who was enjoying all the free space to move and the excitement of the other children. She briefly looked at T’Challa who was laughing with his friends yet still seemed a little distant. He had been quiet during breakfast with everyone sensing the awkward air around him and Tolu. It scared her a little as she pushed it out of her mind

“Everything seems to be going well. This garden is very pretty” Alix turned to look at her father who had joined her.

“It is Abiona’s favourite place. She has more than enough room to run around here without me policing her. And she likes the flowers, so it seemed like the perfect spot to do her birthday.”

As she spoke one of the children ran by Abiona too quickly knocking her down. The birthday girl’s face went from fear to hurt as she searched for a parent with a wail about to begin. Alix was about to move, noticing T’Challa was already there to pick her up and comfort her as he warned the other children to be careful around his princess. He kissed the little girl back into a giggle and she was ready to join the fun again. Alix smiled watching the two of them interact as T’Challa joined the children until Abiona forgot he was even there.

“He loves her very much. I can tell with all the pictures he has of her, as well as the way he acts around her.”

“ You didn’t see the pictures he has of me?” Alix turned to face her father.

“What did you say to him yesterday?”

“I didn’t say anything to him Bukola” Alix observed her father for a while.

“Are you sure because after spending the night with you he began to question if I was happy”

“You would think he would know the answer already”

“He did, before last night, and Papa it is no secret how you feel about him. You have refused to let him prove himself to you and it is so sad because he tries so hard. And he tries so hard because of me.” Tolu did not like feeling bombarded especially after Estelle had told him he had been too harsh towards the man when he had asked.

“ He shouldn’t have to try so hard Bukola. Michael did not have to try this hard” Alix closed her eyes and laughed with a strain in her voice.

“ Papa, when I was with Michael, I was not myself. Yes, he was able to wow you, but that is because he wasn’t his true self with you. And honestly, I contributed to that by never complaining because I did not want you to see him as anything other than amazing. I had to hide so much. I don’t have to do that with T’Challa. He allows me to be myself without ever trying to change me or belittle me. He aims to please me as much as himself, sometimes even more. He works so hard to keep me and Abiona happy and never fails to tell us how much space we occupy in his heart. Because of him, I have learned things about myself I wouldn’t have otherwise. Being with him is the happiest I have ever been in a relationship and I wouldn’t want to change that. When I think of home I don’t think of a place I think of him. Because no matter where he is I want to be there too”

Tolu took a second to examine his daughter’s face before turning back to where his granddaughter was playing before making eye contact with T’Challa from across the room. He held eye contact before turning back to his friends. Estelle may have been right. He may be choosing not to see what was in front of him. Tolu turned back to Alix.

“Do you see yourself marrying him?”

Alix froze, before looking at T’Challa who was being pulled away from his friends by Abiona to join her in the middle of the dancefloor. He always looked happiest when with her, and he was always ready to appease her, even if it meant an impromptu dance party.

Since the day he had first mentioned marrying her, it had not left her mind. She had begun to see themselves together, their love growing, raising more children to raise in a home they had made their own. She even saw them growing old the way her parents were. The thought made her smile. She didn’t know why but she always found it hard to admit even to herself. She turned back to her father.

“ If I decide to marry, it will be him. I only see myself marrying him really” She said with a smile.

“I have to go, it is time to cut the cake,” She said, patting her father’s hand before walking over to T’Challa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

T’Challa offered his friends the drinks he brought over. He was glad for the distraction. Breakfast had been severely awkward for him. He had to sit right across from Tolu as he tried to avoid eye contact. Alix and Jules had tried to curve the awkwardness but it didn’t work. T’Challa was glad to escape to organize last-minute party activities with Okoye.

T’Challa took a sip of his own drink before putting it down. David tapped him to get his attention.

“How did yesterday go?” T’Challa shook his head

“Horrible. He told me that I am a distraction from the life Alix should be living. He even went as far as saying he wasn’t sure if she was with me out of convenience or if she was actually happy”

“It would have just been better for him to only say no” Akhona said rubbing his friend’s shoulder comfortingly.

“So what now? I know you are not going to give up T” David said.

“I really do not know what else to tell this man to make him feel that I am worthy” T’Challa looked at Abiona running around when she was suddenly knocked down by Akhona’s daughter. He immediately got up to pick her up.

“It is okay, beautiful. No tears. It is your day, only smiles” he said in between kisses.

“You all have to be careful around my princess. She may be one now but she is still little.”

He continued to kiss her until she was giggling and ready to join the children again. He stuck around for a second before heading back to his friends.

“So are you telling me this man doesn’t notice how much of a protective parent you are? Because we all saw and rolled our eyes.” Themba said, causing everyone to laugh at T’Challa’s expense.

“Themba you are one to talk when the last woman who you dated made a blog about how awful you were.” The laughs changed direction with T’Challa joining in. T’Challa looked over at where Alix was standing with Tolu and ended up making eye contact before looking away because his intimidating stare still made him uncomfortable.

“ I don’t know what I will do but today is about the true owner of my heart” on cue Abiona came over reaching for her Baba’s hand as T’Challa bent to offer his hand. She started dragging him to the dance floor. T’Challa happily obliged.

He was just happy to have these moments with her. He would have never known about her existence if he didn’t take a chance. And just like then he wasn’t going to give up. This was just a minor setback and it didn’t change how Alix felt about him and she made sure of that. Most importantly it most definitely did not change how he felt about her. He lets his thoughts rest as he soaked up his time with Abiona in his arms as they swayed back and forth. Alix came up behind him and patted his bum.

“ Um, we are among company Ms. Ajayi. Mind your hands” He joked.

“ Yeah whatever, it is cake cutting time so can I borrow you and the birthday girl please.”

“ Come ‘Ona, mama has cut our dancing time short” He leaned down and kissed Alix

.

“ We are among company Mr. Udaku. What was that for?” She said

“ Nothing, I just love you so much Ms. Ajayi” Alix struggled to hide her goofy smile as she took his free hand and led him to where the cake was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alix slowly approached their bed as she watched a sleeping T’Challa carry a sleeping Abiona in his hands. They made the same faces when sleeping, making Alix smile.

Alix took a picture before trying to grab their daughter from his hands. T’Challa woke up tightening his grip on Abiona before realizing it was Alix.

“Let me put her in her bed.”

T’Challa shook his head, getting up to do it himself. He came back and stood behind Alix who was looking for something in the bathroom.

“I keep telling you to not let her fall asleep like that because when you are gone there will be no Baba to hold her and I am not doing it.” T’Challa laughed softly.

“Leave us alone. It is her birthday so she can receive whatever she wants” he said as he put his hands around her stomach and lay his head in the crook of her neck. Alix giggled at the intimacy before reaching to touch his curls. He had been extra physical since the party and she was glad to know that he was feeling better.

“ Are you too tired?” T’Challa shook his head no before following Alix to the chair in their room. T’Challa sat behind Alix who passed him a long tooth comb. Together they quietly started taking out the Senegalese twist that Alix had been sporting for a month. They worked silently for a while before Alix cleared her throat.

“So, babe?” she said as she stopped what she was doing

“Yes, Alix,” T’Challa said without stopping his movement.

“If we were to get married, what would my role be?” T’Challa stopped and turned his body to Alix who turned around to face him.

“Is this us having the discussion?” Alix nodded. T’Challa smiled as she turned back around so they could talk as they worked.

“Well, you would rule by my side. Most likely attend court, make decisions with me. Make appearances around the country and the world.”

“Could I still teach, and do my work with the UN?”

“Your work with the UN most definitely. As for the teaching, I am not sure, but seeing how much you enjoy it I can find a way for you to maintain your position. You probably would not receive a paycheck ” T’Challa joked.

“That is okay, my husband would be a very rich man and I have savings” T’Challa laughed and kissed her cheek. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“Yeah, that would be the bulk and if at any point you feel it is becoming too much I am here to help you carry your load” Alix smiled

“What about children? Do you still want four?”

“Of course Alixandre, that hasn’t changed. Are you still trying to convince me you will only be the mother of one of them” Alix laughed loudly

“One more couldn’t hurt.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Abiona needs a playmate and it will help me to have more time with you and I wouldn’t have to compete with ‘Ona for her best friend”

“I can work with 2, and slowly convince you for the other two.” Alix rolled her eyes as he laughed.

“You are so full of it”

“Yet you still love me,” He said, taking out the final braid.

“I fell in love with a clown,” She said getting up to return to the bathroom. T’Challa got up and followed.

“I don’t care if you think I am a clown. As long as I can call you my queen. “ T’Challa grabbed her free hand and kissed it. “Just imagine, I get to introduce you as Mrs. Udaku.”

T’Challa pulled her into his arms. “I told you I would be Mrs. Ajayi-Udaku”

“And I told you, I don’t care as long as I get to say you are my wife.” he leaned down to kiss her until Alix pulled away.

“I wouldn’t mind that actually. Being your wife I mean” T’Challa smiled as he bent down to kiss her again. He didn’t know how she managed to make all his worries disappear, but even in moments he could not explain all his thoughts, she always managed to be the calm to his storm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I cannot believe that the week has passed so quickly”. Estelle said sadly as she held onto Abiona offering her final kisses before going to the ship. “Mémé will miss you so much. But I promise to be back soon.”

“Okay Maman, stop you are making me teary-eyed,” Jules said with an exaggerated pout as he hugged his mother tightly knowing he would miss her more than he led on. Jules and T’Challa began to pull their suitcases out of the door when T’Challa turned to Tolu suddenly.

“Before you go, sir, can I please have a word with you alone” Everyone stopped to turn and look at Tolu. Estelle began to have a conversation with her eyes with Tolu before speaking. She turned to lead everyone else out the door.

“I think that will be good. Mes enfants viens. Let us leave them room to discuss.”

“What do you need to discuss T’Challa?” Alix asked as her mom dragged her out the door.

“Sis you are so nosy. That is an A and B conversation, so C your way out.” Alix rolled her eyes before she reluctantly left with her mother and brother.

T’Challa watched the door close before inviting Tolu to sit on the couch as he paced a little. Tolu opened his mouth to speak before T’Challa put his hands up.

“I am sorry sir but I have to say this before you speak. I love that woman with all my heart. When I think about not being around her for more than a day I feel a sense of sadness that I only associate with her and our child. When she is sad I am sad. If she is angry I am uncomfortable and want to do all I can to make her smile again. I am happiest when I know her and our child are happy. She is my peace and when I think about home I think about her. So sir, when you say you don’t know why she is with me, I can assure you that all the emotions that I have expressed Alixandre feels the exact same. I would not have even asked you the first time if I wasn’t sure of that. No, life was not supposed to resemble what it is but I can assure you that Alix is more than happy where she is and it is because of her that I ask you again for your blessing to ask for Alixandre’s hand in marriage. But know that even if you say no again, I will not stop asking until your answer changes. Alix is worth that much to me and I am willing to move the world to prove that to both you and her.”

T’Challa finished maintaining eye contact with Tolu. “Young man if you would have let me go first, you would have saved yourself that speech, and I would have told you I had changed my mind” T’Challa finally sat down releasing a huge breath.

“What changed your mind?”

“Well, like you suggested I ask Bukola, and her words mirrored yours. She obviously cares for you deeply. And you are a good father to Abiona. As Estelle pointed out to me, my hesitation did not come from you alone. I just wanted to make sure my child was safe and loved and living the life she deserved and worked for. You may not understand now but with a child of your own, you will understand quickly the need to protect your child from the world. But I see now that you do nothing but love Bukola. So all I ask is that you continue to love her and cherish her. She is very special to me and I would hate to have to come back here and see her as anything less than happy. Her name means ‘God has given me wealth’. She is truly one of the greatest fortunes God has ever given me so please treat her as such. “

T’Challa nodded furiously as Tolu extended his hand for T’Challa to shake it. “Of course sir”.

T’Challa could not contain his smile and for once Tolu’s normally cold stare mirrored his smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alix sat on the couch as T’Challa joined her and pulled her into his lap covering her with kisses.

“I see you're in a good mood. I guess whatever you and Papa talked about started that” She said rubbing his ears.

“I am still not going to tell you” she rolled her eyes and tried to get off him as he held her tight causing her to giggle.

“You are so nosy and stubborn you know that right”

“Yes but you still love me either way”

“I love you more than you will ever know, entle” Alix found herself smiling widely as he kissed her deeply. Alix reached for his waistband as T’Challa held her hand to stop.

“T’Challa what now? Everyone is gone and Abiona is sleeping!” T’Challa laughed at her whining.

“I just have one question. Can we go to Uganda for our anniversary” Alix frown turned into a smile.

“No Abiona? Just me and you?” T’Challa nodded. “ That is a first. You actually want to leave home. I will not say no to that.”

“Then it is set. You may proceed.” Alix laughed as T’Challa joined her.

“But first, know that I love you so much okay?” She said leaning her head against his.

“I love you too”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[lunam00na]

An Unlikely Affair: Chapter 2 - Down the rabbit hole..

Amélie spent the few hours she had left sorting out what little belongings she had and distributing them amongst some of the other peasants she had become familiar with from her years of working various temp jobs. The peasants were thankful, but curious as to why she was giving away all of her things. Her response was that she was going to stay in another nearby city, where some long lost family lived. Though she felt a little guilty for lying, she knew from the odd context of the letter that it was best that nobody knew where she was truly going. Not to mention the fact that the instructions stated she was to wait under some bridge in the darkness of night to catch a ride to the palace. 

Her gut quivered at the thought of being alone on these dangerous streets at night.. “Lets hope I survive long enough to actually get to the damn place..” she thought wryly. With her belongings gone, and nothing left for her to do but wait, Amélie gave a final goodbye to her small home. Coarse, wet wood brushed against her fingertips, as she placed the palm of her right hand against the shack’s door. With a sigh, she muttered under her breath, “Goodbye, you. You’ll make someone else a small refuge now.” She lingered like that for a moment, recalling a handful of good times she had spent here in the city of Grimshores. 

Her wild blonde hair was dampened from the rain; it waved back and forth in the wet breeze. She wore a brown overcoat, littered with holes that she had patched herself with whatever bits of fabric she could find. Underneath was a simple white day dress, which was more of a tan color now from the dirt and mud, than white. The clothing clung closer to her skin the longer she stood in the rain; she was skinny as a rail. 

“Okay, it’s time to go,” she rasped, her nerves getting the best of her for a second. Her head finally managed to convince her legs, and so she set off for the bridge east of town. It would take her nearly an hour to reach the bridge by foot; judging by the position of the moon in the sky, she guessed it was already past midnight. The walk gave her mind time to wander; she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the words Genny had written, than just a job opportunity. The thought crossed her mind that this was some sort of trick, perhaps she was going to meet some clever fiend under that bridge, and she would be mugged, raped and killed.. Or forced to become a prostitute for the benefit of some sick and twisted man.. 

“No. Don’t think of that,” Amélie corrected herself sternly, quickening her pace. She walked briskly down the dimly lit sidewalk. Now she was out of the slums, almost at the edge of town. The streets were all but dead, aside from the occasional homeless person sleeping on whatever dry spot they could find. Still, she found herself slipping her hand into her coat pocket, clutching a crudely fashioned knife. The letter had instructed her to bring no belongings, but she simply could not travel this far in the dark without some type of protection. She knew that if she were attacked, there was little she could do despite having this shoddy knife; but she would not go down without a fight. That was for damn sure. 

Her mind turned to the Prince.. The King. Would she meet them? Surely the King would take no interest in meeting a lowly servant such as herself. But the Prince? Maybe. Genny did mention he had come to her himself in search of help. Her cousin must have made a grand impression on the Royals. It shouldn't surprise Amélie, her cousin was quite bodacious for someone of their social standing, and she was a damn good cook. A smile played upon the corner of her lips; reminded of the trouble the two of them had gotten into during their childhood. "Hard to believe we will be together again," Amélie shook her head and snickered. 

Finally after what felt like an eternity, she made it to the bridge where she was supposed to be picked up. There was nobody here yet, or at least that she could see in this darkness. She drew closer to the bridge, inspecting the surrounding area before rounding the side and ducking underneath the wooden structure. There was nothing around but trees, and some other vegetation. A small creek ran beneath the bridge, and she was careful not to fall in, lest she wanted to catch a cold. She gripped a wooden beam with her hands, steadying herself there. The constant trickling of water made it difficult to hear if someone was approaching. By her estimate it was almost time for her ride to arrive. She waited, her eyes searching amongst the darkness for any flicker of movement. 

A few minutes passed, and suddenly the sound of hooves pounding the earth reached her ears. Amélie swallowed hard, her heart flickered anxiously beneath her breast; she felt like it was trying to break free. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to mask her heavy breaths. The rider grew closer, and finally stopped on top of the bridge above her. A moment passed, then the rider dismounted; the thud of their feet against the wooden bridge sounded loudly in her ears. Amélie cringed and grabbed hold of the knife inside her overcoat, just in case. 

Her heart thumped so loudly in her chest she was afraid the rider could hear it.. She stood slowly, inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, and prepared herself for what could happen next. The water was still flowing somewhat loudly under the bridge, but the rider was so close, Amélie could hear their feet brushing against the grass. Her hand clenched tighter around the handle of the knife; finally the rider appeared in front of her. 

He held a small lantern in one hand, the faint glow illuminated his features. Their eyes met, and for reasons unknown to her, Amélie's heart skipped a beat. 

"Are you Amelie Waters?" The stranger asked, his voice low and husky. She followed the movement of his lips with her eyes, she had heard him speak but was too distracted to answer. His eyes were the loveliest shade of hazel she'd ever seen, and they held such warmth behind them. She almost immediately felt at ease with this man; which gave her a sense of comfort yet concerned her at the same time. How was this stranger able to dazzle her within seconds of their first meeting? She felt like some silly teenager with a crush; her face heated in embarrassment. 

His hair was dark and curly with a messy short style. His face was handsome and he had a strong angular jawline to match. He was quite tall, having to duck under the bridge, and he would surely loom over her in his normal posture. 

"Ma'am? Are you Miss Amélie Waters? If so, we really should be going." The man repeated in his low, hushed voice. Amélie blinked once, twice, and then straightened herself. She felt utterly ridiculous that the man had to repeat himself because she was too busy oogling him. She shook her head once, breaking their gaze before speaking, "Y-yes, I am Amélie Waters. I'm sorry for not answering you sooner.. Anyway, uh right.. We should be going now." Oh God. He must think I'm an imbecile. She groaned internally, mentally giving herself a facepalm. 

The man smirked for a moment and then composed himself once more. "We can make more formal introductions later, but for now we should get going. People will be getting up for work soon and I'd rather we not be seen." He said firmly and motioned for her to come with him. "Of course," Amélie replied, following his lead up the creek bank and onto the wooden bridge. His horse was waiting there, it's coat was as black as the night itself. 

He took the reins in one hand and hoisted himself upon the beast with the other. 

"Need a hand?" He asked politely, outstretching his right arm to her. She took the offered hand silently, thinking it best not to say anything lest she make more of a fool of herself. With his help she sat in the saddle behind him, her torso pressing against his back. She felt her face flush again; hotness rushing to her cheeks, and she tried not to think about their close proximity. 

"You have to hold onto me like this," he instructed, reaching behind him and gently grasping her hands then placing them on his sides. Her heart started racing again, but she did as he said and held onto his sides tightly. The last thing she wanted was to fly from this horse. At this rate it wouldn't surprise me.

"Okay, let's go!” Her chauffeur commanded, and his horse began a gallop toward the castle. 

Amélie stifled a shriek as the horse tore off down the winding dirt road. Oh my god he’s trying to kill me. Her fingers dug into his sides and she buried her head between his shoulder blades. She couldn’t help but notice his scent; he smelled of musk and sandalwood. It pleased her that he smelled so good, because most of the peasants she had lived around didn’t have access to soaps and perfumes. It was a rare occasion that a man walked past her and she found his scent attractive. So far it seems everything about this man is attractive.. She mused, and then scolded herself for being such a tart. Am I so sex depraved that I fling myself at the first decent looking man who doesn’s smell like horse manure? She questioned herself internally with a chuckle. 

True, she had been quite some time without intimacy. It was at least 4 years since she last had sex.. There wasn’t much time to think about her next boot knocking when she was fighting to survive on the streets. 

“You hanging on alright back there, Miss Waters?” The man asked abruptly, shaking her mind from the gutter. She blushed furiously, even though she knew he couldn’t read her thoughts; thankfully. “I’m fine,” she muttered into his back, “I’ll be even better once my feet are back on the bloody ground!” He chuckled at her response; he had one of those laughs that made you want to smile. The man replied, “I’m sorry, Tuck doesn’t go slow!” Amélie scoffed, “No shit! You don’t say?” That earned her another laugh, she could feel the vibrations from his laughter in her hands. It gave her a warm feeling. She hadn’t felt so light in such a long time. 

The rest of their ride was uneventful and silent. At last they came to a slow trot in front of the castle gates. She had never actually seen the place in person; it was a sight to behold, even in the dark. They rode past the gates which automatically swung open as they approached. “Strange,” she thought, “you’d think there would be more of a security protocol in place for entering the palace grounds.” She summed it up to the guards recognizing who her chauffeur was. 

They came to a stop at a side entrance to what she guessed was the main part of the castle. The stranger dismounted his horse and offered her a hand down. “There you are, safely escorted with your feet back on the ground.” He said with a smug look on his face; his lips hinted at a smile. She smirked and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. “I never caught your name, by the way?”

“Apologies, Miss. My name is Roman. Roman Octavius Reynolds. I am the Prince of Albanon and heir next in line to the throne.” 

Her heart stopped. 

[danddymaro]

Death Stranding | Sweet Façade

Pairing : Higgs monaghan X Reader // Sam Bridges x Reader

First part : Stay

Previous: Goodbye

Again, this is  just a little direction I want to go;  a little idea that pathed it’s own way.

Thoughts are italics in quotations = ‘Example’

Flashbacks are in italics = Example

Wordcount: 3066

Sweet Façade

Small globs of rain descended from the gloomy sky as a calm shower of precipitation stretched out for miles, something which didn't bother the calm male as he coolly made his way into the shelter, brushing off the bits of moisture that stuck to his shoulders with his gloved hands.

“ Package for miss (f/n) (l/n),” the arriving porter said aloud, his voice bouncing off the walls of the safe enclosure as he stepped forward, all while detaching the special package from his backpack,

“Hello? Anyone here?” He questioned loudly before he stepped right before the access terminal, placing his other hand out to utilize it, waiting a total of three minutes before he received a response back,

"Hello?" greeted a woman’s voice, sounding huffy and breathy, having just run through her little underground home to greet him. 

Before him a holograph appeared, the moving image of the young, (h/c) haired woman greeting him,

“Did you say package?” She said with surprise, her brows raised high as her eyes seemed peeled wide, “For me?” She added with apparent curiosity, all while pointing a single index towards herself.

At the question, she watched as his gloved index finger trail beneath the letters of her name, sounding them out with a sure nod. 

He wore a sweet smile as he addressed her, "(F/n) (L/n), That's you right?" He asked, his liquid blue eyes raised up to her, glued to her artificial image with unmistakable fascination.

Despite the knowing fact that she was simply just a hologram, the porter had trouble straying his eyes anywhere else. Selfishly, he swallowed her whole, not having a mind for anything else but the (e/c) eyed beauty manifested before him.

Oblivious, (f/n) remained calm, not having an idea as to how intensely the man eyed her, nor was she aware of the merriment that shone within his blue crystals as the white cap he wore obscured a good portion of his face.

She did, however, notice his growing smile, and catching onto the subtle curl of his lips she mirrored him, nodding. 

Smiling gently in return she responded, “That's me,” she told him with a firm nod, " But I wasn't expecting anything," she said with a bit of confusion, still offering him the pleasant upturn nonetheless.

" Oh?" He said back to her, his eyes finding hers, staring right at her image with surprised, widened orbs. "That's pretty weird, cause the name here is yours," he said tapping the container, " This is also your location," he added as he placed the package down, a sure grin on his face as he waited for her to receive it.

‘You’ll just love it,’ He thought to himself, certain. ‘I just know it...Just like I know you…’

"Ok, let's see," He heard her mutter as she came down to it, inspecting it with the curiosity of a kitten.

She then opened it carefully, not sure what to expect at first. 

It wasn’t like she didn’t trust the porter, she had no reason to, but still, she was somewhat skeptical.

‘I didn’t order anything,’ She told herself, ‘in fact, it’s rather strange he’s  even made it all the way here,’ She mused, ‘Given the storm and all,’ she went on.

She had doubts, however, the moment her eyes landed on the contents within the secured case, her eyes grew wide, glimmering with absolute joy,

‘Could it be?’ She wondered, swallowing hard, her hand gently skimming over the surface of the hardcovered book.

Stunned, she stared down at the item with stillness before she gave an unexpected jump, a literal hop full of glee that surprised the man,

" I can't believe this!" She said with astonishment , pressing the small booklet close to her chest, twirling around happily. She held it with adoration as she beamed at the porter, unable to hide all the giddiness she felt,

  "You have no idea what this means to me!" She said happily.

  He watched her, his head slightly cocking to the side as he watched the woman gleam, a joy so sweet and pure worn out on display, that he felt it was a shame not many people could get a chance at such a lovely sight.

 He'd never felt his chest hurt so much, and with such sweetness nonetheless,

‘It’s only when I think about you,’ He thought with a shake to his head. 'That's the only time this happens,' He added, wanting to press her hand to his chest so she could feel the heavy bouncing for herself, just so she’d understand how intensely he felt for her.

(e/c) colored eyes seemed so warm and sweet, being windows to a heart he wanted to hold and claim, one that he was certain was deserving of everything lovely the world had left to give,

‘Sweetheart,’ he mused, ‘I’d snatch up what’s left of the world just to give it to you... If it'd make you smile just like that, I wouldn't hesitate.' He silently assured her.

She was like an innocent, little butterfly walking right along his bloodied palm,

careless and free, small and beautiful…

Of course, the lovely, delicate creature didn't know the malicious danger she was in. She was unsuspecting as such, naively crawling over his mercy, trusting in his words and his convincing façade.

He knew who he was, what he was capable of, and with the same little perk to his mouth, he wondered what would take place,

Just how would their love take course?

Would he simply crush her? Unintentionally, would he end up destroying her just as he had a habit to do so to many other things in his life?

‘If you’d be mine, would I somehow ruin you? ’ He thought with a touch of sadness,

Or

Would he adore her so much as to keep her in a glass jar? Far away from everyone else, safely hidden away until only he knew where she was being kept,

‘How long would I have to hide you?’ He wondered, knowing that somewhere along the line he’d be challenged,

‘Eventually, he’ll come looking for you,’ He thought with a little huff of amusement, one so small, the woman had ignored it, not paying it any mind.

‘I know I would. I’d go crazy trying to find you again,’

"Where did you even find this?" (f/n) asked, astonished. " I'd lost hope I'd ever see this again," she said, continuing to hug the small booklet, looking down at the porter with open ears.

“ I know we haven't met personally, but I come here frequently,” He informed her, not entirely lying because he did make frequent deliveries to her as a freelance porter.

However, as of late, he’d been busy with Amelie,

 ‘And her bullshit,’ He thought annoyed.

In fact, he made sure he was the only one that ever really got through,

‘I make an attempt at it,’ He thought with more annoyance, knowing that somehow, Sam bridges made it through to her,

‘Every...single...time.

Somehow Bridges gets a hold of you.’ He added with disdain.

“Anyways, I was just going along with my normal deliveries and I happened to come across it," he further explained, " I've also got some fuel here for you, seems like it's an old order you'd made a month back that just never made it's way here. I  figured  I'd drop it off  to you, and maybe get the chance to finally greet you," He said with a small chuckle, causing her to release one of her own,

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She said with true regret evident, even through her little giggle. " Even moreso, Thank you!" she added, 

" It's taken too long for us to meet each other then, " She added while shaking her head.

"Entirely," He added softly, agreeing.

Carefully setting the book aside, she continued to happily chat with the man,

"From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank you for your service, " She said with gratitude, wishing she had something else to offer him other than a meager ‘thanks.’

"Oh no, no please!" He fretted, both hands set before him, "I don't do this to get praised, you're making me blush," he added, keeping the little grin she wore alive.

“Um, hey, If you don’t mind me asking,” he started, “ what is it? " He asked, sounding interested, speaking in regards to the booklet she'd earlier pressed against her bosom. 

"What was in the package? It must have been something real important to you, given your reaction," he said with a hint of tease in his tone.

Glowing pink she bowed her head with embarrassment, thinking of how silly she seemed with her little squealing and twirling,

"I'm sorry you had to see that," She muttered with embarrassment, hiding her face within her hands.

 'Are you kidding me?' He thought to himself, 'Baby, you're killing me... being so damn cute with me...'

 "If it makes you feel better, it made my day," he said amused, causing her to release a little groan, "Nooo…"

"I'll remember this day for a long time," he added, causing her to throw her head back, "Stop it!" She whined, continuing to laugh.

It’d been the first time in weeks she’d laughed, so much so, she’d forgotten she even had the ability to do so. 

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," He told her, "but it is a nice pick me up," He added, not lying at all. 

"Really?" she said with a placid, little pleasant smile taking over as she settled down from her little fit, "How?" She asked with a shake to her head, wondering how her strange outburst could have ever made anyone's day.

"Defiantly. Being stuck out there in this gloomy weather all day,  you're smile feels like the sun," he beamed, causing her face to instantly burn as the words reached her.

"customers like you are the best," he added, loving how easy it was to cause her to fluster. "So I should be thanking you," He continued on, knowing just what he was doing, slipping in little teases masked by convincing innocence.

"Anyways, the book," he pointed out, making (f/n) snap out of her little daze, 

" Oh," She said while calming, " This book...It's actually just a mess of things," she confessed, instantly smiling so hard her eyes were squeezed together.

"it's stupid...really," she muttered with the same cute upturn that had him swooning.

The booklet was full of pressed flowers and leaves, along with  little pictures she'd taken, as well as a written page here and there that were coupled with meaningless, little doodles on every other page.

 It wasn't much, probably worthless trash to others, but a treasure to her, holding memories and sweet moments, all the things she never wanted to forget.

"I guess you could say it's like an old diary of mine," she explained, not going into much more detail before their conversation was interrupted by a loud-sounding crash outside the enclosure.

It was then that a harsh banging sound spread across the field outside, traveling into her home in a violent boom, startling her. A sharp gasp left her as she looked up to her ceiling with a tremor raking her entire body.

Heavy rain continued to fall, all sounding stronger than it had a few minutes prior, and at the recognition of the large, vicious goblets attacking her structure, her gaiety ceased in its entirety, (dark/light) eyebrows creased up with worry as she cringed at the strong downpour that crashed over the roof of her little home.

She could hear it echoing even from her safe enclosure, knowing that just outside, it disintegrated everything it smothered.

'Again with this endless downpour ;  Again with another storm, ' she thought with a mix of bitterness and sadness, because yet again she thought of the traveling porter whose name had become infamous now.

Connecting the world…

Bringing everyone together…

Through blood and sweat; Through harsh breaths and slim escape as well, he did it all.

'I hope you're not out there right now… stuck somewhere with those monsters,' she thought with a forelone expression placed over her. 'that merciless rain that takes everything it touches…the same one that won’t hesitate to take you as well,’ she added as she felt her heart race, anxiousness clawing at the walls within the muscle.

'Please...Please be safe,' She thought while a dark cloud loomed over her.

Meanwhile, the man outside watched, his eyes fixed on her saddened expression, his gaze softened as he looked on to what he considered to be a true gem, because even as she began to grow sullen, she was a charming sight,

'Downright breathtaking,’ he thought astounded.

If only he could run his fingers through those strands of (h/c), and not just that, but coo sweet words close to her ear to lure yet another smile from her.

He’d give anything for another one of those wide grins, much more to see the previously settled cute, little color find it's way onto her sweet face.

'Anything,' He thought while lovestruck. ‘ I’d give anything to do so,’ he added.

' But for now, I have to go. ' he thought with a pout, unloading the rest of the lost cargo he mentioned earlier, sending it through to her.

“Well I should be heading off,” he said with a small wave, causing her to stare wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open at his sudden leave.

'The damn storm is picking up,' She told herself, 'And he just up and leaves?!' she added worriedly.

“Hey! Wait Just a minute!” She cried out, her voice laced with alarm, “ Don't tell me you plan on going out there like that," she said with concern, her hand reaching out to him as a natural response despite the fact that they were in separate rooms, not anywhere near for her to grip him back. 

He looked back at her with a half-smile, his blue eyes staring dead at her startled expression. Grimacing, he spoke, "I think I don't have a choice do I ? besides it's my job," he told her with dismissiveness towards his own well-being, something that astounded her.

"I had just planned to drop off your deliveries and be off, " He told her, " But I got so caught up talking to you, I lost track of time, " He explained, " I should have left a long time ago!" He said shaking his head, seeming disappointed with himself.

"Anyways, don't worry about me mam," he said pulling up a boyish grin while mock saluting her by using his pointer and middle finger, "You just stay safe," he added, not really wanting to leave, but of course not having any other choice.

 It would have been easy for him to simply take her, singlehandedly destroying everything that got in his path from doing so, but he’d decided that with her, he wasn’t taking that risk.

  'He's crazy,' (f/n) thought to herself, jumping at a particularly loud clap from outside her thick, protective walls.

She then better lip tightly,

 Thinking...

Contemplating…

 'What if something happens to him? 

What if he gets caught up in that storm? ‘ 

And much worse, 

‘ What if he never makes it back?' She wondered distressed,

'if any of that were to happen, I wouldn't ever be able to live it down,' she told herself.

He bothered to bring back some lost package, something she'd forgotten already, all because he thought it mattered, coming through what were probably the worst conditions to travel, and much more that that he’d been loyally delivering cargo to her for a long time now.

“ Hey…” she uttered softly, sounding small uncertain at first, swallowing the heavy clump in her throat.

“ You can stay here,” she told him, growing more confident, “ There's a vacant room here that you can use,” she added, nodding with more assurance as she saw him halt in his steps.

“ You can use it if you want or, at the very least stay until the rain stops.” she offered, “That's all I ask of you,” she added, hoping he’d accept. "As far as I know, there's nothing out there to hide under...no other shelters in sight either. " she reminded him.

He then turned back to her, a grateful smile adorning him being a mask to hide the snide that lay beneath.

“You’d do that just for me?” he asked her, eyeing the melting worry that was over her face. As he seemed to contemplate the suggestion, she relaxed her shoulders dropping and her (e/c) eyes brightening.

" Please? At least until this clears up," She said lowly, nodding.

 “You’ve done enough for me already, believe or not,” she further explained, “ I haven't seen another person in what feels like forever. And I know traveling through this area has gotten very difficult. But you did so...All in order to hand me some lost cargo I had honestly given up on finding." She said astounded,

"Not only that, but you also brought me some essential supplies, " She added.

" You risked your life for me when you could have very well walked away at any given moment, especially when the first storm hit. " She rambled on,

" So please," she said again, clasping her hands together, "Please Stay. Take it as a token of my gratitude seeing as I have nothing more to offer you," She bargained.

  ‘Truly….Truly  I am smitten,’ he thought to himself, all while nodding, pretending to be defeated by her plea.

 "Just until then," he said quietly, "I wouldn't' want to impose,"

" But you're not!" She said hastily, "Believe me, you're not!" she said giggling, waving him off.

 Eagerly nodding she went to open the door, “ Just come in," she responded back, all of which was a mistake of course, but how was she to know?

How could she have guessed that the man she invited in her home was none other than the same terrorist in the golden mask both feared and hated by mass populations ; 

 Higgs Monaghan.

 She reached out for him, her hand circling around his wrist, tugging him inside, the sudden coldness of the outside world hitting her hard before she was back within the warm safety of her home with him following in suit.

"come on," she persuaded, anxiously as she heard just how vicious the wind blew.

Safely inside he watched her, eyes fixed on the back of her head, the (h/c) hair making his fingers twitch.

They were loose, the (long/short) strands bouncing with each step she took, teasing him with their bouncing movements,

'My dear...sweet... (f/n),' Higgs mused, head over heels for the woman, mad with desire,

 'I can't wait to have you all...to...myself.' 

Next : Open Heart

A/N: I fixed it. I hadn’t slept for a whole day when i completed this and I just knew I let a lot of stuff slip me. Have you ever been awake, but not awake? It’s an experience.

[hobidara]

latibule; oikawa

part 2;

pairing: oikawa x fem!reader

genre: friends to lovers, fluff, angst

word count: 2.68k

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every time you try to remember the moment you fell for your friend, you can’t remember. you don’t even know how or when, you just did which is pretty scary. if you at least knew the reason why you like him, maybe you can stop yourself but unfortunately, there’s no particular reason.

he was extremely popular back in high school. during college? he was as well. he still is today, even in university. high school and university are two very different things.

high school has less students and it wasn’t as stressful, at least for you. in case of oikawa, he is always stressed due to his inferior complex and always feeling like he’s not good enough.

he doesn’t show it to you, of course. heck, you guys became closer just last year despite knowing each other for five years. but you’ve seen the way he tried so hard for volleyball, the way he beat himself over it just because he thinks he’s not as good as others. oh, how you wish you could just scream it in his face that he’s the best.

now, you guys are in university. there’s much more students. it’s harder to be well known in university compared to high school. also, university students don’t care about stuff as much as high school students. yet, oikawa is still very well known. even though he doesn’t receive as much love confessions like in high school, he still receives some, he still has girls talking about him, gazing at his direction to gain his attention. even if someone doesn’t know his name, if someone says ‘the pretty setter from the volleyball club’, everyone knows it’s oikawa.

you became friends with oikawa through iwaizumi. the two of you were put into a pair for a chemistry project which meant you had to meet iwa during after school hours to finish the project. 

oikawa wasn’t from your class. he always sticks to iwa. one day, you had a question about the conclusion part so you walked over to their table where the two sat together with their other teammates.

you didn’t even bash an eyelash at oikawa because you were clearly not interested. especially guys like him who had girls swooning over him. you couldn’t see why. sure, he’s pretty, good-looking, cool and smart. what’s more than that? you didn’t get it at all. 

being the friendly oikawa he is, he joined the conversation iwa and you were having. he introduced himself even though he knew everyone knew his name. that’s the very start. the three of you started hanging out a lot more and soon, they were already inviting themselves to your place.

not to mention the fact that your mom loves oikawa. just look at his external cover and not inside him, what’s there not to love him? but you just saw him as a close friend. he talked about girls to you. you also talked about boys to him which he always whines about you not having good taste in men. you watched girls come and go just like how he watched boys come and go your way.

even though he was very popular, oikawa never really took that as an advantage. he never played with girls’ feelings, he didn’t give him false hopes and he tries his best to be nice when rejecting someone’s confession.

the girls he dated were different as well, some of them were pretty while some of them were average. all of them gave off different vibes so you still don’t know what his type is. 

same goes for you but you weren’t the luckiest with men or should we call them boys? so yes, you honestly don’t know when you fell for him. somehow, you found yourself thinking about him more and smiling at his texts more. 

oikawa always hangs his arm around your shoulders, pats your head, ruffles your hair, gives you small hugs here and there, squishes your cheeks and many more small actions exist but you started blushing unlike before. you immensely tried to deny it that you are starting to fall for him which led you to date some guys. you still treated them the best you can while dating them though. also, because you and oikawa were impossible. there’s no chance for you. 

iwa noticed all this. you know when someone is falling for someone else and they don't know it but the third party always see its through them? iwa was that third party. quickly, iwa became the rant zone whenever you had to open up about your emotions for your friend. 

iwa is neutral. he doesn’t exactly ship the two of you but he also doesn’t mind if you end up dating. this is because he knows oikawa too well. 

there are so many good traits about him but he’s human, he also has his toxic traits. this is why you don’t want to get involved with him in that way. you don’t want to hurt yourself.

the two of you step out of the library. it’s already 12am. it was all you. you wanted to finish catching up with the lectures today since you’ve been missing a lot of them. why? all because you want to spend your time sleeping in with oikawa instead of attending your morning classes. 

as usual, oikawa waited for you as he does whatever he wants. he wasn’t even focusing in his work. but he’s still very smart. you are not much different compared to oikawa.

oikawa, he tries so hard and he doesn’t have natural talent. even though he works his ass off, loses his sleep over volleyball and works thrice harder than others, the ones who have natural talent in them are always ahead of him. that’s how he felt like.

and you, you try really hard in your studies but you are not the smartest. you go to the library every day. you spend hours there, studying. yet, your grades are never as good as the ones who are naturally smart. that makes you so insecure because you actually start to think, oh no matter how much i try, i won’t be like them.

“wait,” he stops in his steps, grabbing your wrist. “can we not go home?”

you blink, “you want to sleep on the streets?”

he stares at you boringly, “no. i’m saying let’s go for a walk.”

“we are walking now.”

he groans, stomping his feet before linking his arm with yours. why does he have to be so cute?

“you know what i meannn.” he pouts, dragging your body with him.

late night walks with your crush? sounds like the fan fictions you read when you are free or lonely. instead of feeling giggly, you feel at ease and peace. you share a comfortable silence, throwing a joke in sometimes as you walk and walk. 

you expressed your concerns with your studies and he comforts you. it doesn’t always have to be serious talks with him. you can joke around while being serious at the same time and you like that. but oikawa has never talked about his worries to you, quite different from you who likes ranting it out. 

“i’m hungry.” you say, pulling his hand towards you. are you really or are you just making up another reason to spend time with him longer?

“how can you eat a lot?” he asks, smiling and pokes your stomach.

you ask back, “aren’t you?”

“maybe, a bit. but i don’t want to go back yet.”

“well, i want to.” you shrug, walking ahead of him knowing he will follow you.

he grins, showing a thumbs up. “okay. i will cook you ramen at my place.”

“you cook it yourself then, since it’s your place.” 

even if he told you to cook it instead, you still would. you are such a simp for him that it even hurts your ego.

“i will! let’s go!” he beams.

and did the two of you continue talking about one topic after another even after eating? just so you could spend time longer and eventually maybe spend the night over? maybe. 

you are seated at a table near the vending machine, laughing at your guy friends who are still arguing about the football match they just had. it wasn’t a serious nor a practice one, they just played for fun. you and your friend, amelie decided to watch them play as you guys were bored to death in your dorms.

also maybe because oikawa hasn’t texted you since the afternoon which is really weird; considering the fact that he’s always texting you and you wanted to distract yourself from it.

the sound of the gym doors behind you opening catches your attention as you see students coming out of it — wait, aren’t those volleyball players?

after a bunch of them walking out and just when you thought that maybe he’s not here, the sight of iwa, drenched in sweat makes you raise your eyebrows.

“oh?” he tilts his head, walking towards you. “why are you here?”

“came to watch my friends playing football.” you answer, nodding at your guy friends who are also now looking at the exchange between you and iwa.

iwa nods, “he’s inside.”

“he? he who?” you ask even though the back of your mind is screaming oikawa.

“oikawa. who else?” iwa smirks, “go on in.”

you get up a bit too quickly before telling your friends, “um, you guys can go ahead.”

they agree suspiciously, eyeing iwa, probably thinking you have something going on with him. geez.

you push the gym doors open and the echoes of the volleyball slamming against the floors welcome you.

there he is, tooru oikawa, practicing his ass off alone. his shirt is literally soaked in sweat that you can even see his back muscles. you might sound creepy but you are just pointing out what you are seeing. how long was their practice anyway?

when he walks towards the ball cart to grab another one, you call out his name.

“take a break!”

he whips his head around at your voice, a very tiny smile appearing on his face.

“since when were you here?” he questions.

“just now. met iwa outside.”

he nods, returning his gaze back to the volleyball in his hand.

“go grab dinner with him. he said he’s hungry.”

this makes you pout slightly. doesn’t the thought of you being alone with another guy makes him jealous? but again, it’s iwa we are talking about. the person who helped started the friendship between you and oikawa.

you shake your head, sliding down against the wall to sit on the floor. “nah, we will wait.”

instead of replying, he jumps and spikes the ball hard that you flinch in your place. watching him practice breaks your heart. it always does. back in high school till now, whenever you see him practicing alone in the empty gym with all his might, finishing it with his palms all red and still not being satisfied with himself, you just want to give him a hug.

“you know me. i will take hours.” he finally replies after a few more spikes. you almost already forgot about the last words you said.

just before you can give a response, iwa walks in with a new pair of clothes.

“oikawa!” he howls loudly, striding to his friend and plainly taking the ball away from oikawa’s grasp.

“iwa-chan, just one m–”

“i’ve known you my whole life, dude. that’s the lie you spit the most.” iwa says strictly before heading to put the volleyball ball cart in the store room.

oikawa groans so loudly and messes his own hair from frustration. he hates it when someone interrupts him or stops him from practicing but everyone knows iwa is the only one who can control and take care of him.

when he makes his way to his bag which is right beside you, he doesn’t look very pleased so you try to start a conversation.

“anything you have in mind for dinner?” you ask, looking up at him.

guggling down his water, he shrugs, “anything.”

are you intimidated? yes, you are. despite knowing him for years, you still don’t know how to handle with his moods. maybe you do but you are just scared you will make it worse so you choose to remain silent instead.

besides, if you try to talk more and he ends up yelling at you, it will just lead you to messily cry and that’s embarrassing so no, you don’t want that.

iwa notices the way both of you are quiet when he walks out of the store room. being the mom he is, it’s his job to fix this atmosphere.

“ohh, look who this is. i knew that winter coat was familiar!”

a very familiar voice interrupts your cries. your eyes widen, and you quickly wipe your tears under the coat’s hood. why is he even here? it’s freaking 2 am. don’t tell me he comes out at 2 in the morning, in 7°C to play basketball.

you feel him sit next to you but you remain quiet, afraid that your voice will crack if you say something.

“hey, aren’t you happy to see me?” he asks in a whiny voice, bumping his shoulder with yours thrice.

“i am.”

you suddenly find him crouched down in front of you as he looks up at your face. “wait, you are cryin — noo, why? what’s wrong?”

he throws questions at you worriedly, cupping your face with his large hands. you wiggle out of his hold, clearing your throat.

“i’m not.”

he slaps your thigh softly, “i’m not my ass. do you think i’m blind?”

when you don’t respond anything back, he continues, “hm, tell me. what’s wrong, y/n?”

“you know, just studies.” you lie.

you do not want to tell him the actual reason because you know it’s not going to end well. it’s your friends. apparently, they’ve been discussing about you behind your back, specifically about you and oikawa and how you are spending nights at each other’s place.

then, there’s this group of japanese students you know from the japanese society who’ve also heard about you and oikawa. they call you a slut for sleeping at oikawa’s place when you aren’t even dating. they didn’t say it right in front of your face though. they act so kind around you.

but it still hurts. maybe they are right. maybe you are acting like a slut, being so whipped for a guy who only sees you as a friend. however, it’s not your fault that you can’t control your feelings. you feel sorry for yourself and your emotions and mind are all over the place.

so you did what you always do. you came to this basketball court which is 3 minutes away from your dorm. you always do when you are feeling suffocated.

as always, oikawa comforts you with sweet words, patting your back to make you feel better. even running to the shop next to the court to get you some chocolate. he’s doing his best to make you feel better and it makes you feel worse for lying at him.

this is for the better though. if he knows, he will either blame himself for it or he will directly face the people who talked shit about you. you don’t want that for him because this is about you. this is your problem.

“let’s go to my place! i will cook you ramen!” he beams, looking at his dorm. yep, the basketball court is just right in front of his dorm.

“no,” you sniffle. “i’m sick of your ramen.”

“ouch,” he pretends to be hurt, clenching his fist over his heart. “how could you say that? that’s the only thing i can make.”

you chuckle, “fine, let’s grab some sausages from the store too.”

he nods happily, linking his arm with yours. he always does this when you two are walking together and the gesture swells your heart a lot. you let out a sigh, realising that instead of stopping your feelings, you’ve fallen even deeper for your friend.

[sixmapleleafs]

father material // frederik andersen (part 2)

Freddie suggested that the two of you go out to brunch the next day so you could discuss everything baby related. Amelie woke you up at 6 like she did everyday so you fed her before handing her to your roommate, who was very excited that you and Freddie were getting together again. You had tried telling her that it was purely to discuss co-parenting but she wasn’t buying any of it. You jumped in the shower and got ready, deciding to wear a sundress since it was quite warm today, you didn’t bother with make up and just brushed your hair before throwing it up so it was out of the way.

Your roommate had got Amelie ready for you and she looked adorable in her pink short sleeved baby grow. You strapped her into her stroller, deciding to walk to the cafe instead of drive since it was a nice day. You said goodbye to your roommate and started the walk.

The place you picked for brunch was by the water so you took your time to walk as Amelie quickly dozed off for her first nap of the day. Luckily the place you picked wasn’t very busy and you got there before Freddie, so you got a table outside on the front patio and ordered yourself an iced tea. Amelie was still snoozing when Freddie arrived, he smiled when he saw you and you stood up to hug him quickly before he sat down opposite you.

“So how have you been?” He asked once the waiter had taken his drink and both of your food orders.

“Since yesterday?” You said with a smile and you saw him blush a little, “I’ve been good, what about you?”

“I was a little shocked obviously” he said and you nodded sipping your drink, “but I’m ready for this and I want to be a part of Amelies life”.

“I guess we should discuss how that’s going to work” you said and he nodded in agreement, thanking the waiter as he placed his drink on the table.

“Like you said, I have a busy schedule and I’m away a lot but maybe we can meet up on the days when I’m in town and when I’m free I could have her whenever you need someone to watch her instead of hiring a babysitter” you nodded, he’d clearly been thinking about this a lot, you were impressed.

“That sounds good, what days are you in town this week?” You checked on Amelie as you spoke, she was starting to stir meaning she was going to wake up any minute.

“We’ve got three home games so I’ll be here all week but we head out to California for a week on Monday. I’m free Tuesday and Thursday after morning skate so if you’re free maybe we could arrange something then”.

“Sounds good, I’m still on maternity leave so I’m at home all week. How about you come over after morning skate and you can spend time with Amelie whilst I get some laundry and stuff done?”

“Yeah that would be great” he said and you both smiled at each other. You were grateful that things were so easy between the two of you, there was no tension. Just as you were about to say something, Amelies small cries brought your attention back to the stroller.

“What’s wrong, baby?” You cooed gently as you picked her up, “it’s ok” you said as you rocked her a little until she settled. You reached into the diaper bag to get the bottle you had prepared before leaving, but stopped before you sat down again.

“Do you want to feed her?” You asked turning to Freddie, he looked a little taken back for a second before he nodded quickly. You settled Amelie in his arms like you had done the night before and quickly shook the bottle in your hand before handing it to him. You sat back down looking at the image in front of you. If anyone walked past they’d think you were a happy little family. Amelie looked tiny in Freddie’s arms, she was basically the size of one of his hands. You smiled at the sight, Freddie noticed you staring and smirked a little.

“What?” He asked and you shook your head.

“Nothing it’s just really cute that’s all”

“Who? Me or Amelie?” He said still smirking and you shook your head laughing a little.

The waiter brought over your food before you had a chance to respond and you quickly took advantage of the fact that you didn’t have to keep an eye on your baby to enjoy your food. Freddie fed her until she started to fuss.

“How should I burp her?” He asked placing the nearly empty bottle on the table in front of him.

“Hold her up so her head is just over your shoulder and gently pat her back but hold on a second” you quickly grabbed the muslin cloth from the diaper bag, “put this over your shoulder so if she spits up it doesn’t get on your shirt”.

He moved her into position with the muslin cloth over his shoulder and burped her, then he rested her in his lap whilst he ate. She sat happily in his lap which she usually didn’t do, just leaning against Freddie and babbling along to herself. Freddie would smile down at her every so often and the sight made your heart melt.

Once you’d both eaten you chatted for a while until Amelie started to fuss and you decided now would be a good time to get the check and leave.

“Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?” He asked as he picked Amelie up to comfort her.

“I have to go to the store and then we have our mommy and me class at three” you explained as you waved down the waiter.

“Do you mind if I tag along? Until you have to go to your class” he asked.

“I would like that” you said and he smiled at you before turning his attention back to your daughter. Freddie ended up paying for brunch despite your best efforts to pay for your own, but he insisted. You ended up walking to the downtown area so you could get what you needed. Amelie has already outgrown most of her clothes so you needed some more baby grows.

Walking through the baby store with Freddie felt very domestic, like you really were a little family. He was pushing the stroller whilst Amelie napped, you picked a few baby grows off the rack turning to show him. It was weird having him there since you’d done all your baby shopping alone up until now but you wanted him to feel involved. He even pointed out a few that he thought were cute and again he pushed his credit card into the cashiers hand before you even had a chance to reach for yours. You looked at him with a playful glare and reminded him that he didn’t need to pay for things just because he’s her father, but he wasn’t having any of it.

You got diapers from the store next door as well as milk and other things you needed for your apartment. When Amelie woke up Freddie picked her up immediately and you took the stroller from him so he could walk with her. He was talking to her quietly as you walked around together, even stopping in front of some street performers to show her. By the time you were done it was almost time for your mommy and me class which took place near to where you had been shopping anyway. Freddie walked there with you, Amelie still in his giant arms until you reached the door and he placed her back in the stroller.

“Y/f/n is going out tonight, do you want to come over for dinner later?” You asked just before you went in. You’d had a really nice time with Freddie today and to be honest you didn’t want it to end. Freddie’s face lit up at the question and he nodded quickly.

“Do you want me to bring something for dinner?” He asked, always the gentleman.

“Yeah you can pick” you saw one of your mommy friends coming towards you with her baby, so you hugged Freddie goodbye and made your way inside with your friend.

-

“So let me get this straight” y/f/n started, “you spent all day with Freddie and now you’ve invited him over for dinner when you know I’m not going to be here”. You nodded knowing where she was going with this. “I knew you liked him”.

“I do not like him y/f/n” you said shaking your head as you washed some of Amelies bottles. “He’s Amelies father, he’s coming over to spend time with her and it just so happens that he’s bringing dinner”.

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say” she said smirking. Just then there was a knock on your apartment door and she hurried off to go open it.

“Hey y/n” Auston said as he walked into your apartment.

“Hi Auston” you gave him a quick side hug.

“How are you doing? Freddie told me everything” he said giving you a sympathetic smile.

“I’m good, we’re just figuring everything out at the moment, he’s actually on his way over here now”.

“Oh I heard” he said smirking, “he was freaking out”.

“What?” You asked confused but Auston just shrugged. There was another knock on the door and you knew it would be Freddie this time. Y/f/n got there before you could, smirking as she opened the door.

“Frederik, fancy seeing you here” she said and Freddie rolled his eyes as he stepped into the apartment. “Unfortunately Auston and I must get going so we’ll leave you two love birds alone”.

“Ignore her” you said as you hugged Freddie and he laughed.

“I brought Chinese food I hope that’s ok” he said showing you the bag of food.

“Yeah I love Chinese food” The sound of Amelie stirring on the baby monitor caught your attention. “She’s waking up, do you want to go get her?” You asked as you took the bag into the kitchen, he nodded saying a quick goodbye to y/f/n and Auston.

“Remember to use protection this time, unless you want to give Amelie a sibling” Y/f/n said winking and you slapped her shoulder. Auston just laughed as he followed her out the door, you shook your head at their teasing. You had literally only known Freddie for a day and you had to focus on your daughter and how Freddie would fit into her life from now on. Your priority was your daughter and even if you did find Freddie attractive, it more important for Freddie and Amelie to form a bond than anything else.

“I didn’t realise babies needed so much stuff” Freddie said and you chuckled as you plated up the food.

“Believe me I was just as surprised, I’m pretty sure she has more clothes and furniture than I do” Freddie sat down on the couch with Amelie in his arms and you joined him bringing the food over. You watched a movie as you ate, Amelie sat happily in Freddie’s lap like she had at brunch. You had a feeling that was going to be her new favourite place to sit.

The sun had set by the time the movie had finished, you and Freddie talked for a while as Amelie snoozed in Freddie’s arms. You knew she’d be up for a feed soon so you just let Freddie hold her until she woke up. When she did wake up, you just threw a blanket over you as she fed so you could continue talking to Freddie.

“She’ll probably be up for a while before she goes down for the night, do you want to watch another movie or something?” You asked getting ready to hand her back to him, you figured he’d want get in as many cuddles as possible.

“Have you ever seen (your favourite movie)?”

“I love that movie” you said grinning. “It’s my favourite, I watched it hundreds of times whilst I was pregnant”. Freddie nodded in agreement as he searched through Netflix for the movie.

“I’m just going to go change her into her pyjamas then you hold her again if you want” he nodded making himself more comfortable on your couch. You laid Amelie down on your bed as you picked out a new baby grow for her to sleep in. You changed her diaper and got her dressed in her pyjamas, she was staring up at you with her big blue eyes following you around the room.

“You ready to go see daddy?” You cooed as you picked her up, “you look so cute in your pjs” she leant against your shoulder as you walked back out to the living room. Your mouth fell open when you saw Freddie. He was stood in the middle of the room, pulling off his shirt. His back muscles rippling under his skin, you almost forgot you were holding your baby when he turned around and you saw his abs as well as his muscled arms.

“Wha-what are you doing?” You were very taken back by the sight of a shirtless Freddie. You could feel the blush on your cheeks as you tried to keep your eyes on his face and nowhere else.

“I read that skin-to-skin contact can help babies bond with their fathers, so I thought I’d try it...if that’s ok” he said sounding slightly panicked at the end.

“Of course” you both sat back down and you undressed Amelie so she was just in her diaper. Freddie rested her against his chest as you played the movie, however, it was very hard to focus when Freddie was sat beside you in all his shirtless glory.

Amelie quickly fell asleep as she laid on Freddie’s chest with her pacifier in her mouth. “She’s so cute” Freddie commented as he stroked her back gently.

“She looks a lot like you” you said and he chuckled lightly, trying not to wake her up. “You can move her to the crib whenever you want, she won’t be up for a few hours or so”.

“How many times does she normally wake up in the night?”

“Three or four times, but she normally goes back to sleep pretty quickly after I feed her so it’s not too bad”.

“Did everything go ok with the birth and everything?”

“Yeah, it was pretty quick to be honest, I was only in labour for eight hours and pushed for less than an hour. She was perfectly healthy, she weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and I didn’t have any complications during the pregnancy”. You explained and he nodded taking in the information.

“Did you have people with you?” He asked and he looked kind of concerned like he was worried about you having to go through that alone.

“Y/f/n refused to leave my side through basically the whole nine months and then when I went into labour she held my hand the whole time and was practically yelling at all the doctors and nurses about making sure I was comfortable and okay” you said and he smiled. “We actually have a doctors appointment tomorrow if you’re free”.

“I have a morning practice but I’ll try and make it”.

“It’s not until two thirty”.

“Ok I’ll pick you guys up, how long does it take to get to your hospital?”

“About twenty minutes, we’ll have to move the car seat from my car into yours though”

“Ok, we can do that until I get one for my car” he said and you nodded. He stood up carefully with your sleeping baby still in his arms as you led him back into your bedroom. He placed her in the crib and you kissed her forehead gently before grabbing the baby monitor. You thought he might want to leave now that she was asleep but instead he sat down next to you on the couch, still shirtless and even closer to you this time. He placed his arm on the back of the couch behind your head.

He quickly started a conversation about how you’d been and about your family. You explained that even though they had been disappointed at first they quickly got over it and now they FaceTimed you almost everyday to see you and Amelie. They were actually planning to come and see you in two weeks when your dad had finished a big work project and could get away for a few days. You suggested that he should meet them seeing as he was the father of their grandchild and though he was hesitant, he agreed it would make sense.

“What if they hate me? Because I wasn’t there for you”.

“It’s fine Fred really, I explained everything to them about how I had no idea who you were and no way of contacting you. Plus I think they’ll be really impressed with how you’re stepping up, I know I am” he blushed a little at your words.

“I really don’t want to mess this up y/n, I mean it”

“I know you don’t, and for what it’s worth I don’t think you will”. You smiled at him and rubbed his arm to comfort him, before you could even react you felt him press his lips against yours. It was a small sweet kiss and your eyes fell shut as you kissed him back.

[tren-fraszka]

Fandom5k 2021 Letter

Dear creator,

Thank you for taking your time to check my requests. I know my requests can sound a bit tricky, but please don’t be discouraged. I wish you will have good time writing first and foremost!

My AO3 is Tren, if you wish to check it out.

Likes: comedy, casefics, canon compliants, AUs, time loops, bodyswaps, roleswaps, “being hoisted by your own petard” plotlines, snark, pettiness, rivals, enemies to friends to lovers, violence, friendships, and character bonding,

DNW: explicit sex (makeouts and fade to black is okay), A/B/O, mpreg, rape depicted as positive (so no “it’s okay, because the other person enjoyed it/it was what they truly wanted”), trans headcanons, soulmate AUs, stories ending with surrender to fate/destiny, fourth wall breaking in canons where that doesn’t occur, character has cancer or other real-life terminal disease AU, word “queerplatonic”.

Also, I included what ships I’m okay with in each fandom. Please do not include any ships that aren’t canon and I have not allowed in those sections (if you feel really strongly about a ship I haven’t mentioned, you can always ask through mods just in case). 

On a separate, but similar note, I’m okay with OCs as long as they don’t overshadow the characters I requested. 

Additionally, while I almost never request fanart as possible medium, because I prefer my main gift to be fic, I would be very okay with receiving fanart treats. Also, feel free to peruse my old letters if you get your hands on them. I never stop being interested in fandoms, and if I requested something once I will still want it in the future.

                                            REQUESTS

MARIMASHITA! IRUMA-KUN

I read new manga chapters as they get translated so feel free to incorporate anything from the manga that’s available in English. 

Kirio Amy/Suzuki Iruma

There are many good ships with Iruma, but this one just has a lot things I like. I love enemy ships with both sides being way too emotionally invested into each other so this was inevitable. I love how this relationship starts as this really wholesome friendship and school festival preparation, except Kirio turns out to be a bit messed up and wants to blow up everyone. But then they both accept the outcome and go on with their lives still thinking about each other. Iruma goes through a lot of trouble to keep the club operating even though Kirio has been pretty much expelled. And then Kirio is now obsessed with Iruma as his anthitesis and perfect enemy.

I’m okay with the potential story happening at any point in the canon. I would love both a story set before the festival while Kirio is still hiding his true colors or a story set after it. Maybe Iruma runs into Kirio somewhere after he escapes prison and instead of calling an adult, he tries to stop Kirio from causing trouble on his own. As for pre-festival story. Maybe some upperclassmen steal important parts from the club and Iruma and Kirio set out to get them back.

Naberius Callego & Suzuki Iruma

I love Callego for being a much better take on Snape than original Snape ever was. The second the series made Callego Iruma’s familiar I knew this was about to get good. And it was. I love how Callego slowly warms up to Iruma, even if he is still allergic to his and Sullivan’s antics. I love that Callego is actually a competent teacher who cares about his students, but at the same time he would rather eat a whole lemon than admit it out loud.

For prompts, maybe Sullivan ends up having an important business and Opera isn’t available so he dumps looking after Iruma on Callego for a few days. Or Iruma is struggling with studying since so many things are new for him, so Callego ends up forced to help him catch up with the material (if you are following manga inclusion of Balam is always welcome). Or maybe Iruma gets into usual trouble ends up stranded somewhere and the only one he can call for help is his familiar.

Crocell Kerori | Kuromu/Gyari

One of the last thing I expected to get this year was a canonical yuri romance in this manga, but here it is and it’s perfect. I love how it is pretty much built on mutual pining. I love how Kuromu loves Gyari, but refuses to reciprocate her feelings, because she knows that she needs to remain unattainable to keep their relationship alive, and I love how Gyari is never ever going to give up.

I would love to see more of the time when they worked together. We know it was love at the first sight for Gyari, but I would love to see how Kuromu’s feelings grew. Those hours they spent together practicing, maybe a not-date where they sneak together to scout a venue where they will be having their first big concert, or maybe a small contest that would sow the seeds for their future rivalry. I would love any and all of it. Also, Gyari doesn’t seem to be aware of Kuromu’s civilian identity, so I would love a story where Gyari meets Crocell Kerori rather than Kuromu. Does she recognize her? Or does Kerori manage to successfully trick her? Maybe Gyari makes a full investigation after hearing rumors that Kuromu is attending Babylys. I would also love any sort of future fic for those two.

AUs and ships

I love the worldbuilding around the demon world, so I would ask that if you decided to write an AU that it still incorporates demons. I would definitely love an AU where rather than getting summoned to demon world, Iruma accidentally summons either Kirio or Callego into the human world. Maybe Iruma’s parents try to use him as an offering, but instead he ends up bound to a demon. I would love to see Kirio excited to unleash suffering (even if his weak powers severely limit him in that regard) onto human world just to discover that he made contract with the biggest pacifist possible. Or Callego being torn between wanting to return home as soon as possible (he has classes to teach!) and wanting to somehow help the weird human child that just keeps getting into trouble. Any other demon-focused AU is also welcome. For Gyari and Kurmou, maybe one of them is a human who ends up summoning the other as a demon. How different would their relationship be then? I’m also fine with any sort of AU divergences scenario. Maybe Iruma keeps accidentally sabbotaging Kirio’s terrorist plans without realizing it. Or Iruma ends up summoning Callego more often as his familiar when he gets into trouble. What if Gyari also attended Babylys.

As for ships, I’d rather avoid any love triangle scenarios for this canon, so please focus on just one pairing per character (competing for Iruma’s attention is normal for this canon, I’d just rather not see outright romantic competition). It’s self-explainatory for Kirio request, but if you want to include some shipping elements into the other requests I also ship Iruma/Amelie and Callego/Balam.

RE:ZERO

I watched the two season of anime, as well as the two OVA. Please don’t include any spoilers for events that haven’t been yet adapted. I’m fine with mentions of stuff from the light novel that adaptation has skipped, just please make sure to establish them properly, as I haven’t read the light novel.

Natsuki Subaru/Otto Suwen Natsuki Subaru & Felix Argyle & Julius Euclius & Reinhard van Astrea Roswaal L. Mathers (Re:Zero)

Echidna the Witch (Re:Zero)

Feel free to mix and match my requests (or cut off parts of the requests and stitch them together). Or include any other characters, I love all of them.

Natsuki Subaru/Otto Suwen

I came out of second season with a burning desire to see Otto and Subaru getting together. Otto was the MVP of the second season. Like sure, Emilia killed it in the last few episodes, but none of it would happen if Otto didn’t slap Subaru in the face when he needed it the most. Subaru even commented that Otto was like a heroine in a game at one point. They just care so much about each other and I would love to see them actually get together.

I would love to see them going on an undercover mission. Maybe they are trying to gather the information about witch cultists. Maybe they need to pretend to be a couple for the sake of their investigation. Or Emilia sends the two of them on a fake mission that actually consists of them visiting places of relaxation to make sure Subaru finally gets a break. And Otto’s mission is to make sure that Subaru actually rests and doesn’t get in trouble, but this proves to be a much more difficult undertaking that he expected. 

After first season I had a working theory that Otto is actually a sin archbishop who is pretending to be a normal person for some unknown reasons (or maybe has a split personality). Season two pretty much disproved it, but I still adore that idea and would love anything with it.

Natsuki Subaru & Felix Argyle & Julius Euclius & Reinhard van Astrea

I immediately loved the queen candidates’ knights and the relationships between them. I would greatly enjoy seeing them work together. Maybe someone is plotting to harm queen candidates and they join forces to bring them down. Or maybe the queen candidates are busy with some bureaucracy and the bored knights decide to spend a night at town, which ends with all sorts of shenanigans. Maybe Subaru and Julius decide to have some sort of competiton that hilariously goes out of control. Or Reinhardt and Subaru rope everyone into helping some poor grandma, but her straightforward request ends up becoming much more difficult to execute than anyone predicted. Also, at the end of second season Subaru officially became Emilia’s knight and I would love to see other knights throwing an unofficial party for Subaru to celebrate this achievement. Or maybe their planned celebration doesn’t go as planned and Subaru ends up accussed of a crime he didn’t commit. Luckily, there are three very handsome and equally capable knights who believe in him and are willing to help him clear his name.

Feel free to also include Aldebaran into the group if you want. He had very little screen time in anime, so I didn’t want to make this request more difficult than it already is, but if you want to write him too I would be very happy with his inclusion.

Roswaal L. Mathers (Re:Zero)

Roswaal was incredible in the second season. I loved the parallels between him and Subaru! I loved his unrequited crush on Echidna! I loved Ram’s unrequited crush on him and how her actions ended up affecting him! I loved how Emilia made him apologize! He just had so many great interactions. I would just love to see more of Roswaal.

We know that Roswaal attempted to undertake the trial, but was rejected. What if by some quirk of fate Roswaal could undertake the trial. How would it go? Would he be able to accept the past? I would also love a deeper insight into his thought process during the Sanctuary arc, but also earlier arcs. How did he feel about Subaru and other characters? What happened to him after the Subaru failed? (we don’t know if Subaru dying creates new timelines or if there’s one that gets reset, while this prompt leans on former, I’m fine with both interpretations) I would also love to see if maybe Ram had attempted to destroy Roswaal’s book or shown her feelings for him before. On a different note, I would love Roswaal being a bit too interested in Otto (after he had changed the fate written in the book) and trying to figure out how he had achieved that. Honestly, I would love to see Roswaal interact with anyone. You could write him and Reinhard meeting in a bakery and I would love it.

Echidna the Witch (Re:Zero)

Echidna is best witch (at least until anime shows more of Sekhmet who I can already tell is my spirit animal witch). I loved Echidna’s character, the aura of mystery she built around herself, and her plans involving Subaru. She was just incredible.

I would absolutely love to see Echidna holding trials for other characters. It doesn’t matter who. Maybe Garfiel ends up completing all of them. Or maybe by some twist of fate Otto gains qualification and takes up the trials. Or Ram, or really anybody else. I just loved how personalized the trials were and would love to see them for other characters and what Echidna would think of them. I would also love to see more of her interactions with Subaru. Maybe Subaru makes deal with her, but belatedly realizes it was a bad idea and tries to find a way to break it. I would be also very okay with seeing more of her interactions with other witches. Or Emilia. I will gladly take 5k words of Echidna being completely done with Emilia’s positivity. Maybe Echidna finds a way to escape her deadness, but she needs to enter a contract with Emilia and now she is her familiar like Puck was.

AUs and ships

I would prefer no setting changes for this story. Any other AUs are fine. I especially love Subaru’s reset mechanic, so feel free to abuse that if you want. If you want some AU ideas, maybe another character starts remembering bits and pieces of the reseted timelines.

I like Subaru/Emilia, but the show is doing such a good job with it that I’m not craving more. As such I’m okay with acknowledging Subaru’s canon crush on Emilia, but if you are planning to do any other pairing involving Subaru I would prefer to reframe Subaru’s feelings for her as friendship. I’m okay with pairing Subaru with pretty much any other guy in the series (especially other queen candidate knights) or leaving who he will end up with ambiguous.

SOUSOU NO FRIEREN

I read new manga chapters as they get translated so feel free to incorporate anything from the manga that’s available in English.

Frieren

I love how this manga is a slow-paced fantasy dealing with loss and inevitable passage of time. And I love Frieren for being one of the best depictions of an elf whose long life actually affects their outlook on life and actions.

I would equally love the insight into Frieren’s present with her charges and the past with hero party. What other shenanigans they get into on their journey? What kind of weird magic Frieren pursued? I would love to see more of her mentoring Fern and Stark. I also love to see her interactions with the hero party. Maybe some more insight into how they fought with demons, since Frieren seemed to have picked up a number of enemies during that time. For some more specific prompts: maybe Frieren accidentally stumbles ona cursed item that erases her memories (or just her memories of Himmel). How would it affect her? What would the party do to help her? Or maybe a demon kidnaps someone from Frieren’s party?

Feel free to include any other characters, they are a colorful bunch. 

AUs and ships

I’m fine with AUs as long as Frieren’s long lifespan is preserved. Her perspective is very much shaped by how long she has lived, so I wouldn’t want that aspect to change. An AU with mythological creatures or similar could be interesting. I would also love a roleswap where Himmel is an elf, while Frieren is a human, and exploration of how both of them would be affected by having a different lifespan.

I would very much love Himmel/Frieren, though I also enjoy how the manga softly builds on their connection. I also enjoy the budding romance between Fern and Stark.

HATARAKU MAOU-SAMA!

While I made this request mostly with anime in mind, I also consumed the original novels up to (and including) volume six. So feel free to include anything from the novels up until that point if you want, but nothing beyond that.

Maou Sadao/Ashiya Shirou

If Demon Lord’s right hand man/strategist turned into a househusband isn’t one of the most shippy ideas then I don’t know what is. Fics are just writing themselves. I just love seeing utter domesticity and loyalty Sadao and Ashiya have (and trouble they have with their prodigal not-son Urushihara).

I would love to get some insight into their relationship before they had to escape into another world. Maybe Ashiya realizes he is actually happy with the current arrangement and feels shame over indulging himself, while his lord is working hard to earn money and regain their powers. For some more specific prompts, maybe instead of becoming househusband he ends up working in MgRonald’s alongside Sadao. Or maybe while he’s doing shopping he ends up winning a lottery organized by some local shops and receives tickets for an onsen visit for two, so he and Sadao go to have a much deserved break. Or alternatively a story where they don’t get a break and need to face some new enemy.

Maou Sadao/Sasaki Chiho

I love Chiho Sasaki. She’s one of my favourite renditions of a normal person accidentally becomes entangled into a supernatural plot I’ve seen. And amidst it all, I love how she keeps supporting Sadao, even after learning that her MgRonald’s senpai is in fact a demon lord from another world.

I would love to see more of them working together in MgRonald’s. Maybe a precanon story where Chiho is still learning her ropes at MgRonald’s, while Sadao is still not completely used to passing as a human, so he keeps accidentally mentioning things about his demonic past and then has to quickly amend them into something more human. Or maybe a “tragic” story of Chiho who instead of applying to MgRonald’s goes to Sentucky Fired Chicken (I don’t mind changing it so SFC opens earlier than in the canon). Even though Sadao works for the rival store Chiho still falls for him and his impeccable work ethic and so she keeps counting days until her contract ends so she can apply to MgRonald’s instead (bonus points if the Sariel’s plotline happens during that time and Chiho gets increasingly distreased that Sadao will hate her even if she successfully moves to MgRonald’s). Alternatively they both go on some sort of training or charity action for MgRonald’s employees. Or maybe a more fantastical adventure where a new threat appears, so Sadao and Chiho work together to neutralize it.

AUs and ships

I would prefer no setting changes for this story, because this shows premise is just way too good. I’m fine with any other AUs. One slight exception (since it’s a bit of borderline case between a setting and divergence AU) would be that I would love to see Sadao and Chiho working at a coffee shop chain instead of MgRonald's.

Please only focus on one pairing requested when writing. I’d rather not have a triangle situation and see either Ashiya or Chiho rejected (requested character feeling slight jealousy over Sadao getting along with someone else is fine, I just don’t want a full on rivalry). I’d also rather not see Sadao paired with anyone beside the requested characters.

[comfy-whumpee]

The Vow

For @whumptober2020 Day 12: Broken. Many kinds of breaking here.

CN: a couple more ‘it’ dehumanisations, though this is Northlight’s perspective so it’s not as strong.

@lonesome--hunter, @iaminamoodymoodtoday, @wildfaewhump, @ishouldblogmore, @lektricwhump, @that-one-thespian, @raigash, @paingineering, @whumpywhumper

Northlight raised their head slowly from their arm. The cold metal bars around them were the same. The wind blasting from one side of the tower to another still whistled loudly through old gaps in the stone. The cage still swung, and the pin still tugged on them with every motion.

Nothing had changed, except the boy was not visible in the church. Normally he was up during daylight, cleaning or studying, or doing some meaningless labour such as rearranging the pews. He was absent.

Despite Patience Penrose’s complete apathy towards them, and his greater interest being Irene’s servant rather than anything meaningful, Northlight was fond of the young boy. He’d always had a soft spot for those who played havoc with gender, as they did, and the miller’s son had a clever tongue and watchful eyes. His freckles danced across his face with his expressions, and his commitment to his heavy braid was a kind of consistency Northlight could never bother with. His ambition, if misdirected, was admirable passion.

Most of all, he talked to the ‘demon’ in the cage. He looked properly at Northlight where others averted their eyes. He listened to the stories and answered the questions.

He wasn’t afraid.

Northlight hoped he wasn’t in trouble.

They got their answer, unwanted, when the sun was high in the sky and Irene, along with that man Fitch who was always with her, entered the church and called for him. Patience appeared from the back room, the one that had previously been Irene’s so-called workshop where she’d stored the blood. He looked exhausted, golden-red hairs slipping free of the braid, face flushed and clothes stained brown and red. Northlight watched him move, seeing the exhaustion in his heavy limbs. Poor child. Had he been working all morning in there, cleaning up the blood?

“Word is spreading among the village of a traitor. It seems the demon has its influence in someone, despite our efforts.” Irene’s voice was clipped, displeasure masking the stress. “The heretic will be found, even if they escaped my own notice.”

The boy, who was of course the traitor, spoke without a hint of nerves. “Could it have been someone from another village, Lady Irene? Mariton, perhaps?”

“Mm.” She wasn’t looking at him, instead considering Northlight. “Once the room is cleaned and the bottles replaced, we will perform the ritual again. Until then, I am looking into an answer.”

“My lady?”

She glanced his way. “Is the room clean?”

“Not yet, my lady.”

“Return to work.”

Patience hesitated, his lips parted, a question preparing for launch... Yet, he turned, dipping his head, and disappeared back into the bloodstained room.

Irene’s attention turned to Northlight. She walked forwards, and Fitch recognised her approach and stepped over to the side of the room. This was how they’d done things each time before the altar, and Northlight braced their body against the bars moments before the cage dropped, suddenly, as a result of Mr Fitch’s manipulations of the chain. The heavy snap of the chain going taut scared Northlight each time, as though this would be the time it dropped completely and slammed them into the floor.

Not this time. This time, the swaying resumed, and they caught their breath.

Irene approached the cage, staring disdainfully at him. Fitch moved closer with the solemn face of duty. Whatever she asked, he would give. Fitch, unlike Patience, never looked at Northlight’s face. Only the body.

“It is time for you to answer some questions, demon,” she says, her voice arch and cold like a chill up the back. “You have seen the future. Tell me of it.”

Northlight doesn’t know much about being a time traveller, but there’s one thing they’ve always known: if they give in to this request, ever, they’ll never be able to take it back. If they can tell the future for one person, for one reason, they’ll find other reasons. There will always be other reasons. They’ve never spoke of it, never told the truth about it. Not for Amelie and Matt, not for Rishi, not even in their warning to Patience Penrose. Never.

The first time they met the cult, in 1946, the kidnappers told them the rule had been broken, and they had told the cult what they knew of their future encounters. Northlight can only, only believe that it was a lie. They know this encounter breaks them, ruins them, they gathered that much from the mockeries they were given in 1946... But the future knowledge is not theirs to share. They must have lied.

“How long do I live, demon?” Irene says, betraying her selfishness by making that her second question. Fitch stands aside, of course, uncaring. She saved his life the old-fashioned way and he follows her everywhere. “Answer me. Do I still live in the future? Does the elixir work?”

Northlight won’t tell her the terrible truth. That she lives and breathes on, but looks more like a beautiful corpse than a living creature.

“Rotting, you stand,” they mutter, thinking of the Irene of 2020, her eyes crimson and her skin grey. “A corpse on two legs, like a snowman in the sun. Pitiful.”

Irene, as she is now, smiles on dry lips. “So I do. And do I keep you, or find you again?”

“Your hair is shredded straw bleached from colour. It is so ugly and dry that you tie it up day in, day out.”

“Enough. Answer the question.”

“Nobody knows what to say about your face. It’s like a half-eaten mushroom.” They’re making things up, now, and waiting for her to see the lie. “They can see your skull through your skin. You can barely walk. You’re weak as a dried leaf.”

“You have seen me. I must have found you.”

“When the sky is run ragged with birds of glass,” Northlight says, raising their voice into the storyteller’s lilt. “The seas are black as rainbows and handshakes are a mystery, we meet again, and you beg me for forgiveness.”

That, more than anything, sets her off. “Do not lie to me, demon.”

“I have lied to you more than I have told truths in my thousand-year lifetime.”

She stares at him. Her face is fuller and pinker than they are used to, but the glare is the same. Wicked eyes in an elegant face, and nothing but the desire to hurt, buried in the folds around her eyelids. She stands, swathed in the white silk and red scarf, black ribbons in her beautifully braided hair, and she hates him with such viciousness that she trembles with it.

Northlight takes no pleasure, but they do take relief.

“Free me,” they tell her, hardly expecting it to work, but willing to try. Their words carry, echoing from the high and crumbling roof of her stolen church. She blinks as though they brushed across her own cheek. “Free me now, Irene, and this future may not come to pass.”

She takes a breath. For one absurd moment, they think it worked.

“The future belongs to me, demon,” she says. Her stare sharpens into a smile. “You will answer my questions. Patience!”

Northlight flinches as the name is shouted, and footsteps echo through the chamber as the apprentice comes running. “Lady Irene?” he asks, a touch of flush on his cheeks from hearing her raise her voice for once. There is a little fear there, too, fear of having been caught in his defiance.

“To the altar, Patience. Mr Fitch, if you please.”

Northlight readies their nerves for another bloodletting session, but Mr Fitch does not approach to drag them there. Instead, Irene stays before them, and behind her they watch the two men go to the metal block she had dragged in to serve as her operating table.

Patience looked over to Irene when he arrived there, expecting his next order. Fitch did not. He grabbed the chain looped around the altar.

“Patience!” Northlight shouted, but was too late, as Fitch wrapped the boy with a deft move and slammed him down against the metal.

Northlight pushed their aching body to the front of the cage, causing it to swing nauseatingly in the air as they tried to watch as Fitch pinned Patience to the altar and chained his legs and arms into the position Northlight had already been so many times. The boy’s green eyes were wide and panicked, and he didn’t fight. Instead he looked to Irene, and she stared back, and he said, “Lady Irene?”

Fitch pulled the chains tight, wrists bound above the boy’s head and ankles yanked off the edge of the platform towards the floor. Northlight, even from their distance, could see his chest rising and falling rapidly.

They looked to Irene as she stepped forwards, skirt drifting along a step behind as she moved out of the bell tower and into the church proper. As she moved, the silver dagger slid from her sleeve into her hand.

Deathly quiet fell. Fitch’s hands pinned Patience’s shoulders. Irene circled to the altar’s other side, so that Northlight’s view of the boy was not obstructed. Patience’s breathing and the gentle creaks of the cage’s chain were the only sounds.

“The true use of an apprentice,” Irene said, and her voice was chiselled stone, “is not to teach the elixir. You and I both know, demon, that the mixture is as simple as blood and water.”

Patience’s eyes widened. He looked, once, away from Irene. Northlight met his gaze and nodded slowly. It was true.

“You did impress me, Patience. You created a bond with the creature. You made it care for you, mere moments after meeting it. That gave you value.” She stretched an arm out as she spoke, her dagger catching the light. Patience stopped breathing as it came to rest on his collarbone, a thin woollen shirt offering no protection.

“You wanted it to care for me,” he said, his voice tight. He couldn’t see the blade, so he kept on staring up at her. His wrist twisted in the chain behind Fitch, but it was secure. “You wanted to hurt me for its compliance.”

“Clever child,” Irene murmured. She turned her head and her gaze lanced across the open space to where Northlight sat pressed against the bars, hands around the metal, their eyes wider than Patience’s own. “Tell me of my future with you, demon. Tell me why I beg for your mercy.”

Northlight’s mouth was dry. Twenty-five years with nothing but the rain, and their mouth had never been this dry. The boy, young, still was learning himself, still finding his goals, testing his authorities with schemes in the night, and her knife sat against him as gently as the spring of a trap.

“Tell me,” Irene repeated, and her hand slid down, the blade behind like the tide to the moon, and the shirt parted like water, and the blood rose to stain it red. But the motion didn’t stop, the cut continuing down over the chest, down to the stomach, until Patience jerked and let out a small, scared noise.

Irene’s voice slapped across them. “Speak!”

“You don’t,” Northlight said, “you don’t beg me, I made that up. I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you anything or things would unravel. If you break your own timeline, Irene, you’ll be cursed to a life without sequence. You’ll be like me.”

“A risk I will take,” Irene said, implacable. “Now, tell me. Who do I become?”

It had come, the time they broke. They knew this was the time they broke, they said so, they told the cult and the cult told them back again, it was 1645 and the country was at war with itself and a boy in a derelict church lay tied to the altar as a sacrifice with nobody to help him but a demon in a cage with nothing but words.

“A goddess,” Northlight gasped out, when the knife slid again and Patience keened out a pain he had never felt before. “Don’t hurt him, they, they worship you, you lead a congregation, they kneel before you, they pledge their lives to you, don’t hurt him, you’re, you’re wealthy and adored and untouchable and you capture me over and over to keep feeding your stolen life, please don’t hurt him, please stop.”

The knife stopped. Patience’s chest heaved. Northlight couldn’t breathe anymore.

“You captured me the first time in 1946 and you keep me for twenty-five years and you gain followers like never before, there’s another war and everyone wants the elixir, and then you capture me in 1899 and you torture me because of how this ends and in 2020 you get me again and you experiment on me and that’s, that’s all I know, that’s all I can tell you please, don’t hurt him, please.”

The dagger was wiped on Patience’s shirt. It slipped back into her sleeve. She smiled, a thin sliver of light. “Four hundred years,” she murmured. Abandoning Patience, uncaring for his humanity, she walked back over to Northlight’s cage, where their hands gripped so tightly around the bars that their skin burned.

“Yes,” they said, distantly aware of tears running down their face. This was it, that was it. It was done. The vow, broken. “Please let him go.”

“No,” she said simply, lightly. She reached for their chin, and they held still, letting her look deeply into their eyes. The red seemed brighter. “There is more to learn about you, creature.”

[the-darklings]

—𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒂𝒏;

pairing: higgs monaghan x f!reader

word count: 3.7k+

summary: “The storm will always reach the shore. Such is the nature of storms. They destroy.”

warnings: mentions of child abuse, DOOMS side effects, swearing, major DT spoilers obviously.

notes: So I’m playing hard and loose with canon here. Personally, I much prefer the idea of Higgs being this nihilist who is so powerful it's almost like he's a mischievous demi-god wrecking the world simply because he CAN. Because it’s his idea of kindness to end it all now. We’re just, uh, gonna mostly ignore EE here.

There’s a girl here.

There should be no girl here.

He doesn’t visit often—not anymore, at least. Not since his Beach has started giving him an odd, haunting sort of feeling.

The marvel of being able to see his own most private space struck a sense of awe in him once. Fragile jumped him here the first time.

And oh how he remembers that trip. The sensation of being here. The feeling of the sea breeze, the potent charge and heaviness that hung in the air like it was seconds away from storming.

The sea is restless now too, waves beating angrily against the shore as he stands there watching. Storm clouds boil ominous and dark in the distance, hanging over the distant horizon like a shroud.

His Beach is a rather desolate place. But it’s his and his alone.

That’s why an idea of someone else being here, in his space, rattles him.

For the first time in a long time, he feels unnerved.

Not even Fragile came that time.

No one, not even Amelie, has seen his Beach.

But the intruder stands knee-deep in the swirling water, gaze focused on the far distance. If Higgs had to take a guess, he thinks that you, too, are watching the clouds. Perhaps you’re wondering if the storm is going to reach the shore.

The storm will always reach the shore. Such is the nature of storms. They destroy.

The intruder suddenly tenses, turns, as if sensing that something is not right, but Higgs is faster. Between one breath and the next, he jumps right in front of you. He stands on top of the water, towering over you, and tilts his head in an open display of curiosity.

He catches a glimpse of your face. The parting of lips, the widening of your eyes, a startled gasp.

He reaches for you, ready to get his answers, but his hand sails through thin air instead.

He leans back, startled, and watches the dark remains of chiral matter tickle his gloved fingers.

Well, well, how interesting.

He knows you’ll be back.

There is no real way for him to know for sure, but he does.

He considers it a gut feeling and it has rarely failed him in the past.

Of course, just like expected, he’s right.

He’s made a habit of keeping a more careful vigil over his Beach ever since the little run-in, and he finds you once again breaching his space only three days later.

This time, he can sense you clearer, sharper.

The fact that you’re able to jump from his Beach at will suggest your DOOMS level is high. The tickle of curiosity makes him focus, inhale deeply, sensing and considering you as he watches. He wonders what’s your reason for coming here.

Why would you return if you know someone else is possibly occupying this space?

This time, instead of standing still you’re walking, your head tilted towards the sky in wide-eyed wonder.

He tears through the Beach, appearing right in front of you.

You stagger to a stop, instinctively shrinking back from his dark get up and golden skull mask. He cuts an imposing figure, he knows that. It still doesn’t stop him from smiling smugly beneath his masks though.

He knows you’re going to jump even before your fight or flight response kicks in, and he twists his arm, the black coil of BT energy wrapping around your arm like a rope.

You jump anyway and drag him with you like an unruly dog with an unassuming owner.

The jump only takes you about a hundred meters before you stumble to a stop, turning frantically to stare at your arm. You shake it frantically, trying to loosen the tight grip but Higgs clenches his fingers further and the black mass connecting you together contracts further.

He feels a pang of vague disappointment and annoyance. Are you not as powerful as he first suspected? He waits for you to use your DOOMS to break free but instead, you stagger forward, jumping again.

And again.

Again.

Irritation prickles his nerves as you drag him through half the Beach with stubbornness alone. Still, this is what he wants in a sense; for you to tire yourself out, to show just how powerful you truly are. You can’t keep this up forever.

“Let me go!”

“You’re free to go,” he drawls, mockery clear in his voice. “Go on then.”

Your eyes rage like the storm on the horizon and Higgs chuckles under his breath. The sound gets cut off almost immediately when he feels a swell of energy from his intruder. An arm pulsing with pure darkness and silver explodes from thin air, ripping the rope he’s fashioned between you.

The hand disappears the moment the action is done, leaving the air thick with chiralium, and you swaying on your feet. Higgs doesn’t waste time, he appears behind you, wrapping his arm around your neck as he presses you flush against him.

“Hmm, dear me,” he hums cheerfully against your ear, and you squirm desperately in his arms, panting. Exhausted. “Someone went ahead and got themselves into a predicament, didn’t we? You jump now, you take me with you.”

“Let go of me!”

“I don’t think so,” he says, his voice dipping into something colder. “Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice…well, there is no second time.”

He doesn’t see the headbutt coming till it connects with his face. The impact rattles his masks—barely a tickle, really—and he suspects you did more damage to yourself than him.

He laughs. He can’t quite help it.

Snapping his fingers, he steps back, gathering the already thick output of chiralium from you earlier performance to give life to the black tar that crawls up your body like shackles, bringing you to your knees.

“You’re an interesting little thing, ain’t ya?” he quips with a smile, tilting his head to get a better look at your face. Your expression is sallow and twisted with concentration as you breathe heavily. “So, you’re able to summon Gazers, huh? Or part summon at least. Ooh, but you don’t look so good,” he mocks, bending down to your level.

You trash, glaring, but have clearly exhausted yourself too much with you earlier performance. Tears roll down your cheeks and he tsks, leaning back before standing to circle you.  

“Who are you?” you demand but it’s a winded and exhausted attempt to appear strong.

Still, brownie points for effort.

“Oh me? I’m nobody,” he answers and leans closer, putting his fingers under your chin so he can meet your stare head-on. “And I’m everybody.”

He jumps behind you and observes with mild interest as you fight…so hard to get loose.

For a moment it takes him back to the shelter. It revives memories of his Daddy, of those powerful arms dragging him back—

“How did you find this place?”

Silence answers him, and in the far distance thunder rumbles.

He leans over you from behind, the coldness of his mask brushing against your warm cheek. “Didn’t your mama teach you that it’s rude to trespass, hm?”

“I’m not trespassing,” you snap, sounding as frustrated as he feels. “I’ve always been able to come here.”

Implying that the last two times have clearly not been the first. Underneath his mask, Higgs frowns in thought. Something like that shouldn’t be possible.

Some freak bleed-through effect as the network grows more powerful, perhaps? Or maybe your DOOMS level is powerful enough to give you access without you even realising it?

He could ask Amelie but, well, it seems like he’ll have to do some old-fashioned digging. The thought of just anyone being able to come here without his permission makes an angry growl bubble at the back of his throat.  

“Then I suggest you forget the path to this place real quick, honey.”

A sigh of indisputable frustration. “I’ve tried.”

“Try harder,” he insists, and this time the jovial undertone is completely absent. “Or the next time I find you here, I will scatter your remains across my Beach.”

With that, he turns to go.

“W-Wait! I can’t get out.”

He doesn’t bother turning around. “That’s not my problem.”

And then he’s gone.

Beach Log #1

-

There’s a girl in my Beach.

The Beach.

The one place where no one should be able to gain access some stranger apparently can just wander in whenever she pleases.

If I applied my Daddy’s logic to this, I should have just “encouraged” the truth out of her. I could have. And it would have been easy, too, with how exhausted she was. But I didn’t want to because where’s the fun in that? Maybe it’s because she almost reminded me—

No. There’s no point in even allowing myself to think about such bullshit. The past is the past.

The girl is powerful though. Being able to even partially summon a Grazer is…something.

Regardless, I’ve never seen her before, have no attachment to her whatsoever, nor she with me. Which then raises a rather interesting question for the class: how was she able to find my Beach? How is she able to come and go as she pleases?

I will find out. I always do.

It’s only a matter of time before she’s back again.

I don’t know how I know, but I do.

What a goddamn mess.

He finds you crying.

Normally, he loves it when people start sobbing in his presence, except this time he knows the tears have little to do with him. Or at least, he assumes so, considering you still haven’t spotted him.

He approaches deliberately, power sizzling between his fingers. He told you what will happen if you wander in here again, and while admittedly he’s become rather interested in learning more, it still irks him to see you back.

Waves beat against you as you kneel in the dark sand, the distant rumble of thunder the only sound between you. You know he’s here. He stands before you and waits.

He’s not sure what for, exactly, perhaps for you to plead for your life. To fight, which would be preferable. A challenge is always welcomed.

“Do you have a death wish, girl?” he speaks, at last, having grown bored of waiting.

By this point, your sobbing has subsided into an occasional sniffle and he watches with a degree of interest as your head rises. A large wave washes over your body, making you shiver, and your teeth clench when your eyes meet.

They’re bloodshot but furious and sad too.

“I’m not afraid of you,” you whisper but it’s a dead and hollow thing.

He knows that look. Has seen it plenty of times staring back at him in every reflective surface when he was still a brat. Trapped and unable to leave, wasting away with his stomach in knots and nursing dark bruises. He knows what a wild, trapped thing looks like. He’s spent years being one of them.

He escaped when his Daddy died. He imagines you haven’t been quite so lucky.

He wonders, then, if that’s why you find your way here. If perhaps his Beach recognises that frantic hurt, the restless longing for freedom in you as well.

“Oh, I’ve heard that plenty of times in the past,” he remarks scornfully, raising his arm and watches how power curls through his fingers with that effortless ease he now treasures so fiercely. “Can you guess where they all ended up?”

“I don’t know how I get here,” you mutter instead, but your gaze is cautious, wary. Smart girl. “I’m not doing anything wrong either. I just…come here. It’s peaceful. It’s—”

“An escape?”

Your eyes jump to him in surprise. Teardrops still cling to your lashes, clumping them together. You look like a mess, and he’s inclined to tell you so but before he can, you stagger to your feet. Unsteady but determined.

“I won’t bother you, I promise,” you explain hurriedly, and look like you’re about to take a step towards him but think better of it. “Just—can I please continue coming here?”

Your hopeful eyes try to find his own beneath the mask and he chuckles. It’s a scathing sound and he jumps behind you, making you flinch.

“Let me think about that one,” he drawls lazily, “Hm. Nope. No can do. Go to your own Beach.”

Recoiling, you turn around to stare up at him with a mix of bitter disappointment. Your drenched appearance isn’t doing you any favours in helping you appear more menacing either. Just more miserable.  

“I—I can’t.”

“Sweet thing, you’re saying that with a tone that implies I should give a damn, and, uh,” he says, nodding his head from side to side as if in deep thought. “I really don’t. But I’ll bite. Why can’t you go?”

You wring your hands together but halt when you notice his attention drift towards the restless motion. “I…it makes me feel…unwell.”

Oh?

“What’s your DOOMS level?” is his sharp and immediate response.

Your eyes fly up to him and you visibly swallow.

Sore question, huh? He figured it had something to do with your DOOMS level from the start but this as good as confirms it.

“That’s private,” you respond firmly, your eyes regaining some of that sheen from your second meeting, from your fight. “I don’t even know who you are.”

Higgs sighs loudly, spreading his arms to either side of him like he looks forward to welcoming you into his embrace. “I am the owner of this Beach. Which means my rules are at play right now,” he explains and wags his finger at you like you’re a naughty child. In some sense, you are. “And don’t try to lie to me, either. I can sense it. The power that simmers under your skin. Hmm, oh yes. I do believe that I know exactly what ails you.”

Your eyes widen, your lips part in wonder, and it’s almost miserable how full of hope you look in that moment. “You—you do? Tell me.”

“Tsk, tsk, what do I look like to you?” he wonders, gesturing at himself, but doesn’t wait for your reply. “A charitable man? Sorry to disappoint but no dice. Your DOOMS level first.”

The hesitation marring your face is understandable. This world is cruel with those without power, and it is—perhaps—even crueller to those with power. Higgs is starting to piece together a murky image when it comes to you. An image that tells him that you have no idea how to harness that great power lurking deep down. It tells him that DOOMS is eating you from inside out and you have no idea how to cope because no one has shown you how.

Once—no, more than once—he’s been in a similar position. A position of no power, no resources, no future. Of course, that’s before he realised how idiotic it is to hope for a better world. Before he freed himself of the shackles holding him down, binding him to this endless struggle till he eventually dies.

Better raze everything in existence to nothing before he goes out.

“It was Level Six but—”

A whistle slips free and filters through his mask, echoing across the otherwise empty Beach as your eyes narrow. He can’t help but throw his head back and laugh loudly. He jumps to your side and leans closer towards your face.

“My, my,” he coos softly, his words taunting as he ghosts his fingers over your chin. “You’ve grown stronger, haven’t you? Just like me.”

You pull back, a step at the time only, and he can at least respect the fact that you don’t scurry away like a spooked animal. You shouldn’t either. In real life, outside this Beach at least, he imagines you’re powerful enough to cause all sorts of trouble.

Something tells him that others know it too. That’s why his Beach is an escape. Why you’re so desperate to stay.

But why him? And why now?

He turns away from you, dismissive, and steps onto the water. He stays on top of the restless surface and lowers his head to look at his blurred reflection beneath. The golden mask gleams even in the murky mirror.

A mask not for death, he swore to himself once, but for ruling. For life.

He glances back at you. You stand shivering and wary on the shore, and he snorts under his breath. Miserable, but powerful little thing. Alone too.

Wild and trapped.

“Stay if you will, but I promise you this: you will find no peace here.”

Higgs can tell you’re about to appear approximately five seconds before you actually bloom into existence.

It’s a tickle of power, almost like a hand reaching out and grasping onto him, before you appear in a swirl of black and silver. Your knees fold and you sink onto them, your lips cracked and mouth twisted into an unhappy line.

“You look like shit.”

You don’t say anything in reply to that. You simply breathe. In fact, you inhale so deeply, he reckons your lungs expand to their full capacity. It’s like you haven’t drawn a single breath since the last time he saw you here.

Higgs watches the storm in the distance, his elbows resting on his raised knees as he waits for the swelling waves to finally reach you both.

Your hands drop to either side of you, and your fingers dig into the dark sand desperately. Your relief at being here is palpable, and he would be lying if he didn’t admit to himself that he finds it as irritating as he does fascinating.

His eyes slide unhurriedly across the landscape.

It’s a miserable fucking place.

Dark sand, dark sky, dark water. 

Dark as far as the eye can see.

There is nothing about this place that should make you think of safety, of comfort.

The expression on your face says otherwise though.

Your eyes are closed, head tilted upwards, and your inhales and exhales are slow, rhythmical. Peaceful.

“What’s your name?”

When you finally do decide to speak, it’s hardly what he expects or wants. He’s here to observe you only until he can find a way to forcefully expel you from here. He’s already tried last time but failed.

It seems like you’ve lodged yourself into his Beach like a splinter. For now.

“That’s a rather shitty attempt to distract yourself, sweetheart.”

Because that’s exactly what you’re doing. Except he’s not here to give you free therapy for whatever issues you have going on. He has his own shit to handle.

“If you have nothing to hide then why wear a mask?” you wonder instead, and sound genuinely curious. “Does it mean anything?”

“It’s a symbol,” he replies and honestly doesn’t know why. Boredom, probably. “A face is not necessary for my plans. But, oh how humanity will know my name before they’re complete.”

He’s still staring towards the horizon but feels and hears your head turn in his direction. “What plans?”

A chuckle rumbles from deep inside his chest. “The type to give a little girl like you nightmares.”

“I already have nightmares,” you shoot back, and there’s a sliver of ice in your voice that makes his lips curl in amusement beneath the mask. “I told you. You don’t frighten me.”

Of course. He bets your nightmares are almost as bad as his own.

He teleports in front of you, crouching till you’re both facing each other, and his amusement only increases with your shallow—startled—exhale. “Oh yeah? And what haunts your nightmares, girl?”

You stare at him for a long moment, tight-lipped and stubborn, and he wonders if you think he’s buying into your little act. A valiant effort, but redundant.

“You.”

He laughs at that; a dry, unfriendly sound as he pats your cheek in a shallow display of mocking affection. “Good,” he mutters and rises to his feet. “I can live with that.”

Higgs does feel some semblance of surprise when you rise to your feet right after him though. “Why won’t you tell me your name? I’m (Name).”

Because he doesn’t want to.

Because you’re wary but brave too.

Because you don’t trust him—perhaps even fear him, despite how you keep insisting otherwise—but not for the reasons everyone else does.

To you, he’s just a man in a mask whose Beach you’ve decided to hijack.

There is, admittedly, a certain degree of freedom when it comes to that ignorance on your part.

The less you know, the better. It’s not like you will be coming here for much longer anyway. He will make sure of it.

Perhaps, he can indulge in that ignorance for a little bit longer in the meantime.

“I don’t care.”

Before he disappears, he could swear he hears a chime of weak laughter follow, but the sound is ripped away from him by the jump.  

Beach Log #2

-

Maybe I should have killed her when I first saw her intruding.

Of course, that thought crossed my mind. I’m me.

Truth be told—and ain’t that a kicker—I’m not sure why I didn’t when I had the chance. Now the girl has gone ahead and made herself interesting. Just peachy.

She is powerful though. And she could be useful.

If the Last Stranding is to pass as I hope, I may need some triumph cards at my disposal. The girl—(Name)—is untapped power potential. I wager she’s even more powerful than Fragile. Ha. Just my luck.

She has that look in her eyes that I like too. A wild thing ready to break free.

Her body is weak though. Power always comes at a price, I would know. DOOMS is a poison she has no idea how to deal with, and I have a feeling someone is purposely keeping her crippled, dependant. Disgusting. But with the right encouragement…

She might become mighty yet.

If not, I will kill her. She knows too much and has access to my Beach. I can’t have loose ends. Fragile is bad enough.

She reminds me of myself though. It almost makes me hope she doesn’t disappoint.

. . .

an: I’m trash and I will never change. I do have plans for more (since this is only a small part of the longer narrative I planned to write) so if you guys would like to see more, let me know! We’re all thirsty for goth Troy Baker and honestly who can blame us? Thank you for reading!

[vlindervin7]

Everything you write is good. Can you write something about clingy David? Him just needing and wanting Matteo?

Thank you, dear anon. Here you gooooo. Can’t say it’s the best thing ever written, but this is a good concept. I like it

It had been an unusually hot day, the first of a series of four if Matteo can believe his weather app. It’s nearing eleven thirty, and the air is only now losing some of the unbearable heat, offering refreshment to Matteo’s bare arms. He had a late shift at the restaurant, arriving at Carlos and Kiki’s place a bit late. Summer isn’t really summer without stupid parties at his friends’ houses, Mattoe thinks, so he came, even though all he wanted was to strip and lay on his bed spread eagle while he takes sips of water and waits for his body to fall asleep. 

But where’s the fun in that? 

He rings the doorbell and pushes the building door open when someone buzzes him in. He climbs the stairs and finds the apartment door open already, loud music booming out of it. By the sound of things there seem to be more people than Carlos originally told them there would be. 

Jonas greets him immediately once he enters, leaning against the wall next to the front door with a beer in hand, talking to a girl Matteo doesn’t know. ‘Luigi!’, he yells when he sees him enter, and Matteo can’t help but smile at his loud, slightly drunk voice. He’s already glad he came. ‘You made it! Finally, dude, we’ve been here ages.’ 

‘Yeah. Work, you know’, Matteo answers, because there truly is nothing else to say. 

‘Yeah, yeah’, Jonas says absentmindedly, before turning back to the girl he’s talking to as if he just remembered something. ‘Hey, this is Amelie. She’s in one of my classes, and that’s Matteo, my best friend.’

Matteo smiles at Amelie and pretends not to feel a little spark of happiness at Jonas’ way of introducing him. It’s definitely not the first time and he really should be used to it, but he doesn’t think he’ll ever be to people openly acknowledging Matteo plays an important part in their life. 

Matteo’s just about to walk further into the apartment to find something to drink, when Jonas calls him back one more time to say: ‘You should find David. He’s been waiting for you since he got here.’ 

Matteo frowns at that. They hadn’t seen each other today, as David had morning classes and Matteo had work starting in the afternoon before David got back. It’s always weird to spend a day without seeing David, something that doesn’t sit quite right, but they do live together so it’s not like it’s been ages. 

Plus, David never feels out of place at parties like Matteo does sometimes, and especially not when the majority of the people present are their friends, so it’s a bit strange for Jonas to mention it. Matteo isn’t worried per se, but he’s also not completely at ease. 

Matteo walks further into the apartment. It’s not a large place by any means, but he still runs into most of his other friends before he spots David. When he does, though, he finds him sitting on one of the seats by the window, next to a talking Kiki. His face is turned her way, but he doesn’t seem to be listening or even looking at her. He nods regularly, which must keep her going, but Matteo can tell from across the room he’s not taking any of it in.

He can also tell the moment his eyes land on Matteo, because his entire expression changes from badly feigned interest to immediate joy upon seeing Matteo. That’s another thing Matteo should be used to after all these months probably, but can’t imagine ever being. The way David looks so undeniably happy to see him every time, that Matteo can tell how means he means to David just by looking at his face. Who needs poetry and public gestures when he has the anthology of David’s love available to read in his eyes whenever he wishes. 

Matteo makes his way through the crowd until he’s standing in front of the couch. ‘Hey.’ 

At the sound of his voice, David’s smile grows even wider and so does the love in Matteo’s chest. ‘Hey.’ 

Kiki rolls her eyes and gets up. ‘Maybe you can get through to him, because he hasn’t been listening to anything I’ve been saying.’ 

Once, she’s gone, Matteo takes her place and sits down. David has a strange look on his face and he’s not moving to greet him either. ‘So, why haven’t you been listening to Kiki?’ 

David shrugs. ‘Kiki’s stories can be…’

‘Boring?’, Matteo suggests with a smile. 

David shakes his head at him in disapproval, but he’s still smiling. ‘Not always interesting.’ 

‘Ah, because those are very different things.’ Matteo doesn’t really have anything against Kiki, he’d even go as far as saying he’s come to care for her in a way, especially because he knows she makes one of his best friends so incredibly happy, but he doesn’t think he’ll ever be truly interested in the things she has to say. 

‘Shut up’, David says, ruining the meaning of the words when right after saying them he lets his forehead rest against Matteo’s shoulder. ‘And I missed you.’ 

Matteo almost asks if David is drunk because he’s not normally this sappily affectionate in public except for when he’s had a drink too many, but he really doesn’t seem to be. He’s never been very good at hiding his intoxication. 

Matteo wraps an arm around David’s waist and pulls him close to him despite the heat. There are a few ventilators scattered throughout the room, but the day’s heat hasn’t vacated the place entirely yet and Matteo is pretty sure it won’t before the sun comes up again. ‘Long day?’

David makes an affirmative noise against Matteo’s shoulders and then shifts slightly so his head is resting more on Matteo’s neck, but his mouth is free. ‘Just shitty profs and then we tried to work on that group project, which really didn’t go as planned. And then my phone died, so I couldn’t even text you about it. Just… needed to see you.’ 

And that Matteo can understand, so he simply kisses the top of David’s head before resting his head on the couch behind him. He’s not very good at relaxing at parties, especially when completely sober, but David’s touch and nearness always has an immediately calming effect on his body, so he sits there for a few minutes stuck in some weird mix of those two. 

He’s getting progressively thirstier the more the minute pass by, though, so he stays that way for a few minutes, before he sits up. He wants to stand, too, but then David holds his arm back and makes this high-pitched whining sound that Matteo really just cannot ignore.

‘What are you doing?’, David asks, also sitting up a little bit. On second thought, he doesn’t look drunk at all, just very tired. 

‘Getting us something to drink.’  

David shakes his head faster than he usually would and tries to pull Matteo back into their earlier position. Matteo is in no way strong enough to resist his boyfriend, who is being very cute right now, and so he lets himself be pulled until he’s leaning against the backrest again and David has made himself comfortable against his chest. 

He can’t deny the warmth growing and spreading, going straight from his heart to the rest of his body. Matteo often needs to have David close, to feel his body strong against his, to remind him that he’s here and that he has love in his life and that he can let go of some of the tension he carries around. He doesn’t try to hide that he’s a very tactile person that needs the reassurance of being loved. He’s always been that way, although at one point he tried to repress that part a bit as he feared it would reveal things about himself he didn’t want to get out. But it’s not a secret anymore. 

His boyfriend has to deal with that side of him more than anyone else, and Matteo often feels as if he’s too needy, or annoying, or asking for too much, that one day he’ll ask for affection and care, and David will have had enough. It hasn’t happened yet. He always gives in with a smile and holds Matteo close. 

One night when it had all been a bit too loud in his brain, Matteo had confessed his fears. David had kissed him and told him that if Matteo wasn’t so forthcoming with his touch, David would be the one asking for it, because he needs it just as much, that being close to Matteo and not touching, even a press of fingertips, feels wrong and unnatural. It had quieted Matteo’s fears in the moment, but it doesn’t stop them from resurfacing now and again.

This is a nice change. It feels good to be so obviously needed, instead of being the needy one. 

How could he refuse his boyfriend anything right now? 

So, he stays and he tries to ignore everything that isn’t the weight on his chest, David’s breath against his neck, his hand on his waist. He manages somewhat. 

After a while of sitting in silence, Matteo’s favorite kind of silence, the one that sounds like love and understanding, David raises his head again. Matteo smiles when their eyes meet. 

‘I know you just got here, but… can we leave?’, David asks, his voice quiet, either from tiredness or embarrassment. Matteo hopes it’s the first one. He never wants David to feel like he does in any way ever. 

Matteo raises his eyebrows in a suggestive manner, hoping to get a smile out of his boyfriend. It works. ‘Shut up. Not to go have sex, dumbass. I just --’, he shrugs, before continuing, ‘Want some time with you.’ 

Matteo smiles and gets up. How could he ever say no to that? ‘Let’s go then’, he says, holding out his hand. David takes it and kisses him once he’s up. 

‘Let’s go then’, he agrees.

[mxrcayong]

Hi!! Can I request a soulmate au with Winwin please 😊? You don’t have to write it if you don’t want to. Thank you so much, and I hope you’re having a wonderful day! 💜

hi love <3 i’d love to write it haha i hope you’re having a wonderful day as well <3 i didn’t know which soulmate au you’d like so i just kinda randomly chose it and i hope its okay  😊 if it’s not what you’d like, feel free to send a message or another request and i’ll re-do it  💜 💜 💜 + sorry for the wait!! i hope this does your request justice x

soulmate au prompt: Every so often you will get flashes of what your soulmate is seeing at the time, however your soulmate does not know when it happens AND You have a clock that counts down until you first talk to your soulmate.

Growing up, you’ve been told that there are only two ways that the “most important person in your whole life” will be ageing with you (until you meet them of course). The first one being the clock on your wrist; something that looks like a faded tattoo, counting down every minute. It’s considered a gift from the higher aboves when you turn the age you will meet your soulmate. The second one being your sight; every year on your birthday - even before gifted with the countdown, you get a glimpse of their day - temporarily seeing what they see. 

You’ve never been a fan of the idea of soulmates - it felt too simplistic. Someone else cannot simply complete you - right? They cannot complete you as much as people say they do, at least. It’s hard to believe someone completes you so much you get their vision temporarily or that your whole body counts down too meeting them. However, part of you only is questioning the whole idea of soulmates - this part fueled by the sight you see everyday. 

Out of everyone you knew, you got the countdown clock the latest. Your temporary visions were always the most out there or tame that you always believed them to be a dream. From seeing the adoring fans you see on stage to the empty practice room, those are the only minute visions you’ve been seeing for the last three years. 

You used to think you had no soulmate, until a few months ago on your last birthday. A faded black mark appeared on your wrist; but it was the highest number you’ve seen in your city. 

All your friends who had countdowns on their wrists seemed to meet their soulmate within a month or two; bumping into them on the street or finally saying ‘hello’ after months of walking past them on the crowded roads, just two people living through life - unaware of their importance to each other. 

“Babe,” Your co-worker Amelie chuckled as she turned away from the counter to talk to you, who was currently making another vanilla frap and caramel latte from the couple who just walked in. “You know, your time is running up. How many hours left until you meet them?” She had noticed how you went quiet after she talked about meeting her soulmate the other day.  

You refused to look at the clock that haunts your everyday. “I rather not check.” This isn’t only to avoid the painful reminder of the time you have to wait, but ever since your hatred for your own countdown existed - you started questioning if soulmate clocks and visions are beneficial. Isn’t part of dating and meeting people dating random people? 

You can’t lie and say that everyone in town waits for their soulmate. You, yourself, had dated a few people - knowing it wasn’t going to last, but hoping it would. But it didn’t feel right - it never felt like how her family described being in love. Your father always said being with your soulmate feels like you’re ‘completed’, like if you die right now - you’d be ‘satisfied’. A feeling of eternal bliss and satisfaction, her aunt said before clarifying the bliss and satisfaction comes from the reduced feeling of worries for the future. 

“You know, you’ll find them some day.” Amelie sighed, turning to make the next cup of coffee for the newest customer. “Like, you know they’re out there - look at your clock. That’d be a sudden zero or not there if they weren’t.” 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s been over 9 months now since your last birthday and you’ve given up on your countdown. Endless waiting and constant checking has barely done you any good - so, three months ago, you’ve worn a series of bracelets over the cursed countdown. 

Despite your proclaimed hatred for this soulmate you’ve barely met; you can’t stop wondering what they’d be like, your dreams piecing along all the visions and facts you’ve known about him. You dreamed he had kind eyes and a loving heart, someone who’d go out of his way to love you. 

But then you’d always wake up alone. It’s not like your purpose surrounds them - but in this universe, where everyone seems to scream from the rooftops about the importance of loving your soulmate - you’re stuck. 

It doesn’t help the cafe you work at is called ‘red string cafe’. Your boss came from a certain province in China and therefore, his countdown clock was replaced with the concept of the red string of fate. He would close his eyes and see the string and where it leads. He knew he met the love of his life, and your other boss, when the string was only a meter along and led him to her. 

Additionally, ‘red string cafe’ was a nod to the fact so many couples have met in this busting coffee shop. There used to be a deal where if you had just met your soulmate in the coffee shop, then you get free coffee. But they started handing out free coffee to everyone at least once. So, now, they just have one full wall full of photos of the couples who have found their destiny in the cafe. 

You felt like that was just a way of the universe mocking you. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a late day at the cafe. Part of you regretted offering to take up Amelie’s hours as she plans her wedding, but what are friends for? 

Ian - a coworker you’ve interacted with only five times before this evening - had fallen asleep on the counter. He was committed to his soulmate Carter for the last three years after meeting at this cafe. The day after meeting him, Ian signed up to work here - believing this place is a place of destiny. But it was obvious Ian didn’t think that anymore as his head rested on the cash register, waiting for any new customers to join the few night owls who are typing away at their laptops. 

You were cleaning the dishes - not wanting to wake Ian, especially as the two of you were talking absolute nonsense prior to him falling asleep. Talking about the newest TV show coming out to giving each of the customers present background stories in hushed whispers. 

Suddenly, a chime made Ian fall to the floor - a sign of a new customer...well, customers. You laughed at Ian’s predicament - quickly helping him up from his spot sprawled over the tiled floor. 

“Hello! Welcome to the red string cafe, where we hope you find your perfect match of coffee.” Ian said the usual greeting they say to customers that look new to the store, while you cringed as you start putting seven mugs closer to the coffee machine - preparing for their order. It was a small local cafe - so regulars are the biggest customer base. New people at the store have been hard to come by, especially due to the time of year of exam finals. “How can we help you today?” They quickly ordered; 2 iced coffees, 1 hot chocolate, 3 frappuccinos, and 1 americano. “Feel free to take a seat and we’ll bring the drinks to you.”

As soon as the boys took a seat at the booth in the far corner, Ian turned around and joined you in making the drinks. “I bet you they’re jetlagged and they’re...” Ian started thinking of a fun job, “international secret spies sent to the cafe to spy on the patrons as one person here has the secret to fixing the world.” 

You rolled your eyes, continuing to make one of the drinks. “I bet you they were sent from the future to come and tell a patron here of their destiny, because right now, they’re writing a proposal on how coffee can save the world.” 

“Nah, I like mine better.” Ian jokingly shrugged, putting down the drinks on the tray. “You bring it to them please, I think permanently injured my knee.” 

You, again, rolled your eyes and groaned. “You big baby.” 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kind eyes. Loving heart. 

I guess your dreams have come true. 

A year since that encounter, you’ve moved homes and your whole life changed. 

The timid boy who ordered an iced coffee and accidentally bumped into you on his way to the bathroom, almost spilling the tray before he helped stabilise it, had been your soulmate. 

They were right. When you look into the eyes of your soulmate and when you’re together, any future preoccupations are gone. It feels like you’re completed; a puzzle that took years to finish, but finished nevertheless. 

The visions from your birthday were right; you saw the thousands of adoring fans cheer in front of your soulmate, begging for an encore after encore after encore. But the night was over and they’re out of songs. 

As soon as the group ran backstage, Winwin tackled you into a hug - spinning you around. You ignored the feeling of sweat that accumulated from the performance; a feeling of warmth and love spread from the inside of your body.  

“Let’s go home.” He smiled, whispering in your ear, still hugging you tightly. It was the last day of the WayV tour and they finished back where they started; home. “I cannot wait to spend all night with you.” He smiled sweetly. 

“Over iced coffee?” You teased, pinching his cheek. 

“I’ll make it this time.” He smiled.

Yes, the wait was long and tedious. Yes, the wait made you feel as if you never had a soulmate to begin with. 

But it was so worth it. Because you’ve never felt as loved and at home and at peace as you did with Sicheng. 

[kaleidescope-writes]

Heart of Audrilluria- Chapter XXI; Dreams Come True

Modern Fairytale AU

Prince King!Tom Hiddleston x Thief Queen! Reader

Designated Song: Hidden Feelings by Zara, Phoebe, and Lo

Please read the Author’s Note

Ready to fall in love?

Removing the glass from her lips, Y/N swallowed the water nervously. It had been almost two years since she’d returned to Audrilluria with Thomas and today was the day they’d vow to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife. And if that wasn’t nerve-wracking enough, she’d also make her vows to be queen. Something she’d been rehearsing since the day Thomas proposed. Her dream man came with a package. A package that just so happened to include a country… And seven kids.

“I’m sweating like a pig in the desert,” Y/N complained, fanning herself with a notecard that contained her vows. “There’s no sweat, you’re fine,” Amelie comforted, “Now close your eyes, I need to make you look naturally beautiful for your husband to be.” Y/N closed her eyes, desperately trying to continue fanning herself before Amelie took the notecard from her hand. “It’s hot in here, I don’t want to sweat in my dress,” Y/N whined, keeping her eyes closed. “It’s not hot,” Amelie laughed as she continued to apply a natural-looking eyeshadow to Y/N’s lids, “You’re nervous. Honestly, if I was marrying a handsome, gentle, kind, and downright amazing king, I would be nervous too.” Y/N laughed mockingly, “You’ll find someone. Maybe not a king, but someone.” 

Before Amelie had a chance to respond, the door opened and Augustus walked in. “How is the bride?” he asked excitedly, holding a clear, plastic box that contained the fresh flower bouquet. “The bride, if you must know, is anxious out of her mind,” Y/N replied as Amelie added the final touches to her eyeliner before reaching for the mascara. “You’ll be fine,” Augustus laughed as he set the bouquet down on the table near the sisters. “See,” Amelie began, finishing with Y/N’s makeup, “Gus and I both agree you’ll be fine. It’ll be fine. Besides, Tom loves you, pig sweat, and all.” Y/N rolled her eyes, looking over to the bouquet box to admire the freshly picked flowers. “So what did you decide on for my flowers?” she asked, looking over to Augustus. “Well,” he began, “Since I had to describe you love in flowers while sticking to the theme, I went for baby’s breath for the innocence of first love, white gardenias for the joy of the celebration, red roses for true love, pink roses for grace, ivory roses to represent your charm, and blush noisettes for a modern yet elegant touch. All flowers were picked from the garden.” 

Y/N smiled, still admiring the bouquet, “I want to believe you looked up the meaning of flowers in preparation for the wedding.” Augustus gave her a proud smile, “Since Thomas showed me the ring he was going to use to propose with.” Y/N chuckled, looking down at the ring. The mock sapphire gem gleaming under the light of the sun. Her thoughts took her back to the day he proposed, the familiar feeling spreading from her stomach. She felt it every time she was around him, thinking about him, and every time they kissed. Love.

“When you’re done daydreaming,” Amelie teased, “Maybe you can finally tell me about the ring you’re staring at while I help you with your dress.” Y/N snapped out of her thoughts, standing to walk over to the panel divider to change out of her nightwear and into her wedding dress. “I’m curious too,” Augustus said, “Why the mock sapphire ring?” Whilst changing, Y/N explained behind the panel, “We all remember when I stole the heart’s replica. Well, I left the gemstone heart behind with a note for Thomas that said ‘Real or fake, this shouldn’t belong to me’, referring to the heart. When he brought the replica back, he had a professional jeweler change them again so that the replica could have the gem it originally came with. As for the one I had put in its place, I thought he threw it away. Apparently, he had this ring specially made with a piece of the mock sapphire as the center jewel of the rose. He had another piece of the mock sapphire embedded into his wedding band. The rose in my ring is a symbol of what we consider was our first date in the garden. The day he proposed, he told me ‘Real or fake, this heart belongs to you. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.’ And I knew I had to say yes.” 

Amelie stared lovingly at her sister as she attached the veil to her hair. “He’s so sappy! I love it!” she said, taking a step back to admire her work, “And you look absolutely perfect.” Y/N walked out of the barrier created by the divider, allowing Augustus to see her. As soon as he laid eyes on her, his jaw dropped in astonishment. “You look absolutely radiant!” he complimented, almost at a loss for words. “Thank you, Gus,” Y/N smiled. Amelie walked to stand in front of her, “Ready to knock your goom out of his boots? Well, again?” 

~~~~~~~~~~

Thomas stood in front of the altar with the archbishop and two best men by his side. His solid black traditional suit greatly contrasted with the brightness of the room. He was wearing his king crown for the special occasion. “Nervous?” Charles asked him teasingly. “Yes,” Thomas said simply, trying to distract himself by looking at everything in the room, making sure everything looked perfect. “So was Y/N,” Augustus said simply. “I lived with her for almost two years. I know everything about her life, everything she loves, everything she hates, every little thing about her and I am overtaken by the nerves and fear,” Thomas muttered, more to himself. “You’ll be fine, Tommy,” Charles comforted, “Feeling anxious is perfectly normal when you’re marrying the love of your life. Your parents felt it, my parents felt it, and hell, I’ll feel it when Augustus and I decide to get married.” Augustus looked over to him in shock, “When we wha-”

Music began to play as the double doors opened slowly. All three men straightened their posture and the best men took their respective places. The guests that crowded the room stood, turning to the doors as the royal children came into view. From the order of age, they began to walk down the aisle, Joey spreading the flower petals, Mikey walking close behind with the rings, Matias following in line in front of Alma, Allie, Daya, and Theodore. They took their places in the front seats reserved for family. At the very end of the hall, Y/N stood in her gorgeous dress and bouquet in hand. Her white dress was decorated with faux silver gems on top of the intricate lace, giving the dress a glowing feeling. She began her stride down the hall, joined by Amelie who agreed to give her away. Thomas looked to his wife-to-be in astonishment. She was as gorgeous as the day she first came to Audrilluria. She looked perfect, as always. 

They reached the altar and Amelie took Y/N’s hand and put it in Thomas’s hand. “Take care of her, your highness,” Amelie whispered loud enough for him to hear. “I promise,” Thomas smiled, taking her hand and leading her up to the top of the altar. He continued to admire her beauty, now closer as Amelie took her place on Y/N’s right side, taking her bouquet. “You look absolutely divine,” Thomas whispered to her, leaning into her ear. “And you look regal, my love,” she responded with a smile. Both their nerves long forgotten as they stared deeply into each other’s eyes.

“Dearly beloved family, friends, and guests,” the archbishop began, “We are here today to celebrate the union between our king and his beloved. I have been informed that objections will not be allowed, so I shall move on with the sermon.” Y/N’s eyes widened slightly as she giggled, turning to Thomas. Thomas simply winked, giving her that all too familiar smirk before focussing on the archbishop’s words.

“As a promise of eternal love, the bride and groom will now speak their vows as they accept their rings,” the archbishop spoke. Mikey approached Charles, giving him the rings before returning to his place. Thomas and Y/N faced each other, holding hands. “My dearest Y/N,” Thomas began, looking deeply into her eyes, “From the moment I laid eyes on you, the only thought in my mind was how beautiful and free-spirited you were. I was instantly captivated by your very presence. You took my breath away from the very start and I wanted nothing more than to be by your side always. I found myself thinking about you at every given moment. I was captivated by your smile, your eyes, the way you laughed, the way you carried yourself, and every little thing about you. I knew from the start, I needed to be with you. Even after everything that happened after I first met you, I felt the need to forgive. I knew that if I didn’t have you by my side, I would never forgive myself. I knew that despite everything, I needed to be with you. So from that moment on, I decided to not let you go. And I promise now, with everyone here to witness, I will never let you go.” He placed the ring on Y/N’s finger as he finished speaking. The archbishop nodded to Y/N, signaling it was her turn.

“Thomas, my love,” she began, “There are so many things I could say to you that I’ve said before. I could describe how much I love you or how much you changed me, but I want to tell you something I’ve never said aloud. When we first met, I couldn’t meet your eyes because I knew I’d get lost in those beautiful blue orbs. Every time you spoke, I felt butterflies and a part of me wished it was directed to me. I fell for you slowly and it scared me because I never even dreamed of. Every little thing about you took my breath away and whenever you looked at me from a distance, time just froze. I was terrified to tell you what I felt because I knew you deserved so much more than I could ever be. When you went looking for me and showed me the hope in your eyes, I allowed myself to show what I feel. I was certain we would never end up together, but you changed that. And now, I’m overjoyed that from this day on, you will call me your wife.” She took his wedding band and placed it on his finger. 

“Do you, King Thomas, take Y/N to be your wife?” Thomas smiled brightly, “I do.” 

“And do you, Y/N L/N, take Thomas to be your husband?” Y/N mimicked his smile, “I do.” 

“Before this ceremony continues, I ask that the bride prepare to speak the vows to Audrilluria,” the archbishop commanded. Y/N let go of Thomas’s hands and made her way down the steps of the altar to the majordomo, who was holding the Orb of Unity and Mercy and the Scepter of Leadership and Justice. She took both in her hands as the archbishop spoke, “Speak your vows as you look upon the people of this kingdom.” Y/N took a deep breath, eyes scanning the room as she began, “I, Y/N L/N, solemnly swear to help my husband lead our kingdom with a firm but gentle hand. I promise to be loyal to Audrilluria as well as to the king. I will help him with the responsibilities that come with leadership and take an equal part in it.” The archbishop then commanded, “Take your place by the king’s side and finish your vows.” Y/N walked up the steps again and stood in front of Thomas, still holding the royal items. “On this day, I vow my loyalty to my husband, to Audrilluria, and to its legacy. On this day, I vow to be a fair queen.” she finished. 

The majordomo walked up to her and took the royal items from her hands. “You may crown your queen,” the archbishop told Thomas. Y/N bowed slightly as Thomas took the crown from Augustus’s hands and placed the ruby-encrusted, gold crown gently on her head. Y/N stood up again and took Thomas’s hands in hers as the archbishop announced, “With vows spoken and unity made, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Thomas almost didn’t wait for him to finish before he wrapped his arms around Y/N’s waist and pulled her in for a deep, passionate kiss. The guests stood and cheered for the couple, though they were focussed on each other. 

When they finally parted, the archbishop announced, “I present to all, Thomas and Y/N Hiddleston, king, and queen of Audrilluria.” The cheers resumed as the couple looked around the room at their people. Thomas turned to Y/N with a smirk, “Ready to move on, my love?” Y/N looked to him in confusion, recognizing that mischievous smirk, “What are you plann--”

Thomas lifted her suddenly, carrying her bridal-style down the aisle and through the entrance doors. The people and press outside began to take pictures and cheer at the sight of the couple. Y/N laughed as Thomas set her down again, allowing her to rush down the steps with him with Augustus, Charles, and Amelie following close behind. They made it to their carriage and got in, preparing for the long photoshoot to come.

~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was close to setting as the reception was in full swing. The guests danced and mingled as they waited for the king and queen to have their first dance. The music faded, signaling that it was time for the dance. The dance area cleared as Thomas and Y/N made their way to the center. A soft, orchestral song began to play and Y/N recognized it instantly. “This is the same song we first danced to,” she inquired, facing her husband. Husband. “I wanted to recreate the moment I realized I never wanted to let you go,” Thomas responded, a smile gracing his lips as they began to dance. 

They swayed around the room, eyes permanently fixed on each other as their movements synced effortlessly. The same feeling that embraced them the first time they danced returned, this time stronger now that their love was made known. It was only them in the room with the music. Everything else faded away and they felt as if they danced on a cloud. The song came to an end as Thomas spun Y/N, bringing her closer to him as they came to a full stop. Taking the opportunity, Y/N leaned in and pressed a small, loving kiss to his lips. The guests cheered, making their presence known once more. 

“It’s time,” Amelie reminded, coming up to them with the bouquet in her hand. Y/N took it as some of the guests began to gather to try to catch it. Once everyone was ready, Y/N turned away and tossed it over her shoulder. After hearing them shuffle for a moment, she turned to see Charles holding the bouquet over his head proudly as he looked in the direction of Augustus. Thomas and Y/N turned to see a surprised, yet happy Augustus standing on the other side of them. They laughed softly as the guests began to crowd the dance area once more. 

“I believe it’s time for something else, my love,” Thomas whispered in Y/N’s ear. She looked up at him excitedly as he took her hand and began to lead her through the corridors of their home. They climbed up the stairs and made their way to the all-too-familiar office. Thomas opened the door, allowing his wife to enter before him. Wife. They reached the balcony doors and went inside. As they were walking in, lanterns began to illuminate the sky. Being the sappy gentleman he was, Thomas decided to marry Y/N on the day of Rosamund’s Celebration, two years after he realized he loved her. They looked out into the sky illuminated by lanterns, enjoying one another’s company. Suddenly, Y/N turned to face him, “Here’s to a lifetime by your side.” Thomas gave her a bright smile, “And to the future that we’ll make together.” With that, he leaned in and captured her lips in yet another passionate and gentle kiss.

In that moment, both of them realized that their deepest dreams had come true.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: It’s been one hell of a ride. Throughout the course of this story, I kept falling in love with this idea over and over again.[Also, for your vows, I added pieces of the designated song] So much so that I decided to not let go just yet. Coming in June, I will release kind of a sequel series to this called Life in Audrilluria. Basically, it will describe what happened in the almost two years leading up the wedding (including the engagement). I will post an announcement with the exact day the series will start by the end of this month. Until then, I want to introduce oneshots and Imagines into my works. I will post a few oneshots starting Wednesday if you are interested. I just want to ask you to let me know what characters/celebs/fandoms you want to see. Anyway, Thank you all so friggen much for all the support you’ve shown me. Honestly, you guys are the reason I kept it going for 21 chapters. I love you all so much and I’ll see you on Wednesday for more exciting content. I hope all is well, stay safe, and I’ll see you in June for the sequel!!

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