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concretejunglefm · 2 days ago

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I'm not ready to let you forget me (part 2).

*edit credit goes to the lovely @defuckingthrone-dot-com

You told your friends you want me dead And said that I did everythin' wrong And you're not wrong

An anon request for lovers to enemies ->part 1.

Summary: It’s been two years since Noah cheated on you, abruptly ending your relationship. However, the universe seems to have a peculiar sense of humor in its plan to reunite you.

Pairing: Noah Sebastian x reader.

CW: none really. Mentions of cheating, Noah can be an overall asshole and a tad bit of angst.

WC: 3.2k

Dividers: Silent-stories.

It's a Friday night, in Vegas no less, and instead of being out on the strip, Sloan has dragged you to the hotel bar.

"Is there a reason for why we're in here and not out on the strip right now?"

"Because, the night is young and there are plenty of hot people here for you to mingle with." She says, nudging your hip. You look out at the sea of people and make a face, using your glass to hide it from Sloan's view while taking a sip of your drink, as you make your way through them from the bar to a booth.

You hadn't come here seeking a hookup, instead, you wanted a chance to clear your head. However, that had become impossible since the reason for your mental turmoil was now occupying the room next door.

You fall into the booth with a huff, moving over for Sloan to scoot in beside you as she leans in closer to speak to you over the music.

"You know what they say, to get over someone you need to—"

"Don't you dare say get under somebody else."

"Guy or girl, either will do." Sloan shrugs.

Sadly your experiences with women ended just as tragically as they did with men.

"Have you ever noticed how hot Jolly is?"

Sloan's unsolicited comment about Noah's bandmate and friend draws your attention as you follow her gaze and witness five familiar faces entering the bar. It doesn't surprise you and yet now you wish that you were anywhere but here.

"No, I can't say that I have." You're hopeful she catches the disinterest in your tone.

"Oh come on, look at him. Those tattoos, that long hair, the accent! God he's dreamy." She says, bringing her straw to her lips, taking a sip of her drink. "I bet he's a charmer too, a real gentleman."

"Are you really gushing over him right now?"

"A girl can look, can't she?" She briefly glances at you before returning her gaze to Jolly, who stands at the bar with his friends. "Besides, there's something about his age that really ignites my daddy issues."

"Okay, I think you've had enough of this." You reach for her glass, pulling the mixed cocktail away from her.

"I wonder if he likes to be called daddy."

"Please don't." You grimace at the thought.

Your mind had been plagued by what ifs when it came to Noah and his ex. The last thing you needed was to imagine any scenario involving his bandmate and his preferences in the bedroom.

"I'm going to ask him." She declares, shuffling herself to the edge of the booth.

"Sloan!"

"What? I told you, you need to go find someone to help you get over Noah and I need someone to just get my leg over." She laughs and you roll your eyes.

She's like a cat in heat when she finds someone she's interested in. You just wish it weren't someone so closely connected to Noah, and that she wouldn't abandon you right now to pursue them.

You watch her approach Jolly from across the bar, following her usual routine of leaning against him, brushing herself closer, and whispering something in his ear. Almost like clockwork, he finishes his glass of brown liquor and slips off with her.

She's too predictable.

For a fleeting moment, your eyes meet Noah's as you scan the bar. He notices your gaze and raises his glass in a toast. You decide to ignore it, downing your drink and the remaining contents of Sloan's before slipping out of the booth to head to your room for the night, maybe you'll even order room service.

Hopefully tomorrow will have a better start to it.

"He has got to be fucking kidding me." You grumble under your breath, huffing as you roll over and pull your pillow over your head to muffle out the sound currently coming through the wall you share with Noah.

Between the rhythmic banging against the wall and the high-pitched moans you keep hearing, it's safe to assume he isn't alone in there. If his intention had been to annoy you, unfortunately, it was working. You assume it's just another one of his many tactics to get under your skin.

So far, this weekend has been anything but peaceful, and you're starting to regret coming.

Even the tv does little to drown out the noise that is coming through the wall your bed is against.

Eventually, the noise all becomes too much and you find yourself throwing the covers off, drag yourself out of bed with a hefty sigh, deciding to confront the matter at hand and potentially tell him to shut the fuck up.

Rapidly knocking on Noah's hotel room door, you huff and the moment he opens it, you're met with him shirtless, wearing only his boxers. His chest glistens with what could easily be sweat or maybe water. From the sounds you'd heard coming through the wall from his room, you guess it to be the first, especially when you hear the heaviness in his breath.

"Oh hey, we're not being too loud are we?"

Your eyes narrow on him. You hadn't even spoken a word for why you were here, but he had already apparently figured out your reasoning.

"If you're entertaining guests, do you mind keeping it down?" You attempt to peer behind him and into the room, Noah purposely moving his larger frame to block you.

"Sorry. Had no idea we were being that loud." There's a smug grin on his face and what you wouldn't give to slap it off him.

It's two in the morning and perhaps for Vegas that is still early, but for you it's the middle of the night.

"Of course not. So, what unfortunate girl did you manage to convince to come home with you this time, huh?" Crossing your arms over your chest, you raise an eyebrow.

You have no genuine reason or explanation for asking him this, as if you genuinely care to know. Besides, the room has now fallen silent, compared to the incessant noise you were hearing through the wall just moments ago.

"Well…" Rubbing his hand against the back of his neck, a sheepish expression crosses his face, which causes your own brow to furrow.

Then his words are cut off by the sound of a familiar giggle, your eyes widening as you hear the stretched out sound of his name from a voice which turns your blood cold. "Noooowah."

"No, wait! I can explain!" Noah reaches for you as you quickly turn back in the direction of your room, almost catching his fingers in the door when it slams shut behind you.

You spend the rest of the night tossing and turning, the sound of Noah's ex's voice playing on repeat in your head after hearing it come from his room. You more so hate the fact that you're allowing it to bother you at all, but the look on his face had almost screamed guilt to you.

What you hate even more is indulging in a Google search, which inevitably leads you down a rabbit hole, revealing that his ex-girlfriend will indeed be present at the festival they're scheduled to perform at on Sunday.

By morning, you're grumpy and sleep-deprived, but the thought of staying in the room next to them for any longer becomes increasingly irritating. With a heavy sigh, you drag yourself out of bed, quickly showering and changing. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, you decide to explore the hotel and send Sloan a text, informing her of your plans.

"Excuse me?" You look up, only to find yourself once again face to face with the same asshole front man you've been trying to avoid.

It's been an hour of peace this morning and somehow, even in a busy hotel, he still manages to cross paths with you.

"What?" You say through gritted teeth, before you realize that the voice hasn't come from him.

It had been feminine and soft, coming from a young girl who stood nearby, with two of her friends.

"I'm sorry. I was wondering if you would mind taking a photo for us? We're such huge fans of him and..."

You don't need to hear the same old drivel.

Huge fans, their first time meeting him, would love a group photo, yada yada yada. It wasn't your first time standing on the sidelines and becoming an unofficial photographer for him and the fans who spotted him while he was out.

Catching sight of Noah's face, you see him raising his brows as if to express his silent shame regarding your rudeness directed at the young girl.

"Of course she wouldn't mind." He quickly interjects before you have a moment to register and refuse, forcing a smile as you take her phone from her.

"I'd be delighted." It was a lie, but you could hardly say no now. You'd already been an asshole once.

Lifting the phone, you glance at them through the screen before calling out. "Say cheese." They all comply in unison, the girls striking poses and huddling close to their idol, while Noah raises his signature peace sign.

As soon as you return the phone, Noah has already slipped away and headed back towards his group bandmates, who are eagerly waiting for him.

"Asshole." you mutter to yourself, only to overhear the girls as they begin examining their photo and giggling among themselves.

"Do you think he's single?" One asks.

"I hope so. I might try and shoot my shot with him if he is." Another responds, and you roll your eyes before casting a quick glance behind them, back in Noah's direction as you speak, making sure your voice is loud enough for him to potentially hear.

"I heard he ghosts girls once he gets bored of them." You look back towards the group of girls after catching Noah's head turning slightly in your direction.

"Then I'd just have to make sure he didn't get bored of me." The first girl responds.

"Good luck with that." You throw out a fake smile, catching Noah and his group of friends walking back in your direction. "Just make sure to get yourself tested if you're stupid enough to become one of his groupies."

As Noah passes by, you turn your full attention to him, speaking more to him than to the girls you're warning. "You never know where he's been."

"There you are!" You hear Sloan before she slips her arm around yours, dragging you away. Leaning in closer, she briefly glances back to the group of girls you had been standing near before asking. "Who are they?"

"Some of Noah's groupies." You make no effort to hide the annoyance in your tone, Sloan catching on and nodding.

"Right. Well, forget about them and Noah."

That had been the plan, you think, but you bite your tongue instead of letting the retort slip, following her lead through the hotel until you reach one of the restaurants serving breakfast.

"I've heard this place is great." She declares, slipping into a booth as you shuffle in on the same side next to her.

"Well after last night I could really do with a sugar rush right now." You reach for the menu, looking over the pancake options.

You pay no mind to the sudden influx of noise behind you, until you hear Sloan's voice. "Hi Jolly."

You whip your head around, almost giving yourself whiplash in the process, and see the table behind you is now occupied with the familiar sight of the Omens, Noah sitting himself on the booth which backs right onto your own.

"Oh, didn't see you there."

"Funny that." You force a grin and turn your attention back onto the menu before hearing him chime up once more.

"What are you thinking of getting? I heard the pancakes are great."

You know the question is directed to you. You can sense his presence, the heat of his gaze hovering just inches away from your shoulder as he scans the menu in your hands. In a sudden burst of energy, you slam it down onto the table, turning your head just enough to be face-to-face with him.

"Do you really have to sit here? A whole restaurant and you choose here."

"It's got the best view." A smug grin breaks out across his face.

"What?" Your voice inches a couple of octaves higher as though ready to scream at him before he draws your attention to a nearby window.

"Of the strip."

As quickly as your blood pressure has risen, it lowers again and you almost feel dizzy from it.

"I think I'm going to be sick." You mumble, turning yourself back around and leaning forward against the table, holding your head in your hands.

"Late night or something?"

He just doesn't know when to stop. Even worse is his friends don't even make an attempt to stop him or advise him to shut the fuck up.

"Not as late as you." You throw back, lifting your head and briefly glancing over your shoulder. "Besides, it's kind of hard to sleep when your neighbor is making a ruckus all night. What time did your guest slip out last night, hm? You didn't want to invite her for breakfast?"

"Guest?" Folio asks. "We didn't have anyone in our—ow!" He cuts off as you catch Noah jabbing him in the side, furrowing your brow at them.

"What can I say? She's not as high maintenance as most girls."

"By that you mean she's easy."

"Easy to please, easy to leave."

Right at that moment, a server approaches your table, completely disregarding yours and Sloan's, as she attends to the group of guys at the table next to you.

This makes you what you think is irrationally angry, until you hear Sloan mutter under her breath. "Bitch."

You have to press your lips together to prevent your laughter from escaping, and then, from behind you, you hear Noah's voice.

"They're with us too." A glance behind reveals him pointing a thumb in your direction.

Once the server has taken your orders, you hear Nicholas speak up, looking over into your booth as he asks. "We were planning on going to a laser tag place this afternoon if you want to come?"

"No."

"Yes!"

You and Sloan respond in unison, turning to look at one another as you respond with the same answers again.

Forcing a smile, you lean in as you speak under your breath to her so as not to allow any of the guys, particularly Noah who is sitting in the booth which backs against your own, to hear. "I thought this was a girls weekend."

"Are you really going to pass up an opportunity to shoot the man who broke your heart in the chest? Even if it is fake?" She argues and you contemplate it.

You can't deny the idea isn't promising, perhaps even therapeutic.

"Good point." You nod and pull back, turning your head to look over at Nicholas. "Okay, we're in."

Though you don't look, you swear from the corner of your eye, you catch a grin forming on Noah's face.

"I can't believe that you've convinced me to do this." Looking over to Sloan, you shake your head, pulling on the vest for your laser tag session before stepping up to her for help tightening it where needed.

"Would you rather be back at the hotel in the spa?" She gives you a look and you quickly cave, mumbling a 'no' under your breath.

Unlike Sloan, a spa day was hardly something you found enjoyable. You were more of an active person, and a game of laser tag, where you could potentially shoot your ex multiple times without feeling guilty or causing any harm, provided you with a much-needed form of therapy.

"Then it's settled. You're all ready." She declares and gives herself a spin for you to admire her new combat laser tag look. "How do I look? Do you think Jolly would like it?"

"I think you could wear a black bag and still pull it off." You laugh, slipping out from the changing area and back into the waiting area. "Did you really hook up with Jolly last night?"

"A girl doesn't kiss and tell." Sloan raises a hand to flip her hair back over her shoulder.

"Please, you've told me, in excruciating detail, might I add, the things that have happened pre first date between you and someone else."

"I don't know what you mean. Some of us are a little more classy than those who will give their ex-boyfriends a quick jerk off in the tour bus bunk."

You scoff, your mouth dropping open. "Jolly told you about that?!"

Stepping up to the counter, you both receive your laser guns and hold yours up in aid of your threat that follows. "He'll be the first on my hit list."

The upside to running around in the dark with only LED lights lighting the way is you have yet to actually run into your ex. The room is big enough to spread out and hide, as well as avoid crossing his path. You almost start to wonder if he's here at all until you literally run into him.

The first thing you do is raise your laser gun to him and shoot before he bursts into laughter. "We're on the same team, you goof."

You look at the target lights on his vest and then the ones on your own, seeing they're in fact both red. "Fuck you." You grumble and attempt to shoot him again, though it causes no damage.

"You really want to shoot me that badly, huh?"

'Oh, you have no idea." Even in the dark your eyes lock dead onto his, feeling nothing but pure anger towards him.

Between his smug attitude this morning and the events you witnessed last night after banging on his door, you were more than prepared to take him down if necessary.

"Listen, about last night."

You're both standing in the open, exposed to anyone who might still be in the game. Instead of suggesting that you move, you give him the chance to explain himself, especially since you notice movement behind him when you glance over his shoulder.

"It's not what you think."

"Like I haven't heard that one before, Noah." You scoff, your gaze shifting back to him.

"I'm serious."

"I'm sure you are but unfortunately for you, I don't care." You take a step closer to him, your gun pointed at his chest once more.

"Have you not learnt that you can't do anything with that, yet?" He chortles and you gaze up at him, a wicked grin crossing your lips.

"I can't, but he can." You gesture behind his shoulder with a nod, and just as you do, Folio sneaks up behind him, firing his laser and causing him to be ejected from the game.

"How does it feel to be stabbed in the back by someone you thought you could trust?"

You're aware that he understands the metaphor here, that Folio's actions represent his own, and leaving him with a final smug grin, you dash to one of the dimly lit corners of the spacious room to complete the remainder of the round with the few of you who remain.

Although your team technically loses, it feels like a victory for you because it means Noah has lost. Considering his reputation as a sore loser, you find amusement in watching him sulk as you finally exit the laser tag arena.

Tagged: @fadingangelwisp @blade-dressed-in-red @deathblacksmoke @collisionofyourkissmakesitsohard @geminigirlfromfinland @fuck1ng-queen @ichoosetenderomens @xxkittenkissesxx @lacy1986 @Chey-h @halfalgorithmhafdeity @annthepenguin @samanthasgone

#bad omens fanfiction #bad omens fic #noah sebastian fanfiction #noah sebastian fanfic #noah sebastian fic #noah sebastian x reader #concretejunglefm fics #Spotify

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livesworthlivingau · 2 days ago

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Memory of Lost Letters

Spoilers for ISAT and Two Hats below! CW: Panic Attacks, Suicidal/Death Ideation, Unhealthy Obsession, Grief/Loss

Yet another memories chapter! Heavily inspired by this fic I read recently and I realized it would be prime angst to make an LWL version of the idea, 30 years of 'lost letters' to Loop.

("… Hello?… Are you there Loop?… Does this still work?")

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("Thank you again, Loop... I don't know if you can hear me, but I think I can still feel you somehow... I can't wait to see you again, whenever you're ready!")

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("Loop... I understand if you need some time, you can take all the time you need, I'll be there for you whenever you want it... but please say something, anything... I just want to know you're okay...")

...

(Sigh)

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("We're gonna be leaving Dormont soon, last chance to come accept everyone's thanks in person, if you want... We're heading to Bambouche so uhh... hopefully we'll see you there if not.")

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("... It still doesn't feel real... leaving Dormont, being out of the loops... I can only imagine how it might feel for you... I miss you Loop...")

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("PLEASE JUST ANSWER ME!! I CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!")

|"Sif, please hold on a second-!"|

("NO! YOU DON'T GET IT!! NO ONE GETS IT!! ONLY THEY DO!!! WHY WON'T THEY ANSWER ME?!?! I KNOW THEY'RE THERE!! WHY-")

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("I can't do this… I can't do this anymore Loop… I don't deserve them, I don't deserve any of this… You do. You should be here, not me… Please come home. Please take it all back… Please…" Stifled sobbing)

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(Deep breath "... I'm sorry Loop, it's been... a lot to deal with... I think I'm doing a bit better now... We met Nille finally, she's really nice, tough too, I think you'd like her." Chuckles "... If you don't want me to call you anymore, all you gotta do is say so, I'd understand, I promise...")

...

(Sigh "Thanks again for everything...")

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("Happy birthday Loop!... At least I think it's our birthday, can't know for sure, can we?... I hope it's a good one for you!")

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("Everyone helped me find a therapist, a really nice one too... Would you mind if I... told them... about you? 'Us'? They said it's all confidential, they wouldn't tell anyone else if I don't want them too... It would help me explain everything a bit more to them... I promise I won't tell anyone else, not without you...")

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("I TOLD THEM! I TOLD THEM AND I'M SORRY!!")

...

("... Is it bad that I kinda wanted you to scream at me for that?... at least I'd hear your voice again... They actually recommended that I write letters to you, as a little therapy exercise... I told them I was kinda already doing that, heh... They also said I should start being more true to my feelings and tell people what they mean to me so... I love you Loop... I really hope you're okay.")

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("They're throwing some big gala for the saviors back in Dormont soon. It's gonna be really weird going back there, but I think it might be good for us... You're invited too of course, we wouldn't have saved everyone without you after all! So we'll be back in Dormont in... 33 days, if you're still there or wanna meet up... I love you Loop.")

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("... I'm at the favor tree... I told myself no more wishes... I told myself it's a bad idea and would only bring more pain... b-but..." Heavy sobbing "I-I found a leaf... a-and it looks like you Loop... I just want to see you again... please stop me Loop... please... I-I...")

|"Siiiiiiiif? Siiiiiif, where'd you go?"|

("No... Not now... I need you! YOU PROMISED LOOP! YOU SUPER DUPER PROMISED!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!?!")

|"SIFFRIN?!"|

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("... Why didn't you do it Loop?... Why didn't you kill me?... You should have, you know... You deserve it all, not me... I... I love you Loop...")

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("...")

(Soft snoring)

("Mnffff..." Yaaawwwwn-)

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("Sorry... about the other night... I thought I was doing better but... My therapist warned me it's common to have a relapse now and then, especially so close to the source of trauma... I ruined everyone else's night, I'm sorry I had to ruin yours too... Thank you again Loop, I love you...")

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("Heh... I'm so pathetic Loop... I can't even see a shooting star now without crying... Thought you'd get a chuckle out of that at least... I love you Loop.")

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("Happy birthday Loop! Hehe~! Odile-" Hiccup "Odile bought some reaaally nice Ka Buan liquor, and IIIII'm drunk~!" Hiccup "Heh... Remember how you said you didn't know what you looked like? Well just between you and me... You were reaaaal pretty as a star~." Hiccup "Is it weird that I kinda wanted to kiss you~? Hah! I wonder if it'd tingle... Do you even have a mouth? Heh... I loooove you Loooooop~.")

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("... Stars I really hope you can't actually hear these...")

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(Sigh "Still thinking about you... I love you, Loop.")

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("Happy birthday Loop! So much has been changing around here, I don't know if you really wanna hear about it all, but life's been good! Still think about you a lot though... I'm in Jouvente now if you ever wanna stop by! Just look for the 'Savior's Style' shop and you'll find us! I love you, Loop!")

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("LOOP!?... Loop?... I thought I heard you, are you there?... Was it just a dream?...")

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("Happy birthday Loop. Sorry I haven't been calling more, but I'm sure you're sick of hearing from me anyways. Everyone says hi by the way! I haven't told them your secret, don't worry, but they got curious why I kept sneaking off for a little bit every year, so I told the truth, just a little ritual of mine to stay connected with you in some way... I love you, Loop!")

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("Okay, now!")

{|<=-"HEY LOOP!"-=>|}

("Hehe, everyone wanted to say hi themselves this year! Nille too! I love you, Loop! And happy birthday!")

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("Mmmm.. Happy birthday Loop... Long busy day, so had to sneak it in before bed..." Yaaaaawn "Good night, Loop. I love you...")

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("Happy birthday Loop! You know you're still more than welcome to come visit anytime, right? Just wanted to make sure you knew. I love you!")

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("Happy birthday Loop! I love you!")

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("Happy birthday Loop... I miss you... Love you...")

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("I love you Loop, hope you're having a good birthday.")

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("I hope you're not sick of this yet because you bet I'm gonna do it every year, only way to stop me is to come and make me~! So happy birthday Loop! I love you!")

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("I love you, Loop. Happy Birthday.")

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("Happy birthday Loop... I hope you're doing well, really. I love you, so much Loop.")

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("Happy Birthday Loop... I love you...")

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("... I miss you so blinding much Loop..." Shaky breaths "B-But I think I need to let you go... for both our sakes... I really hope you found the peace you were looking for... I love you, Loop... Happy Birthday...")

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...

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[...]

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...

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("Loop... It's Odile... She..." Choking up "She's not doing well... I-I don't think she has long left... I-I just thought you should know... I love you, Loop...")

#lwlau #lwl memories #lives worth living au #isat au #isat spoilers #isat #isat fanfic #two hat spoilers #in stars and time fanfic

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angstywaifu · 9 hours ago

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Black Dahlia - 30. The Hostage

Summary: War Games is under way, and Dahlia and Xaden have been assigned to find the high value target to secure the win for Fourth Wing. Who do you think they will find?

Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos)

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Support Me

So far so good. We’d intentionally been the last to the flight field and therefore the last to leave. Meaning it was now getting dark as the sun dipped lower and lower. And so far I’d managed to keep our now slightly larger group hidden. We’d hidden in the sparring gym till nearly everyone had left, giving me time to practice with Amara’s ability. As long as I kept grounded and focused with a clear vision of what I wanted, I could keep the illusion up with ease.

I’d only faltered a few times while practising, mainly when Xaden had come back with Kai, Austin and Garrick in tow. And I had caught Garrick looking at me a few times. The pull towards him was honestly becoming annoying. I wouldn’t become another notch in his bed post, or another mare in his stable as I had come to call it. Luckily he had left shortly after, clearly having his own orders to carry out.

The outpost we were heading to was towards the edge of the map we had been given, but even with our later departure we had overtaken many of the other squads. The perks of us all having some of the larger dragons. Though Proth and Sgaeyl were definitely holding back to stay with Austin and Kai’s dragons, something I could tell was annoying them with how often they huffed.

”You really need to learn to fly in formation better.” I tease him, earning me a grumble through the bond.

”You’d be angry to if you were restricted in your speed on the first big flight since October.” He drawls back, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

He wasn’t wrong. The flying we had done so far was limited. The biggest prior to this was Squad Battle. And that wasn’t even that far compared to this flight. I always knew he was holding back, feeling how relaxed he was while flying, as if he was barely using any energy. Hopefully I could test his full power in the sky soon.

”Well maybe you shouldn’t have given me such a versatile and useful signet.” I tell him.

He huffs at me, something close to a chuckle through the bond. “That was all you little flower. Don’t blame me for your own doing.”

And yet again, he was not wrong. Dragon’s did not dictate our signet. The signet was an extension of the rider. Dragon’s only really dictated how powerful it was. So really I was to blame. Nothing new there.

In the distance the mountain range I had marked out comes into view. Even from here I could tell the top of the tower had crumbled away more as it no longer peaked over the top. Least if there was anyone guarding this hostage they wouldn’t be able to see us coming from there. Meaning we had a a slight advantage.

”Tell Sgaeyl we’re nearly there and should start our decent.” I tell Proth.

After a few moments and chuckles. “She says lead the way.”

I roll my eyes. “So much for him being a Squad Leader. Not seeing much leading going on.”

”Do you want me to relay that to?” He jokes.

”God no, he’d have my head.”

He probably wouldn’t, but I didn’t want to test that theory. It was clear Xaden didn’t mind my presence, but he probably tolerated me due to how useful my signet was to the Squad and the Wing. Or maybe he had the same opinion as me and was able to see through the stigma that had been drilled into us since the rebellion. Or maybe it was purely because of Bodhi and how close we’d gotten. But even then I knew Bodhi kept me at arms length with somethings.

Proth banks to the right, taking us down to a small gap in the trees where the dragons could hide while we approached on foot. There was no way I could hide them and us as we approached the outpost, and without Amara with us to help, we’d have to rely om the trees to shield them if any other squads came out this way. The ground shakes as we all land on the ground, a few trees losing a few branches as Sgaeyl and Proth clip them with their wings.

We all gather on the edge of the clearing, all of us checking to make sure our weapons are secure. “Lets get going. We only have a small amount of time to pull this off if one of the hostages is there.” Xaden tells us, all of us nodding in agreement.

He turns and leads the way towards the outpost as Kai, Austin and I trail behind. Kai and I work together to mask our approach. Kai muffling the sounds of our footsteps, while I cast out an illusion to hide us from anyone who could be watching. Which I doubt was anyone. We’d seen fighting in the distance and below us as we’d flown here. But out here on the outskirts of the map we’d all been given, we were yet to see another rider.

We break through the trees, stopping at the edge to watch and observe the tower. Even from here it’s easy to see the flicker of torches inside. There was definitely a hostage in there, and they were not alone. As if fate wants to prove my assumption, two infantry cadet strolls out of the front archway and take place either side as they scan their surroundings. We get confirmation my replication of Amara’s signet works when both their eyes travel over us and keep moving. Not even a double take.

”Cadet from the Quadrant or someone that's graduated?” Kai asks as he steps forward to get a better look.

I watch as shadows near the infantry move across the ground. Xaden. He must be able to use the shadows to gain intel. His signet was way more powerful than I thought. Though I’d barely seen him use it.

”Cadets. A first and second year.” He informs us.

Looks like we weren’t the only Quadrant that did events like this. Or they’d just gotten unlucky and got roped into ours.

”Well go take them out, we don’t have much time like you said.” I tell him with a smirk, Xaden cocking an eyebrow at my command.

Kai and Austin take a sharp intake of breath at my words, but quickly exhale as Xaden’s shadows wrap around the infantry cadets, silencing them with ease as he knocks them out. Least I hope he knocks them out. From here it’s too hard to tell if they’re still breathing.

”Happy?” He says back in a mocking tone before facing forward and motioning for us to follow.

Austin and Kai just shake their heads at me as we fall into step behind them. “I swear you have a death wish sometimes.” Austin whispers to me as we approach the tower.

”What can I say, I like to live life on the edge.” I tell her with a smile as she shakes her head at me again before we both focus on the task at hand.

I watch as Xaden commands the shadows ahead of us. Some of them dragging the two definitely unconscious bodies into a hiding spot, the others trailing into the tower to survey head. Noted, never pissing him off in the dark.

We creep into the tower even though they can’t hear or see us, but we act as if they can on the off chance I royally fuck this up. The stairs leading up the tower are caved in and destroyed, meaning our target was on this first floor, leading further into the mountain. I honestly couldn’t remember how deep this went. When we’d stopped here when I was a kid I’d only really been outside. Only stepping inside for a brief moment.

Ahead of us more torches flicker in the distance, casting an eerie glow down the corridor as the infantry cadets stand guard. From what I could see there was only half a dozen cadets ahead. All spaced out on the way down to the holding cells that I’m pretty sure were down the back of this corridor. And I had no doubt in my mind there would be more waiting down there guarding the cells.

Slowly we creep forward, all of us grasping our weapons, ready to attack if needed. These cadets were definitely oblivious to our presence. Even as Austin stumbles on a lip in the ground, swearing before she rights herself. Regardless Xaden still sends her a look over his shoulder which has the colour draining from her face.

We creep down the hallway, Xaden knocks out the cadets lining the hall as I push the illusion forward so the others think they are still standing there instead of the unintentional nap they now take. We make it to the end of the corridor with ease, all of us leaning around the corner to look into the room that holds the cells.

”Holy shit.” I mutter, stepping fully around the corner to see if what I see is real.

Sitting in the room surrounded by the cadets meant to protect him is the one person I didn’t expect to see. We knew there was a high chance of a high value target being kept here or in one of the old outposts no longer marked. But I wasn’t expecting to see him. Sitting in a chair, looking as if this is a waste of his time is my father.

I step around the corner, pushing the illusion behind me as I walk into the room, all the infantry unsheathing their weapons as I approach, but none of them make a move to harm me. All of them frozen to the spot as I walk completely unphased into the room.

My father raises his head, his usual sinister smirk spreading on his face as he meets my eyes. “Well this is a surprise,” he drawls as he leans back in the chair. “Though I really shouldn’t be surprised. I knew if you or Dain got a look at that map you would figure out what was missing. I just thought your brother would figure it out over you.”

I smirk at him. “Well unlike that brother of mine, I have a Wing who thought to use me to their advantage. Your little prodigy won’t be coming to rescue you.”

I see the annoyance flicker in his sandy brown eyes at my words. Dain was his pride and joy. The one he expected and wanted to succeed in the Quadrant. And yet here I was, about to be his saviour. Though it was tempting to just leave him here. But we needed those points. Damon and the Wing were relying on us.

”Don’t speak too soon Dahlia. You still need to take out those guards, and from what I can see you are severely out numbered here.” His tone venomous as he practically spits out the words at him.

I can’t help but smirk at him, knowing that in a matter of moments he’s going to be even more annoyed by who is here to rescue him. I raise my hand, motioning to Xaden and Austin behind me. Immediately shadows swarm across the floor, swirling around half the cadets as they restrain them, the swords dropping to the floor as the metallic clang echoes around the room. The other half getting thrown across the room, landing in a heap on the floor. Noted, don’t piss of Austin either.

My fathers eyes go wide as he realises the signets at play, trying to push out of the chair to get away. But Xaden is prepared for that, shadows jumping up from the floor and wrapping around his wrists and ankles as they bind him to the chair. As the cadets fall unconscious and drop to the floor I drop the illusion, revealing the others behind me.

”Of course you would fall in with that lot.” He spits out at me. “Such a disappointment.”

I crouch down in front of him, resting my arms on my knees as I smile up at him. “Good thing I’m use to being the disappointment. It’s just my normal around you.”

I stand, turning my back on him as Kai and Xaden move forward to restrain him for the ride back to the Quadrant, not missing the look Xaden gives me as I walk past them and out of the room. If it were up to me I would have tied him up and left him there for the other leadership to figure out where he was.

The flight field is filled with dragons and riders as we make our decent, and we are clearly the last ones back. I see Damon pacing back and forth nervously at the front of the formation where the leadership stand waiting for us. Various Professors, Scribes and other military personnel sitting in front of the corresponding Wingleaders. All watching us land just as the sun starts to rise. We’d made it just in time.

I don’t know how many points the hostages are worth, but I can already tell that we will be jumping into the lead once we pull the hood we’d placed over my fathers head. I had to commend Austin for the idea of the big dramatic reveal, knowing we would be the group to throw the win in our favour. Xaden had rolled his eyes, but had been suspiciously quick to follow through on the idea.

I jump off Proth, falling into step behind Xaden and Kai who grasp my fathers arms as they lead him towards the front. Around us whispers pick up, everyone curious to see who we’ve managed to get as our hostage rescue. The only thing they know is we have a rider, my fathers unmakred black uniform the only giveaway.

”Interesting way to transport your hostage.” Panchek notes as we stop in front of him.

”Couldn’t risk the enemy knowing who we had sir. For safety reasons.” Austin says way too happily as she pops her head around Xaden.

Panchek who clearly knows who is beneath the hood actually smiles at her, looking like he is holding back a laugh. I’d have to make sure to never forget this moment. Xaden reaches up and removes the hood, revealing my father to the entire Quadrant. I watch as Damon struggles to hold his excitement, the other Wingleaders looking at us in shock. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that we had the highest value hostage in our hands.

”The winners, of the first round of War Games. Fourth Wing.” Panchek calls out to the flight field, the cheers of Fourth Wing filling the space.

My father shrugs out of Kai and Xaden’s grip, brushing his uniform as if they’d tainted it by touching him. He turns and looks at me, a knowing look in his eyes. Normally he would be ripping into me and lecturing me, but he couldn’t here. He might be General Sorrengail’s second and be my superior, but he could no longer punish me the way he wanted. I had done nothing wrong in terms of the Codex. Just everything wrong in his eyes. I give him the sweetest smile I can before riders swarm us, Bodhi pulling me into a bone crushing hug as he gushes about how awesome that reveal was. But something told me I wouldn’t be able to escape my fathers punishment forever.

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01 @hyperfixation-train-station @lxnvmvrzx @thebreadisthetruevillian @red0202 @fangirling-galore @craftytrashprincess

#fourth wing #fourth wing fanfic #the fourth wing #garrick tavis #the empyrean #garrick tavis imagine #fourth wing imagine #garrick tavis x reader #fourth wing x reader #garrick tavis x oc #dahlia aetos #garrick tavis x dahlia aetos #black dahlia #xaden riorson #dain aetos

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haedia · 1 day ago

Text

I was gonna leave this in the tags but it was going to be too long for that, so here we go on a reblog.

*checks the tags as they were going to be*

Ah, okay. Yes! To start, your post is a great assessment of the ecology of Thedas! The griffons will definitely help balance things going forward.

They have the most anathema for beings twisted or made wrong by magic but I could see griffons getting annoyed by dragons settling in and being gluttonous when they shouldn't (plus the Taash and Bellara dialog during the Fangscorcher quest may be planting a lore seed that at least some dragons may be attracted to or have some effect on wild magic in an area, which by extension would make griffons more keen to keep an eye on them)

And I agree with you that there has to be more across the ocean.

I just don't think the writers would let the only griffons in the world become horribly inbred in the next generation after they'd returned from extinction. They invested enough resources of studio time and money to put out a book about their rediscovery and the history of how they actually went extinct. There's no way they just let that clutch of feathery children grow up and commit such a genetic sin. I shudder at the thought for many reasons but the genetic bottleneck that would create really gets to me.

Thankfully, the griffons are still kids and have several years left before they're grown. So hopefully the next game (and I'm refusing to give into doomerism about that right now, thank you) will be set at a time when they're not yet horned up for their siblings and we get to find other griffons across the ocean for them to become smitten with in time.

But, even if they are adults next time we see them, it's been established that the griffons are very smart. Hopefully that means they'll know it's Not A Good Idea to look at their siblings that way and one of the main quests will be to investigate rumors of other griffons or something, after we're on those distant shores.

(An aside here, but how much you wanna bet that the next game has us, with the help of Bellara, use the Vi'Revas to connect to a very far flung eluvian to make contact with that other continent, thus bypassing the whole "leaving by boat is a death sentence in one form or another" thing?)

I wonder if the griffons returning signifies the beginning of the end of the Dragon Age.

This largely speculative on my part so bear with me. Thanks to @racoonmaster88 and @uchidachi for helping me coalesce this thought.

So one thing about the griffons is they seem to have a mongoose to cobra relationship with the dragons. Which means the dragons as they currently are have been unchecked. Even when the griffons were alive they were tapped to serve the Grey Wardens, probably dying in far greater numbers than they ever would have otherwise. So when dragons returned to Thedas, their natural competition was gone.

Thedas’ ecology is wildly out of whack. Dragons are a super apex predator. They are undoubtedly consuming far more food than can be reasonable for sustainability. Between the dragons and the darkspawn, the biodiversity of the continent has to be suffering.

I also just don’t believe Assan and his siblings are the only griffons out there. I’ve talked before about how the devs were purposely ducking the question during the AMA. My other piece of evidence here is the Qunari are not from Thedas which means there has to be more dragons across the sea (going off the theory the Qunari have dragon blood in their origin story) which very likely means there’s more griffons if my theory holds water.

#great assessment op #leaving that tag because it's truuuuue #I have Thoughts about where things will go going forward #any dragon age nerds that wanna gush about that or anything else #feel free to bug me about it in asks or a message or something #I'm tired a lot but I'll respond #love gushing about lore possibilities #especially about the griffons #dragon age veilguard #dragon age #lore speculation #dragon age speculation #griffons #I'd love for the next age to be the griffon age #but if we quell the storm before the end of the dragon age #the next age will probably be something like the exploration age #which yes I get why but c'mon! Griffon Age! They deserve to be honored for clawing back from extinction!#haedia screams into the void about thedas

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seulszn · 18 hours ago

Text

#RedFlags

Warnings: cussing

Tags: @grosspube @vienwood @valalice @halle5s @soniiyi @baylegend6. And to the people I couldn't tag I'm sorry.

The cozy, inviting scent of vanilla candles welcomes you as you step into Lena and Julie’s shared house. Their place radiates a sense of comfort, a safe haven you didn’t realize you needed after the chaotic events of the day. You’re grateful to have friends with their own space, a reprieve from being cooped up at your parents’ house day in and day out.

You settle onto the couch, grabbing the remote to turn on the TV. Julie is already sprawled across most of the cushions, her green hair barely visible under a fuzzy purple blanket she’s cocooned herself in. Her legs stretch out, leaving you with just enough room to sit.

Lena disappears into the kitchen, rummaging for snacks, while you glance over at Julie. “Thanks for letting me crash here,” you say, your voice soft but sincere.

“Duh,” Julie replies without missing a beat, chucking a pillow at you with just enough force to make you flinch. “This is kind of your home too, you know. I mean, you helped us find this place.”

You glance at her, half-smiling. "I guess I did, huh?" You sink deeper into the couch, adjusting your position to settle in for what will hopefully be a relaxing night.

Lena returns with a bowl of chips, a plate of cookies, and a bottle of soda, setting everything down in front of you both. "I swear," she says with a grin, flopping into the armchair beside you, "this place wouldn't be the same without you." There's a sincerity in her voice that makes the whole room feel warmer, like the simple act of being together was enough to make everything right.

Julie, ever the affectionate one, pulls Lena into her arms, her green hair falling over her face as she smiles at her girlfriend. They share a moment, their eyes locking in a way that only the two of them can understand. It's a look full of comfort and love, and for a moment, you're reminded of how much they mean to each other.

Lena turns to you, popping open her soda with a flick of her wrist. "So, Julie texts me saying you bumped into Vi during gym class. What’s this about?" she asks, her eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity.

You glance at Julie, who grins at you like she knows something you don’t. She leans back, crossing her arms, clearly enjoying the moment.

"I leave to grab my water bottle, come back, and Vi’s over there cornering Y/N like a damn police officer," Julie says with a teasing smirk, her tone a mix of concern and amusement.

You can feel your cheeks heat up as both Lena and Julie turn their attention to you. The weight of their gazes is almost too much, and you awkwardly shift in your seat, trying to gather your thoughts.

"Cornering, huh?" Lena raises an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful but knowing smile. "Sounds intense."

"Yeah," you say, trying to brush it off. "She just started talking to me. It wasn’t... anything crazy." But the truth is, you felt cornered. Vi’s presence had been suffocating, and you still couldn’t shake the way her eyes had roamed over you.

Julie snorts. "I’m not buying that for a second. Vi doesn’t just ‘talk.’ She makes her intentions pretty damn clear."You glance at Julie, giving her a look that says, really? but she just shrugs, her smirk never fading. "What do you mean by intentions?" Her voice drops, more serious now. "Vi’s not someone you want to mess with, Y/N."

"I know," you mumble, shifting in your seat again, your nerves growing. "It’s just... she was kind of in my space, you know?"

Lena groans, leaning onto Julie with a dramatic sigh. She mumbles something under her breath before speaking louder. "Y/N, why do you have to be the trouble magnet?"

You wince at her words, not meaning to cause any chaos, but it feels like that's all you ever end up attracting lately. Julie snickers beside you, giving Lena an amused look.

"I swear, it’s like the universe just loves throwing these people at you," Julie teases, poking you lightly in the side. "I mean, Caitlyn and Vi? Really?"

Lena rolls her eyes, sitting up straighter. "You need to start wearing some kind of repellent," she jokes, though her tone is tinged with concern. "Something that screams ‘stay away’ to people like them."

You laugh nervously, though it’s half-hearted. "If only it were that easy."

Julie raises an eyebrow, leaning forward like she’s piecing together a puzzle. "But wait... Caitlyn talked to you in biochem, and now Vi’s cornering you in the gym? That’s not a coincidence, Y/N. They’re up to something."

The implication makes your stomach twist. You try to wave it off, though you’re not even convincing yourself. "It’s probably nothing. Maybe they’re just..." You trail off, not really knowing how to finish that sentence.

"Obsessed," Lena interjects flatly, crossing her arms. "They’re obsessed. Caitlyn and Vi don’t go after anyone without a reason. They’ve got their sights set on you, Y/N, and it’s not gonna stop until they get whatever they want."

You glance at Lena, silently pleading for her to say it’s a joke, to tell you that you’re overthinking everything. Instead, she leans forward, her expression firm and unwavering. Julie nods beside her, her usual playfulness replaced with an unusual seriousness.

"She’s not wrong," Julie says, her tone low and steady. "Caitlyn and Vi don’t just play around. When they decide they want someone, they don’t back off. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen before."

You lean back, the weight of their words sinking in like a heavy blanket. "But... I haven’t done anything. I barely know them," you say softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Lena tilts her head, her expression almost pitying but still sharp. "You think that matters?" she says, her voice laced with blunt honesty. "You’re a girl they haven’t fucked yet that’s enough to get them intrigued by you.” Her words hit like a punch to the gut, leaving you speechless. Julie flinches, giving Lena a pointed look. "Geez, Lena, maybe soften the blow a little?"

"I’m just being honest " Lena responds, crossing her arms. "They’ve got this... thing. It’s a game to them chasing someone who doesn’t fall at their feet right away. And you? You’re like a neon sign flashing challenge"

You rub your temples, overwhelmed. "That’s ridiculous," you mumble. "I’ve literally done nothing to encourage this.” Julie sighs, her tone softer now. "You don’t have to, Y/N. They see what they want, and they go after it. And the fact that you’re quiet and reserved? That’s probably making them even more interested. You’re different."

you groan, the sound sharp and full of frustration, cutting through the tense atmosphere in the room. "Can you stop using that shitty-ass word?" you snap, your voice louder than you intended. You hate it. That word. Different. It’s been thrown at you so much lately it’s starting to feel like a curse. "I don’t think I’m different. I’m just me. I didn’t ask for any of this!”

Lena arches an eyebrow at your reaction but stays silent, her sharp eyes fixed on you as if she’s dissecting your every word. She leans further into Julie, her body relaxed but her expression serious, waiting for you to finish venting. Meanwhile, Julie looks at you with her usual softness, though there’s an undertone of worry behind her green eyes.

"Y/N," Julie says, her voice dipping into a calm, measured tone as though she’s trying to coax a wild animal. "We’re not trying to make you feel bad, okay? It’s not your fault. It’s just... you don’t play their games like everyone else. That’s why they’re so fixated on you."

You feel your chest tighten at her words. "I didn’t ask for any of this," you say, your voice wavering as frustration claws at your insides. "I don’t want to stand out. I just want to be... normal. I just want to live my life without constantly feeling like I’m some target for... for this."You wave your hands in the air, gesturing vaguely, struggling to articulate the mess of emotions building up inside of you.

The weight of everything.

The lingering stares, the cryptic messages, the suffocating attention from people like Caitlyn and Vi is pressing down on you, threatening to crush you.Lena shifts in Julie’s arms, sitting up straighter. Her expression hardens as she interjects, "Life doesn’t work like that, Y/N. Whether you want it or not, you’ve got their attention now, and it’s not going away just because you wish it would."

Her bluntness stings, but it’s not surprising. Lena’s always been the one to cut straight to the point. No sugar-coating, no hand-holding. "Yeah, but why me?" you say, your voice cracking slightly. "What makes me so damn special? There are hundreds of other people at that school. Why are they wasting their time on me?"

Julie, ever the wildcard, leans back with a smirk. "Maybe it’s because they’ve already fucked, like, half the school," she quips, her tone light and teasing.

The room goes dead silent. Both you and Lena turn to stare at her, disbelief written all over your faces. Julie’s smirk falters, and she quickly holds up her hands in surrender, muttering, "Okay, bad timing. Sorry."

Lena pinches the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. "Jesus, Julie."

You can’t help the dry laugh that escapes your lips, even if it feels slightly forced. "Really helpful," you mutter, shaking your head. Despite the tension, Julie’s attempt to lighten the mood eases some of the pressure in your chest.

"Look," Lena says, cutting back in with her no-nonsense tone. "What Julie meant is that Caitlyn and Vi get bored easily. They’ve been with half the school because it’s easy for them. But you? You’re not easy. You’re not throwing yourself at them, and that pisses them off." Julie nods along quickly, clearly eager to redeem herself.

"Yeah, exactly. You’re, like, this shiny new toy they can’t figure out how to play with yet," Julie says with a shrug, but the second the words leave her mouth, she winces. "Okay, that sounded bad, but you know what I mean," she adds quickly, glancing at you with an apologetic grimace.

You sigh heavily, sinking deeper into the couch as the weight of the conversation presses down on you. "So what?" you say, your voice cracking with frustration. "Am I supposed to put on some fake facade to keep them intrigued and then throw myself at them like I’m some world-class whore?"

The words come out harsher than you intend, but you’re too stressed to care. Your fingers automatically move to pick at your nails, an anxious habit you’ve had for years. Lost in your thoughts, you don’t even notice Julie and Lena exchanging concerned glances.

"Nobody is telling you to do that," Lena says firmly, her voice cutting through your spiraling thoughts. Before you can pick at your nails any further, she reaches over, gently taking your hands in hers to stop you. Her grip is firm but comforting, grounding you in a way that catches you off guard.

"Y/N, stop," she says softly, her tone gentler now. "You don’t have to be anyone but yourself.” Julie leans closer, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, and honestly, they’re probably obsessed because you’re not flaunting yourself at them. That’s what’s driving them crazy because they’re not in control, and they hate that."

You glance between the two of them, their words sinking in slowly. "But what if they don’t stop?" you ask quietly, the vulnerability in your voice surprising even yourself.

Lena’s expression hardens slightly, her protective side kicking in. "Then we’ll make them stop," she says without hesitation. "You’re not dealing with this alone."

Julie grins, nudging your shoulder playfully. "Yeah, we’re your unofficial bodyguards now. Vi and Caitlyn won’t know what hit them."

Despite the heaviness of the conversation, a small smile tugs at your lips. Their unwavering support doesn’t erase the anxiety gnawing at you, but it helps. At least for now.

"Thanks, guys," you mumble, squeezing Lena’s hand briefly before pulling back.

"Anytime," Julie says brightly, tossing a chip into her mouth. "Now, can we stop talking about them and focus on something less depressing? Like a movie or pizza or literally anything else?"

Lena chuckles, reaching for the remote. "Agreed. Let’s do something that doesn’t involve school drama for once."

As they start flipping through the movie options, you settle back into the couch, grateful for the reprieve. But in the back of your mind, Caitlyn and Vi still linger like shadows, their presence impossible to ignore entirely.

—

As the night wears on, filled with laughter and the comforting sounds of a movie playing in the background, the cozy energy in the house begins to wind down. Eventually, the three of you are yawning more than talking, the warmth of the evening settling over you like a heavy blanket.

Lena stretches with a groan, running a hand through her hair before grabbing a soft blanket from the back of the couch. She walks over and places it in your arms with an easy smile. "Alright, time to call it a night," she says, motioning for you to follow her.

She leads you to the guest room, the room that’s practically become yours over the countless nights you’ve spent here. The familiar space feels like a second home, with its neatly made bed, soft lighting, and the faint scent of lavender from the diffuser on the dresser. It’s simple but comforting, filled with little touches that make it clear you’re always welcome here.

"Here you go," Lena says, leaning against the doorframe as you step inside. "Sleep well. You know the drill if you need anything, just yell."

"Thanks," you say softly, clutching the blanket to your chest. Lena gives you a small nod before heading back down the hall, her footsteps fading as her voice carries faintly, saying something to Julie. The warmth of the moment lingers as you glance around the room. The silence envelops you now, a stark contrast to the laughter and noise from earlier. It’s calming, even if the quiet feels just a little too heavy.

But as you settle onto the bed, adjusting the blanket around you, the muffled sounds of voices drift in from down the hall. Julie and Lena are talking or rather, yelling. Their tones rise and fall, sharp but not overly harsh. You recall Lena mentioning earlier that she needed to talk to Julie about something, and now it seems that conversation is happening.

Curiosity prickles at you as the noise carries on. For a moment, you’re tempted to slip out of bed and quietly edge closer to the door, hoping to catch bits of their exchange. But the thought feels invasive, like crossing a line that shouldn’t be crossed. You shake your head, dismissing the idea, and force yourself to settle back against the pillow. It’s probably nothing serious, you tell yourself maybe just something about Julie’s failed trigonometry test.

Still, the muffled voices pull at you, keeping you from fully relaxing. The soft glow of your phone screen catches your eye, and you pick it up, hoping to distract yourself. You scroll idly, trying to ignore the tension in the air, but your mind keeps wandering back to the distant argument and whatever it could mean.

You scroll through your Instagram feed, casually liking and commenting on your friends’ posts. It's a quiet, mindless routine that helps you unwind. But then something catches your eye—a notification. Someone’s been liking your posts.

You pause, frowning slightly. It’s strange. You don’t follow many people from school—just Julie and Lena. The rest of your followers are online friends, mutuals, and a few celebrities.

You swallow hard, brushing the thought aside and going back to your feed. *It’s not a big deal. Just keep scrolling,* you tell yourself.

But before you can fully relax, another notification pops up. This time, it’s not just likes, it’s a message.

*“@caitsworld sent you a message.”*

Moments later:

*“@vi.unfiltered sent you a message.”*

Your heart skips a beat as the notifications sit there, glaring at you from the top of your screen. For a second, you don’t even move, your thumb hovering over the screen.

Deciding not to open the messages just yet, you swipe down to check your notifications instead. Your stomach drops when you see it.

Caitlyn Kiramman and Vi. They’ve found your account. Not only that, but they’re liking your posts you’ve shared weeks, even months ago.

Your eyes widen, your heart hammering in your chest. How did they even find you? And why now?

Your thoughts race as you stare at the notifications, the pit in your stomach growing heavier with each passing second. Caitlyn and Vi the Caitlyn and Vi were combing through your profile like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

One by one, more likes roll in, filling your screen. Nine posts. That’s all you had on your page, and they’d liked every single one. Every photo, every memory, now tainted with their sudden attention.

It felt suffocating, invasive, like they were picking apart a piece of your life you had tried so hard to keep private. And yet, you couldn’t look away from the barrage of notifications lighting up your phone.

Then, something new catches your eye. Caitlyn had left a comment. The bold text of her username sat under one of your photos, mocking your attempt to ignore it. You hesitantly click to see what she said.

“Didn’t know Julie was such a cute friend,” Caitlyn wrote.

It was under a picture of you, Julie, and Lena at a festival last summer. Her words carried a familiar charm, but they felt calculated, as if she wanted you to know she was watching. You swallow hard, glancing back at the post. Caitlyn knew Julie and Lena. She’d interacted with them before. The comment wasn’t random, it was deliberate, targeted.

You decide to ignore the comment, shutting off your phone and placing it facedown on the nightstand. Whatever Caitlyn and Vi were trying to do, it could wait until tomorrow. Right now, you just wanted to sleep.

As you shift under the covers, trying to get comfortable, the sharp slam of a door echoes through the quiet house. You freeze for a moment, remembering the argument Lena and Julie were having.

Your first instinct was to get up and check on Julie. She’s always the one to take these things to heart, even if she tries to act tough. But you hesitate, knowing how they both get when they’re upset. They need space to cool off, and the last thing you want is to get caught in the middle of it.

You sink back into the bed with a sigh, pulling the blanket up to your chin. You’d check on them in the morning when things had hopefully calmed down. For now, you focus on blocking out the muffled voices and letting the exhaustion of the day pull you into sleep.

——

Walking into your biochemistry class with your headphones in, you glance up and spot Caitlyn sitting in her seat, her eyes glued to her phone with a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She hasn’t noticed you yet, and for a split second, you’re tempted to turn around and walk out before she sees you.

But after a moment of hesitation, you push forward and walk to the seat by the window, just inches away from Caitlyn. As soon as you approach, she looks up and grins. “Hello, pretty,” she says with a playful smirk, scooting her chair slightly to give you space to settle in.

You don’t respond to her greeting, instead focusing on getting your notes and supplies out of your bag, keeping your eyes fixed on the task at hand.

Once you settle into your seat, you open your notebook, take off your headphones, and start doodling absentmindedly, waiting for the professor to walk in. The room fills with the usual low hum of students settling in, but Caitlyn doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to break the silence. Instead, she just stares at you, her eyes fixed on your face as if trying to figure out what to say next. You feel her gaze but keep your focus on your doodles, pretending not to notice.

She doesn’t speak, continuing to study you quietly. Her intense stare doesn’t waver, not even when the professor walks in.

“Welcome back to class, students. I hope you learned something useful yesterday,” he says, setting his bag down on the desk. He writes his name on the board, followed by a few important points for the day’s lesson, but you can still feel Caitlyn’s gaze lingering on you from the corner of your eye.

She leans in slightly, her chin resting on her hand as she glances at your notebook. “So,” Caitlyn murmurs, her voice soft enough that the professor doesn’t notice. “Did you enjoy my little... Instagram surprise?” Your pen freezes mid-word. You glance at her, trying to gauge if she’s joking, but her smirk tells you everything.

Your pen freezes mid-word. You glance at her, trying to gauge if she’s joking, but her smirk tells you everything it wasn’t a coincidence. Caitlyn leans in closer, her elbow propped on the desk, looking thoroughly entertained by your reaction.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice,” she continues, her voice low and teasing, her eyes flicking toward your notebook before returning to your face. “I mean, Vi and I don’t usually go through that much effort for someone. You should feel special.”

You press your lips into a thin line, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response. Instead, you go back to doodling, pretending to be unbothered, though your grip on the pen tightens.

Caitlyn doesn’t stop. “You didn’t even comment back,” she says with a dramatic sigh, as if truly offended. “I thought maybe you’d appreciate the attention. Isn’t that what people post for, anyway?”

The professor clears his throat, scanning the room for the source of the talking. When his eyes land on Caitlyn leaning toward you, a smirk spreads across his face. “Ms. Kiramman, talking in my class?” he says pointedly. Caitlyn turns to him with an exaggerated roll of her eyes, clearly unbothered.

But Jayce isn’t done. “I wonder what your mother would say about you being disruptive in my class,” he adds, his tone sharper now.

Caitlyn’s eyes narrow slightly, her posture straightening. The room grows tense as a few students glance over, sensing the brewing confrontation. “I wonder what she would say about you...” Caitlyn pauses, her lips curling into a sly smile, “...if she knew you spent more time nitpicking your students than teaching the actual material Jayce.” Her voice is calm but biting, and the class collectively holds its breath.

The professor’s smirk falters for a split second at Caitlyn’s casual use of his first name. A wave of whispers ripples through the class, and a few students stifle laughs, eagerly watching the tension unfold.

Jayce straightens, gripping his marker a little too tightly. “Ms. Kiramman,” he says, his tone clipped. “I don’t recall giving you permission to address me so informally.”

Caitlyn leans back in her chair, arms crossed, exuding unbothered confidence. “Oh, my apologies... Professor Talis,” she replies with a mock sweetness that only sharpens the edge in her tone. “I’m just trying to meet the same level of professionalism you bring to the classroom.”

The room is silent now, the kind of silence that feels heavy and electric. Even you can’t help but glance at her in disbelief. Caitlyn’s audacity seems boundless, and while part of you wants to roll your eyes, another part can’t deny how effortlessly she commands attention.

Jayce takes a deep breath, visibly attempting to maintain his composure. “Perhaps if you put as much effort into your studies as you do into your... commentary, you’d actually excel in this course,” he retorts before turning back to the board, clearly signaling the end of the exchange.

Caitlyn doesn’t seem fazed, her lips curling into a faint smirk as she leans back in her chair. Her eyes, however, drift right back to you. You feel the weight of her gaze before she even speaks.

“You can ignore me all you want, Y/N,” she whispers, her tone dropping into something softer, more persuasive. “But we both know this isn’t over.”

Your stomach twists. You keep your eyes fixed on your notebook, pretending to focus on the professor’s notes, but the words blur together. Caitlyn’s presence feels suffocating, her voice still lingering in your ears. You silently curse yourself for not just skipping class altogether.

The lecture drags on, the professor’s words a distant hum in the background as your thoughts race. Every so often, you catch Caitlyn shifting in her seat, her pen tapping against the desk in a rhythm that feels deliberately designed to remind you she’s still there, still waiting.

When class finally ends, you’re the first to pack up, eager to escape the suffocating tension. You sling your bag over your shoulder and make a beeline for the door, but Caitlyn’s voice stops you just as you step into the hallway.

“Y/N, wait up!” she calls, her tone casual but laced with that same infuriating confidence.

You stop reluctantly, turning just enough to see her strolling toward you, her usual smirk firmly in place.

“What do you want, Caitlyn?” you ask, your voice sharper than you intended.

She raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by your reaction. “Just wanted to check in,” she says smoothly. “You seemed... distracted today.”

“I wonder why,” you mutter under your breath, turning to walk away, but Caitlyn matches your pace effortlessly.

“Come on, pretty,” she says, her voice dropping into something almost playful. “No need to be so defensive. I was just trying to make things interesting.”

“Interesting isn’t the word I’d use,” you shoot back, keeping your eyes forward.

“Then what word would you use?” she asks, her tone lighter now, teasing.

You don’t answer, refusing to give her the satisfaction. But Caitlyn doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, your silence only fuels her.

“See you around, Y/N,” she says finally, her voice carrying that same confidence as always. And just like that, she’s gone, leaving you standing in the hallway with a mix of frustration and something else you can’t quite name.

—-

You walk over to Julie’s locker, spotting her staring at her phone, absorbed in whatever’s on the screen. You hesitate for a moment, unsure whether to bring up the argument she and Lena had last night. You don’t want to interfere or make things worse. But before you can decide, Julie looks up, catching your gaze. Her face softens, and she forces a smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

She walks over to you and gives you a hug before interlocking her hands with yours. You smile at your best friend before breaking the silence “You’re not gonna tell me what happened?” you finally ask, breaking the silence. Your voice is soft but edged with curiosity.

Julie glances at you, her lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s nothing, Y/N. Don’t worry about it.”

You stop walking, forcing her to pause and turn back toward you. “Julie, come on. I’m not stupid. I heard you two arguing last night, and it didn’t sound like ‘nothing.’ What’s going on?”

Julie sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly as she pulls her hand out of yours and runs it through her hair. She glances around, almost like she’s avoiding eye contact, clearly wrestling with whether she’s ready to open up. “It’s just... a lot, I guess,” she starts, her voice softer than usual. You nod, silently encouraging her to continue. You’re here to listen.

“I love her,” Julie says quietly, her words weighed down with emotion. “I really do. But it feels like I’m the only one trying to make this work.” She shakes her head, frustration lacing her voice. “We live together, Y/N, and anytime we argue, I have to be the one to step up, apologize first, even when I’m not the one in the wrong. I shouldn’t have to do that every time we disagree about something, you know?”

You give her a small nod of understanding. This isn’t the first time Julie’s expressed her frustrations with Lena, but you can tell this time feels different. There’s something heavier in her words.

Julie pauses for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. "I know I’m... insufferable to be around sometimes. But I do try. I try to change…for myself, for her. Every single day. Because I do see a future with her." Her voice falters, and you can see the deep-rooted frustration written all over her face. She’s holding back, trying so hard not to directly criticize Lena, but it’s clear this is all weighing on her.

You step closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Julie, you're not insufferable. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask for."

Julie doesn’t immediately respond, but the quiet look she gives you speaks volumes. You know she feels torn between the love she has for Lena and the frustration of trying to make it work alone. And as much as Julie tries to protect Lena, she can’t hide the exhaustion in her eyes.

Julie takes a deep breath, her eyes dropping to the ground as she searches for the right words. "I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining or ungrateful. She has her own issues, too. She’s not perfect. But... when we’re together, it feels like she’s always pulling away. Like she has her own life, her own priorities, and I’m just... not a part of it sometimes. She says she wants space, but honestly, it feels more like she’s just trying to get away from me."

Her voice wavers slightly, and you can see the hurt in her eyes. "I’m trying to understand, Y/N. I really am. But sometimes, I wonder if she even wants this relationship as much as I do."

You feel a twist in your stomach, knowing how much this is weighing on your friend. You gently ask, "Have you tried contacting her? Reaching out?"

Julie shakes her head, glancing down at her phone in frustration. "I’ve been texting her nonstop since yesterday. Back to back. But she’s been leaving me on read every time. Now I don’t know what to do."

her lips pressed together as if holding back the weight of everything she's been carrying. "I just wish we could communicate better. But when we talk, it feels like we’re speaking two different languages. She needs her space, but I need her to be present. And lately, it’s felt like we’re just... drifting apart."

A silence falls between you both, and you can’t help but feel for her. Watching Julie go through this isn't easy, but you know she needs to hear this. "Have you told her how you’re feeling? About needing more communication and time together?"

Julie looks up at you, her eyes tired but thoughtful. “I’ve tried. But it doesn’t always come out the way I want. When I talk to her, it feels like I’m being needy or demanding. Like I’m suffocating her when all I want is to be with her. And then I wonder if I’m the problem.”

"You're not the problem," you assure her gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Relationships have their ups and downs, and communication is key. But it has to go both ways. She needs to understand where you’re coming from too."

Julie nods slowly, taking in your words. "I know, but sometimes it feels like we’re just... stuck. Like we’re not moving forward." She exhales heavily, a mixture of frustration and resignation in her tone.

"I just want us to be okay, Y/N. I want to feel like we’re on the same team again."

You squeeze her hand tighter, offering her all the support you can. "I know you do. And you deserve that, Julie. You both do. I think it’s just going to take some time and effort from both of you. But I believe you’ll figure it out. You’re strong, and you know what you want."

She smiles faintly, the weight on her shoulders slightly lighter. "Thanks, Y/N. I’m glad you’re here. I really am."

"Always," you reply softly, pulling her into a quick hug. You know that things won’t change overnight, but you also know that whatever happens, you’ll be by her side through it all.

—-

Julie gives you a small smile before walking off to her next class, thanking you for your advice. You return the smile, watching her go before turning to enter the library.

The usual silence of the library wraps around you as you walk toward the back, where your favorite spot awaits. It’s tucked away, hidden behind a few tall bookshelves, far from the hustle and bustle of the main area. Not many people venture back here unless they’re really looking for solitude, and that’s exactly why you love it.

You settle into your spot, setting your things down on the table with a quiet breath. The calm of the secluded space fills you, and you’re grateful for the moment of peace. With your books open and notes in front of you, you try to focus on the material.

But as you read, your mind drifts, and Caitlyn and Vi start to occupy your thoughts. You can’t help but think about how persistent they are, how desperate they seem to get to know you. It’s almost endearing in a way, but then again, you know them well enough to understand they do this with every girl they want to get with.

You pause, wondering if you could be different. Maybe you could somehow befriend them, keep things casual and not get caught up in whatever relationship they might want.

But that’s the problem, isn’t it? They don’t just want a friendship. Whatever they set their sights on, they get, and it’s hard to imagine anything else.

The confusion still lingers. Why are they putting so much energy into getting your attention, only to act like you don’t exist the very next day? It doesn’t make sense. The whole situation feels like a mess, and you’re left wondering where it could all go or if you even want it to.

The soft hum of the library fades into the background as you try to refocus, but that nagging feeling of being watched doesn’t go away. You glance up briefly, scanning the room. At first, everything seems normal: students hunched over textbooks, a librarian quietly organizing a cart of books. But then, out of the corner of your eye, you spot two familiar figures strolling through the library doors.

Caitlyn and Vi.

Your stomach drops. It’s not that they haven’t been everywhere you’ve turned lately, but this feels different, almost deliberate.

Caitlyn spots you first. Her sharp gaze catches yours, and a smug smile spreads across her face. She nudges Vi, who glances your way. Her expression isn’t one of amusement it’s more intrigued, like she’s sizing you up. Together, they start making their way through the aisles, their footsteps casual, like this is just another random stop.

But you know better. You can feel the weight of their attention on you, and you’re left wondering if this is just another game they’re playing, or if they actually want something more.

You try to bury yourself in your notebook, pretending not to notice them. Maybe if you ignore them long enough, they’ll lose interest and leave.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Caitlyn’s voice cuts through the quiet like a knife.

You look up reluctantly to find her leaning against the edge of your table, her usual confident smirk firmly in place. Vi stands beside her, arms crossed, her piercing gaze locked on you.

“I didn’t know you were the library type,” Caitlyn continues, tilting her head slightly. “Always so studious, huh?”

“Or hiding,” Vi adds, her voice low and teasing.

“I’m not hiding,” you snap before you can stop yourself. The last thing you want to do is engage, but they have a way of pulling words out of you.

“Relax, we’re just here to say hi,” Caitlyn says, her tone dripping with amusement. She reaches out, tapping your notebook with her finger. “Working on something important?”

“Class notes,” you reply shortly, keeping your answers brief.

“Class notes?” Vi echoes, her brow arching. “Sounds thrilling.”

Caitlyn chuckles, pulling out the chair across from you and sitting down without so much as an invitation. “You don’t mind if we join you, do you? It’s such a cozy little spot you’ve got here.”

Your pulse quickens, but you force yourself to stay calm. “Actually, I was just about to leave.”

Caitlyn’s smirk deepens. “Oh, don’t go on our account. We’re harmless.”

Vi finally takes a seat as well, leaning back in her chair like she owns the place. “Besides,” she says, her voice smooth and deliberate, “you’ve been on our minds lately. Haven’t you noticed?”

Your stomach twists as you remember the Instagram notifications from last night. They know exactly what they’re doing.

“What do you want?” you ask, your voice steady despite the unease creeping up your spine.

“Who says we want anything?” Caitlyn replies, feigning innocence.

“But since you’re asking...” Vi leans forward, her eyes locking with yours. “Maybe we just want to get to know you better.”

Their words hang in the air, heavy with implication. Every instinct screams at you to leave, but something keeps you rooted to the spot. Caitlyn’s smirk, Vi’s intense stare it’s like they’re daring you to make the first move.

Their words hang in the air, thick with unspoken meaning. Every part of you screams to leave, but something keeps you frozen in place. Caitlyn’s smirk, Vi’s intense gaze it’s as if they’re daring you to make the first move, to fall into their game.

You gather your things quickly, heart pounding in your chest as you try to create distance between yourself and their electric presence. You’ve had enough of their games. The last thing you want is to be pulled back into whatever twisted power play they’re weaving.

“I’ve got to go,” you mutter, grabbing your backpack, but before you can make your escape, Caitlyn’s arms slip around your waist, pulling you back toward her. Her chin rests lightly on your shoulder, and you can feel her breath against your skin, warm and steady.

“Where do you think you’re going, Y/N? Hmm?” Caitlyn’s voice is teasing, but there’s a definite edge to it, like a warning that settles heavily in your chest.

“Let me guess,” Caitlyn continues, her voice dropping lower, controlled yet laced with amusement. “You’re going to leave, pretend like nothing’s happening, and we’ll just fade into the background, right?” Her chuckle is soft but sharp. “You think that’s how this works?”

Vi steps closer, resting her arms on the table with a deliberate motion. Her eyes track you, unwavering and intense. When she speaks, her tone is unyielding, the words slow and deliberate. “You can leave, Y/N. But it’s not going to change anything. We’re still going to be here. And we’re not going to let you walk away like it’s nothing.”

You freeze, your body tensing as the weight of their words settles over you. It feels like you’re caught in a web, each strand tightening with every second. Caitlyn’s arms are still around your waist, and Vi’s gaze never leaves you, unwavering and calculating.

You freeze, the weight of their words settling over you like a heavy, suffocating blanket. Each second feels like the strands of a web tightening, pulling you deeper into their grasp. Caitlyn’s arms are still wrapped around your waist, possessive and firm, while Vi’s gaze is locked on you, intense and predatory.

“Please... let me go,” you whisper, your voice trembling slightly as you try to steady it. You attempt to pull away from Caitlyn’s grip, but she just tightens her hold, keeping you in place, her touch searing through the fabric of your clothes.

“I don’t want to play this game anymore,” you beg, your words catching in your throat. “Please... just leave me alone.”

Caitlyn’s breath is warm against your ear as she chuckles softly, the sound both teasing and dangerous. “Game?” she murmurs, her voice rich with amusement and something darker, more insistent. “We’re not playing games, Y/N. We’re simply trying to get to know you better. You’ve been avoiding us long enough.”

Vi steps closer, her movements slow and deliberate, her eyes flicking over your face as if searching for the truth behind your mask. “We’re not trying to make things complicated,” she says, her voice smooth and coaxing, though there’s an underlying edge to it that makes you doubt her sincerity. “But you’re making it hard for us to just let this be... easy.”

Your pulse quickens as the air between you all thickens with tension, the weight of their presence smothering you. You’re caught between the desire to escape and the unsettling feeling that there’s nowhere to run. Caitlyn’s touch sends a shiver down your spine, her grip on you almost possessive, like she’s marking her territory, and Vi’s eyes intense, unwavering make your skin prickle with heat.

You struggle to breathe, the proximity of them suffocating you, the room feeling smaller with every rapid heartbeat. The air is thick, and the weight of their presence presses in on you, making it feel like you’re trapped in a cage. You’re on the verge of breaking down, the fear and frustration bubbling to the surface. All you want is to escape, but Caitlyn’s grip doesn’t loosen; if anything, it tightens, holding you in place. Even if you could break free from her hold, you know Vi would just step in, blocking your way with her calculated intensity.

“Please, I’ll do anything. Just let me go,” you beg, the words slipping from your lips like a desperate plea for mercy. Your voice cracks as tears begin to sting your eyes, threatening to spill over.

You look at Vi, your eyes wide, shaking your head as your breath comes out in uneven gasps. “I don’t want any part of this. Please, just let me go,” you plead, your voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration. Every part of you screams to break free, but the tension in the air weighs you down, making it feel impossible to escape.

Caitlyn’s fingers continue their slow, deliberate circles on your waist, each touch igniting a sense of helplessness that makes your skin crawl. “You keep saying that, but you're still here,” she murmurs against your ear, her lips brushing lightly against your skin. “We’re not making you stay, Y/N. You choose to stay, every time.”

Vi watches you, her eyes cold and calculating. She tilts her head slightly, studying your face as if she’s savoring your reaction. “It doesn’t have to be like this,” she says, the words dripping with something darker than just coaxing. “You can walk away. But you’re still here. What does that tell you?”

Your heart pounds in your chest, a mix of adrenaline and unease coursing through your veins as you struggle to catch your breath. “I don’t want this,” you murmur, your voice barely above a whisper, eyes flicking nervously between them. Yet, the air around you feels charged, their presence heavy and impossible to ignore, like a force pulling you under.

“Then why haven’t you walked away?” Caitlyn’s voice drips with quiet challenge, her words laced with a teasing edge that sends a shiver down your spine. She releases her hold on you, her gaze never wavering, and with a firm but unhurried push, she guides you down into the chair. Before you can process, they close the space around you, their proximity overwhelming, leaving you breathless and cornered.

Caitlyn’s fingers trace along your jawline, her smile deceptively soft as she leans closer, her breath warm against your skin. “We just want to be your friends,” she repeats, her tone sweet but layered with something far more sinister. Her eyes bore into yours, as if daring you to contradict her.

Your chest tightens, your pulse hammering against your ribs. You hate this, everything about it feels wrong but your body refuses to move, locked in place by their unrelenting presence. The air around you feels heavy, suffocating, and no matter how much you want to get away, it’s as if the weight of them keeps you tethered.

“What do you want from me?” you manage to choke out, your voice trembling despite your attempt to sound firm.

Caitlyn tilts her head, her lips curling into a smirk. “Oh, it’s not what we want from you,” she murmurs, her fingers gently pressing your chin up so you can’t look away. “It’s what we want with you.”

Vi steps closer, her presence looming over you like a storm. Her hands grip the back of your chair, boxing you in even further. “The question, Y/N,” she says, her voice low and rough, “is what you really want. You can keep pretending, keep fighting it, but we can see it in your eyes.” Her gaze is unwavering, and it feels like she’s stripping you bare with just a look.

Caitlyn’s lips brush the edge of your ear as she whispers, “So, tell us. Are you going to keep lying to yourself, or are you ready to stop running?”

Ⓒ︎ seulszn

#seulszn #arcane x reader #caitlyn arcane #arcane #caitlyn kiramman #arcane vi x reader #caitvi × reader #vi arcane

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thebiggerbear · 23 hours ago

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Joel Miller Fic Recs List

Recs List under Read More:

His Favourite Meal by @agxxb

"Takin' Time" by @blckbrrybasket

"If You Knew" by @blckbrrybasket

Neighbor with Benefits by @joelswritingmistress

Halloween by @joelswritingmistress - Nicole is seeing the man (Joel Miller) who she began house sitting for in Haddonfield. Upon feeling a lingering presence following her beginning on October 30th, Nicole starts to feel uneasy. The name Michael Myers is often thrown around in the town he was supposedly murdered in, but Joel convinces her to let her guard down.

But I'm Better by @bunnysbrainrot - When something breaks, you always know who to call. Your dresser is broken, and you’re left hopeless. But what happens when Joel finds something peculiar in your drawer?

Blood Flow by @bunnysbrainrot - You curiously tread into the realm of choking, but you have no clue why people think it feels ‘good’. With Joel’s help, you realize that there’s simply a right way to do it.

Daddy's Girl by @bunnysbrainrot - When will your teasing be too much for Joel to handle? Fuck around and find out, I guess!

The Real Thing by @bunnysbrainrot - You let it slip to Joel that you touched yourself without his knowledge. The thought drives him over the edge, eager to show you that the real thing is so much better.

Too Sweet by @bunnysbrainrot - You’re one of the newest arrivals in Jackson after a long trip to seek refuge. Now that you’re settling in, one of Jackson’s most integral men is the head of your first patrol. Will Joel be able to set aside that gruff demeanor for the sake of meeting someone new?

Bourbon and Mead by @bunnysbrainrot - It’s been a busy first week in Jackson, but you’re finally starting to feel at home. Even still, you haven’t made many new connections, but hopefully tonight’s big event can help. Despite your nerves, you go anyway, and see some familiar faces.

Unspoken Rules by @bunnysbrainrot - The day after the town dance, Joel doesn’t seem so sentimental for your time together. The emotional rollercoaster leaves you confused. Something is off about him now, and it’s taking everything in you to not leave yourself to blame. Finally, Joel tries setting a boundary, but will he hold to it?

Friendly Competition by @bunnysbrainrot - It was difficult, but Joel had to set a boundary, one he’s having trouble adhering to. And back in Jackson, things aren’t any easier. When an old friend comes around, it muddies the waters. Joel tries his best to assure you that it’s not what it looks like, but you won’t be easily swayed.

Stranger by @brighttears - Joel has just arrived in Jackson, and immediately finds out that you’re here, too, forcing him to face his former actions, speak to you again after he split 6 years ago. The ensuing argument shows a fire within you that you didn’t have when he knew you before, and he’s left reeling.

*I will add more as I go

dividers by @firefly-graphics

#joel miller fanfic #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fic #joel miller fics #joel miller fic recs

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friedcheesemogu · 3 days ago

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WHY WILLIAM BRANDT IS MY FAVORITE "MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE" CHARACTER

This is a presentation I made for my discord last year, mostly for my own enjoyment, hopefully someone else will find it fun.

(I will state up front that it doesn't include anything about "M:I: Dead Reckoning" or any speculation on "Final Reckoning." For reasons.) Grab your snacks, here we go:

Hi. Thanks for coming.

Once upon a time, back in 2011, a friend wanted to go see "Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol." I had seen "MI2" in theaters, promptly forgotten about it, and mostly we were going to this because my friend loved Simon Pegg, and this Jeremy Renner dude was going to be playing Hawkeye in the spring in "Avengers" so we were interested in checking him out. I liked the character of William Brandt a lot, and was very relieved when he wasn't the bad guy.

I then promptly forgot about him for the next 9 years.

In the summer of 2020, my housemate brought home the MI blu-ray set. When he put on MI1, I started off across the room from the TV, slowly crawling closer, climbing over the couch, finally committing to it... and had a great time. I mean, MI2 is hot garbage, but whatever, doves, man. MI3 was solid, and then I saw "Ghost Protocol," and I imprinted on William Brandt. Like hardcore. Like it makes me look stupid.

But I can't talk about him without first talking about...

I. ETHAN HUNT

Have you seen this man? Now you have.

So I see the MI series as a long term character journey for Ethan.

Each movie is different and each Ethan is different, based on where he is in life. (And yes, I know that's also because up until a point they all had different directors, but hear me out).

MI1:

The cocky beginner with nothing to lose. Well... he loses a few things, but by the end of it, he's pretty well set up. He also plans to get out of the game until the very end.

MI2:

Ethan's emo phase. He's becoming better at his job and he knows it, he's careless and rash with himself and with other people. And again he walks away at the end.

MI3:

"I'm trying to be normal." Ethan's gotten older, and is initially out of the field, and he wants to try that, he wants to see if he can have a civilian life with the woman he loves, live in a house, have a dog... He genuinely loves Julia and wants to be with her. Even at the end, I think he still has an idea that he can balance this life with IMF.

But then...

MI4:

This is the turning point. This is the crux of the change.

A friend once said that GP "isn't essential to watch" and my argument to that was, "what the fuck." Let's look into this.

Up until this point, Ethan's attitude has been "I can leave/I want to leave."

In MI3, he even asks Luther to "remember a life before all this," assuming and idealizing that as something better than what he is or what he has when he's with IMF

GP is the first time that Ethan is in it from the beginning. He's not green. He's not on vacation. He's not trying to run. He's been in a Russian Prison for two years and he put himself there. Now we start to see that his priorities have shifted, or at least, his priorities have made it such that he feels/needs/wants to be in the game. And here we find out what he's given up to do it: his marriage, his freedom, his physical and mental wellbeing (inasmuch as Ethan ever thinks about his mental wellbeing, but that's a different post)

At the end, it's the first time we see him walk directly towards another mission instead instead of trying to get away.

This is also the first time he seems to really appreciate his team and hold himself and them accountable to each other. After talking to The Fog, the team that was chosen for him.

...becomes the team he chooses.

(Please take a moment to admire how cute they are, how helpful. Jane Carter, my queen. Benji Dunn, my moppet.)

And part of the team he chooses to finish the job includes that guy that they "inherited:"

He chooses William Brandt.

LET'S LOOK AT THESE FINE BITCHES A FEW MORE TIMES:

*muffled "Crew" by Dessa" playing the background*

This image is my phone case.

Anyway, let's get to the main event: why William Brandt?

II. WILL

I'm gonna refer to him as "Will" from this point on, because this man is my baby. He is tattooed on my thigh. We are close, and every time I think about the fact that he is the only team member who never gets called anything but "Brandt" it breaks my heart. So I'm not gonna do that to him.

Will is unlike any team member Ethan has ever had.

Most people want to work with Ethan. Will would rather be anywhere else. He's an unwilling participant. He doubts his abilities and his usefulness even though he has the training and he knows the job. He's nervous. He's not ready for this. He doesn't want to do it...but he has to. So he will.

Ethan can't read him

Ethan is extremely good at figuring people out, or at least coming up with a rough idea of who they are/what they're after very quickly (traitors notwithstanding). But Will hides his true self perfectly. Well... almost.

Until he was actually fighting for his life, Ethan and the others assumed Will was just baggage. The fact that Ethan pauses mid fight to notice Will breaking a dude's leg is notable, because that's the moment he realizes he's misjudged him completely. Will has the ability to blend in and not seem like a threat, when the truth is, he's as fast as Ethan and can more than hold his own.

This scene is so fast that even though I've watched it about 436 times I still can't follow their hands and MY GOD it's so sexy I want to throw my computer across the room.

Will can pass in both the political world that Ethan shuns and on the field. He works with Hunley while simultaneously subverting him. He's able to do the field work in Mumbai and play along flawlessly in London in "Rogue Nation."

There is no literally reason for Ethan to say "you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine" in that tone of voice while they look each other up and down unless...

Anyway.

2. Will has real and believable pain and guilt

Will spends all of GP working with someone whose life he feels responsible for ruining. Whose wife he feels responsible for killing. He's haunted by Croatia and it's visible on his face when he talks about it to Jane and Benji (thank you Jeremy Renner). His emotions are crippling in a way that has never been addressed before, because they bring up what Ethan has only started to accept at this point: the cost of what they do is that you can lose people, forever. You can lose your faith in the job, in yourself, and sometimes that breaks you. Will, for all his high position, skill, and intelligence, considers himself a failure.

It's also worth noting that he and Jane are interesting parallels: they were both in charge of missions where they fucked up and now have to face their mistakes directly to fix them. But Jane is able to take her anger and her pain and turn it around; it takes Will years to even face it, and that's only under duress. That he rises to the occasion is to his credit, but it's hardly unreasonable to be so shaken by how you've failed that it takes a very long time to pick yourself back up.

3. Loyalty

Something I feel Will never really gets credit for is his loyalty to so many things, even at the cost of his sense of self.

He's loyal to IMF - he never left. Even when he was at his lowest, he did something else within the agency. He committed himself to this and he's going to do it, no matter how much it hurts.

He's beyond loyal to Ethan. Without him, Ethan might not have made it away from Hunley or survived the events of "Rogue Nation." In the tie-in comic "Torn Asunder", it is heavily implied that Will is the one who warns Ethan of when Hunley is getting close. He's on the inside making sure Ethan can stay one step ahead. It's true that Ethan ultimately reaches out to Benji, but that's because Will has a cover that's so deep Luther calls him "a sellout." He's also willing to play the part of the traitor successfully because he's kept Hunley at bay for so long. He also straight up kills someone with a car to save Ethan and Benji (and no one ever thanks him for any of this, by the way).

But he's also one of the few people who ever says "no"

For all his loyalty and commitment to Ethan, he's willing to argue with him -over the briefcase with the codes, over jumping, over what the hell Ethan means when he says "do you see" in the parking lot after Benji is kidnapped- to a point that it becomes more of a fight.

Will is not always right in these situations (or right by the standards of the insane people on the team), but he does have to have things explained, have to be persuaded that this is not some crazy bullshit. He wants the details because he knows those matter -that's his job, to find them, know them, and analyze them. It may seem like he's doubting Ethan when he asks "what happens if you don't make it back," but he's making a reasonable request of someone he knows isn't actually superhuman. Will is well aware that they are both fallible humans, and he takes that into account.

He's just so interesting...

4. Will and Ethan's relationship

Will is Ethan's foil. He left "this life" like Ethan tried so many times, but didn't actually leave any of it behind. He is what Ethan could be if he let the entire weight of his whole life on him (which I'm not saying he should do, not until he has time for a whole lot of therapy) and went "oh my god, what happened, what have I done?"

Will knows how to play by the rules, and thereby how to break them; Ethan breaks the rules to play by his own. Will knows the cost and -for better or worse- lets that keep him from acting; Ethan hopes that if he acts enough it'll balance what it's cost to do it.

Something I think about a lot is this: it's not entirely clear if the Serbian hit squad that "killed" Julia was an actual group of people acting independently or whether the entire thing -and therefore Ethan killing six people- was set up by Ethan and the Secretary. If it's the latter they allowed Will to shoulder the entire blame for the incident (which is super fucked up, by the way). Regardless of whose "job" it was to protect Julia, IMF and Ethan threw Will under several buses. Once he knows this, he could use this against Ethan at any point -a reason not to trust him, a bargaining chip to get what he wants- but he doesn't. Will keeps Ethan's darkest secret and is trusted with it, possibly even before Luther. And he protects it, protects Julia, protects Ethan. Ethan asks Will to compromise everything he is while knowing that Will has the means to destroy him, and Will does it, because he'd rather put himself in danger than betray him. I think that says a lot about him (and again, a simple "thank you" would have been nice).

And of course there's this:

Ethan's life has never been more literally in anyone's hands than Will's. For all the ways Ethan fails to trust him for most of GP, Will doesn't hesitate for a second to jump out the window to save the life of the man who ruined his. And he was fast enough to do it, which I think says a little about his skill level.

(Mad props to Jane too, let's not forget her.)

III. Saturn take the leap

*"Hero" by Faouzia playing gently in the foreground*

Will is the kind of character I find endlessly fascinating. He's got so much going on under the surface, but the surface is so artfully crafted that it's distracting. He's withdrawn, but he's not shy. He's physically adept, but the suit makes you think otherwise. He's obviously very intelligent, and also capable of being a complete salty dumbass jerk. He's sad, and he hurts, but when he's challenged he doesn't back down. He's been watching Ethan's back for a long, long time, and because he didn't get a stupid ending in Fallout, I want to believe he still is.

A word from our sponsor:

If you please, Mr. Cruise:

And I'm so sorry that I've forgotten the source for this one, but it leads me into one of the final, most important points:

DAT ASS

*Janelle Monae's "Yoga" plays loudly and aggressively*

OH HELL YEAH THAT IS MY TWENTY DOLLAR PEACH RIGHT THERE

IV. Thank you!

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope you found it at least a little interesting. Most of this was pieced together from notes I wrote last March that I understood then but past me did not account for future me and so I had to rewrite and rethink some of it. But William Brandt came out of obscurity to conquer my heart and become one of my all-time favorite characters. I sleep with a picture of him next to my bed. Yes I am grown up and pay taxes. This is the form my adulthood has taken.

I'm nervous about coming back to tumblr and still trying to find my footing, but one of the reasons I love fandom and fanfiction because there's so many more stories that can be told outside of the movies., and I want to make them and find them and hear about them. What has Will been doing since the end of RN? Are he and Jane besties? Do they all have movie nights where Benji picks the movie and everyone is like "why have you done this to us?" Let me talk to you about my canon divergence fic where among other things Ilsa is still alive and she and Will are not fond of each other... I personally love Will/Ethan as a ship, and I've dedicated my heart to it (AoT, anyone?), but there's so many options for everyone to pick their favorite character, favorite ship, whatever, and go deeper into them that we get to in the bursts of two to three hours they're on the screen. I'd love to talk with people about them and I'm hoping that I'll get the chance here. And then I can also mention my Mission Impossible dollhouse...

But for now, again, thanks. I really love William Brandt, the end.

#mission impossible #william brandt #will brandt #mission impossible ghost protocol #ethan hunt #benji dunn #jane carter #jeremy renner #tom cruise #jeremy renner's butt

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