#but for me it’s the game that came out the same year

[royalarchivist]

Cellbit: Are you enjoying it? Are you liking it?

Etoiles: It looks like you– Like um– The enigma you did like, in all your Minecraft stuff? It's kinda the same, but it seems like you a bit sick in the head, because–

Cellbit: [Cracks up]

Etoiles: [Laughs] There's– bro, the first enigma– the first enigma is bullsht!

Cellbit: Oh! You mean the menu? The menu puzzle.

Etoiles: Yeah, the menu. Bro, I was so tilted on the first one! [Laughs] I was so tilted! I was like "OK?! Four years of development to put- to put the blood on it?!" 🙄

[...]

Cellbit: Oh! You know, it is- it is kinda hard, but not that hard. You're a smart guy, you get it.

Etoiles: Ehh, we will see. 😑

[ Full Transcript ↓ ]

—

Cellbit: Hi!

Etoiles: [He jumps] WHOA!

Cellbit: I think you're muted.

Etoiles: O-oh! You scared- you scared me! [Laughs with Cellbit]

Cellbit: I'm sorry! Do you need help?

Etoiles: Bro, there's a problem, like– Excuse me, but– I'm playing a game, I don't know if you know, it's like, "Enigma of Fear."

Cellbit: Ok, ok, yeah, I heard it came out.

Etoiles: Ok, yeah, and I'm opening something, and when I'm opening the thing, it's not working! Look, look, look, if–

Cellbit: Oh yeah! It's like a crumpled paper, right?

Etoiles: IT'S WORKING NOW! [Laughs] Ok, ok– I just need to reset-

Cellbit: Yes. Yeah, I fixed it live.

Etoiles: Ok, you fixed it? Ok ok ok, thank you, man.

Cellbit: [Laughs]

Etoiles: Thank you, thank you, I just need to... to go out, and to go in. Ok, um– It's beautiful, for now. It's a pretty cool experience!

Cellbit: Are you enjoying it? Are you liking it?

Etoiles: It looks like you– Like um–

Cellbit: Aww...

Etoiles: The enigma you did like, in all your Minecraft stuff? We look like–

Cellbit: Yeah.

Etoiles: It's kinda the same, but it seems like you a bit sick in the head, because–

Cellbit: [Cracks up]

Etoiles: [Laughs] There's– bro, the first enigma– the first enigma is bullsht!

Cellbit: Did you– yeah, I see you haven't solved the whole thing yet, right?

Etoiles: No no no, I- I- I'm in front of the 4a, thing.

Cellbit: Oh! You mean the menu? The menu puzzle.

Etoiles: Yeah, the menu.

Cellbit: Oh, alright, yeah. I just got to your stream, I'm watching with subtitles on.

Etoiles: Bro, I was so tilted on the first one! [Laughs]

Cellbit: [Laughs]

Etoiles: I was so tilted! I was like "OK?! Four years of development to put- to put the blood on it?!" No... It seems– the enigma with the 4pm thing on the alarm seems to be problematic.

Cellbit: Oh wha- why problematic?

Etoiles: Yea- no– It seems to be hard.

Cellbit: Oh! You know, it is- it is kinda hard, but not that hard. You're a smart guy, you get it.

Etoiles: Ehh, we will see. Thank you so much for the insights, I will–

Cellbit: Yeah, if you need any hints, just call me again.

Etoiles: I will call you bro, you're amazing. See you.

Cellbit: Bye bro!

After this, Etoiles says something along the lines of "This is a bit of a flex when you feel like asking a question about a game you can call the dev." Please let me know if there's a better way to translate this; I don't speak French so I'm solely relying on subtitles here.

[tommykinard217]

(a thanksgiving ficlet that got away from me lol. Happy thanksgiving to those who celebrate, I love you all! )

Holidays were never really all that special to Tommy. When he was a kid, holidays were tense affairs. Thanksgiving dinners made by his mom that his dad would nitpick at. The man didn't even sit at the table with him and his ma, his face turned towards the football game as he shouted that the turkey was too dry, the mashed potatoes too lumpy, the gravy too watery.

Tommy had never really thought there was anything wrong with the food, but his dad was never really happy about anything to begin with.

Tommy never really existed during the holidays. It was like he was a ghost. At first, when he was younger, he tried to decorate and cheer his parents up and help around the house. Anything to make them smile. But it didn't work. So eventually, when he was a teenager, he just stopped trying.

He either stayed in his room or he got out of the house, taking his bike to the river and just sitting on the river bank, looking across the water. By the time he got home, the food would be packed away as leftovers. There wasn't a plate set aside for him.

Then his ma passed and there was no one to make thanksgiving dinner.

Once again, the river was his friend. He contemplated getting a fishing license, so that he could actually do something other than stare at the current of the river as it crashed against the rocks and mini island formations.

By the time he got home, the house was dark, his dad passed out on the couch surrounded by empty beer cans. Tommy had felt the urge to clean up, maybe mitigate whatever possible anger his dad would build up in the morning. But he didn't really care. His dad would be angry regardless, and he'd still feel as alone as ever even with his dad screaming in his face and threatening him with punishments he was too old for at this point.

Eventually he enlisted. Anything to get away from his dad and the metaphorical ghost of his ma haunting the kitchen.

In the army, there was no river to bike alongside. No riverbank where he could sit down, and stare across the water. Just dirt and noise and shitty MRE's. Somehow it didn't feel all that different from the thanksgivings of his childhood.

Then, he was out of the army. He had a choice. Go back to his shitty town on a shitty river, haunted by his dad and his ma. Or go somewhere else. Somewhere different.

Different won out, for once. So he packed up what little shit he had and made his way to LA of all places. Signed up to a firefighting academy. He needed the structure the army gave him, and he'd actually get to help people this time.

Once he was out, he got assigned a firehouse. The 118. Gerrard was just like his father, minus the alcohol. Cruel, exacting, looking for a flaw in everything you did. Tommy knew how to handle Gerrard, and that was to just ride him out. Let him yell, let him get angry and threaten you. Don't react, don't talk back. Just let it happen until he tires himself out.

Thanksgiving with the 118 once again was the same as any other year. Shitty takeout instead of MRE's or leftovers, but other than that, it was all the same. Thankfully the job kept him busy.

Too many people thought they were immune to flame and oil and their own general stupidity, and the amount of turkey induced fires they had to put out was steadily climbing. Each year they seemed to break a new record.

Every year was the same. Tommy was alone or lonely or both, he scarfed down shitty food, and it was just another day to him.

And then Evan came around. Evan with his bright smile and warm demeanor. Evan with his endless facts and his strong hugs. Just...Evan.

And Tommy had been certain that maybe this thanksgiving was going to be different.

And maybe that was his mistake.

He was a coward, after all. All his life he had just run away. To the river, as a kid. The army, as an adult. The West Coast, after he was discharged. All he ever did was run.

And so, here he was. His first thanksgiving off, staring at the takeout he bought, trying to remind himself that this was normal. For him, at least. He was used to this.

Granted, the guilt was eating him up. He'd stared at his phone for what felt like hours, trying to figure out what to say. I'm sorry? I miss you? Take me back, I'm miserable without you? None of those were acceptable. He broke things off. He ran away. Ev-Buck deserved better.

But right as he was about to sit down, maybe watch a movie or two, his doorbell rang.

As he walked to the door, he wondered on who it could be. A neighbor? Someone asking for charity donations? A Mormon?

But it wasn't any of those.

It was Evan.

Hands shoved in his pocket, looking nervous but determined.

"Come on, you're missing out on dinner." Evan pointed to his jeep, waiting for them.

Tommy was, understandably, fucking baffled. "Wait, what?"

Evan sighed, rolling his eyes. "I'm mad at you." Fair. "But I also miss you and I don't want you to be alone on Thanksgiving. So you're coming with me, you're eating Bobby's turkey, and the five different pies I've baked." Evan baked? Since when did Evan bake? Five pies? Tommy was so confused.

Tommy was honestly speechless. Because, what? "I miss you too." Was the only thing he could really get himself to say. And it was true, at least. Tommy had felt Evan's absence like an actual hole in his heart. Heart pumping over time to accommodate the wound and failing.

"Good. Because I'm not letting you go. And I'm not letting you let me go. We're going to actually talk after this, got it?" Evan had grabbed onto Tommy's hand, pulling him towards the jeep as he spoke.

"Got it." Tommy wished he could say more than two syllables at a time, but how could he? What could he even say? I love you? I'm sorry please let me spend the rest of our lives groveling? Nothing would be adequate.

But as they got into the jeep, Tommy blinked and reality settled in. Evan was here. Evan was bringing him to Thanksgiving dinner. Evan. Evan. Evan.

"I'm sorry. For being a coward." He finally let out. "You didn't deserve that."

"No, I didn't. But I get it. I came on too strong, I went a little insane and overcorrected. You also went insane, and we both should have talked. But we'll do that later. After we have a perfectly normal Thanksgiving together. Howie is probably gonna punch you a little for not texting him back, by the way."

Yeah, that was all pretty fair, honestly. "I didn't think Howie really wanted to talk to me, after everything."

Evan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you tend to make decisions for othe people without actually considering what they want. We'll work on that though."

We. Evan kept saying we. And it felt good. It felt so good to be a we again.

"You're right. I've been an ass. And, I'm going to work on it. For you. Me. Us. Our friends. I mean it, Evan."

A warm, gentle smile. "Good. Now come on. Everyone's waiting for us."

Everyone meaning. Everyone. Bobby and Athena. Maddie and Howie and Jee. Karen and Hen and Denny and Mara. Everyone.

No one was angry, there were no tense silences. Just joy and forgiveness and thankfulness.

And as Evan held Tommy's hand as he lead them through Maddie and Howie's place, Tommy was starting to see how special the holidays really could be.

It wasn't perfect, and like Evan said, they had a lot to talk about afterwards. But as Bobby carved the turkey and placed some on his plate, as Howie grabbed the mashed potatoes and passed it his way with a joke and smile. As Maddie punched his shoulder (fairly hard, he had to give her that) but then hugged him the next second. As Hen gave him a searching look, like she was waiting to see if he was gonna make a run for it again, but then a satisfied nod when she saw the resolution on his face. Tommy realized this was what he had been missing out on, all those years ago.

And he wasn't going to let it slip past him again.

[mapiforpresident]

No 23 prompt please with jana and reader both playing from u19 together to Barcelona and Falling in love for first time . R is a huge dork . Thanks.

You're such a dork

Jana x reader

~~~

You were sitting at your desk studying when you heard a slight knock on your office door and you turned your head to see your girlfriend stepping through the doorway with a plate of snacks in her hand. Jana gently set the plate down next to your computer before wrapping her arms around you from behind.

"Hola amor, what are you working on?" Jana asked as you turned your head to give her a kiss.

You smiled as Jana wrapped her arms around you, her warmth soothing the stress that had been building throughout your study session. The way she always seemed to show up at just the right moment made you feel like the luckiest person in the world.

“Hola, mi amor,” you replied softly, turning your head to press another quick kiss to her lips. “I’m just studying for this big history test. I feel like I’m drowning in flash cards.”

Jana chuckled, her fingers gently combing through your hair. “You always say that, but I know you’ll ace it. You’re the biggest dork I know, and I mean that in the best way possible.”

You let out a small laugh, feeling the warmth of her words. “I don’t know about that. I’m pretty sure I’m just making this harder than it has to be. But I couldn’t stop thinking about you, so I’m glad you came by.”

“Of course, I couldn’t leave you alone to study forever,” Jana said, her voice teasing. “And besides, you deserve a little break.”

She picked up the plate of snacks and held it up in front of you, her eyes twinkling with a playful spark. “I brought you some fuel. You can’t keep working without food. That’s rule number one, right?”

You laughed and took a few of the snacks from the plate, grateful for the small gesture of care. “Thanks, babe. You always know how to make things better.”

Jana leaned down, resting her chin on your shoulder as she watched you nibble on the food. “Well, you’ve been working really hard lately. I wanted to make sure you take care of yourself. But also, I think it’s cute when you’re all stressed out, trying to figure things out like a dork.”

You rolled your eyes, though you were secretly thrilled by the way she teased you. “I’m serious! You don’t get it. I’m juggling so much right now, and I just want everything to go well.”

Jana pulled back slightly, her face turning soft with understanding. “I get it. But hey, you don’t need to do everything by yourself, okay? I’m here for you.”

Your heart swelled at the sincerity in her voice. She was calm, steady, and always made you feel like you weren’t alone in anything.

“I know. I guess I just sometimes feel like I need to be perfect,” you admitted, feeling vulnerable for a moment.

Jana smiled, her fingers gently brushing against your cheek. “Amor, you don’t need to be perfect. I fell in love with the biggest dork I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t change a thing. You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

A smile tugged at your lips as you turned to face her, your heart beating a little faster. “I love you, Jana. You know that?”

She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “I know. I love you too, dork.”

The two of you sat together for a while, sharing the plate of snacks and talking about everything and nothing, the way only you two could. It felt like time slowed down whenever you were with her, the world outside disappearing in a blur. In that moment, there was no test, no pressure, just the two of you.

It hadn’t always been like this, of course. You and Jana had known each other for years, since your U19 days at Barcelona. Back then, you were just two teammates on the same field, awkwardly laughing about misplaced passes or a bad goal attempt. You had bonded over your shared love of the game, your goofy personalities, and the way you both always managed to mess up in the most charming ways.

There had been a time when you hadn’t even realized what was growing between you and Jana. At first, it was just easy friendship and a mutual respect for each other’s skills and personalities. But somewhere along the way, that friendship had evolved into something deeper, something more.

The first time you’d caught yourself thinking about Jana outside of the context of football was probably one of the most embarrassing moments of your life. You had been sitting in the locker room after a particularly grueling training session, distracted by the way Jana’s laugh sounded when she talked about the ridiculous prank she and Bruna had pulled on Pina. You had tried to focus on the game analysis in front of you, but all you could hear was Jana’s voice, light and carefree. Mapi had to elbow you before you realized she had asked you a question.

It hadn’t taken long after that for you to realize what was happening. You were falling for one of your best friends.

And that’s when the nervousness set in. You weren’t the kind of person who made the first move. You were awkward, fumbling over your words, and way too much of a dork to figure out the complicated world of relationships. But Jana had picked up on it, and in a way that only she could, she made the first step.

That night, after an intense match, she had pulled you aside in the locker room, her eyes soft but intense. “Y/N,” she had said, her voice low, “I think I like you.”

Your heart had nearly stopped at those words. You had stammered out something about being confused, but she had simply kissed you, gently, without hesitation. It was everything you’d imagined and more, and suddenly, the awkwardness of it all melted away.

After that, things had shifted. You weren’t just teammates anymore, you were partners, both on and off the field. There was a comfort in being with Jana that you couldn’t explain. She made you feel seen, loved, and appreciated for every quirky, dorky thing you did.

And now, sitting in your room, studying for a test that you didn’t feel prepared for, Jana was right there beside you, proving once again that you didn’t have to be perfect.

“Promise me you’ll take a break after this?” Jana asked, her voice soft but serious.

You nodded, a smile tugging at your lips. “I promise.”

Jana kissed you on the forehead, the sweet gesture making your heart swell with affection. “Good, my favorite dork."

You let out a laugh, resting your head on her shoulder. “And you’re my favorite person.”

[kusakiguzen]

Yandere Haikyuu x Reader x Yandere Kuroko No Basketball

A/N: Hear me out.. What if reader was the twin sister of Tobio Kageyama? I mean neglected twin sister? If you wanna know, give it a read..

Imagine being the twin sister of a Vollyball prodigy, where your achivements were always overshadowed by his, all the parties were about him, celebrating him and most of all Loving him. Everything was about him, your twin, The perfect child, Kageyama Tobio. And there you were the imperfect one.

Growing up with him was nice, well until elementary, until he made his debute as a vollyball player, everything was perfect, no competition for anything. Everything was divided equally. But after Tobio started playing vollyball and everything became a competition, from love to celebrations.

Even though you both were born on the same day, there was now only one cake, vollyball themed, his favorite flavor, gifts for him. Nothing for you... When it started in 2nd grade, you just believed that your present must have been lost in the mail or the bakery messed up you cake, but as the years passed you realized the pattern. Never once did the bakery mess up Tobio's cake, or never once did his gifts get lost in the mail. As a last ditch effort to gain your grandfather's and older sister's attention, you started playing vollyball. Again at fist you got the attention you craved for, but again you fell behind and your family again started focusing on Tobio, ignoring you again.

The neglect got worse when you entered Junior High, and along with the neglect there was bullying too by an upperclassman who had it out for your twin, Oikawa Tooru. Even after he graduated, the bullying didn't stop, because "since Oikawa-senpai bullied you means you deserved it". It was hell for you, while your brother stayed blissfully unaware.

In the second year, your gandpa had passed so it was just you and your siblings, it didn't affect you as much as you thought it would. But for the other two, it was hard since they were close.

Then came the devestating news, Due to overworking yourself, it caused an injury, an injury that could criple you if you continued to play.

They weren't even at the hospital when you got this news. And this was the last straw for you. You did stop playing, not that you were truly able to enjoy it due to the constant expectation and pressure you faced to keep up with your brother. You may not have had talent for vollyball, but academically? you were on a level of your own. You had many unpublished Novels too but they needed to be edited and you were going to ask someone to read it before you were truly going to publish it.

You took scholarship exams for everywhere except Miyagi for high school, you need to get a fresh start, away from the people you knew. You did get a full academic scholarship to a school that recently opened in Tokyo, Seirin High School. You accepted it.

You decided to become a content creator, specifically a Gamer, to provide for yourself. You made an online friend in this chaos, while getting used to playing the video games, applepi.

He went to Nekoma High School in Tokyo and was happy to know that you would move to Tokyo for your education.

Your steams were doing great and now you had a good amount saved up.

You then decided it was time to tell your siblings or your departure. You called you sister and invited her for dinner. She agreed and talked about not seeing you and your brother in a while. You called Tobio and asked him to end practice early and join dinner that will be held the evening appoaching.

You prepared a variety of dishes, and some drinks too. When they both arrived and began eating, you broke the news.

You looked at them, waiting for a reaction. Your sister was stunned but you didn't expect your brother to stat yelling angrily. He looked like you told him it was you who killed their grandfather or something.

He was yelling things that could only be described as incohearent. After his episode, he started crying alot with fat tears and snot poring down.

It surprised you and you immediately went to comfort him, you were never able to hate him. I mean why would you? He was just doing what he loved, it was the adults fault for your neglect.

He took while to calm down but he kept repeating 'You can't leave me, Please.' You felt guilty but it was your future, and you knew if you stayed in Miyagi you won't be able to get out of the shell. You tried to reason with him but he didn't budge, acting like a toddler who refused to give up his toy.

Your sister intervened, stating that it would be expensive to live in a big city and it will probably be out of our budget since Tobio requires money for his equipment and camp trips that he would take in the future.

You reassured her money won't be a problem, since you got a scholarship, meaning you didn't need to pay a dime. The only catch was that you would need to join an after school club, more specifically a sports club. She asked about the living arrangements since your school does not provide dormetories. You told her that one of your friends had found you a cheap apartment near your school. (The said apartment was owned by Kenma, hence the cheap rent, but you don't need to know that) You also don't need to know that he has camera and bugs set up in that apartment

Tobio and Miwa (you older sister) were about to tell you it was a bad idea and Miwa was about going to refuse paying for it, but before they could say anything, you told them you already had a job and can pay for it yourselves.

They were stunned and Tobio started hugging you even tighter. You reassured him that you would visit and try to be at all his games but he just said,

"It won't be the same without you at school"

To which you do agree since you won't be there to tutor him and give him your notes. Your sister reluctantly agreed, and even if she didn't you were going to leave anyway so it didn't matter much.

You moving day was 1 week away and during that week Tobio refused to leave your side, still trying to get you to stay, even if he didn't say it, his body language gave the message clearly. He stated hiding your things, and when you found the things he looked like a lost puppy.

On the last day, Tobio gave you a gift.. A Bugged Phone. You thanked him but did enquire about how he got the money, he told you he had used his allowance since he never used it. You were happy that finally accepted your decision.(He didn't)

You moved about 2 weeks before school stats to get settled, You move in the apartment that your friend applepi, whose real name was Kozome Kenma was gracious help you find. He was also kind enough to show you around the city and major landmarks you needed to remembered. You soon got to know your neighbour who was also a student at the same high school as you, his name was Kagami Taiga.

He and you became friends quite quickly and he introduced to basketball.

And soon School started.

You joined the basketball club as a manger and found it fun since there was no expectations to out do anyone. You also became close to Taiga and his 'shadow' Kuroko Tetsuya. You still hung out with Kenma and streamed online with him on his or your channel, your identity was hidden and you went by an alias, Etsu. You were only called that online and other than Kenma no one knows about your identity.

You met Kenma's team, who were very shocked at Kenma having a friend other than them, much less a beauty like you.

You also met Tetsuya's former team mates who were called The Generation Of Miracle.

You talked to Tobio every night without fail or else he would bombard your phone and also said he would show up at your house if you didn't pick up his calls.(How though? you didn't tell tell him your address?)

You didn't realize it then but your friends were now acting strange.... They were overprotective and always watching you, and you don't know why?

Also your brother was also acting weirdly clingy...

He did introduce you to his friends when you went to visit him, he acted.. Different.

He also told you about people he would go against. One of them was Oikawa-senpai

He was especially clingy when you both accidently ran into Oikawa and Iwaizumi while returning from the cafe you wanted to try.

Wait now that you mention it, Oikawa-senpai and Iwaizumi-senpai were also acting odd, so friendly, as if they didn't make your life hell in Jr high.

What is up with everyone?

Why are they paying attention to you now?

Your new friend, sure it was fine..

But why you former senpai and his friends?

Its okay.. You can just ignore it since you don't live in Miyagi anymore...

But what's up with Kuroko's friends trying to one up each other in front of you? Maybe it's just how they are?

Maybe they just treat each others friends like this? Buying them gifts, telling them their horoscope and giving you your lucky item, giving them sweets?

Yeah they were probably like that to everyone right?

Right...?

No Ulterior motive...

Its not like you were someone special..

You were just plain Kageyama Y/N..

Everyone is so kind to you now...

I WONDER WHY

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─── ⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

A/N: I'm preparing a part 2 as I post this lol. It was going to be like my Yandere one piece x reader one but I changed it last minute. Anyways the next part will be something special..<3

Masterlist

Stay Safe Healthy and Hydrated. ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

[venus-haze]

God's Got a Sick Sense of Humor (Father Charlie Mayhew x Reader)

Summary: Your decision to dress up as a slutty nun for Halloween has unexpected consequences when you make the acquaintance of an equally attractive and disturbed priest. (AO3 link)

Note: Female reader, but no other descriptors are used. Not entirely spoiler-free, but if you’ve watched up to episode 6, you should be good! Also I couldn't find what the parish name was, so I made one up. The gif doesn't really have anything to do with the fic, I just like it🤭 Please look at the warnings before deciding whether to read this fic.

Word count: 2.8k

Warnings: DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT. Non-con involving degradation, rough oral sex (m. receiving); ambiguous ending.

You knew early on in the night you had made a mistake in costume choice. The vinyl skirt started pinching your waist after less than an hour of wearing it, the nipple pasties were slowly peeling off despite your best effort, and the platform heels weren’t forgiving after several shots of tequila. The vinyl habit stayed in place with the bobby pins you used, but after a while, it felt like it was cooking your head.

Your friends found your plight funnier as the night went on, cracking jokes about how it was God punishing you for wearing the costume in the first place. Lisa had little trouble with her Tinkerbell costume, a green mini-dress and sparkly heels she pulled from her closet and a cheap set of fairy wings from the same Spirit Halloween you got your costume from. Julie’s Bridgerton-inspired costume seemed a bit out of place compared to you and Lisa, but she got a lot of compliments on the details.

For the limited the fun your little desert town had to offer, something was definitely missing from the night out.

“Why did Merritt say she couldn’t make it, again?” Lisa asked, the three of you walking down the street to the next bar you’d inevitably terrorize. All the usual haunts, where the bartenders knew your order and half the patrons were people you’d gone to high school with and definitely didn’t want to see again.

You shrugged. “I texted her earlier, and she said she couldn’t make it, something came up.”

“It sucks she doesn’t hang out anymore,” Julie said. “Did we do something?”

“I mean, her dad’s in a coma, and her mom’s working all the time with those gross murders going on,” Lisa said. “She’s probably the only one keeping things together at home.”

The three of you had known Merritt for years, your friend group becoming tight-knit as time went on. Getting carted to and from soccer games turned into sleepovers and late nights getting fast food. You got to know the Tryons pretty well over the years. Her dad was nice enough, and you always found her mom funny, if not a bit overprotective, but Lois always remembered your birthday.

“I’m gonna stop by sometime this week. It’s been way too long since any of us have seen her,” you resolved.

Lisa and Julie agreed, though you weren’t sure Merritt would appreciate all of you showing up unannounced at her house. You figured you’d be better off going yourself and seeing what the deal was with Merritt.

Stumbling over your platforms, you struggled to keep up with Lisa and Julie until you tripped and nearly wiped out on the sidewalk. You caught yourself on a nearby telephone pole, the lights from the nearby buildings blurring the more you tried to focus.

“Fuck,” you groaned. “I’m gonna call it a night.”

“Are you sure?” Lisa asked.

“Yeah, I’m gonna find a convenience store and then get an Uber home.”

“We can go with you,” Julie said.

You shook your head. “Don’t end your night early because of me.”

“Alright, text us when you get home.”

When the world finally appeared upright again, you looked at the nearby street sign, recognizing where you were, at least. Not far to the nearest shop that you were certain would be open late. You checked your phone for the time and felt especially lame. It wasn’t even midnight yet.

With a sigh, you turned down the street, opening your messages to your most recent text to Merritt. Your FaceTime request went unanswered, so you opted for an audio message instead.

“Hey Mer, it’s me. We missed you tonight!” You paused awkwardly, wishing you could actually talk to her. “Look, there’s a Halloween party tomorrow night, something out in the desert. It’s not too late to get a costume. We could go to the Spirit Halloween in the old Bed, Bath and Beyond—“ A catcall interrupted your rambling. “Look, just call me or something, at least let me know you’re alright? Bye, babe.”

The fluorescent lights in the store were almost headache-inducing, but you powered through for a bottle of Gatorade and a protein bar that you hoped would mitigate the hangover you’d inevitably have in the morning. 

Gatorade in hand, you felt almost dizzy staring at the array of protein bars in front of you, wondering how there could even be so many and if they were really any different. A man walked down the aisle, standing a few feet away from you, though you didn’t pay him much mind until you grabbed a protein bar and noticed he was dressed as a priest.

“Hey, nice costume,” you told him.

“Oh, this isn’t a costume.”

You laughed. “Right.” Your inhibitions lowered, you gave him a once over, your gaze lingering on his handsome face, his muscular arms. “You know it’s a shame we didn’t run into each other earlier tonight, we probably could’ve won a couples contest or something.”

He smiled, though something flickered in his brown eyes that made your guts churn. Except, it likely wasn’t him, as you shoved what you were holding onto the shelf next to you and rushed out of the store.

You wretched, the contents of your stomach emptied onto the blacktop. Tears burned your eyes, your throat scratchy and raw by the time you were done. You felt a hand on your upper back, could barely hear the sound of a man asking if you were okay over the sound of blood pounding in your ears.

Glancing up, you were mortified to see the priest looking at you with concern, though disgust was nowhere in his expression.

He handed you the Gatorade you’d been holding in the store, apparently going ahead and buying it for you. Taking a swig, you swished some around in your mouth before spitting it on the ground. He gave you a handful of crumpled napkins as well, and you tried maintaining what was left of your dignity while getting yourself together in front of him.

You managed a mousy thanks, avoiding eye contact with him.

“Don’t tell me you plan on driving home,” he said.

You shook your head. “I came out here with my friends."

"And they just left you like this? Alone?"

"I told them I'd get an Uber.”

“They'll charge you double tonight," he said. "I can drive you.”

Accepting a ride home from a stranger certainly wasn’t the smartest choice to make, but he actually seemed to give a shit about your well-being. You agreed, if not for the fact that you were curious about him, and the horny part of your brain hadn't shut up since you saw him.

He kept his hand on your back as he walked you over to his car. Almost felt like his fingers were twitching against your skin. 

Getting into his car, you noticed the rosary hanging from the rearview mirror, a saint card clipped to his visor. 

“Oh my god, are you actually a priest?” you asked from the passenger seat as he turned the car on.

“I told you it wasn’t a costume.”

“Shit.”

“Father Charlie Mayhew, from Our Lady of Sorrows, if you don’t believe me.” He smiled, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “What’s your address?”

After giving him your address along with your name, realizing you hadn’t told him yet, you rolled the window down about halfway, finding the fragrant odor of incense and cologne a bit overwhelming for your queasy stomach. The cool night air gave you instant relief, and you laid back on the headrest, keeping your eyes closed for a few minutes. 

Father Charlie filled the quiet with a true crime podcast. Not a particularly odd choice, except that he was a priest, but Catholicism always lent itself to morbidity—his was more modern, you supposed.

“Have you heard about those murders around town?” you asked over the sound of a young woman giving the background of a triple homicide.

“Yes, our parish’s publication has been reporting on it,” he said. “I'm the editor, but one of our nuns is working closely with the lead detective on the case.”

You opened your eyes to look at him in disbelief. “Lois is working with a nun?”

“You know detective Tryon?”

“She’s my best friend’s mom,” you said. “I went to her house all the time growing up.”

“You must know her pretty well, then.”

“Yeah, Lois is one hell of a detective,” you said. “Still, I can’t imagine…whoever’s behind it must be depraved. What he’s doing—it’s not even human, it’s animal.”

“He?”

“I don’t think anyone but a man could be capable of that kind of barbarism, Father.”

“You might be right about that,” he said solemnly.

You drank more Gatorade, hoping to settle your stomach and ease your discomfort with the direction the conversation had taken. But you were the one who brought up the murders in the first place. All had some kind of religious connotation. No wonder the Catholic paper was eating that shit up. 

Catholicism was always predisposed to an especially grotesque morbidity. Open wounds considered blessings. Bones of the holy displayed with reverence. Even bread and wine transformed into the body and blood of Christ himself. Whoever was behind the recent murders was either observant or well-read.

Father Charlie pulled up to your building about ten minutes later, and you internally sighed in relief when he turned the podcast off. You couldn’t wait to get out of the damn costume and into bed.

“Thanks, Father Charlie,” you said. “I owe you one.”

“Actually, mind if I use your bathroom?” he asked.

You shook your head. “‘Course not. Come on up.”

Acutely aware of the costume you were wearing again, it was far too tempting not to show off on the way up to your apartment, swinging your hips a bit more than was warranted, knowing he was right behind you, the tight skirt giving him a full view of your ass. You privately bemoaned the fact that he was actually a priest. What a fucking waste. A guy who looked like him had no business giving himself to Jesus and denying the rest of the world the pleasure.

You took a selfie by your front door, a tired smile and a thumbs up that you sent to Julie and Lisa.

“Just letting my friends know I got home safe,” you explained, noticing Father Charlie staring at you.

You could barely hide your self-satisfied smile when you unlocked the front door. “The bathroom’s through the kitchen, first door on the right.”

“Thank you.”

Making a beeline for your bedroom, the first thing you did was take your heels off. Your feet were still sore, with a mean blister that made you walk funny when you brought the heels over to your shoe rack. You could hear the toilet flush and the water from the sink run in the bathroom. Chewing on your lip, you were almost tempted to ask Father Charlie if he wanted to stick around. If you could just brush your teeth and reapply some makeup real quick, you'd be good as new.

You never got a chance to.

“So, why this costume?” he asked, startling you.

You gasped, turning around to see him leaning against the door frame. “Oh, um—I thought it was funny.”

“What’s funny about it?”

“Well, nuns aren’t supposed to have sex, and this costume is—”

“Pornographic," he said. "I mean, it’s something you get fucked in.”

“Yeah,” you whispered, shocked at his bluntness.

“Chastity. The sacred vow to God that all women of the cloth take, and you—” he scoffed to himself, stepping into your bedroom so he was only a few feet away from you, “you mock it.”

You knew you should’ve picked the sexy nurse costume instead. “I’m so sorry, Father.”

“You will be. Get on your knees.”

“Ex-excuse me?”

“Don’t be crude. This is about repentance.”

The searing venom in his voice made your muscles contort to his will, and you found yourself on your knees. You should have been fighting back, screaming for him to get out, but in your heart you knew it was useless. Back in the convenience store, you noticed his fit physique, and you could hardly count on your neighbors to give a shit if you were in any kind of trouble.

"Do you even know how to make a sign of the cross?" he asked mockingly.

You shakily did so, bringing your left hand to your forehead, then your chest, then to each shoulder. He scoffed, apparently you messed something up, but he didn't elaborate, instead ordering you to repeat after him. The prayer came jumbled from your mouth, 'through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault' over and over until his voice was ringing in your ears like a broken church bell.

The bulge in his pants was impossible to ignore. You kept your eyes focused on his face, even when you heard the sound of his zipper and clothes shifting. But you couldn't help it, not when he was pumping his cock right in front of your face. Your repetition dipped with a slight whimper when you glanced at the size of him, foolishly hoping it was just proximity making his length appear so intimidating and angry, as if it wanted to hurt you just like he did.

“Simply praying won’t do someone like you any good," he said abruptly. "You need another form of penance, something more tangible."

Shoving his cock in your open mouth, you choked at the intrusion, attempted to shift backward and finally make a run for it, but he caught you by the habit you so stupidly kept in place with bobby pins and hit the back of your throat.

"Why don't you give me ten Hail Marys?" he mocked, his looming silhouette appearing outright demonic through your tear-filled gaze.

You didn't know the damn prayer. Couldn't even try to fake it when all you could manage was muffled pleas for him to slow down, go easy on you, have mercy. Your jaw ached, throat burned at the force he used to make you take as much of his cock as you possibly could.

He didn't show any signs of fatigue, save for the beads of sweat that rolled from his face and onto your own. He grinned at that, at you, the position you were in. The church was full of sickos, and he was certainly no exception.

Making one feeble attempt to fight back, your teeth grazed his cock, and just as you tried to work up the courage to bite down, he jerked his hips, cursing under his breath.

"Take it," his voice a low growl as he came in your mouth, ignoring your choking, spit and snot and cum leaking down your face and onto your vinyl costume and exposed breasts, "take your penance, slut."

Father Charlie hardly gave you a chance to catch your breath when he pulled his spent cock out of your mouth. You practically collapsed on your bedroom floor, each gasp of air painful against the back of your abused throat. Grabbing you by the habit again, he hauled you over to your bed, bending you over the edge of it.

He shoved his fingers between your legs and scoffed at the wetness that coated your thighs, your thong doing little to contain your subconscious reaction to the way he treated you. "Oh, that's just shameful," he drawled. "You're not repentant at all, are you? Leading a man of the cloth astray, causing me to sin…why else would you have put this costume on tonight?"

Straddling you from behind like a dog, his body was heavy on yours. With one hand squeezing your neck, the other pressed something against your throat. You reached for whatever he was holding, freezing in panic when you realized it was the hair scissors you kept in your bathroom. He must have swiped it while he was in there. They weren't even that sharp, but the extra effort he'd have to put in to mortally injure you with them would mean it would be all the more painful for you.

“Depraved, animal, barbaric,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Is that what you think of me?”

You whimpered, feeling his cruel laughter rumble in his chest against your back. “No—no, you can’t be—”

“I was going to do something about that costume anyway, but having that mutual friend in common,” he mused, “I just can’t pass up the opportunity to leave Detective Tryon a personal message. Call it divine will.”

“I’m sorry,” you choked out.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You can tell God yourself how sorry you are,” he whispered.

“No—Father, please don’t—”

[queen-of-the-avengers]

Goodbye, Peter

Pairing: Tom!Peter Parker x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.7k

Warnings: major fluff

Summary: Football season is upon your college, and everyone gets into the spirit. The football players like to go from dorm room to dorm room getting people excited for the games. Everything changes when Peter knocks on your door.

Square Filled: natasha romanoff for @spider-man-bingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Your older sister pulls the car next to your dorm building with a sigh. It’s the first day of your sophomore year of college. Since you got to keep the same dorm as last year, all of your things are still inside your room. This time, you only have a few boxes that Natasha helps you with. You walk with her to her car and grab the last few pillows. She looks like she is going to cry, and you have to hold back your eye roll.

At the same time last year, Natasha behaved the exact same way.

“Would you stop? I’ll be fine.”

“College is a big deal. I wish I went.”

“You still can, you know. Age is just a number when it comes to college.”

“It’s too late for me,” she chuckles. “Listen, I’m a phone call away, okay? I’ll steal one of Tony’s suits if I have to. I’ll be here if you need me.”

“I know,” you smile. “Now go save the world and let me try and save my education.”

“Okay.” She pulls you in for a hug. “Be good and don’t do drugs.”

“I won’t,” you laugh. Natasha gets back into the car and drives off soon after. You walk back into your dorm to see your new roommate already on her bed. She wasn’t there when you moved your stuff in. “Oh, hi. My name is Y/N.”

“Sarah. Let me see your school schedule.” You pass it to her. “Ooh! We have two classes together! Awesome!” Her face falls “Oh, you have Mr. Rogers for English 101. Good luck with him. I had him last year so I’ll give you a few tips on how to pass his class.”

“Thanks,” you smile.

In spite of her persistence, you two hit it off. Classes are easy enough (thanks to Sarah’s tips for Mr. Rogers), and the students put the spirit in school spirit. A few weeks after the first day, football season takes off. This school is known for going all out for their teams, and football is no exception. Besides the classrooms, every room has at least some form of football merch to support the team for their away games.

Cheerleaders scour the campus in droves to cheer for their team and spread awareness for the games coming up. They’ve posted the schedules in every dorm and on every student’s dorm door. One of the things that the football players love to do to get people excited for the games is to go around to every dorm, girls and boys combined, knock on their doors, throw a football right when the person opens the door, catch it before the ball can hit them, say something cheesy about the games, and moves onto the next.

They did it last year but you were back home with Natasha so you weren't able to participate in it.

Peter wasn’t sure about the whole college thing since he had to take his GED in order to get in. He would have graduated had Dr. Strange not made everyone on Earth forget Peter Parker existed. He wanted to go back to his friends but they were put in danger because of him, and he couldn’t put them through that again. It was time for him to move on, and college seemed like the perfect place to do so.

He can start fresh and be anyone he wants. He can do anything he wants. Before, he wasn’t able to play sports because then people would know he was Spiderman, but now that’s not a problem. He came into college with those abilities so no one was wiser about it. He joined the football team as soon as he could and has been on the team since freshman year.

Peter and his teammates move on to the next room after pranking the last girl. He knocks on the door and uses his spidey senses to know when someone comes to the door. He nods to his friend who throws the football just as the door opens. The girl flinches back but Peter catches the ball with a huge smile on his face.

“Don’t forget to cheer for us at this week’s upcoming game! I promise, no balls will be thrown at your face.”

The girl laughs and looks at her roommate who is filming it all. Peter and his team do this for the next few doors, earning smiles and laughs. He gets to the last one at the end of the hallway and knocks on it. Peter nods to his friend to throw the ball, which he does. The door opens and Peter catches the ball before it can hit you. He has a cheesy saying on the tip of his tongue, but when he looks into your eyes, it’s like everything goes blank inside his mind.

Your eyes are so… mesmerizing. Your lips are perfectly pink. You have a sort of innocent look to you, and Peter can’t look away from you. You stand there with a slight blush and a shy smile on your face.

“Can I help you?” you finally ask.

Peter stumbles over his words as he tries to think of a response.

“Nothing. I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”

“Dude, what are you doing?” one of his teammates asks.

You quietly chuckle and close the door behind you but not before glancing at Peter once more. Peter shakes his head and leaves with his team but only gets as far as the stairs. He quickly turns, jogs back to your dorm, and knocks on the door. You open it seconds later with another shy smile on your face.

“My name is Peter.”

“Okay,” you whisper.

“What’s your name?”

“Goodbye, Peter,” you grin and close the door on him.

Peter can’t get you out of his mind from then out. He even has trouble sleeping because all he can think about is the bright color of your eyes and the way your hair flows down your shoulder blades. He didn't think he’d ever feel this way about someone after MJ yet here he is, thinking of you like how he thought about her.

The next day, Peter heads to your dorm before his class. This time, he doesn’t have his friends with him. He knocks on the door before he can talk himself out of it, and you open it seconds later.

“What are you doing here? This is the girls’ dorm.”

“I know, but I can’t get you out of my head as cliche as that sounds. I have to know your name.”

You smile. “My name is Y/N.”

“Y/N.” Peter breaks out in a cheesy grin and just stares at you. You blush under his gaze and start to close the door. “Goodbye, Peter.”

Like Peter is going to stay away from you. The next day rolls around, and you look at your watch for the fifth time.

“What are you waiting for? You don’t have class today,” Sarah says from her bed.

“No, I don’t.” You smile. “It’s almost three.”

“What’s at three?”

Right at three, someone knocks on the door. You smirk at Sarah and walk to the door before opening it. Standing there is Peter. 

“Hi, Peter.”

“I want, no… I need to ask you out on a date. Will you agree to going out with me? On a date.”

“No,” you chuckle.

Peter’s expression changes but it doesn’t fall in disappointment. “Why not?”

“You know, some girls might think it’s stalking with the way you keep showing up here uninvited.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Okay.” Peter turns to leave but doesn’t. “Ask me not to come back tomorrow, and I won’t come back and I won’t ask you on a date.”

You can’t do that. You find him charming and cute. There’s something about him that’s pulling you to him, but the last thing you’re going to do is make it easy for him.

“Goodbye, Peter.” You close the door on him and turn to Sarah who has a wide smile on her face. “What are you smiling about?”

“It’s like a Wattpad story come to life. You should have said yes.”

“He’ll be back tomorrow.”

And tomorrow he came. He came the day after that, and the day after that, and the following week after that. He comes at the same time every single day regardless of what he has going on in his life to ask you on a date which you always tell him no. It’s a game you two love playing. You’ll say eventually. You just want to see how hard he’ll work for it.

The first weekend that Peter’s team has an away game comes, and you’re upset you couldn’t go because of exams. You have two this next week so you’re taking this weekend to study for both of them. Sarah is over at her boyfriend’s dorm so you have the place to yourselves. You look at the time and groan from how late it is. 

Someone knocks on the door, and you look at it in confusion. Who could be here at eleven at night? You grab your cardigan and wrap it around yourself before going over to the door. One look through the peephole has you confused.

‘“Peter?” you say as you open the door. “What are you doing here?” Peter pants and holds onto the wall to catch his breath. “You just had a game. You’re supposed to be at ASU.”

“I had to see you,” he says. “We’ve been away all week and I hated not being able to see you.”

“Peter, it’s nearly midnight.”

He rests his arm on your doorframe and leans in. “Tell me not to come back tomorrow and ask you on a date.”

You have to hide your smile when you say this. “Don’t come back, Peter.”

This time, his face falls. “What?”

“I won’t be here.”

He tries not to look disappointed. “Oh, okay,” he nods.

“Yeah, I have this date with this guy who is charming and cute and looks like he ran hundreds of miles just to ask me on a date.”

Suddenly, Peter’s frown turns upside down. “Wait, you’re talking about me?”

“You’re so cute. Yes, I’m talking about you.”

“You’ll go on a date with me?”

“Yes,” you giggle.

“I really want to kiss you right now.” He leans in closer to you. “Tell me not to kiss you right now.”

“Goodbye, Peter,” you grin.

You’re about to close the door on his face when he pushes it back open. He grabs you, pulls you into him, and kisses you.

x

Want to be tagged? Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[meatball-headache]

Do I, though?

Oh. I can't wear it. What a surprise.

Hang on, let me check something real quick...

It's been more than five years and SE still can't figure out how to put hats on Viera. Not only that, but it's been five years and they're still making new hats that Viera can't wear. What is this? Laziness? Incompetence? Or is it just too technically difficult to make a hat that Viera can wea—

Oh, okay. Well, the Light-heavy hood I can at least wear, even though it deletes my ears. I guess there's some deep, inherent conflict that makes it impossible to have ears and a hat at the same ti—

Oh! Well, would you look at that. It's the Bozjan Hood of Fending, a hat that not only can Viera wear, but it has ears! So, clearly there's no technical limitation, it can be done. So why don't they?

Why fucking don't you, Yoshi?

This steams my onion on the daily. Viera have been out for five years and they still can't be bothered to make compatible hats for them. It's just laziness, because it's not like it's impossible, it's not like they can't figure it out, there are hats in-game that support ears! And, even better—there are mods that do it for ALL hats!

Yeah, two seconds on Google and I found like four mods that fixes ALL hats for Viera and Hrothgar. Something so impossible and technically challenging that SE hasn't been able to figure out how to do it in five years. The first versions of the mods were around 2021, two years after the races came out—so fans, who do this stuff in their free time, were able to figure out how to do it in two years, while SE, who's in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest video game credits, can't hire a full-time staffer to take care of it in five years?

What's really unacceptable, however, is when they add new real-money outfits that come with hats that Viera can't wear. They make a brand new outfit, charge real money for it, and then have the absolute gall to say "Oh yeah, it doesn't display for you. Fantasia is only $10 though!"

(I also think every game should let you remodel your character completely for free whenever you want. But, since people want that, they monetize it, so the shareholders will be pleased. But that's another discussion.)

I'd get the mod, but I don't use any mods, and I kinda like being "pure," judge me however you want—but, no one else would see me the way I see me, so it's half pointless. I'd create a cool character and they'd see something half complete... it bothers me enough wondering what people think about me when I at least know my portrait looks the same. But every day I lean closer to saying, fuck it, I paid for this game, it's mine to do with as I please.

Is there a mod that changes emotes? I always wanted the Shiva one :p

</rant>

[baocean]

starting over - rafe cameron [eight]

smau! rafecameron x youtuber! reader

summary: you’ve moved back to the obx after 4 years of growing your career in california. your friendships stayed afloat during your time away, you can’t say the same about your relationship. but rafe hears your back in town, and it set on not letting you go this time

masterlist! | seven | eight | nine |

you had scratched the game playing video idea entirely, deciding to save it for another day.

instead, you had your five siblings in the kitchen, holding your camera vlog style.

“okay hi everyone, we’re going to film a ‘sibling thrifts for a sibling’ video, but it’s hard to do this easily with six of us, so sorry let’s go.”

the process of getting everyone in the car, getting to the thrift store, picking outfits, checking out, getting home, and filming the rest of the video had taken almost three hours.

once you were done, most your siblings ventured off into their rooms or back into the kitchen for something to eat. willa, your youngest sibling, stayed with you in the basement, watching you as you edited.

“ethan told me you have a new boyfriend.” you rolled your eyes. ethan was sixteen, willa was twelve. ethan was obsessed with tricking willa, and willa looked up to her big brother completely.

“no, i’m hanging out with rafe again. but we’re not dating, i don’t have a boyfriend.”

“that’s good, i like rafe. he’s so nice.” she nodded, getting up from the couch. “i’ll see you later, im going to mira’s.”

you shook your head, convinced ethan heard from mikey, who probably heard from asa, who was probably told by liv. your siblings we’re conniving.

you would brush your annoyance off to the side, for now. you wanted to finish editing this video before any of your friends got here.

liked by: sarahcam, oliviamarie, asa.h, and 505,302 more!

yourusername: thrift with the six pack! new vid featuring my siblings comes out tonight 🫶🏻

sarahcam: the cutest siblings ever

oliviamarie: me and asa w the hats 💀💀 HAHAHA

jbroutledge: fire

popeheyward: tuned in ofcccc

jjmaybank: the six pack lmao who came up w that

↳ yourusername: mikey 💀

rafecam: This I can’t wait to see

↳ yourusername: you’re going to love it

asa.h: sibling superiority

taglist: @xoxo-ada @frankoceanluvr11

[orions-choker]

Gf pLEASE wirte something with I don't care who, and theyre your knight in like medieval timeline, and you maybe the princess??? Pleade something with medieval nobody wants to do it🥺🥺😔😔

(A/N: Woah so I got way too excited for this and accidentally maaaay have decided to start a series instead woopsies, I hope this ends up being what you wanted )

Frustrated by royal duties and the incoming of a harsh winter, a young princess finds herself in the company of a young knight James who has returned home after a long fought brutal battle. With the victory imminent for her kingdom, her father begins looking to set up political alliances with neighboring, using anything as pawn in his cruel game, including the sacrifice of his daughters happiness. Bound by an obligation to her status and yearning for for freedom she finds comfort within James.

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Historical Fantasy, Princes & Princesses, Forbidden Love, Arranged Marriage, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

Chapter One:

“It’s far too cold to be romping about in the snow.” Came the petulant whisper of a young woman, her face reddened by the biting winds. Her arms crossed around her body in a futile attempt to stay warm, the fur lining of her chemise beneath her silks did little to stave off the cold. Even the hem of her dress was dampening from the cold snow.

As quickly as her arms had wrapped around herself she was smacked. Her body stiffening as her posture corrected and she returned her hands folded neatly in front of her. “Your highness, I implore you to remember your manners.” The spindly old woman beside her reprimanded her quickly, her wrinkled face never betraying so much as a hint of annoyance but she could hear it in her voice. “His Majesty the King will be present shortly.”

The young woman's face screwed up in annoyance. “You can just say my father you know,” She leaned over into the old woman's ear. “You don’t have to be so proper around me Mistress Andriet.” She was promptly prodded back into position and she let out a huff. Her governess was never one for warmth or fun. She didn’t think she had truthfully ever seen the old woman smile once for the many years she had been in her care.

“My Lady Y/N” The Governess chastised her, that was the closest to informality she would receive. “Have I taught you nothing in nineteen summers? You would do well to address His Majesty as such, ignoring familial relations.” Her long spindly fingers pinched Y/N’s waist in reprimand, though she could hardly feel it through her thick winter layers. “I wonder not why you haven’t been married off yet with behavior such as yours.”

It took great restraint to not roll her eyes. Call her own father by such a pompous title? She scoffed at the very idea. “I take offense to that, I am not married by my own choice.” She mumbled under her breath. “Why is it so important that we be out in the dead of winter to welcome in the return of some knights?” She asked quietly. Her eyes gazed around the courts, filled with people and palace personnel that she could not remember the names of. What kind of celebration is this? How could these people be so joyous in this weather?

Her governess let out a sigh, unimpressed by her lack of attention. Sure Y/N had been briefed on the day's agenda when she was awoken this morning, but how could they seriously expect her to remember such details when she was hardly awake? “This is that last cavalry that survived and secured His Majesty’s victory over Kingdom Castlegar, Secured your victory, that is cause for celebration don’t you think?” The old woman pulled on a tight smile at the sound of her Fathers arrival, accompanied by the loud declaration of his title from his squires.

Quickly Y/N dropped into a curtsey, her ankles crossing over one another as she tilted her head, her fur lined veil falling in front of her face. Her governess did the same beside her, dropping even lower than herself however. Y/N knew that had to be hard on her old bones, her father was a reasonable man; mostly he wouldn't care if the Governess had to forgo the depth in which she bowed. However the old woman was as stubborn as she was respectful.

As Y/N rose she felt the heavy and warm hand of her father on her shoulder. The smallest hint of affection on his face as she met his gaze once more. “Princess Y/N” He greeted her warmly. She bit back a sigh. She was never one to understand the need for formality. He was the king was he not, who would oppose him from being openly caring for her. Of course the rare private moments she got with her father were different. At the very least he allowed her to stand near him when she was expected to attend royal services such as these. Usually one of her brothers took the mantle however they were all abroad on diplomatic ventures.

She smiled politely back at him. “Father,” She greeted him back, not missing the way he sighed at her lack of care for his title in front of his court, but he didn’t reprimand her, he never did. She turned and faced the entrance of the courtyard as she heard the heavy hooves of galloping steeds. Distant cheers from city folk as the precession made its way through the streets approaching the palace. However the sight that greeted them was less than a happy one.

Far less mounted steeds entered the courtyard, she counted only twenty. This was it? The last cavalry, usually there were at the very least three hundred men deployed. Half these men were hardly in good condition either, doubled over on their horses, blood staining the the fabric of the tunic beneath the heavy plated armor. Yet still they were received with cheers as if every single man had returned. She felt sick. Blood dripped down onto the fresh snow, staining it a sparkling red that stood out against the dull winter backdrop.

Her eyes stayed trained on the red that seeped out across the crisp snow. There were flurries of movement beside her but she felt trained to that very spot. The clanking of heavy armor as the knights were attended to by fresh squires. Her fathers voice delivering a booming speech of victory, the declaration of a banquet held in these men's honor. A banquet? Food was all they could afford these people, what about the hundreds who had died. Y/N’s head was spinning as she was guided back inside by Her Governess and ladies in waiting.

“Did you see that one knight? How beautiful,” One of her handmaidens whispered softly to another as they unrobed her in her chambers. “I know, what a shame that face is wasted on poor folk.” Another gossiped as she slipped off Y/N’s Kirtle. Typically Y/N would engage in gossip with her ladies in waiting but all she could focus on was the blood. It was a stark and unpleasant reminder of the brutality carried out in her fathers name…subsequently her name. Why had they even needed to conquer that neighboring kingdom? Y/N was snapped out of the daze by the rustling of fabrics and a question. “Your Highness, which one, the scarlet velvet, or the golden silk?” One of her attendants asked, displaying before her two options for an evening gown. She blinked, oh yes, this banquet, she had to dress for the banquet. The sight of the red suddenly made her feel sick.

“The gold one, please,” She waved her hand dismissively. She was danced around her chambers by various girls as they dressed her, replacing her thick winter undergarments with something lighter. Her hair being left down in loose tresses the way she always requested. It didn’t mirror the tightly plaited styles that were common at court but she was never one to conform to what was expected of her. However much it grated on her father.

Banquets and feasts were never her favorite royal duty, what joy was there to be derived from sitting amongst gluttonous high ranking officials stuffing their guts full of mead and meats? It was a disgusting display of power and wealth in her opinion. This one however was much sadder. As she was skirted into the room into a chair beside her father she took notice at the disheveled appearances of most of the knights. Her heart ached. They had been cleaned, wounds dressed to, and given armor that was more ceremonial that practical but many of them looked so defeated.

There were of course a few younger man, boasting to each other about how well received their efforts had been, a couple boys who looked no older than fourteen wearing shell shocked expressions from the horrors they had witnessed, older men who had likely been too old to have been in battle in the first place. As she sat down her eyes landed on one in particular though. Her heart did an embarrassing flip in her chest as she drank in the sight of him.

This had to be the man her ladies were gossiping over, she could understand why. With long golden locks that fell almost wildly around his face, sharp piercing blue eyes that seemed trained on the table in front of him. He was quiet and reserved. He could be no older than thirty but no younger than herself. Her mouth felt dry watching him and she quickly picked up her drinking cup to wet her lips. He was possibly the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

She drowned out the sounds of her Fathers boasting beside her, the excited chattering of high lords and the few knights who were in seemingly good spirits. Everything blurred around her as she kept her vision steady trained on the boy seven seats down, she counted. And when his gaze lifted to meet hers, she could have sworn she heard the harps of the heavens playing. Her eyes widened, a flush coming to meet her cheeks. He smiled at her, soft and hesitant but it felt like the floor was crumbling from beneath her.

By all means it was improper for her to do so, but she couldn’t help the way the corners of her lips curled in response. Her eyes flittering away from his own shyly. Her fingers curled into the silks of her dress as she tried to still her fast beating heart. Her head dropped softly, allowing her hair and veil to conceal her blushing face. This was a moment she would think about late at night alone for months to come. She was sure of it.

The banquet came to a tidy close. She hesitated the longest to remove herself from her seat, her father leaving the hall with raucous laughter as he discussed future plans with his high ranking generals like they were old friends. Perhaps they were, though she couldn't imagine a time in which her father ever had time for friends, she didn't even have time for friends. Finally she lifted her head as a soft silence fell over the room, she stood from the table. Then there was a soft clanking of metal from behind her. “Your Highness,” An unfamiliar but soft and raspy voice spoke.

Quickly she turned in surprise only to see a mop of blonde hair bowing low before her. Her cheeks heated up again. “Oh!” She squeaked, quickly covering her mouth with her hand to muffle the less than lady like noise that escaped her. She could have sworn she heard him laugh softly. “My good knight, you startled me.” She quickly composed herself, speaking with a level of formality she wasn't typically accustomed to. Oddly she felt as if she wanted to impress this boy. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked nervously.

At her acknowledgment he lifted himself up again. He was tall, quite literally towering over her in a way that didn't feel threatening, rather it felt comforting actually. He was prettier up close to, even though she could see the faint signs of a poor complexion across his cheeks and jaw, the skin left slightly pockmarked, somehow it added to just how striking he was. “Sir James, Your Highness.” He introduced himself softly. “I just-” In an instant she could see his confidence falter, what good reason did he have for speaking to a princess.

“Call me Y/N,” She said softly and quickly, her hand gently resting against the shiny ceremonious metal plating on his arm. She didn’t know why she did it, why she said that. He was just…enthralling. Quickly she pulled her hand back like she had burned herself, realizing she was bordering the line of completely inappropriate. “I’m sorry I should be leaving.” She whispered before quickly turning, leaving the dining hall.

“Okay…Y/N,” James’s voice echoed softly off the empty walls as she left, his voice calling her name would be ringing in her ears for the rest of the evening.

[hydrangeapartridge]

Manfred's first magic duel (EmmRook short fic)

Summary: Manfred is challenged to a duel by another apprentice.How will it go?

(Spoilers for the end of the game)

Part of my collection of post-game dometic EmmRook stories. Cross-posted on AO3 or found on my blog

“You’ll what ??” Emmrich almost spat his tea and Rook’s eyes grew as wide as saucers when Manfred made his announcement.

“Duel” The skeleton simply repeated, in the same way he would inform them he learned a new levitation spell.

In all fairness, duelling was a rather common practice in the Necropolis; friendly combats that helped watchers keep in shape and ready to fight undead or other enemies. Aside from being knowledgeable, Nevarra’s necromancers were also experts in combat, as Emmrich proved in his days with the Veilguard.

“No absolutely not. It’s too dangerous” Emmrich’s tone was final, yet Manfred protested, made bolder than he was only a few years ago from his growing independence and his schooling at the Necropolis.

“But you do it” He pointed out.

Rook felt like she was watching a teenager arguing with his father. It would be sweet if it wasn’t escalating. And if she didn’t end up dragged into the argument.

“Rook?” Manfred turned to her, almost begging

She turned to Emmrich and he crossed his arms over his chest, unable to hide his upset state, but gave a small sign of his head for her to give her opinion.

“It could be dangerous” She started and Emmerich nodded approvingly. She didn’t dare look his way as she continued. “But less advanced trainees duel so... why not? It’s not worse than hunting demons down the chambers of the Necropolis?”

Emmrich’s jaw almost comically dropped. “Assignements are a totally different matter” He replied, looking at Rook like she just gravely betrayed him.

She frowned. Her husband could have a flair for the dramatic when he was upset. And now he was arguing with her instead of their magical skeleton son. She did not like where this was going.

“Emmrich. Deep breaths” She gently suggested, like she often did when she found him overreacting.

He sighed but did as he was told, while Manfred kept looking between the two of them, oddly silent. “ Right. We’ll discuss this again tomorrow after sleeping on it. Now go read in your room” He instructed, and Manfred complied, waving them goodnight before he climed the stairs.

When Emmrich was sure that the spirit wouldn’t hear them, he sat closer to Rook on the sofa.

“Darling, when teaching Manfred discipline, we shouldn’t openly disagree in front of him” He said, though with a warmer tone than expected, taking Rook’s hand in his. He caressed her pulse point with his thumb in a soothing gesture alike to an apology for his earlier irritation.

“Sorry, but honestly you were being a bit unfair” Rook replied, placing a tender hand on his thigh. “I understand where you’re coming from but Manfred’s right, you did duel and still do. Every Necromancer does. He must already feel different from the other students so we shouldn’t aggravate him. Plus, he’s a spirit of curiosity, he’s bound to want to try new things”

Emmrich listened intently as Rook exposed her point. “Also, too many restrictions could push him to disobey you or to hide things from you. Better to support him and keep a close eye on how things go.”

Emmrich sighed. He knew that she was right. Rook had always been a voice of reason; this was part of what made her a great leader for the Veilguardn and a quality he loved deeply.

He ran a hand over his tired features.

“I worry too much don’t I?” He chuckled and Rook smiled.

“It means you care. It’s adorable”

“Davrin often said I should give Manfred more independence. He was right, and so are you”

Rook’s hand pressed a little more against his thigh. “ So … you’re not upset with me for openly disagreeing with you? ” She still felt illegitimate sometimes when it came to Manfred’s upbringing, even after so long.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Of course not darling, I never really was. My ego was just a little bruised when Manfred turned to you for permission like he could bypass me”

“Every child does that” Rook pointed out with a small private laugh before she placed a small loving peck on her husband’s lips.

- - -

On the following day, Manfred was overjoyed to learn that he was allowed to duel the student who challenged him.

Emmrich offered to help him prepare for it. Which turned out to be quite necessary. They set up in the living room, moving the coffee table aside to have more space.

“Now, first with the rules. Do you know them?” Emmrich asked, palms joined in full lecture mode.

“If can’t move or thrown out arena, lose” Manfred offered in his still approximative hold of the common tongue.

Well, that was a start.

“This is partly true” Emmrich nodded. “And tell me, how do you plan on defeating your opponent?”

“I burn him” Manfred declared with a shrug.

Rook snorted, but went back to her book when Emmrich turned to her with a chiding look. No doubt Manfred was not a spirit of compassion; directly thinking about burning his adversary. He did love fire spells for some reason. Rook could understand; fire was simple. Effective, but not subtle at all.

Emmrich pinched the bridge of his nose. “No Manfred, fire spells are prohibited, as well as any spell directly hurting the body like blood magic, or decaying spells”

Manfred deflated. “What can use?” He wondered, as if his arsenal of spells revolved only on those forbidden.

Emmrich joined his hands in front of him again, his bangles singing a song that Rook loved. “Good question. Wind spells for one, Ice spells too, Ligthning but not too high voltage” He enumerated. “It takes finesse to be an accomplished duelist you see. It is not just about brute strength. You need a strategy of some sort, quick reflexes and thinking to take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses”

Manfred listened intently as Emmrich taught him a thing or two about classic duel strategies. The more Emmrich explained and then demonstrated, exchanging a few friendly spares and spells with his disciple, the more Rook watched fondly, grinning wide from how much fun they seemed to be having.

- - -

The day of the duel soon arrived. The light atmosphere of the large room full of marble statues dedicated to duels contrasted with Emmrich’s solemn mood. He barely slept the previous night, and had been firing last minute advices at Manfred nonstop since breakfast.

Rook was at her husband’s arm, pleased and supportive. She felt a bit nervous too, admitedly. She wanted Manfred to have a good time, and she trusted he could win. He was a talented little magic skeleton. But Emmrich’s worry was a bit communicative so she hoped everything would go smoothly.

The place reminded her of that one time when, urged by Emmrich’s colleagues, she had agreed to duel her lover for fun. The memory made her smile. She remembered the way Emmrich fought, like he was dancing with her, all elegance and precise strength.. In theory the odds of wining hab been in her favor, but Emmrich was more familiar with the duel rules and knew her so well he could spot her weaknesses easily. She was a strong mage, confident and unpredictable. but she hadn’t realized how much he had observed her techniques when back in the Veilguard. They managed to each win a long fought round, but decided to stop there, all sweaty and breathless, ending up quite dishevelled and eager to go back home to each other to diffuse the growing tension between them. The other watchers had praised the impressive show they gave, as well as their fair play of ending in a tie.

And what a night it had been then when they had found themselves dancing between the sheets afterwards.

Emmrich placed one last encouraging pat on Manfred’s shoulder before he would leave to get in position in the arena, the sound bringing Rook out of her reverie.

The skeleton looked to his mentor, determined as he announced. “I win. I make you proud”

Rook’s heart positively melted as she watched Emmrich’s expression impossibly soften with affection. She swore she saw the shiny glint of a tear in the corner of his eye.

They waved at Manfred’s figure walking away as his opponent, a flashy young human with fiery red hair entered the arena. Given the heraldry on the large gold pendant he ostentiously wore, he was surely the offspring of an old and influential noble family.

Emmrich was visibly stressed, paling a little. “I hope he won’t hurt his bones. It is a painful process to put them back in place”

Rook took his hand in hers so he'd stop biting his nails. “He will be fine. The referee will stop them if things gets too dangerous”

Luckily, today’s referee turned out to be Vorgoth, whom both Emmrich and Rook trusted and respected.

Once the fighters were in place, they saluted, and Vorgoth signed for them to begin.

Encouragements but also jeers were heard from the crowd as the two apprentices exchanged spells that were easily countered by their shields, cautiously gauging their opponent.

Manfred kept up easily, but didn’t take initiative to incapacitate his adversary, so it left the other mage free to do as he pleased. With a hit of his staff to the ground, the human apprentice conjured a slippery layer of ice on the floor before him. He then quickly cast a wind spell that Manfred couldn’t block fully, and which made him flinch and trip, the poor skeleton landing on his coccyx.

And so Manfred lost the first round.

“Damn it” Rook clicked her tongue, already very invested in the fight. “It’s okay Manfred, you’ll bounce back!” She encouraged once the arena had been returned to its original state for the spirit to get up.

Beside her, Emmrich was alarmingly quiet. His eyes were fixed on Manfred’s opponent, his expression dark and irritated. Rook only ever saw him look that way to nobles he particularly despised.

During the small break between the rounds, the red-haired apprentice took upon himself to round the arena, bowing and waving at the crowd like he owned the place.

“Yeah, see how I tripped that thing? It didn’t see it coming!” He boasted, raising his arms to encourage a group of fangirls that screamed his name like lovestruck geese. Rook felt her blood start to boil in her veins. Most watchers were very nice and tolerant to Manfred. Most but not every watcher...

Her fist clenched at her side as the young mage passed them, making sure to stop in front of Emmrich.

“How did I do Professor?” He asked with a smirk, the taunt so unsubtle in his voice that he sounded ridiculous.

“Passable” Emmrich only said, standing straighter than ever and giving him his best unbothered look before he pretended to be very interested in the state of his nails.

Vorgoth motionned for the red-haired mage to get back into position, and when he turned his back to them, Rook barely felt a very subtle hint of a magic she knew was Emmrich’s before the noble’s son’s foot hedged and he fell face first onto the ground.

A roar of laughters rose from the crowd as Manfred’s opponent quickly rose, his face red from anger and embarassment. He did not have time to question what happened, for Vorgoth urged him to join him, least he be disqualified.

“He should tend to that weak left ankle” Emmrich commented lowly, only for Rook to hear, earning a low chuckle from her. For all his kindness, Emmrich could be mean and vindicative, even borderline petty when truly upset. And he hated bullies "I have no respect for show offs" He whispered to his wife, trying to justify his childish action when he saw the judging glint in her amused gaze. She loved when he was being mischevious, enjoying it even more for how rare of an occurrence it was.

“You reap what you sow…” Rook commented with a shrug, making Emmrich smile tightly.

Then the second round started.

The red-haired mage’s bruised ego made him more aggressive. More dangerous but also more sloppy. The crowd was wild, urging the mages to fight dirty, so far from the expected etiquette and chic of the Mourn Watch. Ah, youth…

Manfred blocked and dodged each brutal but predictable blow with ease. Had his opponent been more observant, he would have noticed the subtle change in hue of Manfred’s shield as the spirit used each attack aimed at him to charge it with energy.

"Get him Manfred!” Rook shouted as loud as possible, joining in the frenzy of comments from the crowd, making her husband start from her rowdy behaviour.

Upon hearing her words, Manfred hissed in determination and released all the energy accumulated in his shield in a thundering shockwave that sent his opponent flying, then crashing at the very edge of the arena.

Loud clapping and impressed whistles were heard as the crowd easily changed favourites, except for the group of fangirls too busy checking if their champion was alright. Turned out he was, save for a few bruises to his body and to his large ego.

“Oh dear, that was bright but a bit of an overkill” Emmrich commented lowly, barely able to hide the huge grin splitting his lips.

Vorgoth announced Manfred as the winner of the second round, and Emmrich politely clapped, trying to appear less invested than he truly was. For Rook, her husbands’s reactions were almost as much an entertaining show to watch as the actual duel.

With the two opponents now at a tie, the stakes of the third round were high, and the ambiance of the room became electryfying. Vorgoth had to calm a few overly enthusiastic students and order them to step back from the edges of the arena before he allowed the final round to begin.

“You little…!” Manfred’s adversary swore before he released a blast of burning greenish light.

The attack surprised Manfred, for it ate away at his shield, wild and stubborn. The little skeleton was forced to focus hard to dissipate the growing fire that hindered his vision more than it burnt him.

“Veilfire!” Emmrich gasped, outraged “Fire spells are forbidden, that’s suppose to include veilfire!’” He loudly disapprouved, stepping closer to the arena, but stopping when Vorgoth turned in his direction in a silent warning not to interfere.

The apprentice took Manfred’s distraction as an opportunity to charge with a hand on hand attack, swinging his staff hard at the skeleton. Manfred managed to block it with his own staff, but pure force was not his strong point given he had no muscles to back it up. His hold on his staff faltered under the strength of his opponent, and the spirit’s weapon was thrown to the ground out of his reach.

A panicked whimper escaped Emmrich whose hands reflexively covered his mouth in a way that reminded Rook of unpleasant memories. Internally, she urged Manfred to get a grip and do something. She knew he could. He was brave and clever and strong, contrary to what his adversary might think.

Under the crowd’s eager eyes, Manfred’s fists started glowing blue with an ice spell, and before his bones got hit with a second blow of his opponent’s staff, he punched him square in the jaw. Unelegant but deadly effective. The redhaired human fell to his knees and Vorgoth calmly announced that the skeleton had won.

After recovering from the shear surprise of the action, Emmrich and Rook exulted.

“Bravo Manfred!” Emmrich clapped and Rook whistled alongside the excited crowd. ‘You rock little man! Serves him right!’ she thought she heard someone say, and the thought that Manfred could have friends here to support him made her heart squeeze in her chest.

“That’s cheating!” The defeated apprentice accused, massaging his jaw as he slowly got up.

“So is using veilfire” Emmrich commented loudly from outside the arena, sending Vorgoth a dark glare.

“Technically only his spell collided with your face” Vorgoth declared, looking down onto the smaller human.

The redhaired boy protested but Vorgoth’s deep voice interrupted him. “Humbly accept your defeat young apprentice”

The younger mage lowered his head and bolted away from the room, followed by his weeping fanclub.

Manfred happily joined his caretakers outside the arena, a spring to his steps. “Yeah! I won!”

“What a quick reaction Manfred! That was unexpectedly clever! But where did you learn to do that?” Emmrich asked, more enthralled than skeptical about this unusual move that he never suggested during their training.

“Did like Rook do with bad guys!” Manfred excitedly replied and Rook flushed.

She recalled she had a bad habit of punching people in the face back when she was irritated by having Solas in her mind and overstressed from the prospect of the world ending.

“Well I suppose all examples can be beneficial” Emmrich chuckled, bringing Rook closer by her waist.

He then turned to Manfred again, a warm smile on his lips. “I am so very proud of you”

If skeletons could purr from happiness, Manfred did right there and then.

[xokohaneazusawa]

If somebody had told him a few years ago that this is where his life would have ended up, he would have called them fucking insane. The genius midfielder: Sae Itoshi, with tears in his eyes, promising to his partner that they would be forever.

It wasn't often you had ever seen Sae so on edge about something. All starting with an early morning for him, Usually it would go the same for him. Morning yoga and meditation before waking you up, if you weren't up already, to head downstairs and getting some salted kombucha for himself. Today however was a little different. Getting up at the same time as normal just to bypass the yoga and meditation to go get the ring he had hidden in his football bag. The one he had spent months picking just to make sure it was right, and even time making sure not to give it to you at the wrong point.

When you had woken up around the same time Sae normally would have finished his meditation and didn't see him there, saying you were confused would have been an understatement. Sae, the guy who lived on schedules and planners, wasn't doing much something in his routine? Strange. He was already downstairs when you finally made your way downstairs? Okay, whatever, maybe he came down early to get his- nope. He didn't even have his salted kombucha. What was going on with him?? You couldn't help but think that maybe he was sick or something, this was so unlike him... especially since every time you would ask him about something or even sightly look at him he would start turning red a little bit, even if he thought he was hiding it well. It was strange. the way he took you out on the town, something he normally wouldn't have time for especially since it was the football season.

The sunset was always pretty in Spain, how the orange, yellow, and the slightest bit of red colored the horizon. No matter how many times you saw it, the sunset still managed to impress you and look beautiful from the balcony of Sae's penthouse. The two of you were sitting out on his balcony, looking out of the horizon and soaking up the last bits of light for the day.

5:30PM on December 1st.

As you slightly leaned over the railing to enjoy the way the slightly cool air hit your face and the last sliver of the sunset that was still visible over the ocean front you didn't even notice that behind you Sae was almost in tears already. Thinking about how this could affect the rest of your lives. You two had talked about marriage only a few times as it had never really been an option with his busy schedule and his games throughout the seasons. As you turned around you would be faced with the same Sae that you had thought only had one facial expression, was now standing there, tears threatening to spill out of his eyes.

"It's not that I'm upset or anything. It's just that..."

He sighed, thinking about everything leading up to this moment and how he couldn't back out now. He didn't wanna back out now. This wasn't like a football match where he just had to create a good pass for somebody else, this was all him.

"It's just that there is so much I want to say, and I don't think I'll be able to say any of it..."

"Every day since we met I thought that there would be nothing holding me back from winning the Champions League, but I was clearly wrong. You. You are what keeps me from winning it."

Before you could say anything else he stopped you.

"Not because you're a bother or you need to apologize, it's because more than anything else I wanna stay with you. I wanna wake up with you every morning, go to bed with you every night, and make sure that you know that I love you more than anything else even if I don't always show it. So here. I know that due to my own selfish desires, I wanna make sure that even if we can't get married now, that everybody knows we're together. That you decided that even through all the fights, the good, the bad, and the lukewarm, you chose me."

And that's when it hit him, the second he pulled out that promise ring that had been tucked into the bottom of his football bag for months on end, and the way you nodded your head he couldn't help but let his emotions finally get the best of him. And in all the years that you had known him, it might have been the first time he had ever cried in front of you.

Not for tears of sadness, that he finally admitted that maybe something was more important than football for him. But for happiness, even if he couldn't bind himself for entirety to the person he loved most now, he at least knew in his heart that when he got to that point, you would say yes.

[woozisguitar]

Hii congratulations on the achievement 👏 🎉 can I request a joshua x reader headcannon where they're friends but have feelings for eachother and accidentally kiss . Thankyou ❤️

thank you <333 also this is so cutesy omg hope u like it requests for 200 celebration post: open

friend! joshua who met you on the first day of your freshman year and decided to stick by your side because "it's better to be confused together than alone."

friend! joshua who ended up being your closest friend for years, sticking by your side through thick and thin, a safety net you could fall back on.

friend! joshua who got you soup when you were sick, coffee before any important exams, drove you to your favorite burger joint after a bad breakup and let you ruin his shirt with your tears, always saying the same thing: "that's what friends are for."

friend! joshua who you started to have feelings for but decided to push them down for the sake of your friendship.

friend! joshua who, unbeknownst to you, felt the same way since freshman year, holding onto the same reason that your friendship mattered more and he could never lose you.

friend! joshua who invited you to his friend’s party to celebrate finishing another year. he didn’t expect you to dress up for it, his eyes widening when he saw you walk in wearing his favorite blue dress. you scanned the crowd till your eyes met his and you gave him your brightest smile. when you got closer, joshua was so glad for the loud thumping bass, otherwise he was sure you'd hear his heart pounding in his chest.

friend! joshua who pulled you next to him when mingyu suggested playing a round of suck and blow. his friends thought they were doing him a favor, little did they know you were a pro at this game. friend! joshua who made it through every round with you and now there was just you, him, and another girl.

friend! joshua who freaked out when the card slipped between the two of you, taking a few seconds to realize that your lips were pressed to his.

friend! joshua who was disappointed when you pulled back and laughed it off, opting to play other games. he tried not to think about this accidental kiss, but it was hard not to when this was all he had been dreaming of for the past years. he tried to follow you around but noticed how you came up with an excuse to avoid him.

friend! joshua who suggested taking you home after he saw you throw back a few too many shots. he knew you outdid yourself and would regret this tomorrow, but right now your safety was his peak priority.

friend! joshua who ignored your drunk protests and insisted you drink water and sober up. he led you to his car, making sure you were secured properly before driving in the direction of your house. friend! joshua who made sure you were sober enough to know what happened and where you were. it would kill him if this was his only shot with you and you didn’t remember a thing.

friend! joshua who freaked out when you asked him to kiss you again, insisting you're too drunk to remember a thing. "shua, i promise i'm sober enough for this, but if you don’t kiss me right now, i might actually die."

friend! joshua who slowly cupped your cheek, giving you enough time to back out, until you grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and firmly pressed your lips against his.

friend! joshua who knew the second he kissed you, he was going to be addicted for life. the taste of your lip gloss was going to haunt him in his dreams till the end of time. he freaked out when you pulled back, unsure of what this would mean for the two of you. you gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek and told him to pick you up at 7 tomorrow evening.

friend! joshua who made a mental note to get mingyu lunch as a thank you after dropping you off. but first, he had a date to plan and a heart to win.

[om-chats]

(forget for a moment that i abandoned this account because i got lazy but came back for this big announcement)

While I was expecting for the original game to eventually perish to the ground due to Solmare abandoning it and making the decision to branch it off with another brand new app, Obey Me! Nightbringer, which that in itself is a huge outrage the moment it was announced because it only benefited Solmare and not its consumers also. I kindaaa wasn't expecting their still brand new game to also meet the same fate in a year and a half.

I know that this isn't exactly the end yet for the OM! series because of their mentions of 'new forms of content' coming soon. But you know what? Just like how when you know when it's time to stop, I'm content that it's now ending.

Other people who are still playing OM! won't share the same feeling considering that I dropped it months ago, so I'm not feeling the same attachment others are feeling right now. But one thing that I WILL shed tears over is the story and the characters potential.

I'll keep it short but both SWD and NB had something in common, their beginnings of their story had potential to build up to something grand that'll keep you both invested in the plot and interested in the characters, but as it progressed it 'kinda' lost its shine. Sorry but it started to feel like an anime that published a few filler episodes. The same goes for events and cards—even when it had its moments—the quantity was big and the quality was still little. I did like Simeon's card where it was an AU where he was a broken puppet/doll though.

And I WILL turn this around and make it all about Barbatos and Nightbringer.

I like Nightbringer. I like Nightbringer. I like Barbatos. I like Barbatos. Did I already mention I like Nightbringer and Barbatos? Which is why I was absolutely DEVASTATED at their lack of involvement in anything further down the lessons. It was like jingling shiny toys in front of a baby and then hiding it never to be seen again. I like mysterious characters but I didn't mean being a mystery to character impact.

I dropped OM! so I don't have any impressions of how the story is progressing now but I know well enough those 5 lessons left until Lesson 60 won't cover those two bastards or even WHY Nightbringer sent MC into the past and instead just show MC with the main cast being all lovey-dovey, give a good-bye kiss, and then bye-bye! End scene. Cut.

Either they atleast show Barbatos being creepy and acknowledging that he knows MC went somewhere they shouldn't have, or show Nightbringer having a 'lovely' chat with MC and explaining what and why he did those things at the beginning of the lesson. Even if they were to give an explanation there's still alot of things OM! needs to unpack that 5 lessons probably won't cut it.

TLDR: Let it die 2x the tree has been failing to harbor fruit for months. I want Barbatos to act like a silver-tongued horror character while romantic tension still continues. creep me out while turning me on. Nightbringer the benefit you give to me is that you're mysterious but now the disadvantage is that your lack of information makes others not care about you, I still love you anyway.

[palin-tropos]

harry du bois playing outer wilds and having a good cry over it

[bacchuschucklefuck]

and! barbarian!fig! its her

[icewindandboringhorror]

I know this is just a silly bad quality random screencap of a screencap that I found on facebook lol, BUT it's a succinct enough image to easily describe the concept in a quick/accessible way hopefully :

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(and of course, feel free to elaborate in tags, etc.! (especially elaborating about other senses as well.. can you "hear" in your mind just as well as you can "see"? taste? etc.) It's an interesting topic to me, as someone who's like a 4.5 at MOST lol. I'm curious what option will be the most common :0c )