#but i swear to god i somehow didn't see this coming despite the fact that it was prophecy

[lonelyrat15]

merlin spoilers so look away if for some reason you haven’t watched it yet but

I had never seen it until this november and i know i’m literally the last person in the world to hop on this long-departed train but i finally finished it today and I’m Sorry why did no one tell me the finale is literally fucking brokeback mountain why did they make this what were they thinking i don’t understand any of this what was the reason why did they ignore arthurian legend in order to make merlin a twink WHY DID THEY DO THAT???? what was their goal? why is the literal plot of this show that merlin was so sickeningly devoted to arthur that he’d rather save him than EVERY SINGLE MAGICAL PERSON IN CAMELOT??? AND WHY WAS HIS DESTINY TO PROTECT ARTHUR SO THAT HE’LL MAKE MAGIC LEGAL BUT THEN HE ENDS UP DYING BEFORE HE CAN EVEN DO THAT??? SO WAS MERLIN’S DESTINY PURELY TO BE IN GAY LOVE WITH ARTHUR????????? WHY DID THEY MAKE THIS

AND ANOTHER THING is this secret neoliberal propaganda because if the point is that they have to wait for LITERAL CENTURIES for arthur to return, then that means that morgana was fully right to have a revolution awpeofijawefpoawiejfwaepfoiawef also why on earth didn’t gwen make magic legal??????? idk maybe it’s incredible satire that just went over my head

why did they make this????1111!???

loved it tho i’ll probs rewatch

[clare-875]

One touch (Levi x Reader)

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Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Reader Summary: When you find yourself cornered, Levi saves you Warnings: angst to fluff, sexual harassment/assault, men being pigs, Levi swearing Note: The above image does NOT belong to me [AOT Masterlist]

_____

I'm used to it. That was what kept you unflinchingly moving past them, even when their dirty words were hushed in the air. I'll ignore it. Those were the words you chanted to yourself, so you could get through the day without nausea and rage dictating your actions, even as they tried to gather your attention. There's nothing I can do. That was the notion you fell into as you made excuses for your lack of action, your lack of saying anything about the matter, even or maybe especially to Levi. But despite the constant rhythm of your words reverberating through your head, it didn't change the fact that you couldn't escape. You couldn't escape them.

Every day these past weeks, high-ranking officers from deep within the walls had come to Scout Headquarters; for what you didn't know. Perhaps it had to do with rising suspicions on the integrity of Erwin, and thus they were sent to merely observe or criticize. Perhaps it was the rising stakes now with Eren and his ability to become a Titan prompting more eyes pointed our way. Whatever it was you did not care. But somehow it still had everything to do with you. You were well known both within the Scouts and in the general public: The one that could keep up with humanity's strongest soldier; Levi. But you were also known for other traits, mostly the way you visually stood out amongst a crowd. It never bothered you how "distracting" this could be, but never had you thought it would cause you the trouble it did now.

Each time you passed the higher ranking officers, yet to face any consequence by your fist or your words, they would start to whisper. Scouts knew better than to mess with you, not only as a Captain of the Scout Regiment who commanded respect but by the partner of Levi. They knew what would happen if he heard even a glimmer of disrespect and god forbid the heinous acts of the higher-ranking officers who taunt you now. Their voices had grown louder with the passing days, bolder by the power they yielded. Yes, their power; their status. Had it been any other low-ranking officer he would've hit the dirt before the next sly comment left his mouth, but you could scarcely do anything to them. The Scouts were already on high alert, and you couldn't make matters worse. What you failed to realise was that their boldness would soon seep not only into their disgusting words but into their actions. You got used to the suggestive comments you got as you passed. You kept your head high, unflinching as you walked; as though you had heard nothing at all.

But you weren't used to this.

They had you cornered, about five of them.

Your heart churns more in disgust than fear, you would result to that much less willingly; you wouldn't give them what they so obviously wanted. "I'm sorry, but I have to be on my way Erwin will-" You try to maintain the benefit of the doubt, not that there was doubt in the first place; you knew what they wanted. "Erwin can wait, can't he darling?" A hand of one man reaches out towards you and you grit your teeth, bile rising in the back of your throat at their intentions. You can see it in the depths of their sinister eyes; their lust. You smack his hand away before it goes to caress your face and you see the first break of the facade; a flash of irritation on the first man's face. "I hope I'm not misunderstanding here gentlemen, but it seems you want something I won't offer." Two more men come from behind the first, shit-eating grins on their faces at your words.

"You understand just right sweetheart." One grabs your left hand forcefully backwards as you struggle, surprised by his underlying strength. "But don't worry, we'll take care of you." The other man brings his face close to yours as he restrains your right hand to the wall behind you and suddenly, you are encapsulated by panic. You had failed to realise that despite rotting away deep within Wall Sina, these officers still had military training, and were still strong compared to you, especially when you dealt with five. You refused to give in so quickly though, moving to kick one of the men forcefully and you do so, much to your satisfaction. The man groans out in pain, hearing the crack of a rib under the power of your foot. You then move quickly going to rid of the man who looks up in shock at your sudden movements, grip almost faltering on your right wrist. But you are stopped.

The fist that is about to collide with the next man is held back as the first man holds it within his grasp tightly. "Do you really want to do that now sweetheart? Do you know what we could do to the Scout Regiment? Erwin? Levi?" You freeze at his words, chest constricting at the intent behind them. They could bring the regiment to ruins if they so wished, one misleading report could have the Scouts under investigation. Would you be so willing to be the cause? But you would never let these men get away with any of this. You are so lost in your thoughts the four men who still stand use the opportunity to hold you down and your heart lurches in your chest. "W-wait." Your voice is strained against their hold as you feel the tightness of their fierce grip, knowing it will leave bruises. "W-wait! I said n-"

"What the fuck is going on here?"

Suddenly all comes to a halt. Suddenly the grip on your wrists loosens and the four men step away. Never. Never had you felt such relief at the sound of your lover's voice. Levi meets your glossy gaze and instantly his face morphs into one of pure rage; of the deathly intent to kill. His mind is swift at putting the dots together, realising what he had just witnessed. He moves forward grasping one man harshly who stutters out excuses before he is slammed to the ground in one deadly movement. "I asked a fucking question." He then elbows before punching another man against his head, who is knocked out in a second. "Can you guys not listen? Can you shits not hear?" The three remaining men cower under the anger of Humanity's Strongest Soldier. "Fucking pigs, don't touch my woman."

You have never seen the true depths of his strength and his speed until this moment, you have never seen such fear in men's eyes. He moved as if to murder, blood on his knuckles but more that splattered from those he beat up relentlessly. He didn't care who they were, he wouldn't care if one of them were the king of the walls. All he knew was that they touched you. The one he swore to protect. He was relentless. You saw the rebounding forms of the men who yelled out, trying desperately to escape his outrage. You knew of Levi's background; he wasn't above mercy. The men were soon covered, adorned with black and blue, crimson seeping deep upon their skin. But Levi never faltered, there was a mad look in his eyes; one you would only see beyond the walls. Despite wanting to witness their torture as much as Levi wanted to witness their deaths, you knew what would happen if he was left to these men any further so you reached out to him.

"L-Levi."

He responds to your hesitant voice instantly, hears the slight tremble in it and feels hatred brim within him ten-fold. "Levi, please, we can't- we can't." Levi knows what you are trying to say, but only stops when you pull him to your side and he sees the torment deep within your gaze. Scouts scurry around you as they notice the five bleeding men looking in shock at the high-ranking officers who now seem more dead than alive. Their eyes go to Levi and his stained knuckles but he merely stares back at them harshly. "Clean up the blood, now." The Scouts nod quickly at his deathly glare as they scurry to get the supplies. Levi goes to the only man who remains conscious, groaning as he brings him up to his face by his shirt collar. "You look at her, touch her ever again, you're dead, understand?" The man has enough decency to have a flicker of fear flash within his eyes and nod, as Levi drops him to the ground before coming back towards you. His grip is tight on your hand as he drags you away from the scene to which you are still in a daze.

You only seem to register the events that have conspired when you finally reach the room you and Levi shared. Levi was pacing up and down as he turned to you. "How long?" You look up in surprise at the tormented look on his face. "How long [y/n]?" You flinch at his sharpness before looking to the ground. "Weeks- I don't know, since they arrived. I couldn't- I couldn't do anything." There is a deep silence in the room and suddenly you are afraid. Would he berate you now, would you meet his anger? Worse, would you meet his disgust? Unbeknownst to you Levi looks to you in utter defeat, in utter rage at himself. He had promised to keep you safe from all that threatened you and yet you had felt it so necessary to hide your blatant discomfort and pain. All for the sake of the Scouts.

He reaches out, hand skimming yours before he holds it. He witnesses the light bruising of fingers upon your wrist and he fights the urge to go back to the men and finish the job. You look up eyes wide and tears brimming within them. He meets your gaze briefly before moving forward and you are shocked to be in his warm embrace. You lean your head against his chest, emotions suddenly overcoming you. "You should've told me." You shake your head against him gently but his grip is sure as he makes you face him and he sees the sheen of tears in your eyes. Hatred brims within him again at the sight of your afflicted state. "I would've you know, I would've killed them." You sigh deeply, leaning your head against his chest once more in defeat. "You know you can't." But Levi's gaze is far off as he holds you against him. "One touch; you know I would."

Needless to say, once Erwin was informed discreetly of the underlying situation, the men were stripped of their titles and sent away immediately. You never found out if Levi ever stuck to his uttered words but you also never saw the men ever again.

[pfhwrittes]

inspired by my own tags on the latest post for the tradieverse

tags for posterity: #tradie!141#nikolai#the man steers with his knees going at least 10mph over the speed limit on the narrowest road you've ever seen#while rolling a cigarette or chatting to the pretty thing back at the depot on his phone#(don't be like nik - don't do this)#he also does some...dubiously legal things when it comes to his tacho card but that's a whole other story#(also do not fuck with your tacho card - it's VERY illegal)

"hello, sweetness." nikolai's voice purrs over the sound of the rumbling engine of his truck into your ear and you roll your eyes in response despite the fact he's unable to see you.

"don't call me that, nikolai." you reply immediately, keeping your voice calm and level. you can't show him that he's gotten under your skin otherwise he'll send you endless bouquets of flowers (like the last time you'd snapped at him) or offer to show you a great hands on relaxation technique he knows.

"but milaya, how else will you know that i'm thinking of you?"

you huff down the phone at him and earn yourself a chuckle. you very pointedly ignore the way the sound makes your ears warm and focus on the manifest in front of you.

"i'm not here for you to flirt with, i need to know what you're doing with this order of -" you squint at the unintelligible handwritten scrawl "-whatever it is for price."

nik hums and you wait for him to explain further, which, of course, he doesn't.

"nik! for god's sake -" your tone goes sharp, unwilling to play his silly games today of all days, and he interrupts you.

"my apologies milaya, i was distracted by your beautiful voice. it's fine. i delivered the -" the connection goes static-y and you catch the tail end of what you're sure is some creative russian swearing and the sounds of horns honking before he continues, "-i'm on my way back to the depot now, my sweet office mouse."

you look at the manifest again and blink, that shouldn't be possible taking into account the afternoon rush hour.

"nikolai."

"yes, moya milaya?" he croons, and you know he's smirking around a lit cigarette.

"please tell me you took your break." it's not begging if you have to ask due to the law, at least that's what you tell yourself.

nikolai heaves a lovelorn sigh, "i would tell you anything you wanted to hear, sweetness."

"that's what i'm afraid of." you mutter to yourself.

"hm? what was that?"

"nothing." you shoot back, ignoring the way the back of your neck is prickling with warmth. how is it that every time you need to ring nikolai the conversation always ends up going off the rails?

"perhaps, if you're worried about my breaks, you should let me take you to dinner when i come back, hm?" nikolai is using that tone, the dangerously persuasive one that you're sure charmed your predecessor, and you ignore the way something in your stomach somehow manages to float and curdle simultaneously.

"no i - it wouldn't be appropriate. thank you for confirming the manifest, nik. that's all i needed." your tone is perhaps a touch too brusque and nikolai sighs deeply, the sound crackling lightly with static.

"ah well. perhaps another time, milaya." you're not sure but it sounds like nikolai is forcing his tone to be falsely light. "i must go, the police like to hide at this junction of the motorway."

and with that the call ends.

you frown lightly at the manifest in front of you, how strange... you were sure price's drop point didn't require nik to travel on the M6 today...

[lets-try-some-writing]

I can't imagine the kids going along with being forced to be human. They're all troublemakers and they'd end up teaming together one way or another—through hell or high water. Rafael would hack into Miko's ankle monitor and get her to help him somehow turn back into a Cybertronian (whether that be enlisting Optimus's help or figuring it out themselves). They'd get Jack out of his house but I feel like he'd be slightly nervous and against it but ultimately he'd agree. They'd turn themselves into their Cybertronian counterparts and go help Optimus (if they didn't break him out first). Their trust would be broken and they'd only want to be around Optimus and gods, does that make him even more feral. Overall I can't see anyway that the kids wouldn't rebel and end up becoming who they feel comfortable as. Optimus would never let them go again and, in turn, the kids almost never leave his side. Megatron ends up battling his mortal enemy while swatting away three angry sparklings that started biting his ankles.

Sidenote, I really love your writing! I adore it ❤️. You've inspired me to get back into writing for the fandom (I write creatively but haven't done any transformers posts in a very, very long time). So, thank you! Please keep doing what you're doing and have fun!

Thank you so much for the request and your kind words! I can't believe that my writing has inspired you enough to get back into writing for the transformers fandom. I wish you all the best and I hope you like what I have come up with for you!

Enough is Enough

Surprisingly it would be Rafael to snap first. After weeks if not months of being so alone and scared, he would finally break under the pressure and throw away his reservations. After coming to terms with his decision, Rafael would pack up anything of importance that could help him achieve his goals and then leave a note for his family telling them of his intention to leave. It would hurt him to leave everything behind, but the pain would quickly be thrown aside at the thought of enduring the hell that has become his life for the remainder of his days.

He would leave under the cover of darkness and take up residence in an abandoned building while he worked on getting into contact with Miko. She would respond quickly and after a day or two of planning, Rafael would hack into her ankle monitor, turning it off and allowing her to move undetected. She would then take her few personal belongings, leaving a note for her foster and biological parents which would lead them to believe she had run away. She would then and join Rafael in hiding while they continued figuring out their plan of action.

By this point the Autobots would have begun to search for them at the behest of Agent Fowler. But they would ultimately be unable to locate Rafael and Miko without deploying Optimus, something they would refuse to do lest they stress him more. After a few days of searching, the Autobots would eventually return their attention to dealing with the Decepticons. The Autobots would also take great care to not let Optimus in on the absence of Rafael and Miko, even going so far as to have Jack, June, and Agent Fowler swear to secrecy on the matter to slow the effects of the Prime's rapidly deteriorating sanity.

Despite their best efforts, it would not take long for Optimus to catch on to the fact that something is amiss and start quietly trying to figure out the cause. The Prime would eventually drag the truth out of one or both of his younglings. He would in turn immediately want to go on a manhunt for his missing sparklings, something both his younglings would eagerly want to aid him with as neither are happy about their siblings being taken away and Optimus being kept in chains. This would lead to a quiet alliance forming between Optimus, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen. Without the rest of the team knowing, Bumblebee and Smokescreen would start letting Optimus out of his bonds and the base when the others are busy.

During this time Rafael and Miko would have begun to form the bare bones of their plan. Their plan would be to use the Decepticons as a distraction, a way to lure most of the Autobots out of base so that they could get access to the relic which originally turned them into sparklings. However before they could do that, they would need to somehow get Jack on their side.

The issue is not getting to his house, but instead somehow getting past Jack's mother. After some debate, Miko would slip Jack a phone either at school or through his window late at night. Jack would be suspicious as hell, but after locking himself in the bathroom and running the shower to make it seem like he is doing something else, he would turn on the phone. One contact would turn up, and out of pure curiosity and a desire to have something secret from his mother, Jack would call the contact.

Rafael and Miko would pick up and after calming Jack down from his initial panic due to their disappearances, let him in on their plans. Jack would be hesitant, but after June knocks on the door of the bathroom demanding he answer her and come out, he would mostly out of fear, agree to talk with them again later and discuss things in more detail. Upon returning home from both school and the Autobot base, Jack would wait until late at night and call Jack and Miko again. He would express his anger at their sudden disappearances and break down crying about how much it scared him, especially after having already lost Optimus. Miko and Rafael would be incredibly understanding, and after a few hours of intense argument back in forth, convince him to take the leap alongside them.

He would pack up that very night, and after looking at his mother one final time in mixed hatred and lingering love, he would leave the home he had grown up in to meet with his friends and siblings at their base of operations. Together the children would lay low for around a week to allow June to panic and the Autobots a moment to search and once again eventually redirect their efforts.

During this week long period, Optimus would slip out of his bonds with the aid of his younglings and sneak out to search for his sparklings. After listening the June's account and looking at all the evidence, Optimus would manage to put together the general location of the children and start searching more thoroughly. Perhaps due to the remnant bonds he had with the children, Optimus would find their hiding place and see his sparkling for the first time in months without bonds.

It would be an incredibly emotional moment between a Caretaker and his sparklings. They would spend several hours together, crying, hugging, and reaffirming their bonds. Of course Optimus would eventually be required to return to base in order to keep up appearances, but it would be extraordinarily difficult for him to leave them again. Optimus would only head back to base after being let in on the children's plan and being reminded that if all goes according to the plan, they will be together again soon.

The Grand Plan

The children would send out a false signal to the Decepticons, luring them away from their warship and leading the Autobots to head out to investigate as well. Optimus would assist in the plan by purposefully messing with orders, sending out every bot in base except him and his younglings to address the threat. He would also give an excuse to get Agent Fowler and June to get them to leave base. And with all the pieces in place, Optimus would ground bridge the children into base.

Smokescreen would be charged with stalling for time and keeping the team busy for as long as possible while Bumblebee would assist Optimus in setting up the necessary instruments to activate the relic once more. Their moment of opportunity would be small and so hesitation would not be an option. The children would be given only moments to finalize their decision to return to Cybertronian form before the process would commence. However they would have also prepared a recorded message before hand for Agent Fowler and June to keep the government from coming down on the Autobots helms.

And mere moment before both the team and the humans arrive, Optimus would activate the relic, returning his sparklings to their true forms.

The Aftermath

The team would be too shocked to do much, but honestly they wouldn't mind the children's choice or Optimus helping them return to being sparklings. In fact they would be overjoyed at Optimus's rapidly increasing mental stability after having his sparklings returned to him. The only reason they returned the children to human form in the first place being due to the threat of war from the humans. Agent Fowler would just be tired above all else, especially after receiving the children's recorded message and playing it. He would sigh, prepare his report, and begin to process of coming up with a false story to cover for the "deaths" and "disappearances" of three human children.

As for June... it wouldn't be pretty. She would go ballistic and she and Optimus would be at each other's throats for months after the matter. She would not do anything rash like reveal the Autobots to the public as that could harm her son as well. But she would certainly try everything in her power to get the military on her side. However she would be left without aid from the government as the message recorded by the children gave their consent to the use of the relic.

Eventually, she and Optimus would be forced to sit down together and would come to an agreement on the matter of the sparklings after one too many fights. Optimus would retain complete and total custody of his sparkling in accordance to Cybertronian laws, granting him the right to raise them and teach them as he sees fit. But in return, June would be allowed the rights of a secondary Caretaker. This would grant her the ability to visit with her son for a few hours every week and be allowed a say in any major decisions regarding Jack. Of course the final decision would still lay with Optimus, but June would have some degree of authority, and according to Cybertronian law, be capable of taking custody of the sparklings if she can prove Optimus incapable with evidence and eye witnesses.

As for Optimus and his sparklings? They wouldn't separate for weeks after the change. The wounds left by their separation still fresh and the fear of being forced apart again still very real. They would undergo basic therapy with Ratchet for separation anxiety. But in the meantime, Megatron would be forced to deal with three sparklings hurling rocks at him from a distance while Optimus bashes his face in.

[madamefluffnstuff]

TES Summerfest 2024, Day 2: Golden Secret

Day 2 of TES Summerfest 2024! Hosted by @tes-summer-fest.

I mean it's a day late but this week has been hectic.

Fandom: Elder Scrolls Online Pairing: None Rating: T Warning(s): Imprisonment, Captivity, Kind of sort of Kidnapping (it's Meridia, she's a spiteful hag, it comes with the territory), Gaslighting, Has a Happy Hopeful Ending I Swear (TM), Darien gives himself a second chance. Spoilers for the Daggerfall Covenant questline and the Summerset DLC. Words: 977 AN: Darien is a good source of angst but Divines I need to give him a chance at hope. And I need to quit making stuff that breaks my own heart, this can't be good for me. Or for my followers.

Darien is imprisoned by Meridia for trying to escape again and she locks him away. All he has are his thoughts to motivate him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the name "The Colored Rooms", the realm itself was... not very colorful. The only exception to the blues, greens, and browns was the brand new "prison cell" Meridia whipped up. This mockery of a Nirn jail was a porcelain-white hue with garish gold accents and bars, only big enough for a single prisoner.

Coincidentally, there was, in fact, a singular prisoner in the cell. His back pressed against the wall, wrists in shackles attached to said wall level with his head. As if just chains weren't bad enough, Meridia just had to put it where he could constantly see his hands, but not be able to use them.

"Well, now you've done it," Darien Gautier muttered to himself, glaring at the golden bars and crumpled paper sheets in front of him. He rolled his shoulders and clenched his fists to get some circulation flowing.

He cursed himself again for getting caught. He managed to get a few letters out, even a small pamphlet that somehow made its way to Summerset. But as he was about to send another letter, the Lady of Light discovered his little secret.

Meridia scolded him like a petulant child. Didn't he appreciate what she was doing for him? Saving his friends, keeping them alive? Dissuading the other Princes from coming after them? Giving them a chance to make a name for themselves?

Be the heroes they were meant to be?

Something about that last line made something snap in the back of his mind, and- in the heat of the moment- Darien leapt to his feet and did something he never thought he'd have the guts to do;

He talked back to a god.

What he actually said, he didn't remember. Couldn't remember, maybe. All he did remember was there being a solid ten seconds of stunned silence. Then a blinding white light. And finally, him waking up in the cell with a killer hangover-like headache and his arms in chains.

His memory as a whole was foggy most days, but he didn't dare to write any of it down for fear Meridia would find out and take that from him too. Little bits and pieces would come back here and there. Those fleeting memories were precious to him.

The Lion Guard taking down the werewolves in Camlorn. The liberation of Shornhelm with Countess Tamrith and Captain Jenaeve. When they almost lost the good Captain. Gwendis helping him find the smugglers' tunnels. Skordo calling him a "long-legged bastard", asking him to slow down when they were being chased.

Hearing second-hand Gabrielle mention to the Antiquarian's Guild how she wanted to save him.

"Gods DAMN IT ALL!" He nearly roared in frustration. The metal bar on the wall creaked as he leaned forward, gasping for air as he fought back frustrated tears. "Why... why is it... like this..."

Darien slumped back and slid down, the chains clinking and rattling as his eyes slowly closed in exhaustion. Whether or not he realized it, his tired body was forcing him to rest. He was simply too drained.

Then, without warning, it clicked: His friends. His comrades. Allies and fellow soldiers.

The entire Lion Guard, the Countess and her sister. Skordo the Knife. House Ravenwatch. Gabrielle. The late King Dynar. His own father, the General.

They were waiting for him. They were actively looking for him. He couldn't give up on them or himself. Not when so many people cared about him and were awaiting a miracle.

He opened his eyes warily, half expecting to see Meridia glowering at him. To his relief, she was nowhere to be seen. Darien decided to wait a few minutes to make sure there were no watch guards nearby where they could hear him. Then, slowly, he rocked himself enough to get on one knee. He balled his hands into fists and started to pull against the wall.

"Got to do this," he muttered in a voice just barely above audibility. "Have to... get out... Have to do it- nngh!- for them..."

Even Daedric metal has its limits. As he grunted and strained against his confines, Darien could hear the binds groaning. He grit his teeth;

"You can do it, Darien. Just- just a bit- more-!"

Without warning, the shackles on the wall snapped and shattered, the noise startling him a little as the support bar flew over his head and clattered on the floor. He looked at his hands in disbelief, he was really free? Fists clenched and unclenched. He didn't dare believe it.

Darien stood up on shaky legs, testing himself and his balance. Once he steadied, he rubbed his sore wrists and looked around. The coast was clear. He was more determined than ever now as he stalked over to the golden prison bars. A quick glance told him they were not as sturdy as they appeared far away. Another trick from Meridia?

It didn't matter now. His body moved somewhat automatically as the blood rushed through his veins, vigor and vim flowing through him. He grabbed two of the gold rods in an iron grip and pulled. The bare minimum effort was all it took to completely dislodge them. Suspicion took over a moment, this was too easy for his comfort.

Maybe Meridia didn't expect her protege to try to escape again and didn't bother to make them as strong. Psychological tactic, very similar to what he had seen a few times as a soldier. But he reminded himself it didn't matter right now. The chains were off, the bars removed, and a door was open. Darien took a cautious step outside the prison cell. Looking around, he was still in the clear.

When he turned back around, the jail was slowly fading into Oblivion.

He looked left, right, and made a mad dash for the pathway where he last spotted a portal to Nirn.

[purpleshadow-star]

I'm a day late but, NEW CHARACTER!!!

His name is Amphithemis

(Fun fact: I spent full minute trying to figure out how to pronounce that)

He looks so sweet for someone who apparently seems unhinged.

He's half-centaur, half-satyr!

Tbh, at first, I was like, "What centaur and satyr did the deed? How did that work? Aren't centaurs and satyrs all male? At least, we haven't seen any female centaurs, right? And satyrs reproduce with nymphs, right? So...???" But then I saw it was just Hera's fault, lol. Of course it was.

I wonder why Zeus sent him to Tartarus. I also wonder if we'll get a reason as to why Amphithemis didn't try escaping through the Doors of Death to keep looking for the child/god. Who did he make this promise with to protect the child? Whose kid is it? Also, how did he lose a child in Tartarus? Or did he lose the child on Earth (does Tartarus not count as Earth?) and then Zeus sent him to Tartarus as punishment? Maybe he lost the child on Earth and then Zeus sent him to Tartarus (for some unrelated reason) before he could find him again. Or did he find the child in Tartarus, swear to protect him, but then lose him? But that doesn't make sense, because how would the child be a god if he's from Tartarus...

Who is this child? What god is it? Have we met him? Have we heard of him? And why, if he's a god, is he just chilling on the surface? Why didn't he ever go to Olympus? Has he been there before? Does he just prefer Earth? So many questions...

And don't tell me Nico and Will are going to go down to Tartarus, only to have to go back up to find the god, and then they'll have to make their way back down again. That would be so inconvenient for them. I can see them becoming so annoyed if that is the case, lol. That'll make two trips to Tartarus for Will and three for Nico.

And is Nico connected to this god somehow?

They've definitely met before.

I wonder who this child is and how he's related to Nico. As we know, Nico is somehow a social butterfly despite his reserved and introverted nature, so it could literally be anyone. At least Nico usually makes friends with the many people he meets, so this mysterious god probably isn't an enemy... hopefully.

And what in the world is the Acheron? Is it new? Have we seen it before? Let me know, cause I don't remember it.

Honestly, how dare they leave us with so many questions while the book is still a whole month away. Well, they definitely know how to get our interest peaked.

Alright, that's the end of my rambling, lol. Thanks a lot to everyone who read it all. The book comes out May 2nd! Only a little less than a month to go!!! So close, yet so far...

Let me know what you guys think about the new character. I didn't include everything here, so go and read the full blog post!

[eating-plastic]

The Best Surprises are the Spoiled Ones: Roller Ricky x Fem!Reader (SMUT)

Warnings: nsfw (obv), smut (minors and ageless blogs do not touch please and thanks), AFAB!reader, vaginal sex, unprotected sex (remember protection irl people!), creampie, praising, fluff, marriage proposal, spoiled proposal technically, very brief mentions of alcoholism and sadness from Ricky's past (poor bby), swearing, probably some grammatical errors, just the fact that this exists is a warning in itself, sorry not sorry lol

Word Count: 1885

A/N: I will not be taking any questions at this time. If you somehow see this on your screen, no you don't. Keep scrolling. The following is a very self indulgent Valentine's Day special because I am mentally ill. If this intrigues you for whatever reason however, then click the "read more". If not, then just forget this ever happened lol.

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

Roller Ricky was never good with keeping secrets, a fact he was very much aware of. So many surprises ruined because he could never be quiet about them. And he hated it, especially when it involved you. A surprise date coming up? Whoops, he tells you about it a week beforehand. Presents you're going to get for your birthday? He'll tell you just what's underneath the wrapping paper before you get the chance to open them. He always felt bad about it, no matter how many times you told him that it was okay.

That is why he is very proud of himself that he managed to keep you in the dark about one very special secret he had for you; a little diamond secret in a velvet box he kept hidden in his bedside drawer. No, you didn't know about it, and he didn't want you to know about it until the right time. A day he had planned where it would be just you and him doing all of your favorite activities, then heading over to the roller rink to dance to the relationship mixtape he made. All ending with him finally being able to get down on one knee and ask you to be his wife.

And he was almost there. Tomorrow was the big day, and he had almost been able to not tell you anything about it.

Almost.

Ricky didn't think much when you wanted to have a little bit of "fun" that night. Especially since you being worked up never failed to get him going. He loves you and can't get enough of you. So, why not enjoy it?

And that was just what he was doing now. Lying on your shared bed, watching you with eyes full of adoration while you ride him at a steady pace. His hands occasionally wander from your waist to explore your body, from massaging your thighs to groping your breasts. God, it's almost overwhelming how much he adores you during times like this.

And why wouldn't he? He didn't like to think about many of his past sexual encounters before you, because most of them, though few and far between, happened during the lowest point in his life. Moments where he would attempt to alleviate the deep loneliness he felt, only to feel worse once it was all said and done, and at the time he honestly felt like that was what he deserved. And just like with the bottle and returning to it despite the blackouts and head splitting hangovers, he still accepted these moments of desperation when they were offered to him.

The difference between then and now was like night and day, and it wasn't just because of how he managed to turn his life around. It was also because when he closed his eyes that night, he would wake up in the morning with you sleeping peacefully beside him. Then, he would gently wake you up and watch that cute, tired smile spread across your lips as your eyes flutter open to be greeted by his handsome face. What follows would be the morning routine the two of you shared. Taking a shower together, cooking breakfast together, taking Max for his morning walk together.

And of course, the two of you would eventually part ways to do your own things, but then you would come together once more to do your shared evening routine. The day would then end, with the two of you heading to your shared bed together, to do it all over again tomorrow. And Ricky wanted that to continue to be his normal, for as long as time would allow him.

His hand moves from its place on your hip to gently caress your cheek. You breathe a pleasant sigh, and nuzzle your face into the palm of his hand. A smile spreads across your lips and you lean down to capture his own in a kiss. His hand then migrates to the back of your head to rake his fingers through your hair.

You gently rock your hips back and forth against his, taking the moment to enjoy the kiss and how full his dick made you feel. If there is one thing you can't get enough of, it's the sensation of his thick cock stretching you out.

Scratch that, you can't get enough of Ricky in general. Oh how you love him, and he is always so good to you. God, it makes pleasuring him feel amazing, and you enjoy taking the time to focus on him. Besides, it was what he deserved for always doing the same thing to you most nights.

As you begin to move yourself up and down his length again, he moans into the kiss, allowing you to slip your tongue into his mouth and greet his own. His grip on your hair tightens, and he shifts himself so that his legs are now bent and his feet are flat against the mattress. His hands find your waist once more and he bucks himself up into you.

You break the kiss to moan out in surprise at his sudden movement. Even when you want to focus on making him feel good, he can never stop himself from turning the focus on you. To Ricky, your pleasure was his pleasure, which was evident by him fucking himself upwards into your soaked core. All the while, you lay against his chest and grip his shoulders as a brace, mewling and keening right into his ear.

Your noises encourage him, egg him on to harshen the pace. And that's just what he does, thrusting into you hard and fast. He just can't help it, your moans are like music to his ears.

It doesn't take long for the two of you to approach your peaks, and like normal during this moment, Ricky always finds himself being very vocal.

"Fu-uck...'feel so good, baby...God, you're perfect," he babbles. He can't help it, your pussy is the best truth serum when it comes to his love for you.

And unfortunately for him, it was just too good.

"God, I love you...'m gonna-ah marry you...gonna make you my w-wife...make you so happy, yeah? T-take good care of you-fuck!"

With a few more thrusts up into you, your warm, velvety walls squeeze his cock like a vice, and he fills you up nice and full with his cum. Both of your bodies go limp and you cling onto each other while you come down from your highs.

Once your strength comes back, you push yourself up onto your forearms to give Ricky an exhausted smile, which he returns. You move to give him another sweet kiss, before carefully moving off of him to curl up by his side.

"Man...I love you," he breaths. It's all he can manage as his mind is still reeling. Still, it makes you giggle because of how cute it was.

"So I've been told," you jest while gently stroking his cheek. "I love you, too."

You move to rest your head against his chest, until you remember the other sweet thing he had moaned out from before.

"Did you mean it?" you ask, propping yourself up again.

"Mean what?" he asks, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"That you wanted to marry me?"

Ricky thinks for a moment, until his eyes widen and he slams a hand over his face.

"God damnit," he groaned out in frustration.

You sit up, concern evident in your eyes.

"Wha...what's wrong?" nervousness fills your voice.

He sighs, before moving to sit up too once he sees how worried you are.

"Yes...I wanna marry you, but...augh, I didn't wanna tell you like that," he shakes his head and rubs his face in annoyance at himself.

"You...you mean it?" you ask while moving your hand to his shoulder, joy beginning to bubble up within you.

"Of course I mean it. I love you, Y/N. More than anything. I love having you in my life and being able to do so much with you by my side. And I wanna have you by my side for the rest of my life....And I ruined it. God, I'm such an idiot. Augh, I'm so sor-."

You quickly cut off his self deprecating ramblings the only way you know how: With another sweet kiss. Ricky's eyes widen at that, surprise causing him to freeze up. When you pull away, you give him a dreamy smile.

"Yes," you answer, simply.

"I...what?"

"Yes, I will marry you, Ricky," you move to hold his hands in your own and squeeze them tightly.

"Wait, really? You mean it?" were you being serious? You wanted to marry him after...that?

"Of course I mean it," you giggle once more. "I told you I love you, and I mean it. I don't care how you proposed to me, because I'll happily be your wife either way."

Eventually, the look of shock on his face melts away and adoration takes over. A large smile forms on his lips and he glances away shyly.

"God, what did I do to deserve you?"

"Where do you want me to begin?" you ask, gently turning his head to face you once more. Ricky just shakes his head and throws his arms around you, pulling you into a loving embrace.

You hold him just as tight and nuzzle your face into the crook of his neck. While he does enjoy holding you in his arms, his mind makes the connection between your answer and the spoiled secret in his bedside drawer.

"Well then...I guess since you said 'yes'...," he begins, and pulls away from you. You look at him with curiosity, eager to know what he had planned next. Ricky leans over to his bedside drawer and pulls it open. You watch him dig his hand around in it for a second, before your eyes widen as he pulls out the little velvet box. "That means you can finally have this."

He holds it out to you and opens it, revealing the prettiest diamond ring you have ever seen in your life. You had never thought about your "dream ring" before, but you just knew that the one that Ricky had bought you was it for sure.

You let out an incredulous laugh, before pulling him into a tight hug once more. You don't know how long you two sat there holding each other, but even as he pulled away to slip the ring onto your finger, it still felt like it wasn't long enough.

As you both lay down and get comfortable once more, and Ricky gazes so lovingly into your eyes, he reflects on his life up until this point. He had so many wonderful things happen to him, that if you were to tell him 15 years ago that he'd have such a beautiful life, he sadly wouldn't have believed you. Hell, he probably wouldn't have thought he deserved it.

But right now, with you in his arms and an engagement ring on your finger, with Max as his best furry pal, with the great friends he has, with the awesome roller rink he runs, he's happy to see that he does deserve it all.

[televinita]

I am halfway through A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and the way somebody might want to murder Pipsqueak just to get her to knock it off and stop annoying people has been apparent since episode 2.

(also I know media has warped my perception of teenage appearance but seriously she looks 14?? she looks like the little sister of her friend group) (edit: what do you MEAN she was twenty (21?) when filming this. ???????)

+ One more rant about Pippa: I didn't SUPER love her but I don't remember finding her this bad in the books until at least the second one. However, her obnoxiousness plus the fact I've never seen this actress in anything else has put said actress immediately on the I Don't Like Her Face, Stop Casting Her In Stuff list.

+ The rest of her friend group, however, is very charming and charismatic! Love them. Her two female friends were my least favorite book characters but I love and possibly ship them already here. Also the white guy (I truly cannot remember names) is charming and funny and needs more screentime.

+ I also love her stepfather & brother, just as in the book, and cherish every scene with them. (Her mother is roughly as colorless and forgettable as I remember in the book; I'm not sure if that's good or bad)

+ The sleaze dripping off Max Hastings - while also somehow still retaining enough magnetism that I can understand how he's popular - is incredible; superb casting.

+ A+ casting on the Singh brothers, they are both as charming and different-yet-similar-looking as I imagined them to be in the book.

+ I feel absolute zero romantic chemistry between Pip & Ravi, mostly on account of her being 12 (age downgraded since she's just fully cosplaying Harriet the Spy at this point), but I like them as friends/investigative partners and am really enjoying their scenes.

+ I'm sorry, the sisters' English-teacher dad is THOMAS FROM "GHOSTS"????????? INCREDIBLE.

+ The music is trash.

+ I don't have any specific standout scenes yet but I do wanna say the silver-star cater-waiter costumes were incredible, lmao.

+ So far I feel like it's sticking pretty closely to the book's arc? I haven't looked up for certain, and I definitely wouldn't mind at least one thing being changed** but also, familiarity good so I kind of hope that's true. I love looking at certain characters like, "I know what you are." (rapist. murderer. all that good stuff)

**i swear to god if this show doesn't fix the one book mistake it absolutely MUST improve upon... (leave her dog alone!!)

+ I also feel, so far, that if I wasn't having so much fun watching the book come to life (not least because I read the dumb Americanized version and it's nice seeing how it is actually supposed to play out, school-and-law-enforcement-wise), I don't know if I'd find this the most scintillating show. Despite the shock opening scene, it's kinda slow? While I did give the book series a solid 4 stars, half the book's appeal is its mixed media formatting, I'm sure of that now.

+ However, I remain very pumped that for ONCE, television has adapted a book I not only know but have read and really liked, and with the power of that knowledge I do think this is a solid adaptation overall. We'll see how the second half plays out!

[littlemessyjessi]

Christmas Cookies: Stray Kids Reactions

Decorating Christmas Cookies:  Stray Kids Reactions/Imagines 

.

Chan 

This is so domestic and he is THRIVING.   Like, what a sweet wholesome man.  He is giving mega husband energy right now.   But like, it's a whole thing with him.  He makes a list including all kinds of fun extras.   Somehow turns a grocery shopping trip into a pre-date date night.   It's so fun and carefree and you fall in love with each other all over again. 

Minho 

Omg.   So like… bless.   He doesn't outwardly say just HOW excited he is about this but he's been looking forward to it all week.   He didn't tell you he bought special cat shaped cookie cutters and you didn't tell him that you planned on make 'christmas cookies' treats for the cats either.  And when you reveal this to one another… it's like a kdrama moment, honestly.   So sappy it would make you both cringe if you weren't so hopeless for one another. 

Changbin 

So listen, this man will do anything for you.  I mean, seriously.   He's so in love with you that if you wanted to stroll through a grocery store as the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who… he'd totally do it just to see you smile so big.  So when you asked if he wanted to make Christmas cookies with you… of course he was in.   Likely spits some rap about cookies that lowkey slap, lol.  However, makes you swear you didn't record that shit.   However… you secretly did and 100% sent it to Felix secretly. 

Hyunjin 

Actually, quite into this idea of a quiet evening at home, just the two of you making cookies.  Picks out a nice apron to tie around his waist, clips his hair back away from his face and looks at you with wide eyes ready for instruction.  However.  Promptly glues himself to your back.   You figure out rather quickly that he would rather just cuddle up to you and taste test.   Despite it being difficult moving around the kitchen with a Hyunjin backpack… it's actually quite cute and sweet.  So you let it slide.   He basically enjoys the fruit of your labor but he's cute and he's sweet and he's yours…. so you let it go. 

Jisung 

Ok, so… this is chaos personified.   Here me out.   Because like, when you told him the plan a week ago, his mind was racing on a certain theme he wanted to.    But like… that was a week ago.  And how his hyperfocus on that theme has already changed and he's into something else.   So he's kinda bummed because he went by and bought sprinkled to do cyberpunk inspired Christmas cookies but he's kinda fizzled out on that by now.  But here's the thing.  You know that man like the back of your hand.   So, not only had you already picked up mega packs of icing and sprinkles in all different colors…. but you also paid attention to what he was excited about like two days ago and picked up a few icing decorations relating to his new favorite anime.   When you lay it all out in front of him… truthfully it almost makes him cry.  Not because of some colored sugar.  But because you know him enough to prepare.  It's the fact that you pay attention to him and not only do you not get annoyed by his changing interests but you're also supportive.   He nearly squeezes you to death in a hug. 

Felix 

Ok, so Brownie Boy is READY!   Quality time and sweets?  I mean, come on.  Felix is down.   You let him take the lead on it because he seems so excited.  He makes cookies and you attempt to do his brownies because Christmas brownies can be a thing, right?  You don't end up getting the brownies right and you pout but he's quick to console you.  His cookies end up perfect which is no surprise.  And he's sitting there, icing a cookie, looking so handsome and lovely and good god, how did you get so lucky?  So ask it aloud and he turns shy but there's a sparkle in his eye.  And omfg, it's so cute I just want to throw up.   But like… in a cute way.  Is that possible? 

Seungmin 

Well.  The cookies did not go as planned.   The first batch burned to a crisp.  The second didn't get done in the middle.  And the third… well nothing is wrong with them but you were so frustrated but you reached in without a mitt to get them and burned your hand.   Like, you're over it.  You're upset.  You're frustrated, embarrassed and honestly just sad.  But do you know what your amazing man does?  He makes you laugh.  Like so hard you're about to choke on your spit.  How?  He's sassing the cookies like it was THEIR fault.  Like genuine insults.   "Come on, baby.  These losers don't even deserve to be eaten.  I'll take you out for cakes.  At least they know how to be proper baked goods."    The failed attempts are long forgotten but your heart has been warmed by your sweetie. 

Jeongin

For about half a second, he was about to be bossy maknae.  However, then you hit him with the death stare and he 100% pulled the baby bread shit on you.   All big eyes and cute 'sorry, babe'.  Cue that wide grin and dimples and twinkly eyes.  Little shit can get out of anything.   Still tries to slide some bossy shit in on you and it takes everything in you not to beat his ass with a wooden spoon. 

—--

Hello, loves and happy holiday season!  I hope you are enjoying the festivities! I hope you liked this and I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Love, K 

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[garthcelyn]

Writeblr Battle Royale - Cooper and Erin

Took part in the @writeblrbattleroyale event by @your-absent-father!

This round, my favorite punching bag Cooper, going against's @the-arigen's Erin.

Naturally, a trigger warning for death, as is customary on this blog.

Nothing. Cooper awoke surrounded by sheer nothing once more. No sky, nor land, just the sterile white of nothing. Her heart pounded in her chest - she still had one of those, at least - hammering against its ivory cage in an irregular thud stop thud thud thud stop that had plagued her since her first real death.  But no God met her now. If she had slept, if she had died, she did not remember. She supposed it didn't matter - it would come soon enough. She felt her side for her sword, gripping its hilt and pulling it from its sheath. It wasn't the familiar blade she carried, the one that had killed her the last time. No magic thrummed though its core, but it made no difference. That magic had never - could never - save her.

"What is this?" she snarled, coating fear with anger. That was a safe emotion. "What's going on?" She growled, as if she hadn't had the situation explained to her already.

She squared her shoulders, facing off against her opponent - who she was very sure was not any of her Gods - defensive and wary. 

"Who are you?" she asked, voice low as she tried to appear more threatening than the very tired brick of a woman she was, "do you have anything to do with this?"

Erin’s check was complete. No gear, her connection to Aileen attenuated to almost nothing, access to her focus as normal, magic operating at full strength, and the spells she’d designed into her skull operating well enough to tell her that this was not, in fact, an illusion.

“Except insofar as I have been dragged in here with you, no.” She looked around, finding the empty void much more strange than any of the disjointed vistas she’d seen in Faerie. “I’m not entirely sure where this is, exactly, which is… worrying. Are you a super?”

"A what?" asked Cooper, "No, I'm - I'm just Cooper. Alek Cooper. Marwaid, I guess - the Gods hate me."

Her words came out like a babble. She was not prepared for real conversation - that had never happened before. Always being talked at and never to.

"I'm not dead, am I? Like, again. I'm not dead again. You aren't… fuck - you aren't Omera or something messing with me?"

"Given my complete lack of knowledge on who Omera is, I'm going to suppose we're from very different places. I can't speak much for Gods- never much been a fan, though the Godslayers take it perhaps too far. As far as I can tell, neither of us are dead." Erin looked around, remembering the voice she had heard while going reviewing their location, and winced. "Yet, at least. Though I don't know the enforcement mechanism."

"Somehow, that makes me feel worse about this." Cooper relaxed somewhat, despite this. "So! A fight to the death. That seems normal enough, unless there's a trick somewhere."

Erin watched the other woman carefully, then shook her head slightly. "If you'll give me a moment to cast, I can see if that's something I can get us out of. I swear on my magic, nothing that would do harm to you."

Despite herself, Cooper nodded, stepping back in order to give her space. She knew magic, and knew how dangerous it was - as least back in her world. Her eyes glowed a soft blue, sensing what was to come, her only magical ability absolutely useless in the situation.

"I'll trust you, for now." she said, as if she had a choice.

Erin flicked her hand, summoning the electronic tablet she used as a focus to it and rapidly selecting options on it, then flipped it over, placed her hand on the back, and pushed a tiny fragment of magic into it, activating the ritual within. 

All around her, the lines and nodes of magic blinked into existence, bits of knowledge about their purpose and direction flowing into her mind as fast as she could process it. "For... Damn. I hate curse magic. Hate it so much. Such a stupid tool. Fools and maniacs, the lot of them."

"I'll take your word for it." Cooper had never cared about magic, and she wasn't about to start now. Dying be damned. "I suppose this means we have to fight?"

She readied her blade one more, curious more than anything. This was different to fighting at the temple, from fighting someone she would have called a friend, or fighting a God - though, technically she didn't fight a God, just bit one in a hell similar to this one. She couldn't consider that last one a win, she was already dead. 

"Y'know, I'm getting real sick of things like this."

Erin gave her a lopsided smile, watching for a sign of actual hostility and not finding one. Part of her wanted to treat the situation with the gravity it deserved, but it was more than overcome by too-similar situations she'd been in before. "It happens all too quickly, doesn't it? I can see you've got your own experience with curses. I'm a subject of this greater working, and it's defended from me, but yours..."

"Mine is frankly the worst family heirloom," she said, letting out a dry laugh. "All it took was one ancestor I never knew about to mess with the local witch, and here we are. Undying, mostly." 

She almost shuddered thinking about how she became when this first started, lying broken in the woods filled with carrion grubs. Maggots. She hated them, but had yet to have another encounter. 

"I don't know how exactly it works, if it's magic or God stuff or both, I just know that I'm stuck."

Erin paused, looking over it to make sure she was reading it right. "Well, there's some God stuff in there. It links to something I can't see, but it doesn't look functional. It looks like someone smacked you with all the worst features of the vampire curse and left most of the good threads hanging. Cursewrights are quite awful like that. It... I can't take it off you. But I might be able to reconnect some of those strings."

"What, to make me powerful or something? That doesn't seem like it would benefit you in this situation." Cooper swallowed, before regretfully adding, "I've killed enough without it. Would you risk that?"

"Powerful? No. But some idiot screwed with the healing. I might be able to make the next time you die..." Erin thought for a moment. There wasn't much that would make dying a pleasant experience. "Not quite so terrible."

"I think I'd rather you didn't. If I'm dumb enough to die again, that's on me." Cooper rolled her shoulders. "Besides, this has been in my bloodline for four centuries, do you really think you can tweak something that ingrained?"

Erin shook her head. "I understand. Notably, for you in the future... except in cases like the Oracle, a single successor selected by appropriateness,  generations typically loosen the grip of magic, not tighten it. As of now, though, are we to fight?"

"You say that like we have a choice." Cooper smiled, jagged canines glistening in the white light. "For what it's worth, you seem alright."

At the comment, Erin's face fell. "I'm sorry to give you that impression, nice to hear though it is. And I suppose we don't."

Erin released the magic on her back, letting her wings, five meters across and iridescent, fade into reality behind her. "I do apologize, but I will be trying to win. I don't know how long it will take to get back, or if an opportunity to end it will appear in the future."

Cooper stared, not quite in awe, not quite in fear, but something she couldn't yet describe. Dread. "Oh."

She swallowed and steeled herself, readying her blade once more. "Don't worry, I won't hold back. I do not want to die again."

"Good luck." Erin gauged the distance between them. Without a Light-boosting ritual in place, it was going to be much harder than usual to do any appreciable damage at all. Not that it was impossible.

She opened with two beams of light, firing from her left hand while navigating the screens of her focus with her right, trying to get to the spell that would summon a weapon before Cooper had made up the distance between them.

Cooper winced, dodging awkwardly, then ran. She was not especially fast by any means, not like the rest of her ilk, but she hoped it was enough. She had relied too much on her war dog, Idris, for most of her combat, but he was not here now. Neither was her squadron. Internally she cursed whatever force brought her here, and pulled back her arm to ready a swing as she made her way across the arena.

The other woman's normal running was slow enough to keep the beams fairly steady on her body, beginning to burn skin they were held on even as Erin managed to summon a weapon in the air above her head. Tossing her focus to the side to let it disappear, Erin grabbed the weapon and prepared to receive the charge. Cooper's weapon didn't look magical, but she still watched it carefully, wary of being tricked.

Cooper didn't let magic deter her; she closed the distance with gritted teeth and swung. The lack of her typical dog aided height was jarring, but her aim was true.

Erin blocked the blow as close to the base of the sword as she could manage, stopping it before it managed to cut into her skin. The other woman's extra near-foot of height worked against her, but the strength enhancements were just enough to keep it from being overwhelming. 

From so close, the burning of the beams intensified, starting to actually melt flesh as Erin kept the focus narrowed onto Cooper's stomach.

Fighting through the pain, she let out a low growl before pushing against the blade before retreating back a few steps. She felt at her front with a shaking hand, before grunting and lunging forward once more. Relying on strength, she swung her sword in a wide arc, back and forth, hoping to parry or at hit the blade with enough force it would be jarring.

Noticing Cooper's change in strategy when it clipped her arm, Erin leaped back, relying on her wings to extend the distance while she kept the beams focused. As soon as she landed, barely avoiding stumbling back, she added the two beams from her wings. It wasn't the cheapest way she had to fight, but caught without any of her magic items and with a non-magical opponent,  it was the best she could manage. Still, that miniscule bit of flight cost more than the light. "Dangerous, that. Helps that you're so much taller than me."

"If one of us has to die, I'm not leaving it up to chance." Cooper already felt gross from the little battle she had fought. Her shirt stuck to her skin and her face resembled more of a waterfall. She squared herself in case of impact, staring up. "You gonna come back down or what?"

Erin stared. It was possible for her to fight from up close, but it would largely be giving up all of her advantages... She shook her head, dropping the beams and dagger to summon her focus, flipping through the options to summon a spear, instead. "I suppose that would be fair."

Erin advanced carefully, on guard against a sudden rush in case the other woman suddenly decided to change her mind. In her head, she started preparing one of her more complex disabling spells- she knew enough about melee combat to not die in it, but it was hardly something she considered herself good at.

Cooper began to walk in a wide circle, slowly and with purpose, like a sheepdog to it's flock. She twirled her sword in her palm, before gripping it tightly once more. Being a show off was in her blood, wound nearly as tight as her curse. Live or die, she knew how to make a spectacle, she knew how to draw out fights to her benefit. With her free hand, she wiped the sweat from her brow, baring her teeth in a grimace. 

Her eyes darted quickly, looking for openings. To attack, to flee, the feint. Finally, after making a wide semi-circle, she closed in. She darted forward, sword held low behind her, almost dragging across the ground. Then, suddenly, she brought her sword arm up into a wide, diagonal arc, ending with a block in front of her face and chest, backing away once more.

Being on the attack was uncomfortable for Erin, a position she'd gone to great lengths not to be in recently. Striking out at Cooper was about finding the balance: far enough away that she couldn't get on the inside of the guard, close enough that she had control over the weapon and a single missed strike wouldn't mean losing it.

The spell finished in her head, she just needed an opportunity to release it. She couldn't guarantee it would end the fight if she did, but unless Cooper had some sort of resistance to it, it was the strongest, though short-lived, non-lethal measure she wouldn't have to invent on the spot.

Cooper was very aware that she was toying, and that she should probably stop. Knowing this, she gave another two quick swipes, and backed away once more, pushing her luck, pressing forward to see what exactly would happen. 

It was a game she played out of curiosity, the same kind as a child ripping the wings off of flies. Cutting forward, swiping, staying just out of reach. She began circling once more, eyeing for any real weaknesses so she wasn't just jabbing at random. It was not how she was taught, but it was how she survived.

Erin could see in the way Cooper was fighting that she was looking for weaknesses, now. Trying to find a way to deal with her specifically instead of just using natural advantages like before. She found herself conflicted for a moment: she knew that Cooper had to get in close, but she wouldn't do so unless she saw a weakness. 

And feigning additional weaknesses was something she'd never quite bothered to learn. Erin decided to risk it. All she needed to do was make physical contact. She activated the enchantments on her back, sending the wings away once more, and started advancing, trying to keep her opponent at the end of the spear as much as possible to obscure her actual goal.

Cooper let out a yelp of a laugh, side stepping out of the way and swinging without real purpose. Testing. This was more of the fight she wanted, familiar territory. She held her blade out straight ahead, as much of a taunt as it was to keep some distance. It wasn't enough to rival a spear, but enough to make her feel decently safe.

"You going to hit me?" she grinned, having the time of her undeath.

"It's a bit difficult. I'm accustomed to the defensive, at this point, and it's hard to break that paradigm." Erin moved forward, trying to spin the sword out of the way with her spear before stabbing at Cooper's shoulder.

Cooper stepped back with a wince. "Okay, that was a free shot."

She retaliated with a harsh hack towards the haft of the spear, putting her strength behind it.

Seeing her chance, Erin released the spear entirely, letting Cooper's swing knock it to the floor with no resistance while she dashed into the momentarily off-balance guard and reached in, grabbing Cooper's sword arm around the wrist and finally releasing her spell.

Cooper didn't have the time to look confused. As soon as the hand touched her wrist, she felt as if she was melting from the inside. She fell to the ground in a thud, the breath being knocked from her lungs. Try as she might, she couldn't force her legs - leg - to move, much less to get a grip on the ground below. She was gelatinous, unable to move in anyway that mattered. Jaw slackened, arms folded in an awkward position beneath her that would surely mess her up later. She almost wished for death over this. At least then she wouldn't be awake for it. It was embarrassing. Luckily, no folk from home could see how she had been taken down so quickly in the end. If she could, she would have buried her face in the dirt and simply end it once more, but alas, nothing ever went the way she wanted.

Erin released the arm. The spell would still be in place for ten seconds, so she had a moment to pull her focus out again, finding the spell she wanted. One that would knock Cooper out entirely and could be channeled through a weapon.

She found it quickly, then stood over Cooper's limp form within eyesight. "I know you can hear this, so... I hope next time you come back to life, things go better for you." 

She stabbed down just enough that the spear entered Cooper's skin, knocking the other woman out, then bent down, tracing the still-visible lines of her curse with her eyes and now her fingers, just over the skin. It was a complex curse, one of a type that she hadn't seen before, but she could see many similarities to vampirism- though, the low form of a ghoul instead of the true completion.

It helped that she had that particular curse loaded into her focus. A line shifted here, one or two added there, and a new node attached to the healing... everything she knew about magic told her that the next time Cooper woke up, it would be less damaged than this time. And would continue down that path. It was the least she could do.

Erin grabbed the spear from where she'd dropped it, then lined it up with Cooper's heart. "I hope you would forgive me."

She stabbed down, into both of their hearts.

[aacciorriptide-writes]

The Foxes babysit Estelle Jackson

summary: second addition to the Percy Jackson x all for the game series. each member of the PSU foxes looks after Percy's little sister.

a/n: i just got a new laptop so im finally able to post again!

content warnings: light swearing i guess

pjo masterlist | aftg masterlist | pjo x aftg masterlist

requested by anon

Nicky loves babies. He loves little kids, it's a well-known fact. Always has, always will.

He especially loves Estelle.

he's quite fond of Sally, of her strong belief in herself, her resilience, her confidence. Her attitude, and her kindness. Estelle truly is her daughter.

She's very bossy for a toddler - she loves playing dolls with Nicky, and he loves it too. He's eager to encourage that creativity. Estelle will tell him exactly what he's allowed to do, and will tell him off - it's adorable.

Spending time with Estelle gives Nicky major baby fever. He begs Eric for "one of his own" after a day with the Blofis-Jackson baby.

Matt, like Nicky, adores Estelle. He loves to spoil her. He'll do anything she asks.

Matt loves to bake with her. They fight over food dye (blue vs orange)

he also lets her have waaaaayyyy too much of whatever they make - tons of cookies, a big slice of cake, you name it. [credit to @bookworm-coming-your-way 's tags on my last one for this]

Estelle can basically get away with anything around him, and she knows it, too.

He's also good at the not-fun stuff too. Bedtime, sickness, tantrums, he can deal with it. Sally is sure he'll be a good father, someday.

Wymack is a little...... perplexed? by children. Doesn't like talking to people under the age of 17. He has no idea what he's doing, and mostly treats her like one of the foxes.

She's always okay after, though. Wymack? Not so much

So is Kevin. He doesn't really know what to do around kids because he didn't get a proper childhood.

He's immune to her cuteness. She's immune to his bullshit. It works, somehow.

they're literally best friends though. despite being like, eight, they bitch about everyone together. Kevin attends a lot of tea parties.

Neil is okay with her. They mainly bond over their mutual love for Percy. He'll sort of just do whatever she tells him to. He's not great at it, but he's better than wymack and the gods, so that's something.

I don't see Allison as being fond of younger kids, but she doesn't mind tween/teen Estelle

Same with Renee, I don't think she'd know what to do with a kid, but they'd get on well when Estelle's a bit older

Estelle looks up to all the female foxes, especially Dan. She's not as bad as Matt, but they both love to spoil her.

Sally and Paul ship Matt and Dan so so hard and can't wait for them to have a baby of their own

stay at home dad Matt

Aaron tries so hard to be good with her -- he thinks of it as practice for him and Katelyn. It drives him crazy that Estelle prefers Andrew and Neil to them.

Andrew likes to say he doesn't like children.

Andrew also likes to lie a lot.

He's kinda a softy when it comes to kids. Some people can resist tiny shoes, and he's not one of those people.

If Estelle is going to the foxes for advice, he's usually her first call (followed by Kevin and Dan)

She loves Andrew and Neil, and it very much so helps that they're such good friends with Percy and Annabeth.

[waitingforwinterwinds]

Game of Thrones - 31 TYRION IV (pages 314-327)

Tyrion, Catelyn and their slap-dash party head into the Vale to see Tyrion face justice for a crime he didn't commit. Bad times are had by all.

-

All his life, Tyrion had prided himself on his cunning, the only gift the gods had seen fit to give him, and yet this seven-times-damned she-wolf Catelyn Stark had outwitted him at every turn. The knowledge was more galling than the bare fact of his abduction.

>:3 ehehehehe Ah, Catelyn, the old 'publicly announce we're going one way and then actually go the other way' trick. Nice. I just really wish we hadn't gotten to this point.

"How many times must I swear to that? Lady Stark, whatever you may believe of me, I am not a stupid man. Only a fool would arm common padfoot with his own blade."

And we all know Tyrion is hording the majority of the Lannister Brain allowance. Unlike Joffrey who said 'no thanks' to his portion. Another point in Tyrions favour? He's a dwarf, he constantly mentions his physical pains that result from activities many people accept as typical tasks, he's basically got chronic pain and mobility issues. Of all the Lannisters, he's the least likely to off someone for perceived illness and/or disabilities.

"Why would Petyr lie to me?" "Why does a bear shit in the woods?" he demanded. "Because it is his nature. Lying comes as easily to breathing to a man like Littlefinger. You ought to know that, you of all people." She took a step toward him, her face tight. "And what does that mean, Lannister?" Tyrion cocked his head. "Why, every man at court had heard him tell how he took your maidenhead, my lady."

Petyr is a despicable little creep. I know (from meta) that he genuinely believes it, that it was Catelyn and not Lysa that time, but damn. Don't go telling people you de-virgined her. Though I suppose we all know he doesn't love or respect her, he's just obsessed with her, so of course he doesn't care about any damage to her reputation. Only the bolster to his own, and his ego.

Ser Rodrik shouted "Winterfell!" and rode to meet him, with Bronn and Chiggen beside him, screaming some wordless battle cry. Ser Willis Wode followed, swinging a spike morningstar around his head. "Harrenhal! Harrenhal!" he sang. Tyrion felt the sudden urge to leap up, brandishing his axe, and boom out "Casterly Rock!" but the insanity passed quickly and he crouched down lower.

ah, the part where everyone channels their inner Pokémon. Good on Tyrion for knowing his own abilities and when to not do the thing.

Tyrion put the heel on the grasping fingers and felt a satisfying crunch. "Close your eyes and pretend you're dead," he advised the singer before he hefted the axe and turned away.

On the one hand: HA! Karma bitch! On the other hand: Ohhhhh, Tyrion has a mean streak, and it is scary vicious.

She had a dagger clutched awkwardly in her maimed hands, but her back was to the rock now and they had her penned on three sides. Let them have the bitch, Tyrion thought, and welcome to her, yet somehow he was moving.

Because despite your best efforts, you're a good man at heart.

"As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted," Tyrion began, "there is a serious flaw in Littlefinger's fable. Whatever you may believe of me, Lady Stark, I promise you this - I never bet against my family."

I love how that says so much about him, but how it also sounds so ominous.

This whole arc just pisses me off so much, because Catelyn is acting emotionally yes, but she's also acting with the information she has, which unfortunately for her, is about as real as hair on a Hutt.

I really feel like after Littlefinger told her the knife's origin she didn't double check with Santagar or whatever his name was. it doesn't even matter if you trust your source in a murder investigation: verify

Maybe your source thinks they're telling you the truth but has bad information, maybe they're actually a lying sack of shit who want to cause a civil war so he can off your husband and free you up for a second marriage.

[scarahours]

𝐅#𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐃! [10 can't it be me?]

Speak of the devil,

"[name]! Are you okay?!" Diluc rushed down the flight of stairs, chasing after you.

And he shall appear.

Scaramouche didn't even need to hear your answer. He'd already found the man in question.

"You motherfucker." Without a single thought, Kunikuzushi lunged forward and grabbed Diluc by the collar - pinning him down on the cold cement as he raised his fist up and swung it against his face.

You stand appalled for a moment before immediately grabbing Scaramouche by his arms to pry him off of the redhead.

"Oh my god! Kunikuzushi stop, let him go!" But despite your best efforts, he merely shakes you off as he continued his assault on the man beneath him.

"LET HIM GO?! THIS BASTARD?" He shouts, but not in the way that a parent would scold their child - no.

He was mad at Diluc for making you cry, but most of all - he was mad at himself for being unable to do anything to stop it. Why, why do you still care so much for the person who's hurt you one too many times? Why are you still defending him?

"JUST STOP OKAY? HE'S NOT WORTH IT AND YOU'LL JUST GET IN TROUBLE!" Your voice cracks from all the shouting, and Kunikuzushi swears he hears his heart shatter.

Ah, so you were thinking about him...

Not Diluc, not anyone else - but him.

You tug on his sleeves, pleading: "Please, let's just go."

He stops, standing up and looking down at what he'd just done. Yet he doesn't feel pity at all, instead, he sneers. Like he'd been waiting for this moment all this time. Diluc doesn't say anything and looks away from him, even with a messed up face he still somehow manages to look good - well enough to count as passable at least.

"I'm not done with you, asshole." Scaramouche turns around and takes your hand in his, intertwining both your fingers alike as he leads you out of the building.

A figure emerges from behind the stairs with a shit eating grin painted across his face.

"You look like shit." He chuckles.

"As if you're any better. Now help me get to the clinic, Kaeya."

"Oh no, riddle me this first. Tell me dear brother, why is it that you just layed there and took the beating?" Kaeya puts a hand on his hip, awaiting for Diluc's answer.

He sighs, shutting his eyes bitterly, "I had a feeling I deserved that."

"Why would you do that?" You ask Kunikuzushi in disbelief, walking closely behind him

"Excuse me? You're seriously asking me that question?" Are you stupid or what?

"I mean - WHY would you go so far for me? We barely know each other." He stops in his track, snapping his head towards you.

For a moment, you swear you see a flash of genuine hurt in his eyes. But it disappeared just as fast as it came.

"You may think of it that way but it's not the same for me."

"Now what does that even—" "Did you eat lunch yet?" Kunikuzushi cuts you off.

"No I didn't." You place a hand atop your stomach, you can feel it growling in hunger.

"Come on then, move faster."

FUN FACTS:

I don't like burgers it genuinely doesn't appeal to me

I had to rewrite everything from memory because Tumblr didn't save it gn

Ignore the time stamp pls

TAGLIST: @crowbird @whats-humanity-lol @nejibot @ph0bics @elitestar @skaramush @yaefics @ferumie @salty-brocolini @kayleigh-reuthlr @aequha @catsfavoriteperson @meowlumi @yay-its-tj @mikazukiwrites @ryomenswife @elysiasbae @peachyb-o-y @slvdsjjk @estelwrld @dollpoetwriting @elyionaa @rizakari @c0nn0rv8 @jiminscarmex @spookyrule @bubblyclouds @sunizome @thenightsflower @m00nie-m00 @hecatve @ecselisse @llghtsnoww @harupiie @kanaqwqbear @mobiuskiss @velionas @moonxma @lunaflvms @arminownsme @lizzardlady1234 @still-dazai-simp-not-sorry @xxgenderenvyxx @waosobii @hwngti @cyraris @idontevenknow129 @missbunsworld @retrogobrrrr @ara-arashi

Please let me know if I missed any of you! </3 if your name isn't highlighted in gray then unfortunately I cannot tag you!

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[n1k1tty]

kiss me ! part 1

jake was definitely head over heals for your cold personality, and he wasn't going to let anyone take you. but heres the problem: he couldn't find a single way to keep a conversation with you. despite your scary demeanour, jake decides to man up and does everything out of his will to get you.

fluff, jake x reader, (not proofread)

jake was frustrated to know that many guys have been after you the second you stepped in that classroom doing the bare minimum.

hearing ‘wanna grab lunch with me?’ here and there somehow always made him ball his fist to prevent himself from being a problem. yet again he couldn’t blame other people for wanting to ask you out either. he even sometimes wished that you had rejected him so he could move on. although of course he didn’t really mean that.

because now he was wandering around the school looking for you while he was on a “bathroom break” during his soccer practice. he knew you always liked to stay at the school rooftops admiring the view while listening to music. not like he was stalking you or anything...

you turn your head to look at the person at the door "you again? when are you going to leave me alone? pervert" you scoff, kicking the little pieces of rocks as you avoid jakes eyes. it was almost the millionth time you've seen jake this day, and it was always for the same reason, to piss you off, well more like ask you out --which still pisses you off.

you weren't one to believe in love, or maybe just not yet. because you weren't even sure if you were capable enough to love someone. even the thought of having to be so sweet and touchy with each other grossed you out, and of all people, jake especially knew that. so why was he so determined to get you to fall in love with him?

you weren't one to believe in love, or maybe just not yet. because you weren't even sure if you were capable enough to love someone. even the thought of having to be so sweet and touchy with each other grossed you out, and of all people, jake especially knew that. so why was he so determined to get you to fall in love with him?

"hmmm maybe never?" jake chuckles at the sight of you rolling your eyes "then i'll move schools --countries if that's what takes for you to leave me alone" as you turn around and face him, eyes widened at the thin space between the both of you "and maybe i'll find you"

you raise your eyebrows "well that's borderline criminal act" you wander off "now sim jaeyun i think it's best for you to leave before you add up to my anger --i mean you already are. but wouldn't that be horrible?" jake's eyes follow you as you drag your feet "not really" he states "you're hot when you're mad"

you scoff out of disbelief, hitting him hard on his arm, looking away almost immediately as you trying to hide your heated face "shut up before i'll push you off this building" letting go of the grip you once had on his collar, "alright, alright sorry ma'am. but if you're really mad for whatever reason, come with me. i'll take you to a place" he suggests, offering his hand for you to take "you should be happy. i normally wouldn't even consider letting anyone know about my spot" he shoots you a grin

you take time trying to consider his offer, but as much as you don't want to stroke his ego about convincing you to go with him, you really needed something to release your anger "as long as you shut up about this" you give him a side glance "no promises" he sends a wink your way "ugh, fine"

he gently takes your hand as he drags you out of the school "can you jump over the wall?" jake looks at your flustered face "....no..?" you answer, making a line with your lips, causing him to let out a small chuckle "okay cutie, i'll help you up" you cringe at the nickname "call me that again and i'll break your neck" you step on his knee as he tries to boost you up "yeah that's right, keep going"

but as jake looks up he couldn't help but feel flustered, looking away "i made it!" you pant, hands resting on your knees as you wait for jake to come up as well. but after a few seconds of not hearing him, you call out his name, peaking your head over the wall "jake? i swear to god if you leave me out here i'm killing you"

"n-no i didn't leave you" he stutters, trying to collect himself from being a flustered mess "then come up here! the sun is setting, you wouldn't want to miss it"

"y-yeah it's just that i uh, i saw.....your....you know?" he explains, his hands not knowing what to do "you saw my what!?" you shrieked "no no it's okay i looked away!" he reassures you "ugh, just- just come up here!" you yell, already walking ahead as you try to cool down your heating face "so pink aye?" jake jokes, catching up to you

"SIM JAEYUN!" you yell, kicking him on his ass "ow! okay sorry!"

jake was resting his head on his hands, watching as you play with the small puddle while watching the sunset, not even an hour in, jake panics as he sees the amount of missed calls from riki "oh shit! my soccer practice!"

--

the following days after that, almost everything remained the same, jake continuously teasing and flirting with you, you getting in trouble for the littlest things, never coming home until the latest of the hour. but yet again, almost everything remained the same

you were now in denial of your feelings towards sim jaeyun. it would hurt too much of your pride to actually admit it, because after all, you've always told sim jaeyun you hated him.

you groan "jake, there's a reason why i'm failing english, okay? just accept the fact that i'm the worst" you bury your head on the pages of your book, seated across jake at the back of the library "i didn't even ask for you to help me! i simply just asked for your notes that just happened to have a first grader's hand writing" he scoffs, a little taken back by your sudden insult on his hand writing "thanks? i know you didn't ask for help, i just wanted to do this with you so that you don't get detention for not knowing proper english" he explains, handing you another sheet of paper with an 54 circled on the right corner "seriously y/n? 54? come on, one last set of questions and i'll take you to the new cafe just across the street"

and almost immediately, you bring your head up, grabbing the pen and taking the set of questions. making jake giggle "y/n, just say that you like me, you know i'm not going to reject you-- ow!" you smack him on the head with the pencil "that's absolute nonsense!" you whisper with a harsh voice, digging your face on the note book as you try to cover the little smile you had on your face

i think it was safe to say you got 4 out of 10 right, causing you to almost have a mental breakdown at the library "i can't do this sim" you groan "i think you just need a break yeah? wanna head to the cafe?" jake stands up to pack your stuff, giggling at the sight of your head still buried in between the pages of the book "c'mon y/n" he kneels beside you "get up, let's go to that cafe"

you've never felt your pride hurt as much as this did, having to show jake how bad your were at english, him having to tutor you without you asking for help, and jake bringing you to the cafe even though you weren't even remotely close to getting at least 6 right

and you weren't exaggerating when when you say jake had to drag you all the way to the cafe "hi! what can i get for you today sir?" the girl says, the obvious heart eyes she has for him pissing you off even more "hi yeah i'd like to have a caramel machiatto" he responds politely, smiling at the obvious glare you held at the girl, poking out your tongue after she was called by the manager, an old lady replaces her "anything else for your girlfriend--" before you could correct her, jake immediately speaks up "she'll have (drink)"

he smiles at the old lady before paying "i'm sending you money later whether you like it or not" you roll your eyes "and i'll send it back" he holds your waist as he leads you to a table, causing your heart to beat 10 times faster "yeah? well i'll send it back to you again! i'll keep doing it until you die!" he scoffs at you "as if!"

--

even after multiple attempts of trying to make jake ask you out, the boy who you thought was so smart couldn't take a single hint at all.

but in jake's defence, you were a little bad, considering how bad you were with boys, he vividly remembers that one time when you were trying so hard to make him jealous by talking to other guys. he even laughed as you struggled to keep up with a conversation.

or that other time when you tried to hold his hand just to do something romantic just for once but ended up letting go because he wouldn't stop teasing you about it. he still took your hand, yet he never asked you out still.

"you okay darling?" your mother asks, taking a quick glance at your droopy form leaning on the counter as you wait for her to finish cooking "is it a boy?" she teases, making you perk your head up "i knew it!" she gives you an endearing smile as she gives you a plate with eggs on it, a heart shaped ketchup placed on the top of the egg "mom!" you whine

"okay fine, it is a boy. but don't tell dad" you whisper, smiling once she zips her lips "what's his name?" she asked, tilting her head as she leans on the counter in front of you "jake"

"jake?! i love jake! you should invite him over sometime" she squeals "he's a nice guy, i'm sure he wouldn't hurt you, so what's bothering you?" you sigh, taking a sip of the water "he likes me, it's like the whole world knows. but he just keeps on flirting with me and never actually tries to ask me out" you pout, aggressively taking a bit of the scrambled eggs, making your mother chuckle "oh baby, i'm sure it'll happen soon. just give him some time! unless if you're that impatient, then maybe you should try considering to be the one who makes the first move" she walks away, heading upstairs

no, as much as you hate it, that would hurt too much of your pride. so you decided to wait.

--

summer just had started and you couldn't even explain how much you hated the heat. staying under the shade 70% of the time whenever you went out with jake and his friends "guys! i have an announcement" jay yells, you were currently over at jay's house, just having a little party with just the 8 of you "my father booked us a trip to hawaii"

"WHAT?!"

part 2

— HEY 👵🏽 so i decided that this would be a multiple part story bcs i didnt want it to be too long!

i haven’t written the second part yet, but hopefully i’d have it done before tuesday

feel free to ask if you want to be tagged once the second chapter is out!

this has been n1k1tty! see ya!

[animatedrapture]

"VORFREUDE."

Summary: Sakusa thinks of you as his vorfreude, his intense anticipation from imagining future pleasures. He swears it's not mere delusions.

Pairing: Sakusa Kiyoomi x F!Reader / slight Komori Motoya x Reader

Word count: 4.5k

Genre & Content Warnings: Slight angst. NSFW. Dark content. Yandere behavior. Porn with Plot. Incel/Bully!Sakusa. Virgin!Reader. Abuse. Non-con. Blackmail. Coercion. Misogyny. Slut-shaming. Slight manipulation and mindbreak. Fingering. Corruption. Defloration. Degradation. Vaginal penetration. Creampie.

Notes: Thank you soooo much to the lovely anon who commissioned this! Took a lot longer than it should've cause academics kept cutting in & joint with my anxiety. But yeah, thank you so much :') Thank you Faiwy for the final beta !! <3

If you're thinking about commissioning me, please refer to this post.

You’re a constant, Sakusa thinks.

For as long as he can remember, you’ve been following him and Komori like a lost puppy—whenever they were, you were sure to be there. He can’t think far back enough to remember when it started, but you were insignia of constancy, that was all Sakusa knew.

He listens intently while you talk to Komori from beside him, voice low and stumbling over your words every so often—he knows you're going out of your way to avoid saying something he could use to pull you apart with, piece by piece like a frail little toy.

"How did the test from yesterday go?" Komori questions you, right as your trio made it to the cafeteria.

Your easy-going smile falters at the mention of it. Sakusa already knows the answer. He shares that class with you, after all. He had the front row seat to see your face flushed with humiliation and how rigid your body grew when the professor told you Sakusa would be tutoring you.

Reminding him that out of everything about you, the way you wore your heart on your sleeve is something that insistently rubbed him the wrong way.

First, because he starts thinking about how easy you make it for people to take advantage of you; it makes his blood boil. Then, he starts thinking about every reaction he could get out of you, like how you'd look from beneath him as he used your body the way you wanted him to.

Because you do, don't you? Why else would you go out of your way to adjust to his habits? To carry around your personal sanitizer and wipes, always making sure the space you were in with them was clean.

Nothing else could explain how you strung along with them like loose thread.

It tugs at the heart beneath his ribcage—but whenever he sees you give all your attention to Komori, the betrayal sinks in, and he's reminded what kind of a woman you are.

A whore.

As you laughed nervously, taking a seat across from them, Sakusa wonders if you're having fun, wonders if for a moment you're riddled with guilt as you flirt with his cousin and him at the same time, in the same breath.

"N-no, it didn't turn out very well," you admit in between stutters, embarrassment creeping back in.

Komori frowns empathetically, "I could help you, you know—"

The sparkle in your eyes is quick to appear. God, you're so cunning. It makes Sakusa consider that maybe you failed the test on purpose, thinking this would happen—but that would be giving you more credit than due. You're just a dumb little girl.

"I'm already tutoring them," Sakusa interrupts, and he's unsure whether to be delighted or angered at the way your face falls sullen.

"O-oh right, but—but I'd love to get your help, Motoya-kun—"

The scoff Sakusa lets out is loud, loud enough to make you wince. "You're dumb enough as it is, you don't need distractions," his words come slicing like knife. You sink in your seat.

Komori laughs awkwardly, giving you a smile—sheepish and apologetic—he's so kind, he's always so kind.

Sometimes you wonder how they're actually cousins; until you're reminded that Sakusa hadn't always been this mean to you. He had always been cautious, but he wasn't ever mean like he was out to get you at every ragged edge.

Somehow, though, the closer you got to him—past his defenses and indifference towards you—the meaner he's gotten.

You were like a moth to a flame, not in the sense that you were attracted to its light, but more so like being punished with burn after burn the closer you got.

But your feelings for Komori begged you at every instance to swallow the humiliation down, at each of Sakusa’s degrading remarks.

You take out your packed bento, wiping at the table with wipes before placing it down, the cousins moving to do the same out of adapted habit, until you notice Komori digging in his bag, eyebrows furrowed like he's confused.

"Motoya-kun? What's wrong?"

He turns to you, scratching at the back of his head, "I think I forgot my sanitizer."

You're quick on your hands, offering him yours without missing a beat and Sakusa's reminded of why he even likes you at all.

You were persistent with being able to stick around them. He thought that was remarkable. That you'd never been freaked out by his habits, you respected his space—something he couldn't say with the people who pushed and disregarded his boundaries. That instead of forcing him to adjust to you, you went out of your way for him to be comfortable with you around.

And he's flattered, really. He doesn't have to wonder if he had a chance with you because surely, he does.

Since he's so nice—nicer than a whore like you deserves, he'll let you know your feelings are reciprocated, then he'll fuck you, because surely, that's what you want… Right?

Then maybe, when you're finally his girlfriend, he can start training you to stop being such a flirty slut, that you belong only to him and that you’re nothing but his property.

But for now, he can settle with the warmth in his chest as he notices all the ways you try to get his attention.

Being with Sakusa is hard, even with Komori around, it was nerve wracking. Conversations with him weren't any easier, if anything, they were more dreadful.

When you ask Sakusa about tutoring you, you do it over lunch just so you avoid having to walk up to him alone. His answer is curt when he tells you to come over tomorrow, and that he’ll pick you up from your place; because you can try all you want to outsmart him, but he’d always catch on.

Because Sakusa was smart, and you were just you.

After lunch, you feel nothing but the dread bubbling in the pit of your stomach—churning and thrashing—because no matter how hard you try to push it down, the fact is that you’re actually scared of him.

Scared of the nitpicking he'll scrutinize you with—the way you sat, the way you looked at him, the way you trembled in his presence alone. You start thinking of what to wear, because even something as little as that can put him off—always commenting about how short your skirt is, how you're showing too much skin, how you're probably doing it on purpose.

But it's nothing you're not used to anymore.

So you tug on your fear, push it into a corner, and you tell yourself that Sakusa is mean, and condescending, and harsh, but he wouldn’t hurt you. You pick yourself up from the corner of your mind, and you repeat in your head like a mantra. Sakusa wouldn’t hurt you.

The ring of the bell breaks you out of your reverie. It reminds you that the day has almost ended, and that it felt like a blink faster than it should’ve been. Still, you pull on your things, gathering them to leave the classroom slowly emptying out.

You make a small sound of surprise when your eyes dart over to the door, where Komori stood, an anxious smile on his lips. He looks like he's been waiting for you, making your heart hammer against your chest like it wants to leap out.

Face-flushed and giddy, you walk towards him.

“Hey, Motoya-kun. What’s up?” You smile, all sweet and bright-eyed. From the pit of Komori’s stomach, something flutters. You only ever look like this when your eyes are on him; he thinks he wants to keep it to himself.

He brings a hand up to his hair, lightly scratching at the back of his head with a nervous smile, and it’s awkward in an adorable sort of way. He’s walking beside you along the corridor, it’s slow and the bit of silence between you is calm.

“Ah, well…” He starts, gaze flickering to the floor and back to you indecisively, “I was wondering if I could ask you to the newly opened café tomorrow. A-after you study with Sakusa-kun, of course,” He stutters a bit, offering you a boyish grin.

It so nearly pulls a squeak out of you, surprised in the most love struck sort of way. Your heart beats out of your chest unlike the way Sakusa makes you feel.

Your heart hammers out of fear of him—but with Komori, it's nothing but pleasant and warm and intoxicating.

Your smile is instantaneous; it comforts Komori as your lips part.

"I'd love to," you answer him softly, though an octave higher.

Sakusa finds you both like this, shyly smiling at each other like lovesick doves. There's nothing pure about you, you shouldn't be smiling that way. Especially not at the face of his cousin.

"Oi," he calls out, even through the face mask, his annoyance seeps into your skin and makes you feel small.

The blood that had rushed to your cheeks dries you pale at the glare he gives you.

"Coach is looking for you, Komori," he follows, yet never taking his eyes off of you.

"Right. I'll see you tomorrow, Y/N!"

Sakusa takes another step closer to you the moment Komori's out of sight. Your grip on your bag tightening, instinctively taking a step backwards.

The action alone makes him practically sneer with you cowering in response.

"Disgusting," he mutters, brimming with venom. "There's nothing I hate more than girls who throw themselves at any guy they see."

Maybe it's the sheer malice in his voice, or the way your eyes catch how his hand moves up—but you flinch, like expecting a hit to come across your cheek.

The pain never comes and when your eyelids flutter open, you're met with hard eyes the color of obsidian yet gleaming with a newfound resolve despite his furrowed eyebrows that suggested hitting you was far from the origin of his intentions.

Without a word, Sakusa walks away from you with his hands shoved in the pockets of his jacket.

You let your body slump against the wall. His eyes burn in the back of your head, almost like they’re warning you.

Right before you head to bed, your phone chimes once, then twice and it’s bittersweet. One from Komori, telling you he’s excited to see you tomorrow, and one from Sakusa—not beating around the bush, it says nothing but ‘9 AM.’

It’s firm and unyielding. Even as your head hits the pillow, forcing your eyes shut, sleep doesn’t come easy—not even at the thought of seeing Komori on a date.

It’s not the sunlight peeking in between your curtains that wake you, nor the sound of birds chirping outside your window. Instead, it’s the ache in your body acting like a bad omen. Nevertheless, you drag your body out of bed.

Your stomach churns but you get ready for the day.

You think the next hour couldn’t come any quicker, because you’re fidgeting on the balls of your feet and somehow, there’s goosebumps rising against your bare skin.

Your phone blinks back at you with a minute before nine o’clock but you already hear the knock on your door. Your breathing halts even as you move hurriedly to open it—and even when the air hits you as you find Sakusa on your doorstep.

You feel his eyes wander, from the very top of your head, down to your feet, and he mutters, “You look nice today.”

The blush that creeps on your cheeks is only natural. Compliments in any form that came from Sakusa were hard to come by—only because they were compliments in the most genuine, honest of ways.

Sakusa is mean, and if you were more honest with yourself, he’s a bully. But Sakusa, mean or not, is still Komori’s cousin; so you give him a smile, palms going clammy.

“Thank you, Sakusa-kun…” You trail off, hesitating on your next words, “You look nice today, too.”

And he does. The dark color of his clothes complimented his pale skin and dark, curly hair, and despite being covered by the mask, his pristine beauty seems to gleam through. Even seemingly unfazed, his gaze on you softens by a fraction.

As abrupt as it appeared, he’s already turning away, “Hurry up,” he quips, but his voice is softer because you look nice today were words that confessed his truest feelings—the ones that reminded him he’s so in love with you and that you’re the cause of warmth in chest.

Even when you strut around trying to get Komori to like you, Sakusa doesn’t attempt to deny the feelings he harbored, because you look nice today, too should mean something, shouldn’t it?

You know you’re dressed up for your date with Komori, but Sakusa doesn’t know that; so in that moment, he appreciates you. For once, there isn't one insult that lingers in his tongue or even in his head as he walks slowly.

Sakusa is nice today, you note as he keys the lock to his place. He had awkwardly placed his hand on the small of your back on the short walk it took from your place to his, guiding you along the sidewalk.

You've only been to his place once or twice, both times were with Komori, so you weren't familiar with the directions. The walk was silent, and in his silence, you found a reason to relax—just enough to make you think that this might go well.

Despite all awkwardness, Sakusa is forward. Seeing you sat on his couch so comfortably, the skirt of your dress riding up slightly, does nothing to hold back his urge to keep his hands on you.

It's a good thing he doesn't have to keep his hands to himself now, right? Since you like him so much, you'd let him fuck you now… Right?

Sakusa's movements are sly, that's why you don't question how he walks closer towards you, sitting so, so close to you—that's why you choke on the lump in your throat when his hand shoots out to grab you by the wrist, pulls you in, then presses his lips on yours.

The second that passes is only because you couldn't wrap your head around Sakusa—lips pressed against yours and body so close.

But the next second, you're pushing him off roughly enough to stop him and he's looking at you confused.

"Sakusa-kun, I think you misunderstood—I like, I like Motoya-kun, I didn't mean to—this is—" you're trampling over your words, looking at him with panicked eyes.

Sakusa mutes out the sound of your voice, all he can hear is the beating in his chest and the ache of it—the sound of his heart dropping to his stomach. He should’ve known.

All the softness in his eyes are gone. His hand, still wrapped around your wrist, gripping tighter and tighter; your heart skipping obnoxiously against your chest. Something about the way he's looking at you now petrifies you.

His silence feels deadlier than his destructive words, deadlier when you wince at his grip, whimpering, "Sakusa, you're hurting me—please," and still, he doesn't let up.

Not when he's roughly tugging you from the couch, taking your arm with a bruising grip, then he's hauling you somewhere. You thrash, panicked pleas calling out to him and apologies he doesn't deserve but you offer him anyway. All your protests are rewarded when he halts, turning to you without a hint of remorse, pushing you to the floor—his foot comes to your side, kicking you with a force that knocks the breath out of your lungs.

Bile is rising up your throat, coughing and arms shooting to your stomach to protect yourself. Scared feels too small of a word to describe the feeling that looms over you as he takes your arm again, dragging your curled up body.

Sakusa shoves you inside a room, even as you flail around and beg for help, his face remains impassive; whatever force you’re putting in the way you try to break free from his hold is futile. Of course he’s stronger. Of course, but you can’t possibly accept this, can you?

You made Sakusa yearn—disgustingly grapple on his feelings so needlessly, and nothing, he thinks, could be more unforgivable.

So he secures you on the bed, bound and within his claws, for you to take responsibility for the yearning you've planted inside of him.

"S-Sakusa, please," your begging sounds like a whimper. "I-I won't tell anyone! N-not even Motoya-ku—!"

You hear ringing in your ears before feeling the sting across your cheek. From inside your mouth, you can taste metal.

"You won't tell anyone either way," he mutters apathetically, like the idea of you telling anyone isn't a threat, "No one would believe you…"

He pauses, gaze on you hardening for a second, "You don't want Komori finding out you only got close to him because you wanted me, right?"

The sound of disbelief that escapes you is small, even the wide-eyed betrayal that flashes in your eyes does nothing to make him even pity you.

"You–I, I didn't—"

At your stuttering, Sakusa clicks his tongue, "You're such a dumb girl you don't even know what you want."

"That's not true, Sakusa—"

He glares down on you. The bed dips, bracketing your body between his knees, hovering over you, then leaning forward. His hands move slowly as if caressing you before grabbing your hair with a stinging tug.

The fear pooling your eyes only makes him even angrier.

"I hate that face," he grits out, "Always looking at me all scared, then you look at Komori like a shy innocent bitch, it pisses me off."

Pretty as you are, he lands another hit across your cheek—hard enough that you can feel a cut on your cheek trickling down with blood, the side of your ear going deaf. You’re not sure anymore if it was a slap or a punch—all that you know is that it hurts. Your vision is blurred when you open your eyes, but even through them, the insanely expressionless eyes of Sakusa are clear.

It dawns on Sakusa that you wouldn’t date him. Of course you wouldn’t. Sluts like you go for guys like Komori—so he’d just have to take you by force, make you date him by force, make you love him by force.

Besides, you look prettier forced, he observes. Your face tear-stained and bloody makes his cock throb in his pants. With your body weak underneath him, so helpless that it disgusts him and fuels him with desire all at once.

Something about your weakness, the innocence that spills from you contradicting his firm idea that you’re a dirty whore makes him livid. He pictures you painted with bruises and cuts, the image sending a shiver down his spine. Clenched fists pull back, only to land on your sides, on the same places he kicked you.

What makes you feel sick at the stomach more than the abuse he inflicts on you is the way Sakusa’s movements lack hesitation as his hands travel to your bare thighs.

"W-what are you doing?”

It's disgusting. Women like you are disgusting. You lead him on just so you can take advantage of his feelings like this—that even if he knew better, he'd still soften up for you.

It's you who lured him into this, he almost sneers at the thought. You were truly vile, and yet he loves you all the same—wants you all to himself all the same.

"Omi?' You breathe, frightened. The nickname falls affectionately, though, putting all your hope into it, wishing it would tug on his heart enough for him to let you go.

“Let’s talk about this, Omi? Please?” You cry, searching for his eyes—the ones trained on your thighs as he glides his hands against them, your dress bunched up to your hips revealing your baby pink panties. Your sobs only grow louder as he goes further up, going on as if he’s in a trance where he can’t hear you groveling at him to stop.

Strong, calloused hands stop at the band of your panties, fingers hooking, and only then does he look back up at you. Dark eyes drown you as he tugs them down torturously slow, exposing you to him in your most vulnerable state.

The same second you attempt to force your legs shut, comes a biting pain on the inside of your thighs, instantly blooming his handprint at the force. Your mouth opens to wail at the pain, but it’s the same wail that Sakusa swallows as he brings his lips to yours with a kiss so treacherously passionate.

Sakusa pulls away quickly though, eyeing your bare cunt, he brings his fingers to your slit, experimentally rubbing up and down and your response is immediate, somehow. Your slick gathers on his fingers, body squirming from beneath him.

“K-Kiyoomi, it feels weird—stop, please,” yet your hips buck into his fingers as he prods at your tight hole, “Don’t—Not there—N-no one has touched—”

He lifts an eyebrow, “You’re a virgin?” His question sounding more of a comment, because the hesitant nod you give him is almost needless when you hiss at the intrusion of his digit pushing inside of you; your walls clamping down on it, body tensing, he brings a thumb to your clit, circling with enough pressure to make it feel good.

And it’s wrong. So wrong, but it feels good because you’re moaning against your will, whimpering at the curl of his finger and at the additional finger he’s slowly sinking into you.

The stretch is uncomfortable and foreign. Nothing is in Sakusa’s mind but at the thought of you absolutely untouched, absolutely all for him to ruin. Your body instinctively leaning to his, submitting to his ministrations—fingers scissoring and pushing in and out of your pussy, the sound of your slick echoing in your ears as if to taunt you, but your legs are trembling, your gasps are broken and there’s a pressure in your pelvis about to snap.

“You’re so filthy,” he mutters, but he looks at you like you’re the farthest thing from filthy, and his comment is exactly what makes you break, eyes rolling to the back of your skull and cunt creaming around his fingers pathetically.

You feel so dirty, especially at the sound of your slick as he pulls his fingers out and shoves them inside your mouth—the taste of you tainting your tongue. Shaking your head profusely, you beg him with your eyes, “No more—please, I don’t want this.” you weep, muffled.

“Suck,” he commands, but your defiance is clear before you even shake your head, so he pushes his fingers down further, choking you until you gag and find it hard to breathe.

“Suck,” he repeats, and you relent.

Watching you suck messily on his fingers, drool and tears disheveling you, dried blood sticking to your skin, he frees his twitching cock out of its constraints.

Though hazy, your eyes catch it, the thickness of his cock—hard and flushed at the tip—your hands tugging at your restraints feebly making you panic and choke on his fingers, nearly biting down on them.

He’s quick to pull them out, glaring down at you with dark eyes, jaw ticking as his hands curl into fists; knowing what’s to come doesn’t prepare you any more at the excruciating pain of his abuse, even more so at his length pressing against your wet folds—cockhead nudging your puffy clit and making your cunt drool on him.

Both hands dig into the flesh of your thighs, pressing them to your chest. The pain on your face numbs at the sensation of him prodding on your entrance, ripping you apart and increasing the pain—your head throbs as he stretches your cunt with his fat cock, barely giving you time to adjust as he starts to move slowly despite your tense walls barely allowing him.

He curses as he ruts into you, bathing in your cries and moans, violating and invading the entirety of you. The pleasure of feeling you and having you just like this seeps into his bones, turning his languid thrusts more desperate.

“You make desperation look so pretty,” he groans, “You’re making such a mess, you like being forced like this?”

He insults you, but you’re everything he always wanted and more—the taste of your skin as he sucks marks onto your neck as if you were his to own, the clenching and humiliating sound of your cunt squelching as he pounds into you and grunts against your skin. His cock throbs inside you and drags along your velvety walls deliciously; all you can think is that you hate this.

Pressure, pain, the drowning pleasure of Sakusa all over you and inside you don’t allow you to retreat to the back of your head and forget. Not with the burning euphoria building up in your stomach or the moan that slips from your lips as Sakusa brings one of your legs down, bringing his hand to your breasts and thumb swiping around your sensitive nipples.

“O-Omi, please,” you sob, weak and submissive—just how you should be. Your nails dig into your palms, arms aching from your restraints. “I-I’m gonna—I think I—”

“Y-you really are a whore,” he spits, voice strained yet patronizing, still. “Do it, then. Cum on my cock.”

His hand moves in between your thighs, fingers pressing and rubbing circles on your clit as you cry out, tight walls clamping down on him and stuttering his already sloppy thrusts, your arousal running down his length and down to his heavy balls slapping against your ass.

Your moans come out as squeals of his name, your back arching and breath catching in your throat, vision going white as he continues to fuck into you.

His breathing is ragged, moving to bury his face into the crook of your neck in an odd show of affection, your swollen cunt pulsating around his cock as he suddenly stills, his low groan vibrating against your skin as he empties inside you.

You want to cry—but nothing comes out, all you can feel is the bruises on your skin, Sakusa’s cock buried deep inside you and his cum leaking from your abused hole, the stickiness and the sweat.

Maybe Sakusa’s right. Maybe you are disgusting, because as he peels himself from you, thinking it’s all over—Sakusa doesn’t undo the ties keeping you on the bed.

He reaches towards the bedside table, grabbing his phone. The sound of the shutter going off once, twice, over and over with the camera directed at you pulls your soul out of you.

“Omi—?” Your question remains a lump in your throat, but Sakusa is smart. He doesn’t need to hear your question.

“You’re my girlfriend now…” He mutters carelessly, “but I’m sure you don’t want Komori to see how you like to be fucked, right?”

[tsumusamu]

nice receive [miya atsumu x fem!reader]

genre: fluff and (once again, a sad attempt at) humor

word count: 3.8k

summary: eight months into your relationship, atsumu takes you to meet his family. things don't go as planned, but of course, everything ends up alright in the end anyway. alternatively, miya atsumu adores you and his family thinks it's easy to see why.

warnings: uhhh implied sexual content at the end but it is like barely there ok

commission for @ muppetz (it wont let me tag for some reason ugh) thank you so much for commissioning me!

a/n: this ended up being way longer than the word count requested but that’s no one’s fault but my own because i dont know when to shut the FUCK up anyways i hope this one shot is enjoyable lol

content under the cut!

You literally never thought that you would ever end up in this situation.

"C'mon babe, why the long face? Ya nervous or somethin'?"

"No." You purse your lips, huffily averting your gaze from your boyfriend's smirking face.

"Ya don't needa be like that." Atsumu drapes an arm across your shoulder, pecking your forehead as a sort of reassurance. "No one could ever hate this cute face, after all." He accentuates his words by squishing your cheeks, drawing out a yelp of protest from you.

"If you keep talking like this, you're gonna jinx it, you know." Your words come out softer and more hesitant than intended, and you startled even yourself at how utterly anxious you sound.

"Yer gonna be fine. Trust me, I wouldn’t take just any random girl to meet my folks, and they’re well aware of that." Atsumu ruffles your hair.

"I just... I hope they're not..." You pause for a moment, trying to find the right word. "...Disappointed?" You grimace when your boyfriend suddenly throws his head back in such voracious laughter, that you swear you saw a few hysterical tears.

"Are ya jokin'?" he all but wheezes. "Yer the libero for the national volleyball team, for God's sake. If anythin', I'd be the disappointment here."

"'Tsumu — " you start, but he interrupts you by pulling you in for a comforting hug.

"Don't worry yer pretty head anymore, got it?" he murmurs into your ear. "Yer wonderful, and I couldn't be luckier to have ya. My parents are gonna love ya. Honest."

A small smile tugs at your lips as you reach around his back to hug him back. "I hope so."

A year ago, if someone had told you that you would end up having Miya Atsumu introduce you to his family as his girlfriend, you would've laughed until your ass fell off and your stomach ached like no tomorrow.

You had been absolutely overjoyed when you were chosen for the women's national volleyball team, and you were so eager to start playing with your new teammates that you had decided to attend the national team's training camp without hesitation despite your recent knee injury at the time. However, you completely overlooked the fact that you would be working with the men's team as well, which would've been completely fine... if not for Miya Atsumu.

When you first met Atsumu, he was the cocky, annoying little shit of a setter for the Japanese men's national volleyball team, someone who you were stuck training with for the next two weeks.

You still remember the first words he ever spoke to you.

"The hell are ya doin' there, lil libero? If yer not gonna be able to save the easiest ones, then ya might as well sub out."

You also remember the first thought you had about him.

'Prick.'

And the first words you spoke to him.

"Can't you look at this — " You had gestured angrily to the knee brace supporting you. "And take a fucking hint, or what?"

He had sent some unapologetic, biting words right back at you and that marked the beginning of the time you have had the utmost pleasure of knowing Miya Atsumu. The two of you had bickered rather relentlessly (not too unlike literal children, despite the both of you being well into your twenties) throughout the rest of the camp, and by the end, for some unknown reason through some unknown method, he ended up with your number.

He started texting you constantly, and as much as you tried to convince your foolish self that he was just a nuisance, you found yourself responding to his messages like an idiot anyway. Throughout the next few months, you learned that Atsumu was far more than just his overly confident demeanor; he's genuinely kind-hearted, down-to-earth, and actually kinda hilarious. And eventually — neither of you quite knew how — the two of you were staring across a table at each other in a fancy restaurant as if daring the other to blink and lose an unspoken game, on a first date that neither of you thought would go as well as it did.

A little over eight months into your happy and committed relationship, Atsumu suggested that the two of you go to his hometown in Hyogo for a weekend to visit his family. You had immediately agreed with his idea, excited to meet his parents and twin brother in person, but now that he's leading you out of your shared hotel room to go do just that, your stomach's knotting uncomfortably.

Atsumu's been nothing but supportive and comforting ever since you started showing that you're nervous to meet his family. He was always happy to provide a never-ending flow of cheesy words and warm hugs, but you're genuinely afraid of embarrassing yourself. You want to impress his family and not have them see you as undeserving of their son, who you truly care for from the bottom of your heart. Atsumu is your first long-term boyfriend, and you would jump off your roof if you managed to mess anything up during the visit to his folks.

The taxi ride to Atsumu's childhood home doesn't do much to soothe your nerves either, with you fiddling with your fingers the entire way through while Atsumu makes small talk with the driver. As the cab pulls up to the address that your boyfriend had provided earlier, you instinctively clench your fists so hard that you think you might bleed.

A look of alarm crosses Atsumu's face as he notices that you're still just as anxious as you were when you left the hotel earlier. He thought that the ride to his parents' house would give you some time to cool down, but that had clearly not been the case. His eyebrows furrow in concern as he reaches over to grab one of your hands in his, giving you a comforting squeeze.

"Just breathe, darlin'." He runs his thumb over the shallow nail marks embedded in your skin. "If it means anything to ya, my mom's a huge fan of yers. For real. I didn't tell ya this before, but she's especially excited to meet ya. Keeps yappin' to me askin' how I pulled ya." You flush.

"R-Really?" you stammer, wide-eyed.

"Really. Who wouldn't be a fan yers?" Atsumu grins, pecking your nose. "See, ya got nothin' to be worried about. Just chill out and be yerself, 'kay?" You nod, some of the tension releasing from your shoulders as Atsumu leads you out of the cab, hand still clutching yours.

You're feeling a little better now, though your thoughts are still running through your head at the pace of a mile a minute as you watch Atsumu pay the taxi driver and thank him for the ride. Atsumu's mother is my fan? Your ears start to heat up. I hope I can somehow live up to her expectations of me…

“Ma! We’re here!” Atsumu shouts at the top of lungs approximately one second after simultaneously ringing the doorbell and obnoxiously pounding on the door.

“Comin’, comin’, ya brat!” A feminine, yet strong voice hollers in return. You freeze on the spot, your mind going blank once again. It’s happening. It’s finally happening.

The door aggressively swings open, revealing a middle-aged woman wearing a pink apron and carrying a wooden spatula in her hand. Her dark hair is pulled into a bun away from her face and her eyes, the same chocolate brown as Atsumu’s, are gleaming with annoyance. She briefly glares at Atsumu for his rowdy entrance before her gaze catches onto you, and her entire face lights up with excitement.

“(L/N) (Y/N)! It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

“M-Mrs. Miya,” you stammer out, trying your best to smile but you’re sure it looked more like a wince. “It’s good to m-meet you t-too.”

"Aw, hey now. What happened to my feisty girl? It's not like ya to be so lame.” Atsumu lays his forearm on your head, effectively using you as an armrest. You jerk away, scowling.

“Shut the hell up, asshat,” you snap without thinking. About half a second later, regret slams into your body like a truck. Oh, shit. I just called my boyfriend an asshat in front of his mother. You were about to run off into the streets in utter embarrassment if not for Mrs. Miya letting out a hearty laugh way too similar to her son’s and linking arms with you.

“No need to look so scared, dear. I don’t bite. And it’s good to see that yer willin’ to put this brat in his place.”

“Ma!” Atsumu whines, pouting petulantly.

“Yer really losin’ out with him though, y’know,” Mrs. Miya whispers to you as she leads you into the house by your arm. “I’ve got another son; Atsumu’s twin. Osamu’s quite well-behaved. If yer just likin’ the looks, he would be the better option.” You can tell she’s joking by the merry twinkle in her eyes, but instead of humoring her you end up shaking your head with a quiet chuckle.

“I think Atsumu’s perfectly good for me.” The two of you pause to watch Atsumu practically sprint into the kitchen, and a few moments later there’s an agitated yell as proof that he was on his way to annoy his brother. You smile. “He makes me really happy, Mrs. Miya. You raised him well.”

“Aren’t ya just the sweetest thing?” Mrs. Miya coos at you, pinching your left cheek. “And so pretty too. I swear ya could probably clobber my brat at volleyball as well. You and yer teammate… ah, Miss Amanai? The two of you always caught my eye while I watched yer matches. Make sure ya let her know.”

You blush a little and thank her, making a mental note to tell Kanoka that. She’d probably find it extremely amusing, especially since she was the one who had given Atsumu your number in the first place (which, as you had found out months later, was because he had practically groveled at her feet multiple times. Dumbass.)

“Come meet my husband, (Y/N).” Mrs. Miya leads you into the living room, where an older, balding man with rimmed glasses is quietly flipping through a book. He gives a start upon hearing your entrance, clearing his throat and sitting up straight.

“Ah, hello!” Mr. Miya greets you. “I’ve heard a lot about you! From both Atsumu and the missus.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Miya.” You nod once in a respectful manner.

“It’s about time that he settled down with a nice girl. Make sure ya keep him in line though, got it, missy?”

“Of course I w — “ you start, but Mrs. Miya is already dragging you towards the kitchen. You smile apologetically at Mr. Miya, and he just laughs and waves.

“Osamu’s makin’ dinner right now. He is such a hardworkin’ and dedicated boy. Both of them are, really,” she rambles. “But Osamu sure can cook a mean meal. He and his twin always used to fight over who’s the better cook. But I betcha Atsumu hasn’t touched the stove since he left for university years ago.”

You debate telling her that Atsumu had made quite a decent meal for the two of you just last week to celebrate your eight-month anniversary (which you hadn’t even known he remembered), but before you can formulate the right words in your head you’re suddenly shoved in the path of an unfamiliar man. Well, not really unfamiliar. He has the same face as the boyfriend who you see every day, after all.

Miya Osamu is (as expected) the literal carbon copy of Atsumu; same strong eyebrows, same hooded eyes, same angular jawline. The only thing that easily sets them apart is his black, ruffled mess of hair in stark contrast with your boyfriend’s bleached blonde.

Mrs. Miya pulls Atsumu away from the two of you, demanding that he help her with some mundane task, leaving you and Osamu by yourselves in the kitchen.

An easy smile graces his lips as he sticks out his hand. “Hey, I’m Osamu. Honored to finally meet the famous (L/N) (Y/N).” You smile back, gripping his hand firmly and shaking.

“And I’m honored to meet the famous ‘Samu.” At your words, Osamu bursts out laughing.

“Man, I don’t really let a lot of people call me that, y’know? But if yer gonna be part of the family, you could be an exception.”

“F-Family?” You pause, your sudden confidence dissipating as fast as it had come.

“Naw, no pressure. Just sayin’.” Osamu casually continues with his task of shaping onigiri. “I can tell he really likes ya.” You raise your eyebrows in curiosity without entirely meaning to. “I mean, we’re twins, it’s like a sixth sense. And also he never shuts up about ya when we text or call.”

“I hope you’re hearing all good things?” you quip jokingly.

“Oh, for sure. If I didn’t know who you were I’d think that he’s talkin’ about the reincarnation of a goddess with the way he talks.”

“Seriously?” You snort, and Osamu just laughs.

“So I’d like to ask ya the favor of continuin’ to take care of him. Guy’s just a huge ass baby. I can obviously see that yer good for him, though. He wouldn’t have stayed for so long if he wasn’t serious.”

The two of you briefly glance at Atsumu helping his mother set the table. They’re currently debating over whether Atsumu should go back to his natural hair color and “Stop makin’ yer hair look like fuckin’ straw!”

“He is a huge ass baby,” you start seriously, causing Osamu to smirk. “But he’s an honest and good person, so I’m not too bothered. I’ll take care of him, promise.”

“Thanks.” Osamu sighs, glancing rather fondly in his brother’s direction. “He’s an asshole, but at least he’s a redeemable asshole. I’m glad he’s finally got someone around to take care of him. Makes us all feel a little more relieved since he’s away from home.”

You suddenly feel warm inside.

Atsumu had been right; you truly didn’t have anything to be afraid of. The Miyas have been nothing but kind and welcoming so far, and they even seem to already have a positive opinion of you.

“Can ya help me carry these to the table?” Osamu holds out a plate of freshly-made onigiri.

“Ah, sure!” you accept hurriedly, taking the plate from him with careful hands. You take slow, calculated steps towards the dining room; the last thing you want is to accidentally drop any of the food.

Atsumu and his parents are already waiting in the dining room, and they all look up at you expectantly as you approach them with the onigiri plate in hand.

“Why, thank you, dear!” Mrs. Miya chirps. “Helpin’ Osamu out! How sweet of ya — “

She’s cut off as disaster strikes.

You trip on your last step to the table, causing a single onigiri to tumble off the plate and towards the floor. Your mouth drops open wide as you practically slam the plate down on the table and in practical slow-motion, watch the onigiri plummet down, down, down —

Then you dive.

You dive towards the floor, in the same manner as you do when you’re digging for a volleyball.

And you catch the rice ball in one hand, laying flat on your stomach. You have a moment of mental celebration; yes, you caught the onigiri! Then you realize that you look like a fucking idiot as you lay face down with one hand extended and clutching a rice ball like it’s your lifeline.

There’s a few seconds of agonizing silence.

You want the earth to swallow you whole.

There’s no way that you could ever show your face in front of Atsumu’s family or even Atsumu himself now; God you’ve never been more embarrassed in your life, and over an onigiri too —

“Nice receive!” Atsumu suddenly bellows, clapping his hands boisterously. “(L/N) does it again!”

His brother, who’s standing a few feet behind you with a platter of chicken skewers, pumps his free fist into the air and joins in with a “Hell yeah!”

Mr. Miya starts laughing the same loud Miya laugh that you’ve heard way too many times today, and his sons soon follow suit. Shame is still flooding your body, but now you’re realizing just how ridiculous the whole situation is and you resist the urge to smile at your own stupidity. As soon as Mrs. Miya recovers from her initial surprise, she comes to help you up, and you can tell that she’s doing her best not to laugh as well.

“Are ya okay, dear?” she briefly inspects you for any sign of injury.

“All good here, Mrs. Miya.” You smile, genuinely and comfortably, as Atsumu comes behind you to wrap his arms around you and peck your cheek, still chuckling with a small note of pride. “All good.”

-

“See?” Atsumu’s smug as hell as the two of you enter the hotel elevator on your way up to your room. Osamu had dropped you off so there would be no need for another cab. “I told ya that they’d fuckin’ love ya.”

“Why’re you rubbing in something like this?” You scoff, dodging when he tries to pull you into a crushing hug.

“Because I was right.” He smirks. You roll your eyes to heaven.

“Well, you can’t blame me for being nervous! I still can’t believe that none of them got upset at me for diving for a rice ball at the dinner table.” You groan, hiding your face in your hands.

“Nah, why the hell would they? It was cool. Yer cool, Miss National Team Libero.” He laughs, reaching for you again and this time you let him bring you close to him. “Besides, like I said before, who could ever resist yer pretty lil face?”

“You’re a hopeless asshole.” You sigh, and Atsumu of course just chuckles, his laughter vibrating against your ear as you press yourself into his chest.

“I’m yer hopeless asshole.” He pecks the top of your head. “C’mon, babe. It’s our floor.”

You hadn’t realized how tired you are until the two of you enter your hotel room and you see the large, inviting bed. You practically jump onto it, burying your face into a pillow. “Goodnight…” you mumble sleepily.

“Ya gotta go shower and brush yer teeth first, idiot.” A pillow smacks you in the side of the head, and you leap up with a cry of surprise. “Damn, don’t be so loud, sweetheart. It’s late, y’know. Don’t wanna get a noise complaint like last night.” You turn bright red at the reminder.

“Shut u-up,” you retort. “I told you that we shouldn’t have tried to do it on the balcony.”

“It was fun, though, y’know! An experience. And ya sounded like you were enjoyin’ it, anyway.” He chucks another pillow at you, and you yelp as it nails you in the face. “Now get yer cute ass over here, we’re gonna shower.”

“You can’t make me.” You stubbornly lay back down and close your eyes, and you had peace for all but ten seconds before Atsumu’s plucking you off the bed and settling you into his arms bridal-style. Your eyes shoot open in shock and you flail desperately. “Put me down!”

“No can do. I’m not sleepin’ next to yer stinky self tonight, darlin’.” Atsumu laughs as you scowl.

“The floor’s always open for you,” you snap.

“Aw, yer no fun.” He steals a kiss from you in the blink of an eye; the only evidence of there being contact at all is a tingling feeling on your lips. You feel your heart melt just a little more.

“Fine. After we shower, we go straight to bed. Got it?”

“ And brush our teeth. Yer mornin’ breath is bad enough.” He lets out quite an unpleasant squawk when you smack him lightly in the shoulder. “Alright, sorry, sorry.”

“Is this just your excuse to see me naked?” you tease him as he sets you down on the bathroom counter before immediately removing his shirt to reveal his muscled torso. He grins wolfishly at you and shrugs.

“And if it is?” Atsumu’s eyes are zeroed in on the small hickey he had left right below your collarbone last night, which is now visible thanks to the way your shirt had rumpled after he had practically manhandled you into the bathroom.

“Well, I won’t complain.” You follow his gaze down to your neck, before glancing back up to meet his eyes and raise an eyebrow at him. “If you’re going to make it worth my time.”

About an hour later, the two of you are lying in bed together, effectively tuckered out and finally ready to sleep. Atsumu’s strong arms are wrapped tightly around you like a protective cocoon as you snuggle your face against his chest. The slow, steady rhythm of his heartbeat rocks you towards dreamland, and all the worries from the past day are slipping away.

“Hey, ‘Tsumu,” you mumble against his chest. He grunts tiredly.

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

There’s a small silence.

“...Thanks,” you finally say after a beat.

“Huh? For what?” he quips.

“For being patient with me today, even though I was so nervous. And for taking me to meet your family.” You crane your head to look up at him, contentment adorning your features. “I had a good time. I hope they don’t hate the idea of me coming around again sometime.”

Atsumu smiles that familiar smile, the smile filled with affection that others rarely get to see. His eyes are almost half-mooned with joy, his lips are curved up in genuine adoration, and his cheeks are flushed with color. You saw this smile for the first time when he set an incredibly low ball at training camp, earning the awe of everyone in the room, including yourself. Never did you think that you would ever have this expression of pure love aimed at you, nor did you think it would fill you with so much happiness every time you had the blessing of seeing it. He says nothing for a while, suddenly resorting to trailing kisses all over your face. You let him, closing your eyes peacefully as he showers you with his love, ending with one final peck to your nose.

“I'm sure they'd like to have you around again.”

And if Atsumu continues playing his cards right, he thinks there might be a possibility that in the next five or so years, you could truly become part of the family with a glittering ring on your finger.

Only time will tell if that possibility will ever come to fruition, but as you tilt your head up to give him one last kiss on the lips and whisper those three words to him, he knows for sure that he wants to continue building towards that future with you.

“I love you too.” He lets his eyes fall shut as well, before resting his chin atop your head and savoring the warmth of your body against his.

Only time will tell.

-

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