#but if i did i would suspect that whoever i was in my last life died in a tornado

[chukys-mouthguard]

good graces

you do something suspect, this cute ass bye-bye

featuring -> william nylander x female reader

genre -> angst/fluff

word count -> 1.35k

-> short n’ sweet masterlist

“Have you seen Willy on Spittin’ Chiclets yet?”

Your friend called to you from the kitchen as she started on making drinks while you were taking a bit longer on your makeup than you would’ve liked.

“Fuck I forgot, let me pull it up.”

You and William had been seeing each other for almost nine months now, though not putting a label on it things were pretty serious. Having taken numerous trips together, William constantly spoiling you, all while telling you he couldn’t imagine his life not getting to be your guy.

He’d gotten invited onto the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and you were excited to watch. It was one of your favorite shows, but you also were anticipating them to ask William some hilarious questions.

“Okay so, we gotta ask. You’re a young guy here in Toronto, dare I say you’re a stud! What’s the dating scene like here in Toronto? You tied down by a lucky lady, what do you have going on?”

William chuckled as you quickly flashed your eyes to the screen of your cell phone, seeing the way he blushed at them asking the question. While you knew this podcast had been filmed several weeks ago, you were still aware of what his answer should be, at least from your perspective. But as he hesitated, and stumbled over his words you could feel your grip on your eyeliner tightening.

“Yeah um, I’m definitely here for a good time. Not really tied down, just enjoying my time here for sure with whoever comes into my life. But, I like to think I do alright for myself.”

Pausing the video you emerged from the bathroom to find your friend with the same look of shock on her face as you currently had on your own.

“Are you joking?”

“He’s fucking dead. Not really tied down? Is he stupid?”

You couldn’t believe William had actually said those words, not really tied down. Had the last nine months been something casual and meant nothing to him? Here you were ready to go out to dinner with him and some friends, but now all you could repeat through your brain was that interview.

“What are you gonna do?”

You headed over to the bar cart, grabbing a shot glass and the tequila. Throwing back a shot before you hurried back to finish your makeup.

“I can’t bail, but he’s going to see a side of me he won’t like if he doesn’t acknowledge it, that's for sure.”

You’d arrived at the restaurant, the few tequila shots you’d tossed back calming your frustrations a bit, though you were still upset with William. Not wanting to ruin the night you figured the least you could do was power through a dinner and not give away any sign you were unhappy with him.

But as the dinner unfolded, it was as if anything William did was coming across as suspect. The way he smiled at the waitress, calling her sweetheart anytime she’d checked in or brought him something. The way he would place his hand atop hers anytime she’d stop by the table and ask if he needed anything. Your anger only building as you thought back to his comments on the podcast, rolling your eyes thinking that everything with him was just a casual fling to him. Despite how much he’d meant to you.

He caught you staring at him from across the table, you’d opted to sit across from him versus next to him so you could give yourself a bit of space to try and give him the opportunity to notice your mood. But he didn’t necessarily catch on, acting as if things were normal other than where you’d chosen to sit.

With dinner wrapping up, you’d all chosen to go to one of the bars down the street. William now noticed how you were walking arm in arm with your friend rather than by his side. He called out to you, simply getting the cold shoulder as you elected to keep walking as if you hadn’t heard him. Your mind focused on getting to the bar and getting some more drinks in your system, needing to channel your frustrations through alcohol and dancing.

William opted to sit with the group, watching you dancing on the floor with your friend. Figuring that he’d done something to piss you off, but he didn’t know what. Usually the two of you could talk through things, but it was clear you had no desire to talk to him tonight. And he knew better than to push you or force anything on you, simply giving you the space you wanted.

His eyes followed you as you made your way to the bar, a guy soon approaching you as you ordered a drink. William fully expected you to kindly dismiss the man, but instead he saw you laughing and smiling. Your hand resting on the man’s forearm as you were clearly enjoying yourself. He tossed back his drink in frustration as he stood up, making his way to the bar to step in before you’d do anything further to really anger him.

“Hey, everything okay?”

William smiled down at you as he rested a hand at your lower back, flashing his eyes to the gentleman with a bit of a glare. Only to be met with a smile as the man had recognized the blonde haired Maple Leaf that stood before him.

“Yeah, William, you know Joey. Joey Loperfido, outfield for the Blue Jays. He’s actually a really big Leafs fan!”

“How are you man? I’m a big fan of yours as well! I was actually at the game last week, great win!”

The two of them shook hands, though Joey sensed some tension and kindly excused himself.

“Really Willy? I was making friends.”

“Friends? Is that what you called that? I saw from a mile away you were flirting with the guy!”

He scoffed as he rolled his eyes, taking the spot in front of you at the bar as he signaled the bartender for another drink.

“Like you care? This is just enjoying time with whoever comes into your life, remember?”

William looked at you confused, unsure as to what you were talking about. Making you laugh as you sipped your drink, rolling your eyes as you found it hilarious he was trying to play dumb.

“I heard you on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, don’t play dumb! Has the last nine months meant nothing to you? I mean, you tell me all the time how much you love being my guy, but could’ve fooled me with the answer you gave Biz and Whit.”

William immediately brought a hand to his face, groaning as he realized now what you were referring to.

“Y/n, baby, look at me.”

He brought his hands to your face, despite your trying to push him away. A smile on his face as he looked at you.

“The Spittin’ Chiclets podcast is the last place I would ever want to confirm or announce you as my girlfriend.”

Your eyes went wide hearing him call you his girlfriend, the title not being something he’d ever used before. And while you wanted to be mad at him for what he said, it was hard hearing how amazing it felt hearing him finally call you his girlfriend.

“Wait, like, we are official now? I’m your girlfriend?”

“If you’ll have me as your boyfriend? Though after tonight I’m not so sure.”

Quickly you pulled his lips to yours, feeling amazing to kiss him after being distant from him all night. He smiled into the kiss, assuming that was your answer. And it was a good enough answer for him.

“But so help me god William Nylander, if you ever say some dumb shit like that again, you do not want to bring out my mean side.”

He chuckled at your scolding as he stole another kiss from you.

“Oh trust me babe, tonight I got a taste of it tonight and I’m staying in your good graces if it’s the last thing I do!”

[saphronethaleph]

Sith Succession Planning

“Master,” Darth Vader began. “I am curious.”

“...troubling, but go on,” Palpatine replied.

“What would happen if you died?” Vader said.

Palatine considered his answer.

“Why do you want to know?” he replied.

“I am curious,” Vader responded. “We covered this.”

“Well,” Palpatine said. “In order to prevent anyone from my family assassinating me, the legal results are meant to be an enormous snarl. Familicide is the main cause of death among Palpatines, statistically speaking, over the last hundred years.”

“I mean more in terms of what happens both to the galaxy, and also… physically,” Vader explained. “I was going to see if it happened through old age, but as far as I can tell you have only aged once since I met you and that was all in a single burst.”

“You were going to see if I would die from old age?” Palpatine asked.

Vader shrugged. “I did not see a way to prevent it,” he replied.

“Well, for your information, I intend to simply not die,” the Dark Lord of the Sith told Vader evenly. “I am simply built different.”

Vader looked his master up and down.

“You are not,” he said. “You are not built at all. I am built different, because over fifty percent of my body weight is cybernetics of non-standard design.”

“It is a figure of speech, Vader,” Palpatine told him. “It is popular with the ‘youth’ of today.”

He looked momentarily thoughtful. “Or, at least, so I am told. My advisor Jade told me.”

“I see,” Vader said, who didn’t. “Though I am fairly sure it is possible for Sith to die. I caused it to happen, after all.”

“Oh, Tyrannus wasn’t a proper Sith,” Palpatine muttered, dismissively.

“...he could do Force Lightning,” Vader objected. “I cannot do Force Lightning.”

“Then maybe you are not a proper Sith either,” Palpatine said, then shrugged. “But the fact that he died while still the Apprentice showed that he did not have what it takes to succeed as a Sith.”

Vader tilted his helmet slightly, and Palpatine waved his hand.

“Don’t even think about it,” he said.

“I can think about it if I want,” Vader replied, a bit testily. “But, as I say, I am curious. What would happen?”

“To the galaxy…” Palpatine mused, considering it as a thought experiment. “Well, I suppose that depends on the exact details, but I suppose Amedda would try to seize power. He’s pathetic, though. And I suppose you might try to command the military, but you’re no good at politics, so you would have to rule through fear.”

“I am good at fear,” Vader said.

“True,” Palpatine admitted. “But it’s academic, anyway. I have a plan in place that would result in the galaxy being burned to the ground if ever I die. And I have another plan to clone me so I can possess my own clone and return to life.”

Vader coughed, which was quite a feat for him.

“What?” Palpatine asked. “What is it now?”

“You don’t think you might want to pick just one of those, Master?” he asked. “Unless you want to return to life in a clone body in a galaxy that has just been burned to the ground?”

Palpatine shrugged.

“I don’t intend to test either of them,” he said. “Like I said. I would simply choose to not die.”

“I really don’t think that’s an option,” Vader replied, thoughtfully. “If it was, I think everyone would do it.”

“Built different,” Palpatine reiterated. “Keep up, Vader.”

“Then what about physically?” Vader went on. “If Dooku wasn’t a proper Sith, that is. All that happened with him is that his head came off.”

“Well,” Palpatine began. “I do have an absolutely enormous amount of Dark Side energy suffusing most of my bodily parts, to keep me in good shape as otherwise I would have suffered total organ failure.”

“Total organ failure… from what?” Vader said.

“The Dark Side energy suffusing most of my body parts,” Palpatine answered. “It also renders me immune to poison… hmm… what would happen if I died… well, I suspect that all that Dark Side energy would explode outwards, conveniently also killing whoever it was who had managed to kill me.”

He looked thoughtful. “Now there’s an idea. Perhaps if I do it properly, I can skip the clone phase and just possess whoever it is who killed me. It would be nice to be in a younger body.”

Vader raised one of his hands.

“What about if Yoda had killed you?” he asked.

“Academic,” Palpatine pointed out. “Since I chose not to die. Really, this conversation would be a lot shorter if you’d just accepted that answer at the beginning… it’s youth language again, but if I understand what Jade was saying right the simple way to put it is that I identify as immortal and you should respect that.”

Vader nodded slightly.

“...you said clones,” he pointed out. “Do those clones exist already? Or are they going to be started later?”

“Why does that matter, Vader?” Palpatine asked. “Do not think you can destroy my contingency plans. They are far out of your reach.”

“I’m more wondering something else,” Vader defended himself. “About your clones. Do they come out as old as you?”

Palpatine blinked.

“What?” he asked.

“Or do they come out young?” Vader went on. “Because thinking about you as a fifteen year old is giving me the heebie jeebies, but imagining a one hundred and thirty seven year old fresh grown clone is a bit weird as well.”

“You never talk like this around anyone else,” Palpatine said.

“I have an image to maintain,” Vader replied. “Fear. And so on.”

Palpatine had been processing something else.

“A hundred and thirty seven?” he asked. “Vader! I am eighty three.”

“Really?” Vader asked, sounding honestly surprised.

He paused.

“...you look good for it. You know. Considering.”

“But to answer your question,” Palpatine went on. “Of course they come out the same age! What would be the point of coming back looking completely different?”

“Couldn’t you just be in a younger body now?” Vader asked. “By cloning yourself a younger body, and possessing that? I’m just wondering why you wouldn’t take that option.”

Palpatine considered the question.

“Spite,” he said, eventually.

“...is that the only answer?” Vader said, after several seconds of silence.

“Yes, pretty much,” Palpatine confirmed.

[agathasvidal]

below the cut is a short theory/deep dive into how i believe agatha all along is going to end between agatha and rio. it is inspired by one theory that is doing the rounds, and is the one i originally theorised myself after watching episode six last week, but i wanted to depict the how and the why of why agathario is important to the show, and why i don’t think a ‘final battle’ will be clearly cut between a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ side

like many others, i think it’s reasonable to predict that rio is there to take billy, but she does not actually know who billy is because of the sigil. small things to back this up include:

1. agatha asking rio why she’s there in episode one and rio replying “my job”. agatha is like boom she is here to take someone away, and it can’t be me, and there’s only one new person who’s recently appeared in my life so who the f is this kid why is he important

2. rio saying “did you hide evidence?” to agatha. ironically, someone is being hidden in the closet from her…

3.. rio telling lilia “go on tell them what you saw” in the beginning of episode five. we can infer that rio knows that lilia knows who rio is. perhaps we could go one further, and suggest that rio knows lilia helped hide whoever she is looking for, and is almost taunting lilia in an ‘i really do see it all’ way

3. agatha’s “don’t” to rio in episode four, when teen is injured. it’s obvious, and has been spoken about so much, but i really think this is a moment of confirmation from agatha that rio is there for him, and she needs to beat rio in discovering who he is. it’s confirmation that the two are working against each other, but it is so hidden between their flirtation and tension.

4. there’s been a big debate about why rio would be a witch, whilst she’s also *potentially* death, but i think it was important for the show to portray rio as a witch so the audience know that a sigil would also work on rio, so she cannot discover teen’s identity. why else would they make it such a big deal about sigils only working on witches?

5. the significant of the no. 3 and agatha/rio in the show all hinting at the cycle of life, birth and death: maiden, mother, crone; agatha’s shirt in ep 5; the clocks being on 3.33 when rio arrives in ep 1, the amount of rabbits we’ve seen (3 rabbits/hares represent birth-life-death cycle in christianity and egyptian hieroglyphs)

SO,

to agatha, seeing rio means something is about to be taken away from her. i think that is their entire dynamic within this show, and their entire relationship in general, after the loss of nic. agatha is presented with rio which means she must work out what rio is there to take. that’s why she suspected teen was someone important, because rio was there for either her or teen. teen had to be one of two people. that’s why agatha viscerally protested the idea of coming close to death in the first trial. because she does not want confirmation that rio is there to take this boy from her. she does not even know who he is, but he is important enough for rio to involve herself in agatha’s life once more. he is important enough for rio to go out of her way and resurface old feelings that they both know, the other should not be resurfacing. he is important enough to be seeked out.

by rio taking away billy, she not only repeats her and agatha’s history once more, but she completely takes away the possibility from agatha that she could ever find a way to be reunited with nicky. agatha needs billy, like she needed wanda, to end the quest she’d spent centuries on. rio is not JUST taking another child away from agatha, she is completely breaking the entire, vicious cycle of longing and hope for the son they lost.

i think that rio thinks that is for the best. for her agatha. to stop this endless chase for something rio knows she cannot have. rio is doing it out of love, even though it tears them apart more than anything else ever could. that is the lesson that agatha needs to be taught: the cycle of birth, life and death. (yes i could then start hypothesising about agatha dying, but i think it’s been overdone)

so that is our potential final battle. a battle between death and life. they are made for each other, but that is ultimately what tears them apart. one spends their life bound to defying death, and the other does not get life, but is bound to upholding it.

agatha is Death’s life. but all death can do to life, is take from it. in the end, rio will always be agatha’s death. they have always been doomed.

[froggywritesstuff]

abed's rom-com | abed nadir

pairing: Abed Nadir x g/n!reader

fandom: Community

request: @lilfartbox1 (i am so sorry for the wait 😭) : please any abed nadir comfort / fluff pieces like theres a little angst of them miscommunicating their feelings for eachother and then find out theyve both been doing the same thing of trying to make the other jealous etc

content warnings: not proofread, fluff, angst if you squint extremely hard

word count: 910

A/N: yikes this is rushed but i recently started watching community again and this had been in my drafts for too long so i wanted to finish it

Abed knew he wasn't the best at dealing with his emotions, often turning to his favourite sitcoms and movies for help. Especially when it came to romance. He hadn't had as much experience with it as he would've liked, so when he realised he started liking you in a romantic way, he quickly became panicked. You were part of the study group, meaning if he started liking you it could potentially ruin the dynamic of the friendship. But when Annie told him you felt the same way about him, he knew exactly what to do. Except he didn't. It wasn't working the way he had planned. He'd been reenacting an age old trope; person a makes person b so jealous that they eventually confess their feelings for person a. He started off small, making sure you'd see him catching glances at some random student in the cafeteria, and zoning out as if he'd been thinking about someone else. That was half true. To make it realistic, he'd always think about you when he pretended to zone out. When someone - normally Annie, who Abed told all about his plan - would catch him staring at someone and begin to tease him about it, he noticed how quiet you would get, how you wouldn't engage in any other conversations and would even leave because you were 'late for something else'. He didn't like it. The last thing he wanted was to know he made you upset. But no one in the movies ever stopped their plan halfway. As much as he wanted to, he didn't stop his plan.

He suspected that his plan was working when you started doing the same thing he did and made him jealous. It was either that, or his plan had backfired and you thought he didn't like you so you moved on. Either way, he still felt insanely jealous of whoever you began to like- whether they were real or not. He needed you to confess to him soon. Very soon. Being so jealous as well as not being sure if he had any reason to be jealous was driving him insane, he couldn't even focus on studying. Not that much studying was happening though.

"Abed, is everything ok?" he barely even registered the question, and was not able to recognize who's voice that was.

"What?" he mumbled back, his mind still elsewhere as he spoke with the group.

"We asked if you were ok." Annie began speaking, "You seem kind of out of it today."

Troy nodded, "Yeah, you and Y/N." Abed's head perked up at the sound of your name, suddenly giving Troy his full attention, "Neither of you have laughed at anything I've said today." he said, looking quite sad.

Abed looked over to where you were sitting, the two of you meeting eyes. You looked at each other for a moment, before announcing to the group you had to leave, not knowing that Abed was following behind you. You stood in one of the more secluded halls, startled when you saw Abed next to you.

"Shit, you scared me." 

"Sorry," he said, making less eye contact than usual, "I wanted to tell you something."

You nodded, signalling for him to go on.

"I like you, Y/N." he was quick with his confession, after hiding his feelings for long he wanted to get straight to the point, "I know you like someone else, but I need you to know how I felt." as he spoke, the situation became more and more real to him. No matter how cliche the plot between the two of you was, it wasn't a cheesy rom-com movie. It was real life. And in real life, there wasn't a guaranteed requited love story. There was a chance you could reject Abed's feelings, and his friendship with you would be ruined. "I'm sorry if this makes things awkward between us," he said, a frown taking place on his lips, "You're one of my closest friends, but I couldn't keep this from you, that wouldn't be fair to you."

You watched and listened to his confession intently, seeing how genuine his expression and words were. He wasn't playing a character, or just reenacting a scene - no matter how much his confession sounded like it was taken straight out of a rom-com - it was real.

"Abed," you began, "There's no other person. I made that up." you explained, though a part of you figured that he guessed that already, "I only acted like I liked someone else because I thought you liked someone else."

He couldn't help the smile forming on his lips, "I made that up too,"

His smile was contagious, as you quickly felt your lips turning upwards into a smile as you laughed softly, "You should start making romance movies."

"I have no interest in doing that. I could but I don't think I'd find it very enjoyable." he paused, "But I appreciate the sentiment."

"Speaking of movies, would you wanna see a movie with me sometime?"

"I would like that. We can look at session times together when we're finished studying. We should also get back to the library."

You nodded, unable to stop the smile growing on your lips as you asked, "Do you wanna hold hands when we walk back or...?"

He smiled softly and held out his hand for you to hold, "I would like that."

"Cool." you took his hand.

"Cool cool cool."

[midnight1nk]

So, this week's episode...

[spoilers below cut]

ooooh, a Luigi-centric episode? This will be interesting :)

(the following is my live reaction:)

we gotta have the sponsor, also hi Mario :D

Happy Memes Giving, guys!

Oh god, the Team's already killing me with the found family stuff, STOP IT /j So much going on, I need to go frame by fram:

I love that SMG3's talking to SMG1 and 2 here

Return of the Side Characters (TM)

SMG4, Mario, and Meggy are such a trio, that we need to come up with a name. Well, we already have the Star Trio (Four, Three, and Mario) so hmmmmm,

The Primaries (as in the primary colors and also being main characters) "But Meggy's orange-" Shhhhh, don't look too much into it, also a version of Meggy wore yellow in the Inside Out episode

I saw InkCap going around which is honestly a good one too

The Sillies (??? /hj)

The 3 Musketeers

I got nothing lol ANYWAY, Tari and Saiko are adorable honestly

Listen, I am a Megari shipper but also a multishipper soooo "wow, two cakes :) "

Kaizo's here too, hell yeah

Melony, Bob, Boopkins, and JubJub.... found family, please? 👀

sorry I just love this so much. If the Team's gonna do a Christmas episode, can we have a scene like this? I already wanted to be 3 and 4 just going shopping together to buy the gifts but it would be sweet to see everyone at the Castle opening their presents. We gotta keep going

Turning Red reference! That somehow fits Luigi perfectly

That's actually very sweet of you, Mario

OH that's right, Mario tried to do a Thanksgiving feast last time and that didn't go so well

It turns out that anyone can cook, and Mario has improved his skills. Anything is possible, very inspiring. Be like Mario :)

"Maybe I really am adopted." PFFT sorry that somehow got me

Aww, Luigi, it's okay. Anyone can have bad days, but you always have your bro to lean on.

....oh shit, what a jumpcut.

oh nooooo, I feel so bad for Meggy CAN I GIVE HER A HUG PLEASE?!

also Three, really? Or are you just putting up a front and do actually care? Because you didn't need to come, but you did anyway. (Unless you were, like, forced to.) We all saw what you did in the "Welcome to Puzzle Park" episode, you tried to save Four & Mario. I suspect that Three's like "Mario went along and did something stupid...again." Well, Three, what else did you expect? Besides, Mario did it for his bro

Mario could handle eating poison sooo it's must've been that bad of a food poisoning. at least he's alive

also TARI NEEDS A HUG TOO, THANK YOU SAIKO FOR COMFORTING HER

and ooohh, Karen feels upset about it too. After all, it was thanks to Mario, Karen was able to bond with her kids.

NOOO LUIGI DON'T FEEL BAD, YOU DIDN'T MEAN FOR THAT TO HAPPEN

holy shit, that car was just speeding (very realistic tbh)

oh hey Old Man, you're free!

[*looks at watch*] Eh, screw finals. It's time for my daily heartattack

OH the voiceacting! Hell yeah!!!

woah Luigi, you were so lucky... OMG PFFT I did not expect the truck to just crash into an orphanage

He did it!

oh Mario got out of the coma, hooray!

also very accurate pfp

"HI GUYS!" "Hi Steve!"

...wot?

they really are brothers :)

(mario without his mustache is still cursed)

ay the alarmo reference is back!

HEY don't you start comparing them! he's doing a fantastic job >:(

HOLD UP LUIGI GOT SOME MOVES, GO LUIGI GO

[*sigh*] how did we get here for this direct to be accurate?

Four still having a grudge against nintendo is so funny to me for some reason

BREAKING NEWS?!

can we have powerpoint presentations on the Wii from now on?

"Year of Luigi 2" I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they did that in real life bc Year of Shadow is doing so good right now

wait... don't tell me... WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE GONNA KILL HIM OFF

AAAWWWWWW DUDE STOPPPPPP

TRUE SIBLING MOMENT

HOLY SHIT THIS ANIMATION HOLD UP

wait a second... OMG, IS THAT A REMIX OF PHOENIX WRIGHT CORNERED THEME IN THE BACKGROUND??!??!?!?!?! WHOEVER PUT THAT IN THERE, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

THE BROTHERSHIP MEME, love that

HOW DARE THEY USE MY OWN WEAKNESS AGAINST ME? THAT'S NOT FAIR WTF

LOOK AT ME, NO DON'T LOOK AT ME /ref

can we give a round of applause for this one bc wow this was incredible

anyway, congrats to _SunFlower_sl for your art being featured in the credits 🎉 as it turns out, it's 3&4 as Sonic & Shadow which is honestly perfect (manifesting 3&4 to join Mario in a future Sonic Movie 3 episode, fuck it I'm gonna write it)

actually, this might be a sign hmmmmm

.・-: ✧ :--: ✧ :-・.

BRAVO! BRAVO! This was an amazing episode! I was already in a great mood seeing that we were getting a Luigi episode but the Team really went above and beyond on this one, especially the writing. We got to see some development for Luigi too. I really did love Mario being a supportive and loving brother. As the oldest sibling, this has my stamp of approval! (No, I'm not crying, what are you talking about?) Then, just the little nods here and there with callbacks and references, I really appreciate that.

Now, let's not forget the animation, voice acting, and editing! Great job, Team, as always. You guys manage to surprise me every time. And whoever put the cornered theme, I owe you everything 💙

Overall, 1000/10, highly recommended! I do hope they continue on this streak of well-written episodes. (I wouldn't mind another funny/wholesome episode.) Give yourself a pat on the back, Team, every one of you did amazing!

That's all from me! Now, I have to go and study for uni finals, wish me luck!

[eluminium]

Skizz Week 2 day 5! This one is short and sweet! Just the hermits being helpful in the silliest ways. As always, thank you to @skizzlemanweek for today's prompt!

Prompt 5: Work / Rest

The first thing he notices is the darkness. His base is completely coated in it, which he finds pretty strange. Usually, he can see moonlight peaking through the various openings to his base, or at least one torch somewhere! Actually, how did he even get in bed? He doesn't remember going to sleep last night. Eh, he's not slept at all lately, so a memory gap isn't the most unimaginable thing.

The second thing he notices is that he's tied to the bed, but not uncomfortably so. He can still shift around and even grab things on the nightstand next to him. Whoever tied him here clearly took great care in doing it, even using softer leads and knots to make sure his skin wouldn't be rubbed red. Heck, there's even a few extra pillows strategically placed so he won't hurt his back or neck! How sweet!

The third thing he notices is that someone is in the room with-

WAIT.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-" He eloquently yells as he sits straight up, now fully awake and aware. And tied to his bed. HE'S TIED TO HIS BED???

In the darkness, three instantly recognizable laughs taunt him. One of them lights a torch, and yep. Just as he suspected. It's Gem, Grian and Scar. His fellow Magic Mountain people have betrayed him!

He scowls at them, which makes them laugh harder.

"Awww, don't look so grumpy! It's not helping with the wrinkles," Gem says with a wink. Little does she know that he's fighting for his life to hold that scowl on his face. Watching his friends laugh makes him want to laugh, okay? Even if they're laughing at him tied up on his own bed.

Grian approaches him, finally getting himself together after having had the laugh of his life. Skizz raises an eyebrow, and Grian only grins. "It's for your best, homie buddeah!"

"Oh yeah, for my best, totally. I'm not buying that for a second, G!" Skizz counters, crossing his arms. He's grateful that he always sleeps with something on, otherwise this would have been way more awkward. For them, not for him!

Gem walks to stand beside Grian. "It is, though! I found you passed out on top of your pyramid yesterday! ON TOP! How- How did you even do that?!"

Oh, so that's what this is about. How much he's been working lately

Well… Erm…. UHMMMMMM… Shit, they kinda have a point.

"I plead the fifth!" He squeaks, knowing he's been cornered. Gem gives him the most unimpressed look. "You're going to stay in this bed for today. No working! We don't want you to get sick again!" She says with an accusatory point.

Now, normally Skizz would fight this. Say that he's got everything under control. But honestly, he is really tired.

"Fineeeeeee. Only because you asked so nicely," he surrenders. They've gone through all the effort to make sure he's comfortable and also they TIED HIM TO HIS BED. Might as well take advantage of it.

"Wait wait wait! We're not done yet!" G interrupts, before he points to Scar. "We're not gonna leave you tied to your bed alone. Scar is gonna stay and make sure you don't try anything."

"Hey! You told me I was gonna get to talk about the Sequal trilogy and that new Outlaws game-!"

"SHHHHH YOU'RE SPOILING IT!"

Skizz rolls his eyes. Of course. He'd been goading Scar into his rant-able topics lately just to piss off Grian.

"You know this is not very good revenge, right? I like listening to Scar talk about what he loves!" He points out. He doesn't like how Grian gets an evil glint in his eyes.

"Well, you keep saying that…So we're gonna put it to the test. We'll leave Scar here with you, and see how long it takes until you break. Your comm is on your nightstand for when you give up."

Now this is something Skizz can get behind! A challenge where he basically does nothing and wins!

"Bring it on, G!" He smugly comments, knowing that he's using the tone that will activate Grians own competitiveness. He sees it work in action as the avian's face hardens.

"You guys are..something special alright," Gem comments with the most deadpan tone.

Grian grabs her shoulder and pushes her towards the exit. "You two have fun! See ya!" is the last he gets out before both he and Gem leave Skizz's base.

Scar and Skizz meet eyes.

"Between you and me, Skizzy, I know they put me here to make sure I didn't try to work, either. They're not very subtle." Scar says with a wink.

A hint of surprise crosses Skizz's face. "Really?" Scar nods in response.

"You don't have to stay here if you don't want to, I can just-"

"Nonsense!" Scar cries out, wheeling himself closer to Skizz's bed. "I wasn't going to get any work done anyway, and now instead of being bored in my base, I get to hang out with Skizzy Wizzy! Now, don't you think it's really stupid that Disney made Kylo Ren and Rey kiss-"

And the conversation goes from there. Back and forth, back and forth. Star Wars to TOOL to Watches to Poker and on and on and on. For any other Hermit, it would probably be a nightmare scenario. But for these two talkative nerds, it's a dream come true.

If this is what constitutes "mandatory rest" on Hermitcraft, Skizz can't help but feel even more grateful that he gets to be in such a wonderful place, with such wonderful people.

[armpirate]

Soundleasure | Choi San || CH. 25

Pairings: Soft!San x fem!reader || Strangers to lovers, fake dating

Genre: smut, angst, fluff, online sex, ghosting

Warnings: inexperienced!San, fem!reader, masturbation, online sex, camboy, first times.

Summary: You can do whatever you please and be whoever you want on the Internet. And San knew that a little bit too well.

After finally following all the signs the universe was throwing at him, he started living a double life that no one was aware of. Everyone in his daily life knew him as Choi San, the reserved and quiet boy who wouldn't raise his voice, and would barely communicate with anyone outside of his comfort group. But only a few knew him as Soundleasure, the man with a sexy voice and a filthy mind that had their toes curling just with his narrations.

He never thought of the possibility of those two lives ever meeting, he had always tried for them to follow a parallel route and had always played safe to keep his friends from ever suspecting that side even existed. But his plans will start to crumble when he gets a little too close with one of his subscribers and she invades his real-self and altergo's universes without being able to stop it.

Y/n will not only help him to keep his secret from his circle, but will also show him there's more of Soundleasure in him than he'd like to admit. 

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

Aprox. time of reading: 18 minutes

Chapter warnings: smut, virgin!San, first time, female and male masturbation, protective sex

It felt like there was none other than them while they celebrated that step forward in their relationship, trapped in one kiss, overwhelmed by the emotions both of them were feeling rushing through their veins as they tried to assume what had just happened.

—I can't believe I can say I'm your boyfriend —he cutely giggled against her lips—. Well, I already said that, but I mean saying it and it being true.

Shaking her head, her lips trapped his again while her arms kept him close while wrapping around his wide shoulders. They both just wanted to enjoy the moment, and they were about to... at least until the door suddenly opened, hitting his back with the golden knob. Y/n's first reaction was to check on her boyfriend, palming his lower back before she was finally aware of what caused that to happen.

—What do you mean to be true? —Seonghwa accused them, peeking his head over Mingi's shoulder.

—And why did you say date for real? —Hongjoong interrogated immediately after.

—Were you spying on us? —San tried to divert the attention from them, faking annoyance at his friends when they all popped up one after the other right where they were hiding.

—Because we thought you two were fucking —Jongho straightforwardly said while smirking.

—Or you were kicking his ass for arguing with someone at the party —Yunho shrugged.

—That's not the point —Iseul interrupted all the reasons why they chose to stick their ears to the door.

—Right, what's all the fake stuff about?

After Wooyoung's question, San turned to Y/n with a concerned expression, asking with his eyes something he wasn't able to vocalize. At the end of the day, he owed it to them, they had always been by his side, and he needed to be honest with them.

—It was my fault.

—It was our fault —Y/n rushed to correct.

San's eyes looked back at her with surprise, not expecting her to take the blame for something he started. Instead of stopping to look at him, Y/n motioned all of them to step inside that room, closing the door being them so no one else could find out the big secret she and San had been working so hard to hide from everyone.

—It was supposed to last for one day only, but things got complicated after my dad found out —Y/n admitted—. Being honest, it never felt like pretending because I genuinely liked San since we started talking —Y/n admitted.

—Really? —through the worry, San's eyes shined with excitement with her words.

—Not now, Romeo —Mingi interrupted him—. Why did you lie to us, instead of telling us the truth?

—Because I knew you'd tease me about it —San confessed—. The truth is that I only talked with Y/n via text and calls when you two found out about her —he pointed at Wooyoung and Mingi—. I got nervous, and I said she was my girlfriend because I didn't really expect you to find out about her. But when we saw her...

—Wait... Now it makes sense why you got in between her and that boy that way —Wooyoung squinted his eyes.

—I had already said we were dating, so I didn't want to go back and say we weren't, so I convinced her to play along —Y/n waved her fingers in the air when all those eyes fell on her—. And like she said, her father found out later and it was a lie we couldn't get out of.

—You two never dated? —Yeosang finally asked.

—So you pretended to date —Meghan tried to explain—, but you two liked each other. So, while it was a lie, it wasn't totally a lie.

—That's not important —Sam interrupted her—. Why didn't you tell us?

—Fuck that —Mingi huffed—. We want blood.

—Oh, shut up —all of them managed to say, one over the other.

—I understand not telling them, but not telling me? —Wooyoung suddenly asked.

—Fuck off —they all spoke again one over the other, while pushing Wooyoung's arm.

—So now you two are dating for real? —Sam peeked her head in between Mingi and Yunho, to be able to look.

—Do we really need them to confirm? —Mingi looked down at her— We heard the whole conversation.

—The only thing I'd like to ask —Y/n commented, interrupting the bickering that was about to happen—: my dad can't know. Actually, no one in the company—she looked at Hongjoong, being the one who had kept contact with some people in the office—. I don't know how they'd react if they knew I lied about something so dumb, but I'm sure it'd affect bigger decisions, so please...

As much as their friends wanted to act like they weren't sure about keeping the secret, their hidden smiles and the looks they exchanged gave away that her secret was more than hidden with them.

—Of course we won't tell anyone —Seonghwa was the first to speak, giving up to the pressure he was feeling with her nervous gaze among the group.

—How could we? You're our friend —right after saying that, Wooyoung's arm wrapped around her shoulders—. You're two liars, but I'm so happy you fell for each other —the long haired boy started jumping slightly, causing Y/n to move up and down with him.

—To be fair, I already suspected you two weren't dating —Mingi commented.

—Of course you didn't know —Jongho cut him off before he could continue—. We had enough lies for today.

Mingi only smiled nervously, letting that topic die for itself before Y/n stepped back from Wooyoung to look at everyone.

She hadn't been around for long, but it was obvious she fitted their group as if she had been by their sides for years. Despite their relationship being a lie, all of them could tell her feelings and thoughts were genuine. It was on the way she looked at their friend, or the way she had been caring for him the month they had known her. It was never a lie they liked each other, they just were slow at realizing it.

The rest of the night after that went by smoothly, with Y/n and San barely moving an inch from each other, going everywhere with their arms tangled around each other's body while Y/n made the best job she could to focus on the guests instead of her boyfriend -ending up smiling to herself whenever she unconsciously called him for what he was.

—I can't wait to get home —she mumbled.

—Right... Because doing what we think to do is a bit too much, right?

—And what do you think I'm thinking? —she moved her head back, just to be able to look into his eyes.

That confidence vanished away when she asked that question, with his smile suddenly dropping and his eyes tinting into a dark worry that made her snort quietly.

—Pervert.

—So you weren't thinking about anything else? —San asked back.

—I could've been talking about lying on the couch and watching a movie —she shrugged—. But yeah, I meant that I wanted to drink something more than this beer.

San's fingers pinched her side with a smirk, pulling her closer to his body to be able to hide his mouth in her strands of hair.

He couldn't understand how he got so lucky to be with her.

Y/n was a giggling mess when they broke into her place, with her head every few times resting on San's shoulder while they walked down the three steps that led to her living room.

—I can't believe you dropped my father's wine —Y/n cackled, taking off her heels to throw them away.

—I'm too expressive when I talk, and he was way too close to me —San defending himself, suddenly puckering with his words—. I bet he knew the cologne I used, and could even tell apart the ingredients.

—Well, you're lucky it wasn't one of his wines —Y/n's eyebrows arched in a funny warning—, and that we had free drinks. Otherwise, he'd have eaten you alive —she assured him.

—Your dad hates me, right? I knew he'd hate me after what happened in the office, I'd hate myself, too. Imagine if we had a daughter and an asshole was waiting for her half naked over her desk? I'd kill him.

He was too focused on his own yapping to realize what he had said, but Y/n did notice. Attempting to make him feel better, and make sure his eyes wouldn't have it easy to escape hers, she walked towards him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders to make sure he looked into her eyes properly.

—If we did what?

She knew they had been dating for less than an evening, but the fact that he was dating her with a future in his mind made her feel nervous, and cheesy. And the fact that San wasn't even aware of what he said, because he had it all assumed in his head, made things feel even more personal.

—I was just saying. It was a way of speaking —he started speaking faster, going back to his yapping to save his back on something else he had started—. I didn't mean I was thinking of impregnating you, and saying this I don't mean I don't want to have a family with you. It's just that it's way too early, but I'm serious about liking you and being exclusive...

—San...

But he kept on talking as if she hadn't been trying to stop him from the big loop he was in, trying to calm her down -when he was the one in need for some oxygen.

—San —she called him a bit louder—. Don't you ever shut up? —she giggled— It's the first time someone thinks of me that way —the soft tone in her voice immediately calmed him down.

San's hands moved to each side of her hips, pulling her a bit closer.

—And before you say anything —she stopped him before a word could come out from his parted lips—: this doesn't mean you can say you want to spill your seed inside, or some shit like that. But —she smiled cutely again—, I really like how you think of me as something so serious.

—Well, we've been dating for three hours, but I said what I said because I'm really serious about us. And that doesn't sound any better —he pressed his lips, trying to think of a way to form his words.

—We've been formal for three hours, but technically we've been dating for almost a month —Y/n tried to work better on his sentences—. And we've been liking each other for even longer, so...

His body moved first, bending over her to trap her lips in a soft peck that raised all the hairs in her body, enough for her to think about turning the kiss deeper, moving her hands to cup his neck in her fingers and make sure he wouldn't move whenever she wanted to suck on his plump lower lip.

—I can't see myself with anyone else either —she quietly admitted, finally managing to place his words properly so they'd make sense.

San was the one to take the lead, cupping his neck with one hand to pull her in for a kiss, moving his lips sensually on hers, making her weaker with each rub, just like she had taught him to do. Her hands were in the air for a short second, before they found a place on his forearms. And with the last layer of intimacy being added when their lips parted, San towered over her, sticking their bodies together.

—Y/n —his voice sounded raspy when breaking the kiss—, I want to do it.

—Do what?

His eyes opened slowly, showing a new color she wasn't used to seeing on him. Dark, mysterious, intriguing...

—I want to make love to you —he whispered, rubbing his thumb over the spot below her ear.

—Are you sure?

Y/n knew giving your virginity to someone was something important. She knew it, because she regretted it immediately after she lost it, when her boyfriend broke up with her days later because somebody else grabbed his interest more; and San had been treasuring that meaningful part of him for so long that she was scared of him rushing it with her. They had known each other for some time, their connection was off the charts, but it was still difficult to tell for her whether it was the right choice.

—I want to show you how much you mean to me through something I have been saving for someone special... you're that special someone. I've... I've never felt this way with anyone —he admitted—. Ever since I started talking to you I've daydreamed of how you'd feel wrapped around me, how your moans would sound in my ear instead of the speakers. And ever since I met you, it's only grown deeper. So, if you want to...

Before he could finish his sentence, her smile was soft and kind, softened by his words and endeared by that pure confession, wrapping her arms around his shoulders again to link their lips together. His hands held her firmly by her hips, pressing his pelvis against her lower stomach, just to move them lower on her body. A gasp almost broke the kiss, but San took the chance to slide his tongue through her lips, using all of his strength on his arms so he could lift her body effortlessly.

—Have you been practicing? —Y/n teased him, wrapping her legs around him.

—Wooyoung weirdly enjoys it a little bit too much.

With that confession, the tension was broken with soft giggles that were only stopped with some small and innocent kisses. And, as much as he'd have loved to be able to move blindly to her room, every few seconds his eyes half-opened to see through his eyelashes where he was walking on.

Y/n turned more nervous with each step he walked, feeling her stomach turning upside down when he took the last step, allowing her to distinguish the smell of her floral perfume in her room.

It was strange, because despite her not being the one losing her virginity, it for sure felt as if she was.

San left her back on the floor, aiming to get her naked as carefully as he could, dealing with her body as if she was made of glass. Every kiss, every touch, every gesture he lied on her skin were meant to worship the person he had in front of him, while at the same time trying to reassure her he was going to take care of her.

It was far from the rough and dirty sex they fantasized about a month ago, it was sweet and intimate, working as a way to express himself through actions -which she appreciated more- rather than words.

Her breath was getting heavier, lazily placing her hands on his shoulders, as his lips tenderly wrapped around her nipples, with his tongue licking the button until it was hard enough to jump against it. Her dress was gone, her bra was gone, she was only left with her beige panties, while he was still completely dressed.

The roles changed again, with Y/n taking the lead and San just looking back, when pushed him away.

Her fingers felt like boiling iron through the fabric of his shirt, feeling relieved when she took it off to slide it through his arms, exposing his tanned skin under the lazy light of the lamps on her nightstands. Although her kisses on his neck didn't slow down the feeling, having his body squirming with each touch on his freckles.

She went down on her knees, taking off the last piece of fabric remaining in his body to allow his bulge to jump free in front of her. His body reacted so quickly to her, that Y/n couldn't help but press her thighs together when her core throbbed with pleasure.

—Y/n... —San begged, when her tongue first licked his tip.

Although, instead of sucking him off, Y/n stood up again, guiding him towards her bed, aiming for them both to sit in the middle of the mattress. San stopped her from sitting, holding her thigh and guiding her to lift her hips so he could take her panties off.

—We'll do it how you want —she spoke softly—. Although it's better to start like this —she referred to their current position, with their legs tangled on one another while they faced each other.

Her fingers trapped his wrist, moving his hand to place his fingers on her slit, saying without words what he should do.

—Move them like that —she hummed, dragging her body closer to him.

While two of his fingers traced invisible circles around her clit, her digits wrapped around his hard dick to stroke him off gently. San was the first one to aim for her lips, giving her a peck that turned into an exchange of spit and gasps in a matter of seconds.

—You're so wet —he groaned, breathing her air.

—And you're so hard. I want to feel you so deep inside —she admitted.

San moved before she had to say a thing, sliding two fingers inside, causing her hand to hold him a bit tighter and stop momentarily from stroking him.

—Fuck, I want you so bad —her voice turned a pitch higher when he curved his fingers.

—Am I doing it right? —his question sounded way too innocent in contrast to what he was causing in her with what he was doing— Let me make you cum in my hand. Hmm? Can you do that for me?

Her body disconnected from what her brain wanted to do, moving back her arms to rest half of her body on the bed, offering herself to him. The sheets were gripped tight on her fingers when another finger was added to the other two, circling her clit while his digits pressed against that spongy spot that had her losing control of herself.

His other hand moved up through her body, going up her stomach through her tits, until it reached her neck, holding her so lovingly that it turned into an added point to the way to her high.

—San, I'm going to cum.

She was convinced he was going to slow it down and stop after her warning, but instead he kept the speed and the movements, keeping her legs spread with his whenever she tried to make the attempt to close them.

He didn't need to ask her to cum in his hand, he didn't ask her to give it to him, his eyes were communicating how bad he needed her to reach her high without words being used. And that need was replaced with satisfaction when the contraction in her pussy led to the biggest orgasm she had to date, almost losing part of her hearing for a few seconds.

With a smile, his body covered hers, reaching for her lips for another kiss, tracing her body with the tip of his fingers, only to be pushed on the other side of the bed after three kisses.

Their bodies rolled over the mattress, changing positions. Her legs were placed on each side of his hips, her hands covered his collarbones, and her chest was pressed against his while they gently kissed.

—I'll be the one making love to you, babe —she whispered, rubbing their noses together.

Although her promise flew away momentarily, making him think she could've possibly regretted her decision when she moved back to the other side. That fear didn't last much. Only until she went back to straddle him, breaking the small package she was carrying to wrap the elastic around his hard dick.

—If something bothers you, or if you want to stop... —she started, being paused by his hand pulling her back over his body.

—Babe, just do it —he assured her.

San linked their lips together again, with it coming up as passionate and deep since the very beginning, too sensitive to how she felt to notice the moment she took his cock and placed him against her pussy, pushing the tip against her entrance before she moved her hips down to take him in.

A roaring moan vibrated through his throat when her warm walls hugged him tight, gulping him inside slowly, inch by inch until her hips connected with his. He was sure he could be able to stay like that for as much time as she wanted, just having enough with feeling like they were one finally.

—Are you okay? —she asked, breaking the kiss to look at him.

—Okay? You're feeling so fucking good —he mumbled—. It feels like I'm dreaming.

Y/n linked their lips together again, moving her hips up as slowly as she could, rocking them back down to take him in completely. She tried to be as gentle as she could, she tried to hold in everything she wanted to do to him, everything she had been waiting to do for those four weeks.

She tried to... Until she wasn't able to.

Supporting herself on his lower belly, Y/n moved up, finding a better posture to start bouncing on him. A moan escaped her lips when her hips moved down, with him feeling completely different from that new angle.

Her body changed the rhythm, the movements, the friction... everything. Neither of them got time to get used to what they were feeling, because Y/n managed to change something -as small as it was- to make it feel completely different from what it was. And that made them unable to control their moans, with San's pleas sounding as a background to her short and cut off whines in between gasps.

In his eyes she always looked like that goddess he could only look at from afar, lucky enough to the coincidences of life playing in his favor to have their lives intertwined together by a mistake; but that night she looked completely out of reach. Her body moved so effortlessly on top of him, with her tits bouncing with each jump, and her hair swaying in the air.

When he recognized that feeling that was building up, it was way too late for him. His cock twitched inside the latex, and his thighs turned tense right, letting out a prolonged moan that marked the end of something that could've been so good.

Far from being disappointed or upset, Y/n smiled, understanding of what happened. Before he could even open his mouth to apologize, her body was back at covering his, hugging him while she played with his hair.

San saw her like a goddess, but Y/n saw him as a treasure she wanted to protect and take care of. After being surrounded by so many people with ill intentions, he was one of the few people that came into her life as genuinely as it could be -ironic though, considering how they started. With him everything was real, so transparent that she could see through the little flaws and like them even more. She didn't care about any small mistakes, because she knew what he was going to give her back was going to be the triple of her bet.

—I didn't even last for ten minutes.

—That's why you fingered me so well before? —she teased him.

—I'm serious.

—Why don't you stop torturing yourself before you feel worse, take off the condom, and cuddle with me? —she suggested, tilting her head— I will give you a lot of kisses, and I'll let you sleep on my chest.

When she suggested that idea with such an intimate tone, and caring gaze, San couldn't help himself but move down her body to get up from the bed, causing her to land on the other side of the mattress.

—I'm sorry —he quickly turned to her, making sure she was alright.

—I'm alright —she giggled.

San's little run before and after cleaning himself had her looking forward to the moment he jumped on the bed, lying by her side, sticking his body to hers with his head resting on her chest.

And that moment they were together, after sharing such a special night, made her wonder when things would start going south for them. She was used to everything getting out of control right when she was starting to be happy, she knew it was going to be a matter of time until something ruined the way they both felt about them, even if San reassuring hands caressed her skin to wash those thoughts away. 

Taglist: @brown88

[givehimthemedicine]

🛹🛼

lots of talk about why Mike reacted so negatively to this when he reacted so positively to this:

can we talk about how the Rinkomania reaction started in between those two things? right here:

at mid-season-2, all the times Mike has seen El use force against people have been super justified because there were lives at stake (or at very least, like in the case of tossing Lucas in the junkyard, she thought there were)

then Max wipes out, and goes "ooh it was like a magnet pulled on my board" and instead of taking that the way anyone would - that this annoying girl fell due to lack of skill and is trying to save face with a stupid excuse - INSTANTLY Mike suspects El. El, who's currently dead or lost in another dimension or whatever, must actually be lurking around here with nothing better to do than trip Max.

ok 100% accurate but I'm offended nonetheless

why did he jump to that conclusion?

the last time some inexplicable, physical but nonlethal hijinks befell someone he was talking to, he turned around and saw who was responsible:

so when Max fell, in that same gym btw, of course his brain goes turn around, look at what you seee

this was Mike learning that, oh, El isn't Superman and doesn't reserve her powers only for perfectly morally justified situations, but can in fact lash out about anything that bothers her, like the disturbed child she is.

BUT I don't think he actually processed that at that moment. he wasn't thinking about how Max did absolutely nothing that could be misinterpreted as a threat, and didn't deserve this. at that moment, any thought of justice for Max, or scrutiny of El's motives, was easily and completely drowned out by excitement that El might be there.

so later Mike sees Angela screaming on the ground with El standing over her, and remembers he has already seen El respond to a non-life-threatening situation with a level of force that didn't make sense to him.

plus he has that whole protection thing and I think seeing anyone get hurt is paladin catnip to him (see him rushing to Max's aid two seconds after telling her she's annoying). he has that instinct to support whoever's been knocked down undeservedly - yeah he knows Angela is an asshole, but El's response seems overboard to him, so while he doesn't go as far as rushing to Angela's side, he doesn't rush to El's side either.

he keeps distance between himself and El at the rink and leaves her sitting alone in the most literal demonstration of not wanting to take her side. he seems irritated in the car and downright pissed at the dinner table. I think it's true that he was overwhelmed in the moment and scared not of El but of the situation, but I don't think that's all of it, because then why would he be pissed.

maybe he's seeing patterns and thinking back on how Max didn't deserve that at all, and how neither of these things were very Superman of El and he's a bit disillusioned that she doesn't live up to the flawless superhero moral code he assigns her in his mind.

while the Angela thing seems WAY harsher than the Max thing, can I also say that a lot of that is due to circumstances?

Angela's pouring blood, wailing, an ambulance has to come, there's lots of witnesses. it looks baaaad. Max isn't injured, isn't too bothered, and there are no witnesses or real consequences. shrug. but it easily could've gone down much more like Angela. you can absolutely break a bone or get a concussion from a spill like Max's.

Max isn't hurt, so Mike just leaves the room, and nothing ever comes of it. compare to Mike watching an inevitably-to-be-arrested El sit stewing in the aftermath as dozens of Angela's sympathizers watch her get checked for brain damage by EMTs.

it's little wonder Mike has such a different reaction in the moment, even though El's actions in these two scenes actually isn't totally night and day.

El's force was more deliberately focused on Angela, and I think El did intend to hurt Angela in a way she didn't intend to hurt Max (El yoinked the skateboard rather than bodily targeting Max herself, but her intent was still to make Max fall, and she could have been comparably injured as a result).

like, up til the point of "El gets mad and lashes out" these are similar - the way the aftermath unfolds just happens to take the best and worst possible paths, respectively.

and before you want to point out that the Angela thing was a reaction of anger and the Max was just about puppy love jealousy, no, that was anger. Max is literally the first thing El thinks of when Kali says to think of something that angers her.

tldr; rinkomania is just a nightmare remix of the gym scene to Mike

[fablesrose]

Ch 17 - The Three Strikes Job

Series Rewrite Masterlist 

Pairing: Eliot Spencer x Ford!Reader

Description: When Lieutenant Bonanno gets shot, the team goes after a corrupt mayor to get justice.

Words: 4682

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

“So, is he going to be okay?” Parker asked.

Nate had just come in and explained the situation. Lieutenant Bonanno from the State Police was in the hospital after a shooting. It was pretty serious and while it was likely he would pull through, it wasn’t a guarantee. He was still in a coma and there were no current suspects.

“They don’t know,” Nate said, pacing the front of the room, clearly upset and drunk. 

“Okay, this guy’s a cop,” Tara pointed out. “You’re thieves-”

“I’m not a thief!” Nate declared, but then sat down. “Bonanno, is the cop we tip off when we need to put the cuffs on a mark.”

“You do realize we’re gonna be covering the same ground as the state cops on this one,” Hardison asked. “Hundreds of angry, highly motivated state cops.”

“By the way guys,” Eliot piped up, “whoever shot him up, was using military grade weaponry.”

“Well you know what, I don’t care!” Nate yelled. I flinched back, not expecting him to raise his voice so suddenly. He continued, his voice still raised, “I don’t care about that. This guy dedicated his life to doing the right thing! And this is his payback? I mean, his family’s pain is what he deserves? If we don’t settle the score on this, why do we do this? Do you understand?”

I curled myself into the corner of the couch. I could feel my eyes tearing up, both at the visualization of him and his family suffering and the fact that I didn’t like when people yelled. As far as I could remember there had never been a reason for the discomfort, maybe it’s something natural. And though Nate or my dad very rarely yelled when I was growing up, when they did, it was understandable if not deserved like when I did something stupidly dangerous and it did scare me enough so I never did it again. 

There was an ever stretching silence before Eliot leaned forward in the chair next to me and asked Hardison, “What are Bonanno’s active files?”

It didn’t take long at all for Hardison to pull them up on the screen, “According to the State Police database, Bonanno had half a dozen open cases. The most recent one was a protection racket out of Arcadia, but the cops were focusing on an auto theft ring out of Waynesboro. Let’s just say if you’ve jacked a car in Massachusetts in the last year, your head’s gonna be bouncing off a cruiser by dinner time.”

Nate stared at one case on the screen in particular, “What’s that one?”

“That’s public corruption,” Hardison answered, “there’s practically no files on that thing.”

“That’s it,” I blurted out before I could even process the thought. There was something about that case that just felt right. Or more accurately, it felt wrong in a way that mattered in this scenario. A public corruption case with no files on it was fishy on its own, but the fact that it was one of Bonanno’s cases, a guy who seemed to live for justice and from what Nate said, ‘doing the right thing?’ It pushed it over the edge of deniability. 

“What? No, no, y/n-” Hardison insisted, “These other two files, they involve violent criminals. This one? It, its-”

“No no no,” Nate cut Hardison off, “she’s right, that’s it. Just… check the shooting, put up the scene.”

Hardison quickly threw the crime scene photos up on the screen. All concrete and blood splatters. 

“Okay, so Bonanno goes to a remote location,” Nate talks it out, “alone, no backup. That means he knows his attackers and he’s not expecting any trouble. What did you just say?” He asked Hardison, “No files on it?”

Hardison shook his head. 

“So,” Nate continued, “Bonanno, was keeping this investigation, off the books.”

“It explains the secret meeting,” Tara relented. “Off hours, away from any witnesses.”

“Cops are looking in the wrong place,” Eliot said. He then leaned towards me and whispered, “Nice job, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t help the shiver that I felt flow through me at his praise. I smiled softly at him with a nod before turning my attention back to Nate who was pacing in front of the room. 

“Absolutely, so,” he muttered, “That leaves, I mean, that leaves us.”

“So who’s the bad guy?” Parker asked. 

Hardison looked it up quickly and when it seemed he had the answer, he proposed an alternative, “or, or or, and I’m just spitballing here, we could just let the state cops handle this one. Call in an anonymous tip.”

“Come on Hardison,” Nate said. “How bad could this be?” It didn’t seem like he believed the statement, and looking around, none of us were convinced either. 

Our skepticism was warranted when it was revealed that Bonanno was investigating the mayor of Bellbridge, Massachusetts, Brad Culpepper the third. Someone who was surrounded by security, the press, and probably had half of the local cops on his personal payroll. No wonder Bonanno was keeping it off the books. 

Nate and Tara attended Culpepper’s re-election fundraiser posing as a real estate developer and a PR rep to gain some insight on him, maybe even getting an in. Parker was casing the mayor’s office, and the rest of us, Hardison, Eliot, and I went over to the Bonannos’ house to see if we could find anything there. One problem, there was a police officer watching the house for the family. 

Hardison dug through his box of different jackets, tossing out ones that said FBI, DEA, and others until he grabbed the ones he was looking for: Crime Lab. 

“You spend your weekends making these things, don’t ya,” Eliot asked distastefully. 

“Yes I do,” Hardison replied, “and does anyone appreciate that?”

“I do,” Parker said on comms. “I like the costumes.”

“I actually helped make these ones,” I said as I shrugged a jacket on. When Eliot gave me a puzzled, unimpressed look I said, “What? You have cooking, I’m still exploring creative, ‘making things’ outlets.”

Eliot muttered something but I couldn’t hear it over Parker saying, “I wish I was there.”

“Parker, we need someone to sweep the mayor’s office while he’s here at the fundraiser,” Nate explained. 

“Fine, but I never get to do anything fun,” she reiterated before she jumped off a roof, something I knew she enjoyed an unnecessary amount. 

As we approached the house, I had to jog to keep up with the boys’ swift pace. When we got up the front porch where the officer was sitting, Hardison cleared his throat.

“Is this Lieutenant Patrick Bonanno’s place of residence?” he asked the officer. Once he affirmed Hardison continued, “Alright, we’re from the crime lab. Here to collect evidence from the crime scene.”

“Oh, this isn’t a crime scene. We’re just watching th-” the officer tried to say before Eliot cut him off. 

“Wait a minute, I’m sorry, he just said this wasn’t a crime scene.”

I stayed on the front step as Eliot and Hardison opened the front door to look in the house.

“I’m just house sitting,” the officer insisted. 

“Oh no, he’s right, this isn’t a crime scene,” Hardison said. “Cuz he done walked all over it!”

“I smell soup,” Eliot said seriously. “You smell soup?”

Hardison and I sniffed the air. While Hardison said “I do,” I said, “I’d say tomato and beef, yes.”

ELiot gave me a slightly amused look, lifting the corner of his mouth and an eyebrow before passing Hardison to go into the house. 

“What happened, Goldilocks?” Hardison asked the officer. “Get a little hungry and decide to make some lunch in the middle of an active crime scene?” 

“I would never do that,” he said, lifting his iced tea in the process, looking between the two of us before lowering his hand, realizing his mistake. 

“Eh, uh, mm- Let’s see what you would do, move,” Hardison said. 

To the officer’s credit, when he looked at me and saw that I was carrying a camera case he offered to take it in for me. I adopted the boys’ stern demeanor though, scolding him, saying it was delicate equipment and ushered him into the house. 

Hardison dropped some yellow crime scene numbers around the living room, next to toys and what not and got the officer started looking for suspicious fibers in the carpet. He instructed us to search the rest of the house for evidence and DNA. 

I was searching odd rooms here and there, taking odd pictures mostly for the noise, ones I planned on deleting later. Eliot passed by a doorway where I was when I was taking one of these pictures, fiddling and experimenting with settings. 

“That another one of your ‘creative outlets?’” Eliot asked. 

 “Knowing a little bit of photography was helpful in freelancing every once in a while,” I said offhandedly.“Besides, it’s nice to have good pictures sometimes.” I looked up at him and saw that sunlight was reflecting on him from somewhere I couldn’t quite determine. It seemed to be hitting him just right, he had a slight smile on his face that I wasn’t sure was conscious. It was a moment I wanted to capture. I lifted my camera and was pleased to see that he paused for just enough time for me to take a picture. I looked it over on the screen and then looked up at him in the doorway, “it’s perfect.”

He shook his head, “Come on, you’re gonna delete that right?”

I hugged the camera to my chest when I passed him, walking into the next room, “Never.”

As we searched, Tara coached Parker through convincing the mayor’s secretary that she was pregnant with his baby from a one night stand to avoid her getting kicked out for searching his office. I struggled not to cringe at the awkwardness coming through in waves through the comms. I could only imagine what that secretary was thinking, but I had a pretty good idea. 

Eventually Eliot found Bonanno’s investigation notes taped to the bottom of one of his office drawers. The officer proudly came in with a twig from the carpet, delaying us from looking through them until Hardison praised his efforts and encouraged him to keep looking. 

“Looks like he was investigating a company called Kirsch Industries,” Eliot said, reading the notebook. 

“Seems like Bonanno found out that for the past couple of years, Kirsch industries has been buying up property on the waterfront,” Hardison said. 

“Found a file in the mayor’s office for Kirsch Industries,” Parker said. “It’s incorporated in the Cayman Islands.”

“The only industry in the Caymans is scuba diving and tax evasion,” Hardison said. 

“It’s a front company for the mayor,” Eliot concluded. 

“The mayor did say he wanted to build a park on the waterfront,” Hardison realized. 

“So,” I chipped in, “Mayor buys land from his own company with city money, free cash.”

The boys nodded with me before asking Parker what else she had from the mayor’s office. 

“Yeah, I mean, there could be a safe in here, but I don’t have time to move all the balls and bats out of here. He could start a baseball team with all the crap he has in his office,” she complained. 

We listened as Nate cut off his and Tara’s conversation with Culpepper and told us, “Alright guys, wrap it up. We’re gonna go on a little field trip.”

The three of us shared a look and went to start packing up our stuff. Before we got too far I stopped the boys, “Wait, since I have my camera out, let me take a picture.”

Hardison instantly wrapped his arm around Eliot’s shoulder with a comically large smile and pointed at the evidence in Eliot’s hand. Eliot gave one of the biggest eyerolls I had seen. I quickly took a picture of them like this and smiled at the results. 

“Alright, let’s get out of here.”

Turns out our little field trip was to the local minor league ballpark. We were some of the few people in the stands as the team was just practicing in the field. 

“I don’t know,” Tara said, looking over the field and then at us, “Culpepper doesn’t strike me aa the type to order a hit. Especially on something like a graft case.What’s the big deal, you know? You get caught, you go on TV with your wife, you cry, you get re-elected.”

“Yeah, it’s the American way,” Parker agreed. 

“Exactly.”

“Naw, this guy’s been caught in the middle of a dozen corruption cases,” Hardison said. “Each time he’s walked away and somebody else took the fall. This guy does not get caught.”

“Don’t know, still doesn’t feel right,” Tara insisted quietly. She looked over at Eliot, “What’s that?”

“It’s a page I found out of Bonanno’s notebook,” he replied as he stared at the writing on it. 

“The Maltese Falcon,” Tara read. “The book or the movie?”

“It means something,” Eliot insisted. “I just…”

“Okay,” Nate said as he finally joined us. “This is how we’re gonna take down the mayor,” he gestured to the stadium.

“Baseball?” Hardison asked. 

“Yeah, we’re gonna steal this ballpark,” Nate nodded happily and started to walk away before he stepped back to us adding, “And the team. Not necessarily in that order.”

Nate and Tara posed on the waterfront to get Culpepper’s attention. The plan was to convince Culpepper that we were gonna build a ballpark there and try to get him to get in on the action with some bribes from his re-election campaign. A federal offense. But first, we needed a team to play in the ballpark. 

Eliot snuck into the team, posing as a transfer and a spy for the owner. He started spreading rumors that the team we were just watching practice was going to be moving to our new stadium. 

“There’s only one problem,” Eliot said after Hardison explained his fabricated baseball history, including a catchy Japanese energy drink commercial. “I don’t like baseball.”

“What? Everyone likes baseball,” Hardison insisted. 

“I don’t like baseball, man,” Eliot reiterated, “Alright? I don’t like sports where you can’t score on defense. Football, hockey, even basketball. But baseball?”

Hardison turned to where I was sitting on the couch, “Back me up here, y/n.”

I glanced up at him from where I was examining my nails, “I mean, don’t get me wrong, it's fun going to a game with your friends on a sunny day, getting to see some home runs…”

“But?” Eliot egged me on.

I dropped my hands to my lap and made full eye contact with them, “It can get boring sometimes, especially on TV. I only watch if I can go to the game.”

Hardison shook his head at the two of us, “I’m not even talking to you.” He then walked away. 

Eliot repeated me under his breath, “yeah, it’s boring.” Before Hardison was completely gone he did ask for him to put on the commercial again, to which he obliged. 

Later that day, Hardison, Parker, and I were calling into radio stations with different voices and accents, further spreading the rumor that the Beavers baseball team was leaving their town. Hardison and I were equally surprised when Parker angrily burst into Spanish on her call.

“You speak Spanish?” Hardison asked. 

Parker just looked between the two of us, “Si.”

On the plus side, the rumors bumped ticket sales to the Beavers’ games by a hefty margin. Once Nate and Tara let Culpepper swipe their fake baseball plans, he was hooked. Luckily, it was game day, so we all went to the baseball game. Hardison, Parker, and I started a protest outside the gates to keep the Beavers from moving, dressing up and making signs. Nate and Tara were meeting with the owner, giving Culpepper the impression that the move was actually happening, and Eliot was playing catcher in the game. 

Once the protest was well underway, I set my poster to the side and headed into the stadium to watch the game. Hardison was able to get us seats behind home plate if we wanted them and I happily decided to take advantage of the opportunity. 

The game was pretty exciting, quite a few hits and runs by both teams. When the other team got a particularly good hit, the runner was looking to score, but Eliot threw his helmet to the side to catch the ball from second base and body slammed him, getting him out. I could see the smile Eliot had from the stands, clearly being won over. He shook out his hair with some of the most beautiful curls I’d seen before heading to the dugout. 

It wasn’t too long before Eliot was up to bat.

“Meet me outside,” Nate said over comms after his brief meeting and agreement with Culpepper. It seemed we had this in the bag. 

“What?” Eliot said in disbelief, “I’m three for four. This guy’s throwing great, I’m not going anywhere.”

I whined too, “Nate, I’m sure it can wait until after the game, let me just watch. It’s been ages, and this is a great game.”

Right then Eliot hit a great ball, he’d at least get to second or third base, if not a home run. 

“Alright, good news, bad news,” Nate said to the others though I could still hear him through comms. 

“Good news?” Tara asked.

“The mayor’s hooked, we’re in the pinch.”

“Bad news?”

“I think we lost Eliot and y/n til the playoffs.”

“Please, Nate,” I replied, “it’s one game. Relax. Not sure about Eliot though.”

Like I had said before, it could have waited until after the game was over. Once Eliot and I got back to McRory’s the team was sitting there still discussing the logistics of framing the mayor. Eliot jumped right into how great the game was and his performance. 

“Excuse your rudeness,” Hardison said, “I’m explaining the con. It’s very complicated.”

“Really?” Eliot asked, “the mayor gives us a check and you deposit it in some company and you connect it back to him. Looks like he’s embezzling from his campaign funds.” He then made a shocked face that made me laugh. 

“At least you can’t say he isn’t picking up what you do and how all this usually works, Hardison,” I said. 

Hardison gave me a bitter nod before cutting Eliot off again when he started gushing again, “but that’s not all there is, alright? There’s the Bonanno thing.”

“What? We give Bonanno’s notes to the newspaper, man? They named a sandwich after me ad T.J. Philbin’s!” Eliot would not be stopped. 

The rest of the team was finally very impressed. 

“I’ll give it to you, man, the sandwich thing’s pretty cool,” Hardison finally relented. The two of them shared a fancy little handshake in excitement. 

Nate’s phone rang, “I’m sorry, this is the mayor, is this an okay time to take the call or…”

Eliot gave him permission and Nate stepped to the side with a “congrats on the sandwich.”

Eliot finally sat down with the rest of us, still excitedly telling the team how the game went and his last time at bat. I couldn’t help but just watch him. His excitement was infectious. I only tore my eyes away when I thought I felt eyes on me. I turned my head slightly to see that Tara was looking at me with a slightly tilted head. I tilted my own back at her in question but was denied an answer when Nate came back over to the table with an address written down, asking Hardison to look it up. 

“The address is right in the middle of the Bellbridge waterfront,” Hardison answered. 

“It’s a walk away,” Eliot said simply. 

“Look, this is even better,” Nate insisted, “because he has partners, so this is our chance to bring them down too.”

“But if the bribe is in cash, the con doesn’t work,” Parker pointed out. 

“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in cash we’re gonna get? It had to have come from somewhere. Hardison can track it.”

“Uh, no Hardison can not,” Hardison corrected. 

Nate was not giving up, “Look, you kept saying you don’t think the mayor’s the kind of guy to kill a cop, right?” He asked Tara. 

“So let’s go meet the kind of guys who kill cops on the waterfront,” Tara repeated condescendingly, “That’s a solid plan.”

“I’m sorry,” Eliot said, “Where are these partners coming from, huh? And why did they just show up?”

“This is such a bad idea,” I said to myself. 

“And the Maltese Falcon thing, it’s just weird,” Parker pointed out. 

“Okay, enough!” Nate blurted out. “We are talking about bringing down a corrupt mayor and cleaning up a city. I mean, it’s huge. It’s probably the biggest thing we’ve ever done.”

“They’re not handing out trophies for this,” Eliot retorted. 

“Why does it matter that it would be the biggest thing we’ve ever done, Nate?” I asked him seriously. “I don’t know if we should put our lives on the line, we don’t know how far this corruption goes!”

“We don’t always win, man,” Hardison said. 

“But we never quit,” Nate emphasized. 

“Maybe we should,” I said before I could stop myself. 

Everyone looked at me, no one agreeing or disagreeing with me. 

Nate gave me a hard look, “I never asked you to join the team, y/n. I love you, but you don’t have to be here.”

He waited for me to say something, to stand up and walk away. I didn’t though. I stared him down with a clenched jaw. I wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how manipulative he was going to be. This was my team, if not my family. Whether Nate or anyone else wanted me here or not, I was staying.

“Okay,” Nate said once he saw I wasn’t leaving, “you guys check out security,” he said, gesturing to Eliot and Hardison. He then turned back to me and Parker, “you two do the perimeter, yeah? And we’ll be on the inside,” he finished with himself and Tara. “Look, we’re gonna do this, we can do it. We’re gonna bring this guy down.”

There was no acknowledgement from the rest of us at the table as he walked away. This was dangerous.

We all loaded into Hardison’s van to go to the waterfront. Hardison and Eliot posed as the Department of Homeland Security to “check out anti terrorism security measures” as a facade to bug the security. What they found instead was no security at all, meaning that the $20 million in federal funds to install high end equipment went missing. 

Nate and Tara walked into the suspicious looking warehouse to meet with the mayor and his partners while Parker and I split up to check the perimeter. Parker went under the dock and discovered guys with guns guarding boxes labeled soybeans. The boxes were filled with guns and hand grenades. Probably where that $20 million went. Everything was quiet on my end of the area until six or so black sedans came careening around the corner towards the warehouse where Nate and Tara were with the mayor. They were discussing where the mayor’s partners were when I spoke up to warn them.

Before I could do so, a wicked amount of feedback came through the comms causing me to cringe. 

“Someone’s transmitting on our frequency,” Hardison explained. 

“Yeah, well, Nate and Tara, you have company from out here, six cars just pulled up surrounding the building,” I rushed out, hoping to give them some time. 

“It’s FBI,” Eliot said, “and more than six are coming!” 

I looked across the water front to where they were and saw more suvs pull up with sirens blazing. I had already ducked out of sight when the first cars came, but now I started making my way around to the others, staying low. Once I got back to the van, I saw that the others were already there, pulling on FBI jackets with Hardison doing stuff on his computer. 

“So the guy who put out a hit on a police detective is an FBI snitch?” Parker asked. “That’s not fair.”

“Of course he’s a snitch,” I sighed in resignation as Eliot handed me a jacket to pull on. 

Hardison was able to identify a nearby federal ID cell phone and called it, “you come in and we kill all the hostages. … Oh you thought the mayor was the only one? No, we got a whole Sunday school up in here, we got old folks, we got nuns, and we have explosives. You come in and you make headlines.” He hung up before the agent could respond, back to working on his laptop. 

“Scary, but effective,” I commented as I watched the warehouse, the agents not moving in. 

“Well now we know why he didn’t go down for any of the corruption cases, cuz he’s a snitch,” Tara said angrily. 

“Well, you know, it’s possible that he doesn’t know anything about Bonanno getting shot,” Nate thought out loud. 

The mayor in fact did know about it. Nate got as angry as I’d ever heard him, yelling about Bonanno’s family and how he almost died. 

“Nate I bought you some time,” Hardison said, “but about now we’ve got a whole army of five-O coming down on us… It’s a big day, big big day for us.”

“You have to let him go,” I heard Tara say. 

“No!” Nate said.

“Then kill him now, we have to get out of here!”

“Shit,” I whispered to myself, this was getting worse by the second. 

There was a large crash, but it sounded like the mayor was still alive.

“Alright, we’ll deal with him later,” Nate said. He then relayed a plan, a dumb plan, to get him and Tara out of the warehouse. It involved them all walking out of the warehouse as hostages, a sign of good will, releasing one hostage. What would really happen would be that one hostage would come out of the three doors of the warehouse, one for Nate, Tara, and Culpepper. 

“No, Nate, man, are you kidding me? That is the worst plan I’ve ever heard!” Hardison said. 

“Look, he needs a distraction,” Eliot said. 

“I mean, we did just find a box of ammo and explosives,” Parker pointed out. “Boom, I’m just saying.”

“The problem is in the delivery,” Eliot said. 

“And the detonator,” Hardison added. 

The rest of us looked at the van with some hope and an idea. Hardison was not happy to say the least. He nearly cried when we started to unload the gear to prep it. 

“Sorry Hardison, it’s all we got right now. We can get you a new van, I can’t get another uncle Nate,” I said as I pulled one more box out. 

“Are you sure you want one?” Eliot asked me. 

“Still deciding.”

We got the van rigged up with boxes of grenades and got to work. Right as everyone exited the warehouse, Hardison drove the van via remote control towards the building, and caused it to explode, causing confusion and panic. 

Eliot, Parker and I nabbed one of the agent’s cars to use as a getaway vehicle. Eliot was driving, I slid into the passenger seat and was relieved to see that the front had a middle seat so it would fit all of us somewhat comfortably. Eliot picked up Nate first, who shoved me into that newly discovered front middle seat and Tara slid into the back seat easily when we pulled around the building. We finally had to persuade Hardison to get in. He was upset that Nate didn’t listen to us when we said it was a bad idea and the fact it led to ‘Lucielle’s’ death. We peeled out of there once Hardison took the last seat in the back. 

What a nightmare. I had a feeling this wasn’t over yet.

A/n: Reblogs and comments are welcome and encouraged! Thank you for reading!

Tags: @instantdinosaurtidalwave @kniselle @technikerin23 @kiwikitty13 @plasticbottleholder @mushycore

[apomaro-mellow]

Part 1 of 2 inspired by this post

Steddie, onesided stommy, hint of a daddy kink (becomes full fledged in part 2)

Tommy had seen a lot in his life (not really) but he never thought he'd see anything like this. Steve. His Steve (he should've been his), on the arm of the Freak.

The word had spread. One last party. One last hurrah in the Harrington house before Steve left Hawkins. Tommy still didn't know where exactly he was going. Was going to ask tonight. He wasn't betting on Eddie Munson being here. The rumors had been flying for a while. Steve had fallen from grace and fallen hard. He was hanging with losers and freaks, the worst of all being Eddie.

But last Tommy heard, Steve wasn't involved with anyone. Seeing the way Eddie had his arm around Steve, that was clearly bad intel. Or maybe the small minded people of Hawkins just chose not to see. To Tommy though, they were quite obvious. Maybe no one was making a fuss because Steve would be gone soon.

The point remained, Eddie was the last person who should have his hands on Steve. Tommy kept his distance and didn't that feel strange. There was once a time when Tommy was there, right at the king's side.

The two of them moved from mingling in the crowd of young adults to sitting on the couch and Eddie still had his arm around him, playing with the short hairs at his neck and the few moments Steve wasn't looking at whoever was talking, he was gazing at Eddie like a god and Tommy couldn't take it anymore. He downed the rest of his beer and walked right on over, taking the empty spot on Steve's other side. He wasn't quite as close as Eddie but their knees were touching.

"Tommy, glad you could make it man", Steve spoke easily like there wasn't a murder suspect playing with his hair.

"I wouldn't miss this." He couldn't help the way his eyes glanced at Munson. He was met with a hard stare. Almost like his mind was being read.

"So what've you been up to?", Steve asked.

Tommy indulged him in the small talk, but he was hyperaware of every movement Munson made. Of the easy way he touched Steve. And the way Steve just let him. At some point Eddie's hand moved from his hair to squeeze between Steve's body and the couch and put his hand on his hip. Then Eddie's hand snuck under his shirt to rub circles on his hip and Tommy wanted to bite something.

"Eddie", Steve whispered to admonish him, but did nothing else to stop him.

And Eddie didn't. While Steve told Tommy about his plans to move to California, Eddie looked right into Tommy's eyes as he nuzzled into Steve's neck and then the teeth came out. That got Steve to tear his gaze away from Tommy and look to Eddie. Steve said something that too soft even for him to fully hear with other people in the house having conversations, but it looked close to Eddie's name again. A very conflicted part of Tommy thought he might've said 'daddy' instead.

"You know, I think it's me and Hagan's turn to catch up", Eddie said. For a moment, Eddie and Steve seemed to have a full discussion with only their eyes before Steve was sighing.

"Alright." Steve stood up and gave Tommy a very familiar look. The 'know your place' face. "Don't bite each other's dicks off while I'm gone."

"My teeth are properly sealed", Eddie grinned.

Once Steve left them, Tommy's interest also left but not quite his intrigue. Clearly, something was going on between them two. Tommy wished he could just call them fags and punch Eddie and be done with it. But he needed to know. He'd never seen Steve this way. He needed to know why.

"Sooo, you and Steve are...?"

"Bingo H", Eddie smirked like he had won, which he sort of did.

Tommy couldn't help the scowl on his face. "How? You actually turned him queer?"

"That's not the part your curious about though, is it?" Eddie leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees while looking him up and down. "Whatchu wanna know is how I can get him to melt like that."

"Steve was never like that with any of his girlfriends", Tommy said.

"Let's just say I have the magic touch."

"Munson, so help me god-"

"Okay, consider this a gift from me to you, since I'll be hightailin' it outta town soon. But Steve told me the moment he knew was when I pushed him up against a wall."

Tommy had a lot of questions. Why? When? And how could that work for Eddie when he had definitely pushed Steve around before. Especially before he officially cemented his place as king of Hawkins High.

"That can't be it. I pushed him once and he just told me to stop being a little bitch."

Eddie laughed so loud that Tommy regretted telling him. But this weird thing couldn't last forever. Steve was going to California. Maybe Tommy could visit him out there and-

"I think maybe the fact I had a broken bottle to his neck helped my situation."

"You threatened his life...and now he just lets you rub on him in public? You're both freaks."

"I just think Stevie knows a real man when he sees him."

Eddie winked and then got up off the couch to find Steve probably. Tommy wanted to find him first. At this point in the party he'd probably be in the kitchen, hovering over whatever snacks he'd put out. Somehow, Eddie had beat him there, and he had his arm around his shoulders while Steve chomped on some pretzels from a bowl.

They were whispering to each other and then they both looked at Tommy at the same time. Steve brushed by Tommy as he walked by.

"See you later", he whispered before going on his way.

Tommy had wanted to find Steve with the intention of propositioning him. He'd never been with a man, but he knew what Steve liked from his talking about the girls he'd fucked. And if he was humping anything that moved like Munson, why not him? Something must have remained in their past friendship for Steve to get all that just from a look.

What he didn't get was why Munson was still grinning at him.

"Hagan. Thomas. Tommy? Can I call you Tommy?", Eddie asked as he walked over to him.

"Just spit out whatever you gotta say." Because if Tommy was reading this right, Steve was heading up to his bedroom, waiting.

Eddie held his hands up in surrender. "Just wanted to offer you another lil parting gift."

"I'm not getting high tonight."

"Not on my stuff, you're not. I was thinkin' a different kinda buzz. One courtesy of me an' Steve." Eddie got close enough to where they were nearly toe to toe.

Tommy fought off the instinct to push him away and bashed his head into the fridge. What kind of gift could come from the two freaks of the evening? As annoyed and confused he was by all of this, he was also intrigued. Eddie could see that and went on.

"Steve wants to give you a show."

Tommy's eyes glanced up to where he knew Steve's room was and Eddie knew he had him. So he backed away and started making his way towards the stairs. Tommy went after him, leaving behind drunk teens and young adults and loud music while they went up the stairs.

Part 2

tag team:

@caelestbliss

[animeyanderelover]

Can I request prompt 56 with Obito?Thank you ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

I’m back from my vacation!

Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional thoughts, stalking, mentions of arranged engagement, abduction, death

Prompt 56

Nothing had been quite the same. Not since (f/n)'s death. Since their murder. The entire town had been in an uproar ever since, questioning everyone and investing heavily to solve the mysterious and brutal death of your future partner. Well, the one your parents had chosen for you. You hadn't had any say in it when they had arranged together with (f/n)'s parents the engagement, didn't have any right to object when discussions about the wedding had beem brought up. Deep down though you had prayed, prayed to old and new gods to save you, free you from a marriage you didn't want.

However, now that your wishes had been heard, you didn't feel any relief. Never had you wished death upon them, nor any harm as you had known that they hadn't had much of a choice in it either. They could have lived such a long life, far too young had (f/n) left this world. All alone, burnt and murdered. Who would commit such an inhumane crime?

---

You did your best to ignore everyone's eyes as you walked across the marketplace, although your head hung low and your gaze was focused on the ground in front of you. Ever since (f/n)'s funeral, rumors had started to make their way amongst the citizens. Many knew by now how unhappy you had been with the arranged engagement and since no one else had ever felt any ill will against (f/n), you had quickly become the main suspect in this murder case. No one had been able to confirm those rumors though as you had been on that day with your parents who had started preparing you for the upcoming marriage, looking with you for the fitting clothes you'd wear for that day. You had an alibi yet despite it, the gossip hadn't died down. An accomplice. That's what you often overheard as people came up with the conclusion that you probably had someone who had helped you. The question would be who though, you'd be slightly curious to see who they might suspect as your partner in crime.

Not everyone believed the ridiculous talk on the streets yet their pitiful and sympathic attempts to cheer you up didn't make you feel any better. You didn't want to be pitied, suspected or noticed at all. You didn't want to be the centre of attention nor made different in the mind of the people only because of your personal connection to the victim. Sometimes you felt like an attraction more than anything else. You were slowly made into an outsider and you did not like it one bit.

---

Muffled voices from behind the door caused you to stop abruptly, right in front of your parent's house. Only your parents were supposed to be home right now yet you definitely heard more than two voices right now. You slowly put down the bag filled with groceries before pressing your ear against the wood of the door, attempting to identify the muddle of voices inside.

"You're sure that your child will come? They've been avoiding us for those last few days. Mighty suspicious, wouldn't you agree?"

You recognized the sharp and rough voice instantly, even if the sound was still muffled. It was (f/n)'s father, their mother was most likely with him. You removed your ear hastily as you knew what they thought about you, you'd known ever since the funeral where the mother had shouted and cried at you, blaming you for the death of her child. You understood that both of them were in deep grief and sorrow, felt hot anger for whoever had murdered their only child. An irrational feeling that both of them had turned against the first person available, you. They had been the loudest from all villagers, had accused you the harshest. You were innocent and felt unfairly treated, a part of you still felt sympathy for them. You couldn't bring yourself to face them though, you felt too ashamed and scared to do so. So you slowly placed the bag of groceries in front of the door before turning around. It took courage to face parents struck with resentment and grief, courage you did not have.

---

You awoke with a startled gasp in the middle of the night. Strange light was illuminating your room from the window and loud screams could be heard from outside. Many different voices were shouting all at the same time and made it hard for you to distinguish what each of them was saying yet you could clearly hear the sheer panic inside each and every voice. You quickly stood up and hurried over to the window to take a look outside. Your heart dropped and your face twisted into a fearful mask. Fire. There was a fire.

You didn't care that you were still in your night clothes as you stormed down your stairs, hastily put on your shoes and ripped open the door. You stepped on something as soon as you stepped outside though, the object rustling as your foot pressed down onto it. When you lifted your leg confused, you saw a single red rose lying randomly on your doorsill, slightly withered. You picked it up carefully, avoiding to get pricked on the dark red flower. For a few seconds you stared at te flower, trying to come up with an explanation to how that had gotten here when suddenly one of your neighbours called out your name.

"(y/n)! (y/n)!"

They came running from the direction of the fire, fear and worry etched deep into their face.

"Y-you...I think you should get out of the village." they managed to squeeze out in between their panting, wildly gesturing with their hands around.

"What? Why?" you blurted out confused before something clicked in your mind, a bad foreboding as your gaze stared at the brightly burning fire again. If you were right, it came from the direction of...

"What happened?" you asked in a suddenly somber tone, continuously swallowing down the lump in the back of your throat that threatened to appear there and make it hard for you to breathe.

"T-the house of (f/n)'s parents...it's burning! It's on fire, (y/n)! Both of them are most likely..." They couldn't even finish their sentence but they didn't need to, you understood perfectly what had happened right now and you also knew why they urged you to leave as quickly as possible.

"They suspect that I'm responsible for it, don't they?" you pressed out, clutching the rose inside your hand tighter, until you felt the thorns breaking your skin. You yelped quietly as you felt warm blood trickle down your palm, although you were far too stressed in that moment to dwell too long on the mild sting.

"They're out of their minds, (y/n)! They're scared! A few of us tried to stop them but they won't listen! I-I understand that this is unfair of me to ask but I think that it would be safer for you if you'd leave for a while. At least until everyone has calmed down a bit."

"How bad is it?"

"Some of them want to throw you in jail and use force to make you confess that you're the culprit. I don't think that anyone can reason with them right now."

The screams grew slowly louder in the distance, an angry mob that was coming for you. You had masked all your emotions behind a mask as you looked at them with an unreadable expression. They couldn't look you into your eyes and the thought left your lips before you could stop it.

"You're scared of me too." It wasn't an accusation but the stunningly soft tone with which you mumbled those words might have been even more unnerving. They flinched slightly, panicked eyes darting shortly across your face. Their mouth opened shortly as if to negate your statement but they couldn't bring themselves to do so with the way you looked at them.

"I...I'm sorry." they stumbled out, seemingly the only thing that they could come up with in this situation.

"It's alright. Thank you for warning me despite your fear." you replied, numbly stepping forward and walking past them.

"Wait! Are you leaving without any money or clothes?"

"I don't have time for that, I fear." you replied, glancing over your shoulder to catch a glimpse of the first villagers that came storming to your house. Your legs started dashing across the streets towards the nearby forest where you would take shelter for an unknown time. You wondered what would happen to your parents, prayed for their best as you continued clutching the flower as if searching for comfort in the pain.

---

You let your feet carry you through the forest, unaware of where you were going. You just walked and walked further away from the distant screams and the glowing flames and only when everything was only darkness and forest did you realize how uneasy you had been the entire time, holding your breath and clutching the rose in front of your chest, coating it in your blood. A few deep breaths in and out were taken as you took in the sounds of rustling leaves and chirring of the insects, reminding you that nothing would hurt you here. That's when you finally slid down against the trunk behind you, stretching your legs out and laying your hands in your lap, weary gaze focused on your blood-stained palms and the flower, shimmering bloody under the dim moonlight.

A long sigh left your lips, a sound far too old for someone your age, as you leaned your head against the wood behind you. You knew that the question of what to do now was unavoidable but at least for tonight you did not want to worry about it. At least a few hours of peace and silence. That was all you wanted. Heavy eyelids slowly drooped as you didn't even want to bother finding a better place to sleep for tonight. You were exhausted and just wanted to forget everything for a while.

---

Not entirely sure if you had fallen asleep at all and if yes for how long, your head shot up all of a sudden like you had seen in your past with alarmed animals when detecting something. A flash of something black had just appeared in one of the treetops before vanishing in thin air. It could have just been your tired imagination, it could have been just some bird but it had disturbed you nonetheless. Your back was stiff from the wood and your neck cramped painfully. You rolled your neck around a bit, the tips of your fingers digging into the tense muscles underneath your skin and massaging them to loosen them up. Your eyes never darted down though as you searched for the strange shadow from before, without much success though. For a blissful short moment you were able to convince yourself that it had been indeed not more than a fleeting imagination from your tired mind. Until you heard something that dangerously resembled footsteps.

Holding the flower in your hand, unwilling to leave it behind and risk leaving any traces behind, you pressed your feet in the hard ground and shuffled yourself into the ocean of bushes behind the tree. Your hands were still inflicted with wounds and nor did you want to open them again and leave behind a trail of blood, nor did you want to risk any infection. Doing it as fast as possible yet also as quietly as possible was a challenge so much so that with every rustle that came with your movement, your heart seemed to stop for a short moment.

Little twigs poked into your clothes, skin and entangled themselves into your hair, pulling it as you moved further into the bushes. Your view was eventually hidden, the limited light shining through the twigs and leaves limited. Only your ears were reliable now and you hyper-focused as you tried to pick up every suspicious sound.

Apparently whoever was out there though wasn't even trying to hide themselves though as you heard them walking to the spot where you had been resting only moments before. Knowing that, you stopped moving completely, not willing to risk getting caught. The tension was killing you and you would have given everything to just peek out of the bushes and catch a short glimpse but you weighted your chances and arrived at the conclusion that it might be too risky. The person walked across the open space, the pace of their footsteps increasing significantly after a while as if getting impatient or anxious.

"(y/n)!"

It was a male, unfamiliar and high-pitched voice that almost sounded fake in your ears. He knew your name so you couldn't do anything besides assuming that he was also from the village, only that you had never heard this voice before. Your home wasn't very big so everyone knew everyone though so the fact that this voice was belonging to someone you didn't know threw you off. Who else would know your name? You'd never left your town. The urgency in his voice was something that surprised you too, no malicious intent anywhere in his voice. Much on the opposite actually, he seemed scared for you. Nevertheless though, you stayed silent. You did not trust strangers who just knew your name whilst you had never met them before.

"(y/n), please come out. I know that it must be scary for you, you poor thing were chased out of your own village. I'd never harm you though, I'm here to help."

You sat up, slightly alarmed that the stranger knew about the village accident. That must have been only a few hours ago. How did he know? He must have been watching you this entire time, a thought that gave you slight chills.

“Sweetheart…where are you hiding? I know you’re here."

Sweetheart? Why would he call you by such an intimate nickname? That was something usually only lovers called each other or parents their own children. He wouldn't call you that without knowing you long enough, you realized with growing dread. How long exactly had this guy been watching you?

Your thoughts blocked out his attempts to beckon you to show yourself as your mind started peacing together the information like you'd done with puzzles when you were younger.

A stranger who knew you yet you'd never seen him who felt some form of weird affection for you. He'd known about you fleeing from the village mere hours ago so he had definitely been watching you without you being aware of it. Was he a stalker? If yes, for how long exactly had you been watched? Since before your engagement? If that was possible, how would have someone like that reacted to the information that you'd been engaged? He already sounded like he wasn't quite in his right mind so he must have reacted terribly to it. But that would only mean...that he must have murdered (f/n) in some sort of blind rage.

This man out there was the murder of (f/n) and their parents.

You felt your blood freezing in your veins as cold terror embraced you tightly. You noticed how your body had slowly started crawling further away as your survival instinct took over. You'd not stay close to someone who had murdered people for you.

When he suddenly started babbling though, you stopped, alarmed by his silence. Admittedly, you hadn't listened to whatever he had been ranting about but it seemed out of character for him. Had he lost his patience.

You heard him sigh, at least you had to assume that it was him. The voice itself was deep, far more deeper than it had previously been but at least it sounded real now. tThat must have been his real voice, although you had to wonder why he would feign his real voice like that.

"You don't leave me much of a choice if you don't come out willingly, you know?"

The voice seemed to be directed to the bushes as if he was looking straight at you, hidden behind the green leaves and twigs. All hair on your body stood up instantly when you heard his voice, your gut twisting around inside of you and letting you know that it sensed danger. You started moving faster as the sensation filled your veins, urging you to get away from this man as quick as possible.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are. I’ll find you anyways, I can hear your breathing.”

It happened in only a mere few seconds and you couldn't react or do anything. He just appeared, right above you. Hands shot through the twigs and leaves, grabbing you and tugging you forcefully out of your hiding spot. Your heart dropped down to your stomach when your legs were in the air flailing around as you were in the air all of a sudden for a few miliseconds before he lifted you up in his arms and seemingly transported back to the open field. The speed had your head spinning, you'd never encountered someone that fast before in your life.

His hold on you was consistent even when he slowly let you down, taking notice of your dizziness and holding you so that you could steady yourself. The world was turning an spinning and so did your stomach as your senses were overwhelmed with the buzzing dizziness in your brain. You wondered shortly if you'd have to vomit, something you'd rather avoid in front of a stranger. Your eyes closed as you took deep breaths, trying to distract yourself from the nausea and the dizziness somehow. You just had to wait until the world didn't spin anymore.

You caught multipe whiffs of his own scent whilst breathing in and out and the image of an old cave instantly popped up in your mind as you did so because that was exactly what he smelled like. An earthy and dusty odor clung to his clothes and skin which made you wonder if he was perhaps living in one.

"I-it's fine. I'm fine now." you stuttered out when you felt one of his gloved hands brushing through your hair worried, your eyelids slowly fluttering open as you blinked a couple of times. The world at least wasn't spinning anymore so you felt secure on both of your feet now, slowly straightening yourself.

He was wearing an orange mask as you noticed, black and slightly spiky hair the only thing that you could see. A small hole was where his eye should be, although it was weird why he didn't have another hole where his other eye was. You gazed warily at the one black hole, unable to see his eye due to the lack of light.

You attempted to remove yourself from his touch carefully only to stop when he quickly grabbed you and pulled you back, seemingly not tolerating even a bit of distance in between you too. You swallowed heavily, pushing the urge to scream and yell back down as you knew that it would be useless. There was no one around here and acting all hysterical surely wouldn't get you anywhere.

"You're the one who murdered (f/n) and set fire to their parent's house, aren't you?" you questioned with a quivering voice.

He tilted his masked face in an almost childlike manner which was answer enough for you and forced you to breathe deeply out and in, your heart pumping wildly inside your chest.

"What do you want to do with me now?"

A question you dreaded but that you had to ask. He hadn't come all the way just to introduce himself to you surely.

"You're coming with me. I'm not letting you wander around like this. It's too dangerous for you."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because I know how the world is. It's a cruel and unforgiving place. I won't let it harm a single strand on your head."

"But I have parents and friends."

You had said something wrong, you knew that the moment his grip tightened on you and he stood straight, towering over you.

"You mean the parents who wanted to marry off to some random stranger and the friends who wanted to chase you out of the village and hurt you? Those so called precious people of yours sold you, betrayed you and didn't even believe in your innocence! What worth could they have to you?"

His voice was poisonous and his grip tight to the point that it became painful. When you winced slightly and grabbed his arm, he luckily snapped out of it and released his hold. You rubbed your hurting arm, pulling it close to your chest.

"So you're saying that you're better than them? Despite the fact that you murdered people?"

"They deserved it! All of them deserved it! They were out to hurt you, imprison you and make you unhappy! I did it to protect you! I already told you, I won't let anyone harm you."

His voice became soft and sincere at the end and you knew that he meant those words. It could have been almost romantic if you didn't know that this was a deranged killer who had some weird obsession with you.

"And you're different?"

"I am. I'll care for you. I'll love you. I'll protect you."

He sounded eager as you asked him those questions and you had a suspicion he misunderstood your hidden horror as acceptance and your questions as confirmation. You couldn't run away though, he was far too fast so you had no choice but to play it safe.

"You say all of this yet I don't even know your name and your face. Seems a bit unfair, considering that you know me quite well."

You were sure that you saw hesitance flickering shortly across his body as he slowly reached out to his mask, paused for a brief moment before pulling it up. What you saw shocked you slightly as you had never seen something like that before.

One half of his face was covered in scars and you could only fathom what would cause such an injury. You had a feeling though that you shouldn't overreact so you kept your calm face and nodded.

"And your name?"

"Obito."

[2baddiesfanfics]

Let Them Talk

Pairing: Arlecchino x Furina

Tags: Party, Dancing, Slow Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Cake, Vaginal Fingering, Love Bites

Summary:

Neuvillette is throwing a ball to recognize Furina's contributions to the Nation of Justice and there's only one requirement: The former hydro archon needs a dance partner. With so many big names already taken, who will she choose? 

Read on Ao3

“…and that is why I am holding a ball in your honor, Lady Furina.”

The former archon blinked, unsure she had just heard Neuvillette correctly.

“Haha…I’m sorry, what? Monsieur Neuvillette, are you not aware I’m no longer the archon of this nation? Why ever would you do such a silly thing?”

Upon being freed of her role as archon, Furina had tried to live a quiet life. She no longer yearned for the spotlight, and the iudex of all people should have known this. The last thing she wanted was to have to attend an event where she’d be the center of attention.

“It’s really not necessary. I’ve played my role and now all I want”

“I’ll hear none of it, Lady Furina. You’ve dedicated your entire existence to the people of Fontaine. Now, it’s our turn to thank and celebrate you,” he interrupted. “Oh…and did I mention there will be cakes from all over Teyvat imported for the event?”

The former archon’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“As much as you can eat. But be careful not to overindulge. You’ll need to be able to dance.”

She looked at him skeptically. “With you?”

“Ha! Goodness, no. I’m already spoken for. The event won’t be held for another few weeks. I suspect you’ll find someone who’ll be more than willing. Pick out a dress from Chioriya Boutique - my treat. Tell her to send the bill directly to me.”

————————

Furina spent the next few days in her apartment mulling over possible partners, growing wearier with each impossible choice.

Navia and Clorinde will undoubtedly attend together. That’s a no-brainer. Chiori is always in that on-again, off-again fling with Chevreuse. Charlotte seems to be getting closer to Lynette…I’m running out of options…

And that’s when it hit her. She was a new woman, no longer held down by the shackles of what the citizens would think. Free to do whatever she pleased, and to pursue whoever she found interesting. Her self-esteem had been lower than ever after losing her lofty position, but as the days went on, she found herself adopting a more daring attitude.

She knew exactly who she’d ask to be her date.

——————-

“I must admit, Lady Furina, I’m a little perplexed as to why you’d choose me, of all people.”

The Knave sat across from her at the small dining room table, sipping tea the girl had prepared especially for this occasion.

“Lady Arlecchino, I realize we’ve had our own little…misunderstandings in the past. But now that you know the whole story - my story - I hope you’ll forgive me for bending the truth in our previous discussions.”

The woman shrugged. “Water under the bridge. What’s done is done, and life moves on whether we want to or not.”

“I’m happy to hear you see it that way. So? What do you say? Will you be my partner for the event?”

The harbinger’s index finger circled the edge of the cup as she contemplated the invitation. “I’m hesitant for one reason only - I can’t imagine being seen with me will do your reputation any favors. Why me?”

Furina had been ready for this question. “I’ve spent my entire life caring about what the public thought about me. Frankly, after 500 years of watching my back, I’m exhausted. At one point, you used to frighten me. Now, what have I to fear? You’re the only one who ever dared to stand up to me and speak your mind. I find that…enticing.”

Arlecchino cocked her head to the side as she gave her reasoning some thought. “Fair point. I’ll collect you at eight on the night of the event. Don’t keep me waiting.”

———————

The dazzling aquamarine dress she’d picked out from Chioriya Boutique fit her surprisingly well. It hugged her petite frame perfectly, accentuating her feminine qualities without being overly revealing.

A knock came at her door at eight o’clock sharp. She took a deep breath and grabbed the handle.

The former archon was incapable of speech at the sight of her partner. The Knave looked striking in her flawlessly tailored tuxedo, accented with a blood-red vest and pocket square. The harbinger looked her date up and down, a smile slowly creeping across her face.

“Good evening, Lady Furina. I trust you’re ready?”

“Y-yes…ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose,” she murmured as she took her hand and left her apartment.

—————————-

Neuvillette’s voice boomed as soon as the couple walked through the threshold of the Palais Mermonia. The administrative building had been beautifully decorated, no doubt with the help of Sigewinne and Wriothesley, who stood at the iudex’s side.

Ah, so that’s what he meant when he said he was spoken for. Good for them.

“Mesdames et Messieurs,” he began. “I’d like to welcome our guest of honor - Lady Furina, who is accompanied tonight by Lady Arlecchino, head of Fontaine’s own House of the Hearth.”

A hush fell over the crowd. It was clear the audience was in shock. Citizens turned to each other, obviously whispering their thoughts to those they came with. Desperate to divert their attention, Neuvillette cleared his throat loudly.

“Lady Furina, this night is for you - for your service to the Nation of Justice, I, and everyone here, express our sincerest gratitude for your tireless work and sacrifice.”

The crowd snapped out of their trance and erupted in applause. Furina smiled brightly, grateful he had changed the subject.

“Thank you, thank you, all! It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve you. But enough of the formalities. It’s time to party! What’s the saying? Ah, yes. Let them eat cake!”

A chorus of laughter relieved her nerves and made her feel much more comfortable. After greeting some familiar Fontainian faces, the former archon headed straight for the dessert table. She sampled a variety of sweets and was thankful she hadn’t fought Neuvillette about hosting the event.

The band playing in the background shifted from upbeat party music to something slower and more intimate. Arlecchino suddenly extended her hand. “May I have this dance?”

Furina smiled softly at her as she took it. “Well, since you asked so nicely…”

Making their way to the floor, she quickly glanced around and noticed the other couples were much more engrossed in each other than watching her every move. She could feel her shoulders relax as the harbinger took her in her arms.

It felt…nice. Although the woman was fierce in both battle and politics, seeing this side of her actually drew Furina in more. Being this close to her - smelling the musk of her perfume, feeling the warmth of her body held closely against her own - made her start to think there might be more to this than just a desire to not attend the event alone.

“Something on your mind, droplet?” She asked as she swayed them both back and forth.

The former archon blushed at the strange but fitting term of endearment. “Oh…nothing. I was just…thinking about how delicious the cake was, is all.” The Knave chuckled at her answer.

“Remind me to never deny you your sweets.”

Perhaps it was a sugar rush or maybe the two and a half glasses of fine Mondstadt Dandelion Wine she had downed, but the girl was feeling bold. Standing on the balls of her feet, she got as close to the other woman’s ear as possible. “Then I ask you not to deny me the chance to partake of something even sweeter. I’m going to head up to what used to be my office here. Wait about fifteen minutes and then come find me.”

The song came to an end, and the former archon excused herself, leaving a very confused Arlecchino in her wake.

The scenarios that had crossed the harbinger’s mind as she walked to the second floor could not have prepared her for what she found waiting for her.

“That was closer to twenty minutes, but I’ll forgive you,” Furina teased as she greeted her from the large plush couch toward the back of the room. She had shed her dress and was wearing nothing but a sapphire set of lingerie that left little to the imagination.

“You naughty little thing. You had this planned the whole time, didn’t you?” Arlecchino approached with a look in her eyes that betrayed the fact she was about to devour her.

“Hmm…Chiori did say I’d be impossible to resist if I wore this. And here I was thinking she was just trying to make an easy sale.”

“Consider me sold.”

The Knave pounced, the arm of the sofa serving as a perfectly placed pillow for the woman now underneath her. Their mouths clashed, and Arlecchino could taste the saccharine remnants of rich frosting on her tongue.

Furina moaned, desperate to rid the other woman of her stuffy clothing. Her hands worked quickly to undo buttons and shove the remaining fabric off her body. The harbinger shivered at the feel of the former archon’s fingers against her skin.

Arlecchino palmed her lover’s breasts, relishing the sound she made and secretly hoping this wouldn’t be the first and only time they’d do this.

“I hate to cut this short, but we do have a party to get back to. Are you ready for me, dear?”

“Archons, yes…I’ve been ready since you came to pick me up tonight. How could I not be when you look that dashing?”

The Knave pulled her up and positioned her to straddle her. Yanking the crotch of her panties to the side, she expertly slid two fingers inside of her.

Furina’s head tilted back as she adjusted to the intrusion. “Ohhhhhh yessssss…”

Arlecchino latched onto her neck, the vibration of the girl’s moans tickling her lips. The former archon matched the thrust of her fingers as she grabbed the harbinger’s shoulders for support. Her hips rocked at just the right angle to stimulate her clit as she raced toward her climax.

“That’s right…come on my fingers…that’s a good girl…”

“Arle…fuck…oh…yessssss!”

The girl collapsed completely spent against her. The other woman rubbed her back in reassuring circles as she soothed her. When Furina finally got the strength to look up, she watched mesmerized as the Knave licked her fingers clean.

“Much sweeter than any piece of cake downstairs. I do suppose it’s time for us to make a reappearance, don’t you?”

“Not before I return the favor,” the former archon said before she started to unlatch Arlecchino’s belt.

“Archons, Furina, we’ve already been gone too long…”

“Oh, shut up and let me do this. How long could it take when I know you’re already wet for me?” Her hand slipped inside the harbinger’s slacks and Arlecchino let out a deep moan as she felt her fingers slide against her slick heat.

“Fuck…droplet…”

Furina felt the swollen bud against her fingertips and worked it slow and steady. The Knave gripped her hips to ensure her nails wouldn’t rip a hole in the expensive-looking couch they were seated on.

“I think you wanted this just as bad as I did. You can drop the frightening fatui harbinger front. Let me hear you whine and beg for me to make you come.”

“You’re diabolical…you know that?” The other woman panted as she felt the former archon increase her pressure and pace.

“Ah, ah, ah! That’s not what I wanted, Knave.

“Please…fuck, Furina, you’re driving me crazy…please let me come…”

Her fingers moved faster and Arlecchino’s breath came in short, breathless pants.

“Haa…haaa…archons…harder…oh FUCK!” She shouted as the girl finally let her have her orgasm.

The two sat against one another as they attempted to recover from the night’s excursions. When they caught their second wind, they stood and began to dress.

“Would you be a dear and get my zipper?” Furina asked. Arlecchino was happy to oblige. The former archon twitched as she felt her fingers brush the base of her neck.

“Um…droplet…you’re going to want to borrow my jacket. I may have…gotten a bit carried away.”

“What do you…oh my archons!” She turned scarlet as she caught sight of herself in the mirror. A very large bruise from a love bite at the base of her throat had started to turn a deep shade of purple. Before the woman could drape her blazer over her, Furina pushed it back toward her.

With a sly grin that would fit a harbinger rather than the leader of a nation, she said, “You know what? Let them talk.”

[berrypass-de-murdler]

2 - 83 Murder at the Guillotine

Murdle Advent Day 4

Signor Emerald is excellent at tree decoration, no matter how tall. But he will not give up any of his gems to the public eye!

My GOD this episode is late 😭

DON'T READ THE EPISODES WITHOUT READING THE BOOKS!!

Logico doesn’t bother to sleep. He runs straight to the public guillotine. Although it’s not quite a guillotine. A flat board with limb restraints and a blade hanging above… it looks more like they’re planning to cut the goat in half. The first thing he hears is Superfan Smoky’s horrible child voice shouting

SMOKY: Look, a MURDER! 

Logico screams. They can’t have done it early. He runs as fast as his no legs will carry him, falling on the ground behind the suspects. 

R. CRIMSON: Oh. YOU got here.

She was planning on gleefully watching Irratino’s demise, even though Logico helped save her in the last episode. Judge Pine and Hero Taupe are also there. 

LOGICO: WHERE IS HE?  R. CRIMSON: Wouldn’t you like to know.

Logico karate-chops her leg and grabs her by the throat.

LOGICO: WHERE IS HE. R. CRIMSON: HE’S STILL IN PRISON!!!

The murder was of the person who was going to kill Irratino. Whoever did this murder is a hero, without question. Logico’s relief is overwhelming. But he still has to solve the murder, even if he was for it.

LOGICO: Why are you here? SMOKY: My dad said he’s always wanted to see a live execution! He’s not here, but I can still be! 

Rad twirls around a hammer and sickle.

R. CRIMSON: I wanted to see if the kill guy would let me bash a few brains. But he can’t, because apparently he’s DEAD!!!

Taupe runs over and flops into Logico, attempting to give an armless hug. 

LOGICO: I know, my friend. I will not let them get to Irratino. No matter what. [pats its knee]

Smoky has disappeared, and is up in the guard tower. 

SMOKY: This place has so many vampires and princesses, I’ll be a great fit! I’M GONNA RULE ALL OF DRAKONIA! Hey… Drakonia sounds like Dragon!

Rad runs up there and SHOVES HIM OFF THE EDGE! Thank GOD Smoky can manage to fly with those pathetic tiny wings of his.

R. CRIMSON: You think I’ll let a child take over MY country? Well I would! If they weren’t RIGHT-WING!! I’ll keep a fist locked DEAD into this land with my TWO LEFT HANDS!

Logico takes a second look. She really does have two left hands. How did he not notice this until now? No, NO! There’s more important things to do. Why hasn’t Pine said anything? Logico sees her by the machine, holding a taser and shaking.

LOGICO: P- PINE: Logico I… I can’t go on with this. This isn’t justice. Even if I don’t decide what justice is, this ain’t it. I need to break this machine down for good.

Logico nods. For once, he is seeing good coming from others.

PINE: [quietly] I’m gonna live forever. LOGICO: …That too. Sure.

Irratino, in his cage, can feel Logico nearby. He jumps and flails, climbing the bars and hitting his head on the ceiling. He’s so close to being free!

Logico discovers that the killer of the killer was Taupe. Taupe saved Irratino’s life!

TAUPE: ………… <3 R. CRIMSON: YOU did this? You’re one of the ROYALS?! LOGICO: How does saving Irratino make him one of the Royals??

A plethora of Red supporters run out of the crowd and start beating down the big-hearted statue. Logico can’t bear to see it.

LOGICO: STOP!!! TAUPE: [weakly] --. ---

Logico’s eye wells up with gratitude, and he runs into the jail, tearing the bars off the wall with his bare hands.

IRRATINO: What the fuck! Logico! We’re free! I’m free!  LOGICO: Come on, we don’t have much time!

The two duck behind a building.

IRRATINO: Where are we gonna go? Can we go to the mansion? LOGICO: Wait. 

A newspaper on the ground has suspicious info about the Violet Isles. But that’s where everything began!!

The end!

wawawawa this is so late i had shit i had to do vjdnfgkbjdfgbn

The power of Goat Lord compels you!

See you next time murdlers!

[chevelleneech]

This comment (and many others on their videos tbh) really prove that as fans, we don’t know shit, lol.

I am not a fan of MewTul nor know anything about their lives prior to them coming out and confirming their suspected relationship to be true, but lately I’ve been watching older videos of them just to see where speculation stemmed from and how people who knew of them reacted, and it’s a pretty large consensus of people who disliked them in favor of believing Mew was with another Thai actor.

I’d heard of that other ship name before, plenty of times, but I didn’t know things ran as serious for their shippers as they did. To the point where them no longer interacting in public was taken so hard. People spewing hatred and claiming they’re lying and are still secretly a couple.

It of course reminded me of Jikook and Tkk, and while I am not even slightly comparing these ships, the above comment really stood out to me, because of how certain the commenter was. Which says so much on both sides of the Jikook vs Tkk “debate”.

In 2023, this person believed without a doubt that Mew was a liar and desperate for attention. They asserted their believed fact that Tul would never be anything other than open and honest about being queer and in a relationship, and that the other man Mew was heavily shipped with was a better person and actor all around.

Fast forward to 2024, and Mew and Tul have announced their relationship, and it’s been stated that Tul was the more hesitant one about making their relationship public.

This comment stood out to me, because on both sides of this J v T debate, so-called fans swear up and down that their opinion is the correct one, based on “I know my fave best!” logic, which is crazy. We don’t know them and certainly have no clue what it is they’re truly feeling.

Again, this has nothing to do with whether or not Jimin and Jungkook ever officially come out. I’m not expecting them to, with or without each other as partners. I just think that comment highlights how stubborn people can be about ships they both love and dislike. Even if it’s staring you in the face, because just from the videos I’ve seen, they were pretty obvious. Which, in my opinion, falls heavily into the box where-in it’s necessary to remember that people not being out ≠ them being closeted.

Mew and Tul clearly posted themselves traveling together and so on, despite the posts being on different days. Mew also spoke about his “lover” in ways that (again, based on what I’ve seen so far) pointed pretty solidly toward Tul. A fact that fans who loved them and hated them, but kept check on them, would easily be able to see. So I think people were just in denial due to how BL is consumed as a genre anyway. They like the relationships on camera, and like the idea of the queer male characters existing in our versions of reality, but not to the point where they have autonomy. They don’t like the actors going “off script” with an outside partner or even a partner they dislike, even though they really just living their daily life.

(Editor’s note: I fell asleep in the middle of writing this, and sort of slept-wrote the last two paragraphs, lol! But surprisingly there weren’t many typos to fix.)

Anyway, hopefully my point comes across. As much as we think we know what we know, there is still room to be wrong, and buckling down and spewing hatred is unnecessary. Plenty of people believe themselves correct, and like MewG’s situation, that belief may not pan out. The MT shippers who were around prior to their confirmation are surely happy though, but so far from what I’ve seen, they weren’t on Twitter and on youtube calling people names for not believing. Which is what all shippers should do. Ship what you ship, but don’t be an asshole about it if people disagree with certain aspects. Unless they’re an asshole first, at least.

Also, I do have to be honest and say it sort of surprised me how similar MewG fans are to Tkkrs. They @ Mew (or whoever runs the account with his name on it) all types of rude shit, they belittle his friendship with Tul, and claim it’s all fan service. They call Tul ugly and some even turned on Mew for being desperate for attention. That doesn’t mean Jikook will follow MewTul’s path, but I just found it kind of crazy how the more hateful sides of a person stuck in the middle, basically match up.

[tendertenebrosity]

Confession

Getting a little burned out on the novel, so here is something fun, whumpy and minimally edited, featuring Julien, my old OC.

“All right,” the guard who’d driven the cart said. “I think it’s time. Say your piece.”

The crowd hushed, then stirred and hushed again, like ripples of condemnation spreading across the sea of faces looking up at Julien, where he stood on the dais.

He had already been trying to hold his head up as well he could in the face of the crowd; he made more of an effort. The chains on his wrists clinked - they made it impossible to stand as straight as he would have liked.

“I,” he began, and had to stop to wet his lips. “I am… Julien Monthaith, formerly Julien Caithir. Until recently, self-styled Prince Regent and First of the Council of Chiefs. Known to many of you as the Usurper.”

A murmur ran across the crowd. Well, it’s true, he thought. Did you think I didn’t know you called me that? It stopped hurting me a long time ago. Didn’t it?

He tried not to pick faces out of the crowd. Elene had wanted this to be done at the time when there’d be peak traffic in the square, but he’d probably have drawn people here no matter what hour. Is there not one of you whose life was better under my rule? Not one of you who I helped? Nobody with me to thank for their job, their education, their son or daughter still being alive?

They’d be unlikely to say so, if there was. Not in this crowd.

“I confess. To conspiring with Laithann’s enemies, subverting her laws and her sovereignty, and oppressing her people.” He took a deep breath. “I confess to treason. To betrayal of my family and the rightful heir. My seizure of the throne was unlawful, and the titles I claimed illegitimate. I now pledge my loyalty - completely and unreservedly - to the true and rightful monarch of Laithann, Queen Elene.”

That last part was true. He suspected nobody would really believe it, but it was. Actually all of it was true - he had just left out any lines in which he said he regretted any of it. Perhaps unwise of him, when he’d been given the leeway to write his own words rather than just rattling off whatever confession he’d been given to memorise in his cell.

Faolan had fought hard to save his life, Julien knew. Elene could change her mind just as easily.

Maybe one day you’ll understand, Elene. Of all of us, you surely know more than even me of what they were capable of.

Then again, maybe she wouldn’t. Julien wasn’t sure he could blame her.

The crowd started up again once it was obvious Julien had finished talking. A babble of voices, some of them jeering and angry, some of them almost jubilant.

Not many of those. He was a little surprised - nobody had laughed or cheered at most of the public punishments Julien had been to, but he thought this time would be different.

This time it was Julien.

“All right,” the second guard said. Julien knew her; she’d been a Montaith soldier since she was old enough to hold a sword. “One down, four to go.”

The guards motioned for Julien to come down off the dais, and he came easily, his head held high.

He had a sickening feeling he wasn’t going to be able to keep that up for long, as they fastened the short length of chain between his wrists to a rope behind the cart.

The cart set off, with Julien walking behind it, the Montaith soldier guard a little way behind him.

Oh, they were only going slowly. A walking pace. This was supposed to be humiliating, not lethal. But somehow - when he’d pictured this, in the small hours of the morning - he hadn’t accounted for how tiring this would be after the first street. How heavy and awkward it was with his wrists in chains in front of him.

Even before the gauntlet really started.

How did they decide who got to take part in this bit? He wondered, with a detachment he tried to cling to. Was there a lottery, was it whoever got there first, had they appointed people… surely competition had been fierce.

The first stick that cracked across his shoulders made him stagger, but he kept his feet. Pain in a line across his back, not unbearable, just - striking. Distracting. Enough to make him hiss between his teeth but nothing more. The crowd was weirdly quiet here, too - Julien had always kind of thought there was supposed to be a lot of noise at this sort of thing?

The second - the third -

He fell at the fifth, couldn’t get his feet underneath him fast enough to keep up with the cart. The Montaith guard was quick on her feet though, calling for the cart to stop before he could be dragged far at all, scooping him up off the road.

“Thank you,” he said, dazed, his arms and knees afire, as she steadied him. Like an idiot.

She looked at him like - oh, like he was disgusting. And he was, wasn’t he? That was what all this was about.

He’d done this for them. Hadn’t he? In the beginning. He let his gaze drift, unfocused over the crowd as they started to walk again. Someone stepped forward - he did not look at them - whistle, crack, across his shoulders.

I did it for you. And you hate me.

That’s fine.

-

They didn’t have him walk all of the way around the city. After all, they weren’t trying to kill him. Then again, he thought dizzily on one of the sections when he’d been allowed to climb up into the back of the cart and rest with his head on his folded aching arms, if some overenthusiastic citizen had suspiciously good aim, if the guards were a little too slow in calling a stop to things… what was Faolan going to do about it?

There were five major squares in the city. Julien stood in the centre of each, on a dais or atop steps if there were any. He said the words he’d prepared - project your voice, Julien, what sort of public speaker are you, he thought with vague hysteria at the third stop, with blood seeping through the shoulders of his shirt and the knees of his pants, and his legs trembling. He'd bitten his cheek at the last fall. Not going to command any hearts and minds if you mumble!

The crowd murmured angrily, and swallowed up his speech like an empty cavern with no echoes, and arranged itself behind the lines of people with switches to watch him walk through again.

The Montaith guard - what was her name? He knew it - hauled him up each time he fell, told the other guard to stop the cart and bundled him up into it on the last stretch. He didn’t thank her again. Even if he’d wanted to… he didn’t have the breath or thought to spare for anything but pain.

-

“I… I…” Julien blinked, his vision blurry. His ears roared; was it the crowd? Or just in his head? He couldn’t see them. The crowd he knew was there.

He was supposed to be talking.

Blood was trickling through his hair and down the side of his face; he made a cut-off movement of his hand to try and brush it aside, but the metal around his wrists was so heavy he didn’t get it more than a few inches.

He clung to the arm of the guard shamefully tightly, knowing that if he didn’t he would fall. He had lost count of how many times he had fallen, and it hurt more every time. And the words - he needed to get out the words. What had the words been?

“I am Julien Montaith,” he said, to whoever might be there. “I am… I was… self, self-styled, Prince Regent, and… and… I am the Usurper.” The words he’d repeated to himself in the cell below the palace were gone, and he floundered after them. God, everything hurt. Everything hurt so much.

“And?” she muttered at his side.

“I confess,” he started, and let his head sag. “I’m sorry. I’m trying. I confess - I don’t - I confess to treason, and betrayal, and - and - I seized - I conspired - please, I’m trying….”

Was the crowd roaring still? Had they heard him? It was really important that the crowd heard him.

His knees were jelly. His whole body seemed to throb, in time with the roaring in his ears, except for one long stripe from shoulder to opposite hip that burned no matter what everything else was doing. It felt deep. What had it been? Who had it been?

“Come on,” the guard said, giving him a little shake. It hurt, but he didn’t think she meant it to. She was going in and out of focus. “Nearly done. This is the last time.”

It was? Julien wasn’t certain.

He lifted his head anyway. “I c-confess to the betrayal of Laithann,” he said, the words coming out strained but audible. They were just words, he no longer really understood their meaning; it had seemed really important to him when this had started that he mean it, but he didn’t. Couldn’t. “The titles I… I claimed were not l-lawful or le…legitimate.” This last bit was the most important, wasn’t it? “I pledge… I pledge my loyalty to the true Queen, Elene...”

“There,” the guard at his side said. “Finally. Done.”

“No, it’s not. He hasn’t said it properly,” someone said, distant - the other guard? “That wasn’t what he said at the other stops. It wasn’t what he was supposed to say.”

“Look, I think it’s all we’re going to get,” the guard at his side said. She let go of Julien’s arm - he swayed - slithered down onto his knees on the cobblestones.

Everything was spinning. Everything hurt. He’d said the words wrong. Were they going to make him walk? He could not. He could not walk. He heard the guards arguing quietly over his head, and the dissatisfied muttering of the crowd.

If Julien could have talked, he would have told them just to run him through right here, if they were going to try and make him walk more. Would the crowd finally cheer at that? Or would they just - buzz and roar, like so many bees?

I loved you once, he thought, with difficulty, through the fire raging across his back and his head and his joints. You loved me, once. His mind had shrunk down to just his body, just pain, and something important was behind that thought but he couldn’t think of what it could be.

Evidently the Montaith guard won. They slung Julien’s arms over their shoulders, and loaded him into the cart, and took him home.

Did I say I was sorry? Am I sorry?

I don’t think I am. Still.

[smileyallthetime77]

Yandere!Damian Wayne x Reader pt.13

⚠️Warnings⚠️: Cursing, Mention Of Death, Illegal Interrogation And False Information

🇺🇸Word Count🇺🇸: 1,576

👾Characters👾: 8,563

Soon after you had finished your make out session, you both headed up towards Damian’s dorm. Luckily, he stopped at your locker making sure you put the note with ‘ Hector’ on it and into your locker. Tomorrow would be day 6. If you were wrong today, you’d have only two guesses left. Two days, you might be dead. But as long as Damian was here, you knew everything would be okay.

##############################

There was something different about today. And no, this was not because you slept in the most comfortable bed that you’d ever touched. Today felt like more of a burden. You had two guesses left. If you weren’t to get either one right, you were dead. Death was such an unfamiliar word to you. It was so unbelievably odd to know that you were going to possibly die, but not be able to do anything about it. The tears had yet to spill. You had time. That time was spent trying to figure everything out, but it didn’t make sense. You just wanted to go home, but the world was unfair and brutal.

Today was the first day of the weekend. Your last possible sleep. But you weren’t going to let death come after you. No, never. You had a plan. Y/n L/n ALWAYS had a plan, even if it wasn’t the best. You were going to question people around your school. EVERYONE. Damian of course, would help you. It would be a hard, excruciating day, but if it meant you would keep your life, you didn’t mind.

You were currently heading to break feast right now. Damian had BEGGED you to the Arabian break feast called Shakshuka. He did also ask you to sit with him, Steph, Jason, Tim, and Cass. But were you really going to risk that? They hated you a lot, so why should you make them hate you more? But you and Damian were semi-dating, so they were just going to have to suck it up.

As you neared the lunch table you received two harsh glares from none other than Jason, aswell as Cass! You supposed the reason Tim and Steph weren’t glaring at you was because Steph was complaining about how her nail chipped during P.E.

“Can we help you”, Cass sneered ignorantly.

“Leave her alone Cass. I told her to sit here”, Damian rudely sneered back.

Cass grumbled but didn’t push it further. Though, you could still feel the glares of two extra people. When Steph and Tim stopped talking, you knew they were glaring at you aswell. But you couldn’t care less as you and Damian ate your DELICIOUS break feast talking about everything! It was wonderful. You just hoped that you could experience this in the future, without dying.

The moment soon ended when you both finished your break feast and went to go question people. You decided to first start on the first floor while Damian would do the basement. There you would of course meet everyone from your classes and a few other strangers. Though, when you got to questioning Cass, it hit you. This could be a girl! Why didn’t you think of that before?! Right now Cass was your number one suspect. With her rude glares and arrogant attitude, you should have figured it out sooner. God you were such an idiot to not even consider that possibility!

The second person that came into your mind was Stephanie. Her and Casa obviously believed Damian’s words about you being ‘crazy’, but they would need to have something against you to be the ones who put the note in your locker when you first got here. Maybe you could question them? Though, you’d first need to get Jason, Damian, and Tim away from them. Tim was probably going to be the hardest considering how he’s glued to Steph’s hip twenty-four/seven.

As you began to roam around the area expecting to find Cass and/or Stephanie, you weren’t expecting to be called over the announcement. Whoever was speaking through the microphone instructed you to report to the main office. Oh my gosh. It was probably Mr.Wilson. It had to be. Who else would be want to speak to you out of the blue.

As you slowly made your way towards the office, desperately not wanting to, you eventually saw the big brown doors with little wooden figures of animals carved into it. With a deep sigh and all the courage you could muster up, you gently knocked twice on the door. The wish for someone to not open the door quickly vanished as a man with black hair opened it.

“Are you…. Y/n”, he questioned while looking down at his clip board.

“Yes”, you said while trying to make eye contact with his ocean blue eyes. He was quite attractive with the muscles showing threw his back T-shirt.

He smiled gently. “Perfect”, he said as he opened the door up for you, indicating for you to step inside. Once you stepped inside he placed a calloused hand on your back and led you threw a series of multiple doors and hallways. Holy hell was Mr.Wilson’s office big. You’d never been in here before. You stoped after about a minute of walking. It appeared to be a what looked like a therapy office? No, an integration room. It had the structure of an integration room but it had numerous books based on human feelings. Plus it was decorated like a therapists office. Was this man trying to question you? What about?

“You can take a seat you know? Or stand”, he said as he was the first one to sit down. It was clear you didn’t quite understand what was happening considering the fact that you weren’t being very open. Your arms were crossed and your eyes darted between this man and the chair you were suppose to sit in. “Don’t be shy”, he said. Take a seat”.

As you walked towards the gray chair, which oddly resembled the gray chair in your room, you sat on it. “What did you need me here for”, you question in a low tone as you fiddled with your thumbs. You were quite nervous. You really needed to start questioning people. This event was only delaying that more! You didn’t have much more time. You just prayed that this would be over with quickly.

“Yes, indeed I did”, he stated calmly while looking up at you.

“We’ll I’m kind of on a tight schedule, so could we speed this up a bit”, you questioned while looking around and tapping your left foot.

“Of course your majesty”, he said in a sarcastically funny way. “Well it has come to my attention that you seemed a little stressed. Now I won’t play games with you or lie to you. I understand that you feel threatened by some anonymous person here. My job is to make sure the scholars at Gotham Academy are feeling perfectly fine. In order for me to make sure no one is going to be harmed here, I’m going to have to ask you a few questions. All you have to do is tell the truth. This meeting should take about two to five hours, so I suggested you put your schedule on hold for a little bit”, he said his he pulled the pen out of his pocket and clicked it, making the tip of it to come out.

“Two to five hours”, you exclaimed!

“Indeed. So! For your first question do yo-“, he was abruptly cut of.

“Listen sir. I would love to answer your questions right now. But I don’t have time to spare. I’d like to reschedule this anytime next week. I just really don’t have time right now”, you spoke as you stood gathering all of your belongings.

“According to the “misprision of a felony” law, you legally have to answer my questions. You are a witness of a possible committed crime and can face jail time of up to three years and face a fine of two-hundred fifty thousands dollars. According to your files, you could barely pay rent. If you answer my questions truthfully this possibly does not have to affect you. Is this clear”, he questioned.

This should be illegal. Damn this school! Every time you tried to find things out you were always shut down by something or someone! He shouldn’t be able to interrogate you without your consent. But you new he could get away with it. With his income and the schools favor on him, he could easily beat you if you two were to go to court. You truly had no way to escape his questions so you did the only thing you knew you could. You agreed.

Eight hours. What was suppose to take five hours at MAXIMUM took eight fucking hours. You could never get those eight hours back. Damian had probably been wondering were you were. Would if he thought you were dead? Well now you knew that wasn’t the case when he saw you again and hugged you through the entire night. Tomorrow was the last day. You had one more day till it was all over. One more day till you might be dead. Tomorrow would be day 7. The final day. You needed to know who this person was. Though, you did learn that the man who might rob you of your life was named Grayson. Dick, Grayson. And that’s exactly why he went on your list tonight. And tomorrow Cass or Steph might be your last guess.

Written: Friday, September 15, 2023